Can't Decide Between 14" and 16"

[jamezr]

Just picked up an M1 14 MBP today . Traded in my 2017 15.4 MBP for it.
Love love the size and footprint of this thing. Battery life has been amazing so far and it is blazing fast!

 

[Parisi]

A 16" M1 MBA would sell like hotcakes. Too bad Apple will never do it since it will cannibalize their Macbook Pro sales.

A thinner lighter 15" Air with a 120hz screen would be ideal, I would trade my 16" M1 in a heartbeat for it, in fact I prob will if the time ever comes.

 

[Aka757]

Figured I'd add my thoughts here as well. I picked up an open box 14" MBP from MicroCenter, and a new 16" MBP from Amazon. After a couple days of using both, I decided to stick with the 16" because of the bigger screen size. Both machines were the base model, and battery life was slightly better on the 16" (maybe 1 or 2 hours more with my very light use), definitely not enough to be a dealbreaker one way or the other.

I do think it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Most of my use will be watching movies / videos, listening to music, and general note-taking for work. I won't be traveling with this thing (WFH) and so I wanted the bigger screen. I loved the footprint and weight of the 14" but ultimately my desire for the bigger screen outweighed that. Depends what you want out of the laptop.

I also agree on the point that a 15" / 16" MBA would absolutely be one of the best-selling devices in Apple history, but I cannot see it happening when people (I'm Exhibit A) are willing to pay a pretty hefty premium just to have a bigger screen on the 16" MBP without having a use for the power. Would make no sense for them to take away that revenue, but I would be thrilled to eat crow if they surprise us next year.

 

[adr1974]

I literally cannot make up my mind. While there’s definitely extra real estate, I’m not sure it would matter (for me) that much. It looks like it SHOULD…but when I open two comparable windows, it’s not like I see SO much more to the point that it would ultimately matter. On the other hand, I’m pretty sure the extra weight wouldn’t make a difference…but I do like the form factor of the 14 a bit more.

 

[amt2002]

I have been using a 14" for the past month, and a 16" since a few days ago.

I have been enjoying using the 14", but I definitely missed the screen size moving from a 2018 15". Using back to back the 15" felt noticeably larger and more immersive.

This is what led to me buying the 16". I actually really loved the size and weight of the 2018 15" - it felt great to carry and use. I expected the 16" to be a bit larger and heavier of course, but boy oh boy this thing feels on another level.

It is properly heavy. Properly thick. And sadly it's to the extent I'm not finding it very comfortable to use. On a desk - fine. Great actually. But on a lap, whether sat on the sofa or in bed, which is where i often use my laptops, it just gets uncomfortable very quickly.

I'm gutted to say it but I strongly suspect the 16" will be going back and I'll hold on to the 14" - despite me wishing the screen was just that little bit bigger.

I would completely support calls for a 15" Macbook Air. This would be my dream machine.

 

[Philllllip]

After many weeks of doing my head in I finally decided.......Easy solution to this undecidable nightmare......I bought BOTH!! 16 silver max and 14 grey pro Very happy now. 16 is my main display and work stationed 14 is for fun and second display. The 14 has my heart though. Nicest piece of hardware ever!!!!

 

[Realityck]

I would completely support calls for a 15" Macbook Air. This would be my dream machine.

You know the M1 13" MBA is 2.8 lbs versus the M1 Pro/Max 14" MBP with way better display/speakers and more ports is 3.5 lbs. Going larger I think the charm of a MBA would be totally lost, as it would weigh that much more IMHO.

The 16" weight and dimensions is the almost the same as my older mid 2012 15" retina MBP.
But Holly Molly what a upgrade comparably.

 

[Jl006p]

After many weeks of doing my head in I finally decided.......Easy solution to this undecidable nightmare......I bought BOTH!! 16 silver max and 14 grey pro Very happy now. 16 is my main display and work stationed 14 is for fun and second display. The 14 has my heart though. Nicest piece of hardware ever!!!!

