Can't Decide Between 14" and 16"

[polyphenol]

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 got the 14" because I expect to use it on my lap and travelling around quite a bit.

Partner got the 16" (she had an old 15" and really didn't want to reduce screen size). She is quite petite, but can and does use it on her lap sometimes. However, she has a small table just about right in front of her - and most often it is there.

Being a laptop with the majority of its weight in the base, and a light screen, it sits very happily on a lap, without tending to tip. My previous Microsoft Surface was far less satisfactory in that regard.

 

[UBS28]

16” was an easy choice. It is literally better at every single thing than then the 14”.

The 16" still fits in my brief case so it is portable enough.

For cases where the 16" is too big (like in an airplane), the 14" is also too big and an iPad or iPhone is a better choice.

 

[teerexx52]

Not for me.

I use mine in the recliner. No problem.

 

[kp98077]

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.....]

I got rid of the 14 for the 16, mainly due to its a desk or lap based computer, so much better keyboard and screen IMO!

 

[diggy33]

I've always used the larger screened MacBook Pro; I was irritated when they got rid of the 17-inch Mac, but the 16-inch has been a very fine replacement. I value screen size over anything; weight of the machine is the least of my concerns.

 

[ahostmadsen]

I consider the 16" almost like a portable desktop. Therefore I got an M1 MBA to carry around in addition to the M1 16" MBP. Yes, somewhat of a luxury. I wish Apple had a really small (and cheap) laptop, like the old 12" MB my new MBA replaces. That and the 16" would be perfect companions.

 

[Fomalhaut]

16” was an easy choice. It is literally better at every single thing than then the 14”.

The 16" still fits in my brief case so it is portable enough.

For cases where the 16" is too big (like in an airplane), the 14" is also too big and an iPad or iPhone is a better choice.

...except "portability" and "space occupied", and price - which are really the reasons why you would go for the 14".

For some people, myself included, those are significant benefits that compensate for the smaller screen, reduced battery and (in some cases) performance.

I would argue that there are plenty of locations other than airplane seats where a smaller laptop is just easier to manage, e.g. small tables or crowded conditions (transport, restaurants, meetings/conferences and some office spaces).

An iPad, while great for content consumption, is (in my opinion) no substitute for a fully featured computer. With a decent keyboard, it's OK for taking a few notes, editing small documents and sending e-mail, but I find them pretty frustrating to use for anything else.

 

[Mitchdoc]

...except "portability" and "space occupied", and price - which are really the reasons why you would go for the 14".

For some people, myself included, those are significant benefits that compensate for the smaller screen, reduced battery and (in some cases) performance.

I would argue that there are plenty of locations other than airplane seats where a smaller laptop is just easier to manage, e.g. small tables or crowded conditions (transport, restaurants, meetings/conferences and some office spaces).

An iPad, while great for content consumption, is (in my opinion) no substitute for a fully featured computer. With a decent keyboard, it's OK for taking a few notes, editing small documents and sending e-mail, but I find them pretty frustrating to use for anything else.

I am not a big guy and the 16 inch is perfect on the lap.
And to be honest we are not talking about a 6 inch and 5 pound difference.
It is 1.2 pounds or basically weight of an iPad. as for dimensions I find it hard to believe an inch on either side is going to make it not fit on a table.
Maybe as a student or someone who needs to use their laptop while on the plane rather than say an iPad , their is a use case for the smaller footprint.
But after using this with this screen after having used a 13.5 inch surface book 2 and trying my kid's 13.3 inch MacBook Pro I can't imagine downsizing.

 

[ctjack]

I find it hard to believe an inch on either side is going to make it not fit on a table

Some classrooms in our university had this narrow body and curved shape tables. Only one guy in the class used his 15.4 incher Mac and it barely fit in front of him. There was no space for his paper and pen, no place to rest your arm and so on. While 13 inchers lived perfectly with lots of room to wiggle.

The same applies to the lovers of sitting at the window tables in Starbucks or similar shops.

