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dmccombs

macrumors 6502a
May 13, 2013
718
1,752
I did think about getting the dolly out though to move the 16" from the dining room to the couch. LMAO!!!
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BB8

macrumors 6502
Jan 26, 2016
346
1,284
I think it's weird that people say the 14" is better for couch/bed. I use a Macbook Air in bed and I ended up buying a lapdesk just to make it feel less awkward and wobbly when typing. When I use my old 15" MBP I don't have that problem.
 

dmccombs

macrumors 6502a
May 13, 2013
718
1,752
I think it's weird that people say the 14" is better for couch/bed. I use a Macbook Air in bed and I ended up buying a lapdesk just to make it feel less awkward and wobbly when typing. When I use my old 15" MBP I don't have that problem.
Yes, we all look at things differently. I may view something as a positive where someone else may view the same thing as a negative. I got to use both the 14" and 16" at home and I am still a bit torn. ?

I could take the 16" on most travel I do, but I have an ipad pro that works well for travel if I dont want to carry a laptop. I dont commute via train or bus so I don't need a laptop. However the 16" is a big laptop. Even though I don't have a problem moving to/from wherever I use it, it still shocks me when I look at the darn things with the lid closed. I guess I am used to conventionable business laptops (the last 20 years) that were close to the 13-14" size.

Both the 14" and 16" displays are terrific, but I do find the 16" so immersive. One of my use cases is photo editing, so the immersive screen is a nice to have (even though I have an external display for final edits).

I am leaning towards keeping the 16" since mobility isn't a big deal for me. The great looking big screen is winning me over.
 

Suspenders

macrumors regular
Oct 28, 2017
136
139
Coming from a 15" MBP, I thought I would love the 14" for the form factor, so I picked one up and played around with it. To be sure, I ordered the 16" and returned the 14" within a day. I love the size of the 16" and find it portable enough to move around, use on the couch or even bed if I need to.

I don't travel often and even if I did I don't think I'd have a problem using the 16". That being said, I don't think there's anything wrong with the 14" and if it suits your personal needs, go for it. I personally just love the 16" for everything I do (photo & video editing).
 
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joejamr

macrumors newbie
Oct 28, 2021
2
3
I flip-flopped on this multiple times and cancelled two orders. During this time I got a new ultra-wide 35" monitor and I've decided to go with the 14" MBP. My thinking now is that my MBP and iPad Pro will act as auxiliary screens with the ultra-wide as the star of the show, so there's no need to maximize screen size on the laptop. This is how I'll be working 99% of the time.

The occasions where I need to undock from my home office should be when I'll appreciate better portability. I've used a 13" MBA on the go before and the screen size is a bit cramped but good enough while traveling or other short duration use. If I can get by with that when needed then the 14" should be even better.

Someone else wrote that when they're portable is when they need the larger screen even more since they don't have their main desktop monitor. I get that, and it makes sense if you really need that extra screen space to work effectively. For me I'd be writing code, not trying to edit a big video/audio project, so I don't feel that having the biggest screen is essential or important enough to carry around an unwieldy brick.
 
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Pokolasko

macrumors member
Nov 9, 2021
77
36
i flipped floped a bit, had the 16, ended up with the 14" I do think its the best size... 16, if you do not leave the house!
Haha. I saw that you were one of the most frequent supporters of 16 "in posts. What convinced you of 14? Do you miss the size of the 16" display?

I still have 16 "but sometimes I go to the store to watch 14" and I'm always surprised by how super light and compact it is.
 

madat42

macrumors 6502
Mar 25, 2011
326
128
Dave2D seems to always come through with a good video summing things up. Honestly, there's no bad pick so ignore the dumb posts saying this model or that is terrible because of its weight or thermals. Just know there are always compromises and if you can live with them while getting your top 2 or 3 priorities met, you're golden.
 

ice29

macrumors regular
Dec 9, 2016
187
143
Switzerland
Spent now one week visiting parents, with 16" MBP to do some work from here... I simply love it, can't go back to anything smaller... No need for external screen anymore, means I can actually throw away the big desk (with 31" 4k screen on it) and just buy a small 50x73cm one from IKEA lol. Measured the area I use on the desk with the 16" and external mouse, it's around 65x45. I love the simplicity/minimalism of the setup.
It's definitely worth carrying it with me. But again, the backpack makes all the difference... I have travelled by plane with this one - deuter stockholm - with 16" MBP, charger+mouse, some bathroom stuff and clothes, fully packed, and it felt amazing on the back, not heavy at all, spent hours in transit with it. Another one without good back-system will let you feel the bulky 16" laptop after 5 minutes.
 