 

[dtakias]

You know the M1 13" MBA is 2.8 lbs versus the M1 Pro/Max 14" MBP with way better display/speakers and more ports is 3.5 lbs. Going larger I think the charm of a MBA would be totally lost, as it would weight that much more IMHO.

I reckon Apple could pull this off. The 15" MBA does not need to have all the 16" goodies. Extra ports, super audio, XDR display and magsafe are irrelevant to me . Personally I already have adaptors for pretty much anything.
All I need is a large screen MacBook with Apple Silicon and portability of the MacBook Air.

 

[archi penko]

Yes - I recently pulled my 2003 vintage 12" PowerBook out of storage and it's almost as heavy as the 16" M1 Pro!

BUT - after years of Jony Ive's 15" Retina thin design, a heavier laptop feels like a step backwards in terms of portability.

Agree! I really don’t like carrying around those old heavy computers in the days of yore. I could do it but it was heavy, painful and cumbersome.

I’m not looking for something from 2012 or 2003 or tech going back in time or busting out a big CRT monitor and saying oooo look but the thermals!

I want to live in the self-driving, Expanse, augmented future. Without unibody or lighter/thinner or glass inspired design… We Wouldn’t be typing on glass screens on our phones, or have any colourful computers (old iMacs), but be typing on beige boxes, with DVD drives. But yes! Function over form! Yay! I am so happy to carry around 13 kilos for the fastest/best.

No, rather I think a balance and a push for design actually. Design can lead and function can fit. Give & take. We need a market leader to push things in another direction, to consider other aspects of design. Look at groundbreaking architecture. Look at what Elon Musk did with the Space X look (ship/uniform) vs. NASA did with their station, etc.

[Btw trying out a MBP 16”]

 

[norwaypianoman]

If you only have one upgrade every tenth year, 16 inch is almost like a desktop. It was a dream to try with garageband. I could do, without my 27" screen.

I would actually recommend most to get the 16 inch pro, and look out for a 13 inch used, because - the 16 has so much more extra value.

But, if you are happy, happy with 14, choose that. I am upgrading to 1 TB and 32 RAM, so for me the price between 14 and 16 is almost the same. So I will go for 16. If I use it as a musician live, 16 will also be much better. I might use the machine for travels, but not daily back and forth. And not in my "lap". And if I want to use it in my lap, I can just buy an extra bluetooth-mouse-keyboard.. 16 it is.

 

[TimothyJohn]

If you only have one upgrade every tenth year, 16 inch is almost like a desktop. It was a dream to try with garageband. I could do, without my 27" screen.

I would actually recommend most to get the 16 inch pro, and look out for a 13 inch used, because - the 16 has so much more extra value.

But, if you are happy, happy with 14, choose that. I am upgrading to 1 TB and 32 RAM, so for me the price between 14 and 16 is almost the same. So I will go for 16. If I use it as a musician live, 16 will also be much better. I might use the machine for travels, but not daily back and forth. And not in my "lap". And if I want to use it in my lap, I can just buy an extra bluetooth-mouse-keyboard.. 16 it is.

A 1tb bus powered external SSD that gets an advertised 2,800mb/sec (real world? 1400?) will cost you $399.99. Guess how much an additional 1tb internal (7,400mb/sec!!) costs? Yup. $400.00. And if you are a teacher, or a student, or if anyone in your family is a teacher or a student; then the cost is $360.00. Instead of carrying around an external drive out of necessity; with 2tb onboard, you can do all your work without external drives, and connect one only when you are archiving or backing up!! PLUS, you are dealing with either 200, or 400gb/sec bus speed. I'm sold! I'm waiting on a 16" M1Pro, 10cpu, 16gpu, 32gb ram, 2tb SSD...