 

[Mitchdoc]

Some classrooms in our university had this narrow body and curved shape tables. Only one guy in the class used his 15.4 incher Mac and it barely fit in front of him. There was no space for his paper and pen, no place to rest your arm and so on. While 13 inchers lived perfectly with lots of room to wiggle.

The same applies to the lovers of sitting at the window tables in Starbucks or similar shops.

The difference in dimensions is 1 inch in depth and 1.7 long. Can’t see how that foot print difference suddenly gives you room for. A full pad of paper and pen. And again I said a student is the use case where the smaller size has benefit as they are taking it constantly class to class and working in cramped spaces. They would be better off with an Air for battery life weight and size at that point as use in class is not usually as demanding.

 

[Fomalhaut]

I am not a big guy and the 16 inch is perfect on the lap.
And to be honest we are not talking about a 6 inch and 5 pound difference.
It is 1.2 pounds or basically weight of an iPad. as for dimensions I find it hard to believe an inch on either side is going to make it not fit on a table.
Maybe as a student or someone who needs to use their laptop while on the plane rather than say an iPad , their is a use case for the smaller footprint.
But after using this with this screen after having used a 13.5 inch surface book 2 and trying my kid's 13.3 inch MacBook Pro I can't imagine downsizing.

I think it's more the footprint (horizontal, vertical and depth) that could be an issue, rather than the weight. The 16" occupies 28% more area desk area than the 14". On a typical office desk or meeting room, that's not going to an issue. But in limited space, or on small desks & tables, it is significant. For example in my home office, I would not be able to fit the 16" on the desk in conjunction with my monitors, without it overhanging the edge of the desk. Bear in mind the screen is also higher, which means you have to move the whole laptop forward if you have anything behind the laptop to allow the screen to go back (e.g. external screen or shelf)

But hey, I'm not complaining about the 16"! If I didn't have these limitations, plus a need for reduced size & weight for travel, I would probably have chosen it.

It's great that the MBP14 is almost identical in performance for most tasks, whereas previously I had to choose the 15.4 or 16" to get the performance I needed. I did once move to a MacBook Air when I was flying to customers every week and *loved* the portability, but it didn't have enough horsepower for me and was a definite compromise. Now we don't have to make performance compromises (or very small ones) to have a smaller form factor.

 

[pst23]

I always wanted a larger mbp since the first one I got in 2008. This year I was going for it. I always felt like I was missing out - and I was correct.

 

[Macalway]

It’s a back and forth thing with me. They are all good. I use an iPad 12.9 now which is actually much better than the MacBook 12” that I really liked. iPads have come a long way, a LONGGG way.

Point is, if I’m happy with a 12.9” laptop/iPad.

 

[Mitchdoc]

I understand the need for a smaller laptop but o guess given how powerful the air is at much lower price size and weight I would think if portability was your number 1 criteria, it has smallest footprint and lightest right while still having M1 goodness which for must students and business travelers (those where size is paramount) offer the best option.
I guess I feel if I want the must powerful laptop let me also have it be the best sounding with best battery thermals and screen.
14 inch is a compromise on those things. It is better then the air but at nearly double the cost with wise battery and a bigger weight and footprint.

 

[MisterSavage]

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.

Similar reasoning I used except I plan to use it on the sofa occasionally. Curious to see what my 14" is like when it gets here.

 

[AVBeatMan]

Those who use their MacBooks hooked up to a monitor, do you use with a vertical stand (with the MB in cam shell mode) or have the MacBook flat and open?

 

[TriApple]

I am not a big guy and the 16 inch is perfect on the lap.
And to be honest we are not talking about a 6 inch and 5 pound difference.
It is 1.2 pounds or basically weight of an iPad. as for dimensions I find it hard to believe an inch on either side is going to make it not fit on a table.
Maybe as a student or someone who needs to use their laptop while on the plane rather than say an iPad , their is a use case for the smaller footprint.
But after using this with this screen after having used a 13.5 inch surface book 2 and trying my kid's 13.3 inch MacBook Pro I can't imagine downsizing.

As someone that flies 300 times a year those dimension increases are a lot. I keep my carry-on bag measured by weight and managed every item that is put into it to decrease weight.