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Pokolasko

macrumors member
Nov 9, 2021
77
36
Spent now one week visiting parents, with 16" MBP to do some work from here... I simply love it, can't go back to anything smaller... No need for external screen anymore, means I can actually throw away the big desk (with 31" 4k screen on it) and just buy a small 50x73cm one from IKEA lol. Measured the area I use on the desk with the 16" and external mouse, it's around 65x45. I love the simplicity/minimalism of the setup.
It's definitely worth carrying it with me. But again, the backpack makes all the difference... I have travelled by plane with this one - deuter stockholm - with 16" MBP, charger+mouse, some bathroom stuff and clothes, fully packed, and it felt amazing on the back, not heavy at all, spent hours in transit with it. Another one without good back-system will let you feel the bulky 16" laptop after 5 minutes.

Today I bought The North face Borealis (2021). It has a great back system and a spacious pocket for a Macbook 16 ". I don't even know when I have a Macbook there.

I have a feeling that for a 14 "Macbook, this backpack would be a waste Lol: D IMG_2200.JPG IMG_2196.JPG IMG_2199.JPG
 

shoppy

macrumors 65816
Mar 4, 2007
1,072
64
Hants
My 14” is sat under my desk; I thiugtt he I had decided but now still debating. So I have ordered the standard 16” M1 max pro. Don’t need it but oh well I thought I would start of with it and can always keep it for travel. I love the size of the screen and drawn to it but shall see when it arrives.
 
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kp98077

macrumors 601
Oct 26, 2010
4,312
2,764
Whistler, BC
Haha. I saw that you were one of the most frequent supporters of 16 "in posts. What convinced you of 14? Do you miss the size of the 16" display?

I still have 16 "but sometimes I go to the store to watch 14" and I'm always surprised by how super light and compact it is.
basically, money! lol was $500 cheaper, so I decided to live with it! and the lightness is nice for sure!! Also, in my area at coffee shots 90% plus people have 13" or 14" computers, so to me, theres a reason its so popular.
 

Fomalhaut

macrumors 68000
Oct 6, 2020
1,993
1,724
I would prefer to use a BT keyboard because then I can have a numeric keypad, but the problem for me, is it puts you too far away from the screen.

Not if you have the laptop on a riser stand, which has the advantage of getting it closer to eye level, and is ergonomically much healthier.
 

DHagan4755

macrumors 68020
Jul 18, 2002
2,266
6,150
Massachusetts
basically, money! lol was $500 cheaper, so I decided to live with it! and the lightness is nice for sure!! Also, in my area at coffee shots 90% plus people have 13" or 14" computers, so to me, theres a reason its so popular.
Right! It's a popular size, in part, because the larger model is too pricey for most users. They really don't need the brawniest processor. Yet there are people who want a screen larger than 13.3 inches. In my travels over the years many people have vented to me about this very point. They're frustrated Apple doesn't make a 15 inch MacBook Air. Not sure what focus groups Apple is conducting & why Apple is hesitant to make a 15 inch MacBook Air.

That said, most people have a gut level reaction to the sizes & aren't indecisive about what size to get.
 
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vinay427

macrumors 6502a
Sep 18, 2008
748
74
Spent now one week visiting parents, with 16" MBP to do some work from here... I simply love it, can't go back to anything smaller... No need for external screen anymore, means I can actually throw away the big desk (with 31" 4k screen on it) and just buy a small 50x73cm one from IKEA lol. Measured the area I use on the desk with the 16" and external mouse, it's around 65x45. I love the simplicity/minimalism of the setup.
It's definitely worth carrying it with me. But again, the backpack makes all the difference... I have travelled by plane with this one - deuter stockholm - with 16" MBP, charger+mouse, some bathroom stuff and clothes, fully packed, and it felt amazing on the back, not heavy at all, spent hours in transit with it. Another one without good back-system will let you feel the bulky 16" laptop after 5 minutes.

This is the problem with the 16” for me. It certainly doesn’t replace an external display for me (or I would argue most users who work at their desk for longer periods), particularly with respect to ergonomics, so the extra display size is still very nice but not necessarily worth the reduced portability anymore. If someone made a large-display laptop with a display riser mechanism of some sort I’d be all in with the 16”. ?
 
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tomstone74

macrumors member
Oct 26, 2021
75
66
I have been forth and back between the 14" and 16" as my first MacOS device as well and finally decided for a refurbished MBA M1 16G/1TB. :D

Should give me plenty processing power for my use case at half of the price compared to the 14", for mostly in clamshell mode and when I'm rarely on the go, I will enjoy the portability and battery life.
 

monomaniacalist

macrumors newbie
Jul 23, 2017
17
13
If I only have one device, I would actually pick the 14. Why? Because I can easily hook it up to a monitor then easily take it out and be more mobile... everywhere.