 

[bradl]

A 1tb bus powered external SSD that gets an advertised 2,800mb/sec (real world? 1400?) will cost you $399.99. Guess how much an additional 1tb internal (7,400mb/sec!!) costs? Yup. $400.00. And if you are a teacher, or a student, or if anyone in your family is a teacher or a student; then the cost is $360.00. Instead of carrying around an external drive out of necessity; with 2tb onboard, you can do all your work without external drives, and connect one only when you are archiving or backing up!! PLUS, you are dealing with either 200, or 400gb/sec bus speed. I'm sold! I'm waiting on a 16" M1Pro, 10cpu, 16gpu, 32gb ram, 2tb SSD...

That is EXACTLY why I’m going with the 2TB option when I order. In fact, I was contemplating being a hard pass on this year’s models if they didn’t have an option bigger than 1TB.

BL.

 

[Pokolasko]

If you only have one upgrade every tenth year, 16 inch is almost like a desktop. It was a dream to try with garageband. I could do, without my 27" screen.

I would actually recommend most to get the 16 inch pro, and look out for a 13 inch used, because - the 16 has so much more extra value.

But, if you are happy, happy with 14, choose that. I am upgrading to 1 TB and 32 RAM, so for me the price between 14 and 16 is almost the same. So I will go for 16. If I use it as a musician live, 16 will also be much better. I might use the machine for travels, but not daily back and forth. And not in my "lap". And if I want to use it in my lap, I can just buy an extra bluetooth-mouse-keyboard.. 16 it is.

I don't understand the comment that 16 is better if I change my PC every 10 years. I think it's a personal preference that suits you but doesn't have to suit others. Many people have been using the Macbook 13 "for many years. It just seems to me that such advice that one size is better than another because someone fits more can confuse people who have already chosen a size under a long search.

 

[hefeglass]

im torn..I have both machines here
the 14 is so much easier to type on and just everything ergonomics-wise is better..but the 16 has better speakers, more power, bigger screen, longer lasting battery. And although I have been a 13in macbook user for years..I have managed to get a little used to the big screen on the 16 after using it for the past couple weeks. I notice when I am watching youtube videos that are already fullscreen..I try to maximize them now on the 14in screen. It will take a minute to get back used to the 14in now, but the portability still wins out of the small benefits of the 16.
On low power mode the 14 still has plenty of battery
and if you want to do a long gaming session and want ultimate maximum performance, you can put the fans at full speed manually and youll actually get a little more out of the gpu (tested this myself with gfxbench metal)
you really arent missing out on more than about 10% power youd get by going with the 16in. In most cases this difference isnt noticeable imo.

 

[bradl]

im torn..I have both machines here
the 14 is so much easier to type on and just everything ergonomics-wise is better..but the 16 has better speakers, more power, bigger screen, longer lasting battery. And although I have been a 13in macbook user for years..I have managed to get a little used to the big screen on the 16 after using it for the past couple weeks. I notice when I am watching youtube videos that are already fullscreen..I try to maximize them now on the 14in screen. It will take a minute to get back used to the 14in now, but the portability still wins out of the small benefits of the 16.
On low power mode the 14 still has plenty of battery
and if you want to do a long gaming session and want ultimate maximum performance, you can put the fans at full speed manually and youll actually get a little more out of the gpu (tested this myself with gfxbench metal)
you really arent missing out on more than about 10% power youd get by going with the 16in. In most cases this difference isnt noticeable imo.

That's where I'm on the bubble, but it comes to one comparison: portability vs. battery life and thermals. If travel is light where you are not using it while physically traveling (read: in a boat, with a goat, in the rain, on a train, with or without green eggs and ham, eat them, eat them, Sam-I-am!), then I'd say that the 16 is the way to go. If you're doing work while physically traveling and using it for active presentations, then the 14 would work.

Gaming? 16" is better.

BL.

 

[ice29]

16” works perfectly on the train, much better than the 13” air for me, since I see the screen better (don’t have to bend forward) and the laptop lays more stable on my thighs (I always work with the laptop on my lap, hate the train tables)

 

[ISKOTB]

I have been using a 14" for the past month, and a 16" since a few days ago.