Travel a lot and you'd change your mind more than likely. You may still prefer the 16" (I do) but the 14" fits the overall workflow better. I take my laptop out of my backpack more than I turn it on from a desk. I regretted the size of the 16" and made the call for 14". You have to get what works for you. If I traveled less or had the ability to carry more, easily, I'd keep the 16".

And when I am at home at my desk it's plugged into a 27" 4k and a 34" 3440x1440 high refresh - so I don't use the screen at all.

 

[internetrando]

Those who use their MacBooks hooked up to a monitor, do you use with a vertical stand (with the MB in cam shell mode) or have the MacBook flat and open?

That’s personal preference. I always used mine flat and open so I could remove it easily; not that it’s hard to take it out of a vertical stand. Vertical stands can give you a little extra desk space.

 

[Mitchdoc]

As someone that flies 300 times a year those dimension increases are a lot. I keep my carry-on bag measured by weight and managed every item that is put into it to decrease weight.

Travel a lot and you'd change your mind more than likely. You may still prefer the 16" (I do) but the 14" fits the overall workflow better. I take my laptop out of my backpack more than I turn it on from a desk. I regretted the size of the 16" and made the call for 14". You have to get what works for you. If I traveled less or had the ability to carry more, easily, I'd keep the 16".

And when I am at home at my desk it's plugged into a 27" 4k and a 34" 3440x1440 high refresh - so I don't use the screen at all.

And for your use case the 14 makes more sense. As I said students and frequent ravellers are the ones where the 14 inch has most benefit. In fact it's only benefit is one of portability and to a lesser extent cost.

Myself I only have a 10 year old iMac at the moment so my laptop is my defect main monitor for all my computing.
Frankly if I had a need for a desktop setup and portability I would buy a mini when the new ones come out and keep it hooked up permanently to a monitor.
Then get an air2 for it's insane battery life thinnest and lightest and quietest form factor.

I decided to have an open mind am am typing this on a 14 inch I brought home after returning my 1st 16 inch with a hinge problem.

On it's own it is a very nice machine. It is so far perfect for surfing web and basic productivity.
I think for content creation and consumption the 16 inch would be better.
Either model though would be a pity to use in clamshell mode as the display is the main selling point for me on these.

 

[Mitchdoc]

One thing so far I can say for me is I like the typing experience of the 16 better. The added space front to back to the keyboard seems to cause less digging into my wrists and feels less cramped. I type for crap but seem to make fewer errors on the 16.

 

[norwaypianoman]

Get a back brace and toughen up those muscles. 16” is the only way!

A Macbook is smaller than a PC 16. So I would consider just keeping it and use the device as a part of a workout program instead. You can keep it.

 

[arvinsim]

Either model though would be a pity to use in clamshell mode as the display is the main selling point for me on these.

I use my 14" in clamshell mode in my desk at home. I can't stand having more than 1 screen since it is distracting to me.

Yes, the 14" is expensive but the Air only has 16GB RAM max. If the Air has a 32GB RAM configuration, I would have bought that instead.

 

[Mitchdoc]

I use my 14" in clamshell mode in my desk at home. I can't stand having more than 1 screen since it is distracting to me.

Yes, the 14" is expensive but the Air only has 16GB RAM max. If the Air has a 32GB RAM configuration, I would have bought that instead.

There are videos on YouTube showing minimal benefit on these laptops or going 32 over 16gb given the bandwidth and SSD speeds.

 

[arvinsim]

There are videos on YouTube showing minimal benefit on these laptops or going 32 over 16gb given the bandwidth and SSD speeds.

I know I need 32GB RAM for my work so this point is moot.

 

[internetrando]

I know I need 32GB RAM for my work so this point is moot.

While I cannot argue this for your specific use case, it makes sense for Apple to limit the Air to 16GB of RAM. Anything requiring more than 16GB of RAM will also likely require a higher level of processing power. A higher level of processing power likely requires additional cooling, more power, and will create more heat than the Air is designed to handle.

I would be the first in line for a 15"-16" M1 Air (or its future equivalent), though.