But if you have an iPad/tablet, an ultrabook.. or just an iPhone max, the 16 stays home with an occasional travel if need be. Also, since the screen is so beautiful, buying a 4k monitor is not necessary anymore. Editing photos/videos laptop mode while lounging on the couch with the 16 screen is truly a wonderful experience. I feel like if I have the 14, I will still use external monitor to edit effectively. 16 is still the winner for me
My thought exactly. As my work revolves around a lot of reading and Excel, having a larger screen can really help with eye strain. When outdoors, it’s iPad Pro for the note-taking and browsing. I could take the 16 out but for a few hours of screen time, but the iPad should more than suffice in most cases.
 
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cRzz

macrumors newbie
Jun 1, 2021
6
0
Could someone link me to a comparison between the 14 and 15 inch side by side? I've looked through all of the pages without being able to come by one, please and thank you.
 

nquinn

macrumors 6502a
Jun 25, 2020
829
621
I have been forth and back between the 14" and 16" as my first MacOS device as well and finally decided for a refurbished MBA M1 16G/1TB. :D

Should give me plenty processing power for my use case at half of the price compared to the 14", for mostly in clamshell mode and when I'm rarely on the go, I will enjoy the portability and battery life.
It's kind of funny, I was all excited about these new macbooks and now after looking at the receipt, I'm sort of like...do I really need this?

Really I'd just like a bigger mini-led screen size (14"+) and thinner bezels. Maybe should have waited to see what the Air M2 model would be.
 

Jl006p

macrumors regular
Dec 15, 2019
122
148
It's kind of funny, I was all excited about these new macbooks and now after looking at the receipt, I'm sort of like...do I really need this?

Really I'd just like a bigger mini-led screen size (14"+) and thinner bezels. Maybe should have waited to see what the Air M2 model would be.
I understand we have a lot of apple enthusiasts here but if you aren't making a living off these new incredible tools then it's really not for you.

Curious to see what the lineup will look like in 2022. Will apple reserve MagSafe and all the other ports for Pro machines only or will the 13" air and 13" pro get them back? Will the 13" still have the Touch Bar? Will the successor to the entry level M1 be better than the M1 Pro and Max?

Also what do they have up their sleeve for the 27" iMac & iPad Pro?

2022 is about to be nuts.
 

agent mac

macrumors member
Oct 9, 2007
94
144
I've now had my stock configuration 16", Pro, 16GB/1TB laptop for a few days now.
For me, the larger screen was the primary driver. Yes it's a bit heavier, but it's only approximate to a can of coke, and whilst it's still weight, it's hardly a deal breaker.
For what it's worth, my first impressions (all comparing to my wife's 2017 15" Intel Macbook)
  • It's silent. No fans from anything.
  • The sound is incredible. I mean, it's only a laptop, let's not get carried away, but watching Ted Lasso, it's like having surround sound. How they do it, I have no idea, but it's jaw dropping good. Sounds just appear around you. From two little laptop speakers. Wow.
  • The notch....I'd been setting things up for about an hour before I suddenly noticed the notch and had that 'oh, yeah, the notch' moment. Just not a thing.
  • Screen great, and noticeably better than the old machine, but it's all relative.
  • Not really much bigger than the 15.4". Screen is bigger, but overall laptop not so much. In the satchel I use for it, the old laptop fitted snugly and this also fits snugly...
  • Keyboard....Hmmmmm. You see light bleeding out from under the keys on the new one, which you didn't have on the old one. There's nothing wrong with the machine, it's just the design, and it's a bit distracting really. Nothing too bad, but you notice it. Typing better though. Our old one was one of the dodgy period keyboards with very little key travel.
Otherwise, it's been a joy, but it's just a tool at the end of the day, and having spent forever fretting about this chip or that chip and this RAM or that RAM, it's good to just have it and be using it and enjoying it.
 

madat42

macrumors 6502
Mar 25, 2011
326
128
It's kind of funny, I was all excited about these new macbooks and now after looking at the receipt, I'm sort of like...do I really need this?

Really I'd just like a bigger mini-led screen size (14"+) and thinner bezels. Maybe should have waited to see what the Air M2 model would be.
"Do I really need this?" A good question especially if you already have the 13" M1 MacBook(s) which still does a lot of things really well.
 
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richinaus

macrumors 68020
Oct 26, 2014
2,432
2,186
I have a 16" intel which I used a lot for WFH on the table on its own

However bought the 14" M, because I take it to the studio a lot now and simply connect to a monitor.

This is how I decide -

if using for more than a couple of hours, sans monitor - 16.
if taking out or hooked up to a monitor - 14.
 

KennyJr

macrumors 6502
Mar 13, 2020
318
310
I use my 16" with a 32" monitor. Between the two that's a lot of real estate (I require a lot of real estate - multiple open windows). The audio from the larger 16" platform, as reviewed, is better than from any other reviewed notebook. It really is good; that's important to me.
 
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