The weight doesn't bother me at all, its the lack of space if I'm not traveling first class that makes it unworkable for me unfortunately.
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Can't Decide Between 14" and 16"
- Thread starter StoneCold X
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Ok - so I'm getting rid of my 27" iMac ? because we're reconfiguring our living room and I'm getting rid of my desk. To be honest, I have barely used it during the pandemic because I've used my MacBook Air (and 13" MBP) on the couch or recliner. But oh - that large screen!
I am debating between the 14" and 16" and lean very heavily on the 16" because.... well... screen size. But just curious to those that own one - if I have it on my actual lap (in the recliner or on the couch) - is the 16" too heavy/cumbersome to work for awhile like that?
I am debating between the 14" and 16" and lean very heavily on the 16" because.... well... screen size. But just curious to those that own one - if I have it on my actual lap (in the recliner or on the couch) - is the 16" too heavy/cumbersome to work for awhile like that?
I think there is no single correct answer here. Everybody will suggest going by their past experience. I would present you both sides:
When i had 15.6 win laptops(same size as mbp16), sofa, bed(on my knee) was all the most suitable places after the desk. It was very easy to work with. When i moved to 13 Air, it definitely felt strange and less comfortable. But it is just human nature to get used to previous habits.
16 inch
Pros:
1) more stable everywhere
2) doesn't tend to fall in between your legs
3) more screen estate
Cons:
1) bulky, you need 2 hands to put it aside and possibly stand or stretch your body
2) legs may be tired after long sessions because of the weight. Need breaks.
14 inch
Pros:
1) Lightweight. Travelling from and to sofa is a joy.
2) You can grab with 3-4 fingers and easily put it away from your legs to desk by just stretching your hand and not the whole body. You also don't need to stand.
3) Doesn't hurt your legs during the long session
4) As opposed to described cons below, it is still a joyful device greatly suited for sofa work. Feels better on a lap than 16 inch.
Cons:
1) less stable because lightweight. Wiggles around while interacting both on desk and sofa, bed.
2) tends to slip in between your legs. Thus you start to cramp your legs close to each other, which is really bothering experience.
3) less screen estate
As you can see, you just need to select a set of pros and cons that your are willing to live with. For me, 16 inch wins the prize for the all around laptop. You can't work with an imac on your sofa, recliner, bed... and here comes the 16 inch, which is as close as it can get to the desktop experience without being overly cumbersome(17 inchers). 16 lives up to its' name as a laptop, which means that it is still portable while offering more natural screen estate. But 14 inch has its' own scenarios where it shines, it just depends on if its' pros are better fit for you.
I went with a 14” MBP, I love the size of my intel 13 but better specs available on the 14. Looks like a 2 months wait right now. Was not planning on doing this but it worked out pretty cheaply for me so I went for it.
went with:
went with:
- Apple M1 Max with 10-core CPU, 24-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
- 32GB unified memory
- 1TB SSD storage
Just go with the 14". Improved portability. Impressive performance. Max coolness.
I bought a 16” and used it for a few weeks. Today I got a 14” thinking the cost difference wasn’t worth keeping the 16”.
I used the 14” for approximately 45 minutes before deciding I’m sticking with the 16”. For me, the larger screen is so much more enjoyable, however the 14” footprint is pretty amazing… just way too small for me.
I used the 14” for approximately 45 minutes before deciding I’m sticking with the 16”. For me, the larger screen is so much more enjoyable, however the 14” footprint is pretty amazing… just way too small for me.
I only use mine on the desk but my GF uses it on her lap on the sofa, in bed, wherever. She said it’s not an issue and she loves the screen.
I’m undecided between 14” and 16”. However. I used my wife’s new 16” for a while on the couch today while watching football and thought it was great. Even though I am usually at a desk with external monitors, I think I’ll be going 16” for those times I go portable.
One of the reasons I went with the 14" was that I already have the 11" IPP.
I learned my lesson when I had a 16" Intel MBP and a 12.9" IPP before.
I went back and forth a million times but just looking at the 16" screen in store even compared to the 14" - it's just SO much nicer for only $200 more. This is my house laptop now
For me it was the exact opposite reasoning. I frequently use a 12.9 iPP and the 14in seemed like I was just buying a second screen with a keyboard attached.One of the reasons I went with the 14" was that I already have the 11" IPP.
I learned my lesson when I had a 16" Intel MBP and a 12.9" IPP before.
I felt the MBP should be a primary machine, while the iPP becomes a complimentary device. Besides once I saw that 16in screen in person, I was sold. Love that increased screen real estate. ?
I've decided on the 16 even though the 14's keyboard is a little more solid.
The 16 Max adds 0.1 lb and I've heard that it's around the keyboard area. Does the Max vs Pro provide any noticeable difference in keyboard feel? They never have Max specd MacBooks on display so I can't test for myself. I do software dev.
The 16 Max adds 0.1 lb and I've heard that it's around the keyboard area. Does the Max vs Pro provide any noticeable difference in keyboard feel? They never have Max specd MacBooks on display so I can't test for myself. I do software dev.
I went with the 14" MBP. It is definitely more portable and feels like a laptop. The 16" is really great if you use it on a desk all the time, but it isn't portable. It is too heavy and big. I had the Intel 16" MBP and it was just too big. The 14" MBP is big enough and is my choice. If I want a bigger display then I use my iMac..
The other day, I compared a very old MacBook Air with my 14" - and surprised by the very small difference in dimensions.