I have been enjoying using the 14", but I definitely missed the screen size moving from a 2018 15". Using back to back the 15" felt noticeably larger and more immersive.

This is what led to me buying the 16". I actually really loved the size and weight of the 2018 15" - it felt great to carry and use. I expected the 16" to be a bit larger and heavier of course, but boy oh boy this thing feels on another level.

It is properly heavy. Properly thick. And sadly it's to the extent I'm not finding it very comfortable to use. On a desk - fine. Great actually. But on a lap, whether sat on the sofa or in bed, which is where i often use my laptops, it just gets uncomfortable very quickly.

I'm gutted to say it but I strongly suspect the 16" will be going back and I'll hold on to the 14" - despite me wishing the screen was just that little bit bigger.

I would completely support calls for a 15" Macbook Air. This would be my dream machine.

I have the 2018 15" and I am fine with the laptop footprint so you think the 16" is way too big compared to the 15"?
Thank You

 

[hmorneau]

I have the 2018 15" and I am fine with the laptop footprint so you think the 16" is way too big compared to the 15"?
Thank You

The 2021 is very similar to the 2013-2015 15" if you ever used/saw one.

 

[amt2002]

I have the 2018 15" and I am fine with the laptop footprint so you think the 16" is way too big compared to the 15"?
Thank You

honestly yes, for me the additional 300g was a really noticeable difference going from one to the other which has definitely crossed a line for comfort, at least for me personally using the laptop on my lap the majority of the time.

2018 15 - slim and light (relatively speaking). Used this daily for 3 years.
2021 16 M1 Pro - thick and heavy - it’s already back in it’s box awaiting return!

I’m glad I tried it. It’s made me realise the 14” is the perfect device for me until apple release a 15 or 16 Air.

 

[DMG35]

I recently returned my 16" and opted to go with the 14". I think this depends on what your use case is. I also have a 27" iMac Pro and don't need another desktop to work on. I need a portable machine and while I loved everything about the 16" I just felt like it was too big and heavy to take with me.

I also feel like it was dominating some tables I sat at with other people and their laptops. I meet with a group of people once or twice a week to exchange contacts as well as network and every time I plunked the 16" down it would nearly take up the entire table we were sitting at. A few times someone even made the old line "Could you have brought a bigger laptop?" It always made me laugh but they were right. I didn't need another desktop computer out with me and it got really old not wanting to take it to places because I knew it was going to be too big (planes especially).

The 16" is an awesome laptop and who knows maybe one day I'll go back to it but for now I'm comfortable with the 14" knowing that it has the same power with just a little less screen restate all in a smaller package. And my battery life has been nothing short of spectacular with it.

 

[Realityck]

honestly yes, for me the additional 300g was a really noticeable difference going from one to the other which has definitely crossed a line for comfort, at least for me personally using the laptop on my lap the majority of the time.

2018 15 - slim and light (relatively speaking). Used this daily for 3 years.
2021 16 M1 Pro - thick and heavy - it’s already back in it’s box awaiting return!

I’m glad I tried it. It’s made me realise the 14” is the perfect device for me until apple release a 15 or 16 Air.

Thick and heavy? Naaa you just happen to buy the only 15" Retina MBP model in the last so many years that was slightly thinner and lighter. Yes if that is your preference the 14" is likely your favorite. But for the rest of us, not so different.

mid 2012 - mid 2015 retina 15" MBPs
Height: 0.71 inch (1.8 cm)
Width: 14.13 inches (35.89 cm)
Depth: 9.73 inches (24.71 cm)
Weight: 4.46 pounds (2.02 kg)

mid 2017 retina 15" MBP
Height: 0.61 inch (1.55 cm)
Width: 13.75 inches (34.93 cm)
Depth: 9.48 inches (24.07 cm)
Weight: 4.02 pounds (1.83 kg

mid 2019 retina 16" MBP
Height: 0.64 inch (1.62 cm)
Width: 14.09 inches (35.79 cm)
Depth: 9.68 inches (24.59 cm)
Weight: 4.3 pounds (2.0 kg)