The wedge shape of the MBA makes it look, even feel, thinner, but at the thickest point, the difference is not as great as it initially appears to be.
The difference in weight was less than I expected (obviously I can look up specs., but this was subjective).
And the surface of the MBA was almost rough, whereas the 14" has a pleasant smoothness.
And goodness, isn't the screen of the MBA horrible? Poor contrast. Limited brightness. Altogether lacking.
The wedge shape of the MBA makes it look, even feel, thinner, but at the thickest point, the difference is not as great as it initially appears to be.
The difference in weight was less than I expected (obviously I can look up specs., but this was subjective).
And the surface of the MBA was almost rough, whereas the 14" has a pleasant smoothness.
And goodness, isn't the screen of the MBA horrible? Poor contrast. Limited brightness. Altogether lacking.
Here's why the 16 makes sense at least for me, maybe this will help others. Even though every thought in my head says to get the 14" for portability.
Doing photography and video editing, the 16" has more screen. Period. Even with a 2nd monitor on my desk, having a bigger laptop monitor is very useful. 16 also stays cooler so you an push it harder without overheating and shown in many videos. I also want to play M1 games like DOS2 and Baldur's Gate, so the better cooling is also nice. Battery life I don't care about anything over 8 or 9 hours is just a bonus to me.
I have owned a 15" MBP and now use a 14" Win laptop. Every inclination I have is to go with the smaller MBP, but it doesn't make sense in this case. The #1 reason though, I also have a new model iPad mini. I got that thing to travel light, it's time to put it to use and use the 16" mostly on the desk and for occasional travel, I can just lug it. Even a base level iPad really helps here if you're on the go for quick stuff, like photo culling when you're on a trip, or basic surfing.
Doing photography and video editing, the 16" has more screen. Period. Even with a 2nd monitor on my desk, having a bigger laptop monitor is very useful. 16 also stays cooler so you an push it harder without overheating and shown in many videos. I also want to play M1 games like DOS2 and Baldur's Gate, so the better cooling is also nice. Battery life I don't care about anything over 8 or 9 hours is just a bonus to me.
I have owned a 15" MBP and now use a 14" Win laptop. Every inclination I have is to go with the smaller MBP, but it doesn't make sense in this case. The #1 reason though, I also have a new model iPad mini. I got that thing to travel light, it's time to put it to use and use the 16" mostly on the desk and for occasional travel, I can just lug it. Even a base level iPad really helps here if you're on the go for quick stuff, like photo culling when you're on a trip, or basic surfing.
I would agree with your decision making.
I had the intel 16 [still do for windows] and the 14 max. I vastly prefer working on the 16 to the 14 on the desk, so if that is the majority of use, definitely get the 16 [I am thinking of getting rid of the 14.....]
if you mainly use in the house than 16. to me, nothing is really portable unless you talking one of the small iPads or an upcoming 12" MacBook. I liked that 12" enough that I'd buy it even though I have the 16". I even bought the 13" Air M1 and didnt find it all that portable. It really has to be that 12" MacBook with an M2 in it.
Also after having many monitors, I learned that the best scenario is to have 1 very nice screen to look at straight on without moving head and just jump spaces. the 16 inch does just fine for that. I went to apple store 2 times to compare the screens and it was an instant 16 inch for me. The 14 looked too small and regretful.
Not sure if anyone has mentioned this already, but Max Tech tested the 14" and 16", along with different core configurations, and it appears that the 16" has better cooling and is clocked higher than the 14".
Just based off of performance and not size considerations, the 16" is well worth the extra cost.
As for core count, the 16" with the 24 core actually performs about as well or better than the 16" 32 core, while running cooler and having better battery life.
When it comes to performance and cost, the sweet spot is 16" with the 24 core M1 Max, imo.
I thought about getting one, but 90% or more of my use of the MBP would be as a desktop, so I am holding out for a new Mac Mini.
Here is one of the Max Tech videos with a good comparison between the 24 and 32 core MBPs:
Laptop screens are pretty bad for human ergonomics when used normally on a desk or your lap. You have to look down, and holding your head in that position for hours at a time puts a lot of strain on your neck and shoulder muscles.
I had a MBP16 and used it on a foldable stand that raised it about 15-20cm. This is much better, but still not as good ergonomically as an external monitor which is typically somewhat higher. The general recommendation is that you should align the top of your screen with your eyes when you are sitting upright.
yep but I use the laptop in odd ways for health reasons. I have a standing desk or I squat and use it on a soft wide stool. whatever forces me to engage my core upright. Sitting in chairs isnt healthy for body and causes sciatica
Fair points. If you can get the screen to a good position for the rest of your body, and you don't want or need a larger screen, then I'm sure the 16" MBP can provide a good experience.
I went with the 14" because I know that I will use it at least 90% of the time with one or two external screens.
When I first got it, after using a MBP16 for a couple of years ( for a few months without external screens) I did think that the 14" would be a bit marginal for me for stand-alone use for long periods. It either doesn't really have enough screen real-estate, or text and icons are a bit too small when set to "more space".
It was the portability and reduced desk footprint that made me choose the MBP14 based on finding the MBP16 a bit large when moving around a lot between meetings, travelling etc.
I came to the same conclusion. At home, I never use my laptop as a laptop. I always used it docked with a big ass monitor.
Hence, I went for the 14" since I want it to be light when going around. Another factor is that I am also carrying a 11" IPP.