2021 retina 16" MBP
Height: 0.66 inch (1.68 cm)
Width: 14.01 inches (35.57 cm)
Depth: 9.77 inches (24.81 cm)
Weight (M1 Pro): 4.7 pounds (2.1 kg)
Weight (M1 Max): 4.8 pounds (2.2 kg)

 

[bradl]

I recently returned my 16" and opted to go with the 14". I think this depends on what your use case is. I also have a 27" iMac Pro and don't need another desktop to work on. I need a portable machine and while I loved everything about the 16" I just felt like it was too big and heavy to take with me.

I also feel like it was dominating some tables I sat at with other people and their laptops. I meet with a group of people once or twice a week to exchange contacts as well as network and every time I plunked the 16" down it would nearly take up the entire table we were sitting at. A few times someone even made the old line "Could you have brought a bigger laptop?" It always made me laugh but they were right. I didn't need another desktop computer out with me and it got really old not wanting to take it to places because I knew it was going to be too big (planes especially).

The 16" is an awesome laptop and who knows maybe one day I'll go back to it but for now I'm comfortable with the 14" knowing that it has the same power with just a little less screen restate all in a smaller package. And my battery life has been nothing short of spectacular with it.

To me, this sounds like a perfect use case for the 14".

You already have a Mac working as a major primary desktop that you don't need anything big to act as something portable that would have similar to equal the amount of power your desktop has. So for this, the 14", or even the 13" M1 would work.

With that said, you also may have just provided another big use case for me to go with the 16". With me currently using a PC that I've built along with my mid-2011 13" MBA, and the MBA being my primary computer, I'd be getting the best of both worlds with having the power of a modern Mac desktop, along with the portability of the MBA, as well as gaining the advantages of the heat dissipation, better fans, thermals, and speakers that the 16" has over the 14".

You may have just talked me into pulling the trigger on it... In fact, I'll probably wait until after the 30th, so I can't be completely p****d off because ordering before the 30th would still make eligible for the extended return policy... which I wouldn't be able to use because more than likely it would be delivered after January 8th.

Side note: I'd still be livid if I were anyone who ordered in November and gets their Macs after Christmas Day, because two weeks after Christmas Day is January 8th, which is exactly 14 days, which is the window for Apple's normal return period. Everyone who ordered in November and has theirs delivered before Christmas gets that extra time.

BL.

 

[DMG35]

To me, this sounds like a perfect use case for the 14".

You already have a Mac working as a major primary desktop that you don't need anything big to act as something portable that would have similar to equal the amount of power your desktop has. So for this, the 14", or even the 13" M1 would work.

With that said, you also may have just provided another big use case for me to go with the 16". With me currently using a PC that I've built along with my mid-2011 13" MBA, and the MBA being my primary computer, I'd be getting the best of both worlds with having the power of a modern Mac desktop, along with the portability of the MBA, as well as gaining the advantages of the heat dissipation, better fans, thermals, and speakers that the 16" has over the 14".

You may have just talked me into pulling the trigger on it...

BL.

Well I’m glad I could help. The 16” is a truly great machine. Coupled with a MacBook Air you really can’t go wrong.

 

[Fthree]

Yep, that’s me. Between Heaven and Hell was an earlier attempt at the same story. The book failed because I’m terrible at marketing. I still love the story and think it’s my best writing, but the book appears to be something completely different (supernatural angels and demons) than what it is (medium to hard science fiction). People who are inclined to pick it up are guaranteed to be disappointed and the people who would love it probably won’t pick it up. Alas.

sorry to hear. How exactly does marketing happen to make it successful or not?