I am in the same boat as you! I have 16" M1 Max being used in clamshell mode 90% of the time!
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Can't Decide Between 14" and 16"
- Thread starter StoneCold X
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How do you find it when taking it out an about? I always used the 15" before the M1.
It is a little bulkier than my 16" 2019(which I used before and I still have it passed it on my wife). apart from that I haven't noticed any change except I don't have to charge it when I am on the move and Also its not ready to take off all the time lol
Yes. It's strange, I really wish I could just use a Studio, but there's an occasional time where I need to take my work with me on a trip and then I need a laptop. So while the portability of the 14" has been great, I never had a problem with my 15" before.
I use ultra wide x34p with it and whenever I want to move I just unplug the thunderbolt port and boom gone!
Granted I know I've not used my laptop non stop but the last time I charged it up was 4 days ago lol even on light usage this has not happened before and the 16 inch has not been switched off at all been left in my bag in standby mode. still see this as very impressive.
Yup, battery on the 16" is massive, glad you're enjoying it!
Unless you absolutely cannot tolerate holding the new 16 due to its weight, 16 seems like the no brainer. It has exceptional battery life equipped with a proper sized screen for increased productivity imo. You may not be able to comfortably use it on an airplane tray, but I tend to read or use my iPP or sleep when traveling on a plane which is pretty infrequent.Yup, battery on the 16" is massive, glad you're enjoying it!
I know 16" is a better machine from a specs point of view, but I know I'm not gonna use it and enjoy it as a portable machine as I did with my old 14" (and the new one that is arriving) ... I really made my mind, and it hasn't been easy if you check here
Despite being perfecly aware of all the benefits, sometimes one has to choose what really wants for the long term, and in my case, it's gonna be the 14", I know it now.
Thanks for your input again anyway, you'd been there since minute 1
I actually think the thermals of the 14 and inferior battery life make it a less desirable choice for long term usage. The difference in footprint is substantial so if you need to use it in crowded spaces, or don’t have enough space on your desk, I totally get it. But the 16 is probably the better long term MBP.I know 16" is a better machine from a specs point of view, but I know I'm not gonna use it and enjoy it as a portable machine as I did with my old 14" (and the new one that is arriving) ... I really made my mind, and it hasn't been easy if you check here
Despite being perfecly aware of all the benefits, sometimes one has to choose what really wants for the long term, and in my case, it's gonna be the 14", I know it now.
Thanks for your input again anyway, you'd been there since minute 1
I like to get a new MBP every 3-4 years so long term is not really a factor for me. If it was, 16 is the clear winner for me. It sounds like it’s just very unwieldy for you, which is totally understandable.
I mostly just use my 14" docked with the new Studio Display, but I'm curious if I'd feel like a 16" would be more beneficial when I am out and about, even though I rarely am
I am like you, I don’t use my MBP outside my home regularly. But I do like to use my MBP in other areas of my home such as my bed, dining table, couch or on my deck when it’s nice out. Because I’m so used to my LG 34 inch 5K2K monitor, it’s very hard to work on a 13 - 14 inch screen. The 16 is definitely more usable for me and easier on my eyes. I also enjoy the superior battery life compared to the 14. When I take it outside my home, I don’t really use it in transit or during a trip like on a plane; rather it’s at a desk of a hotel or conference site, friend’s or family’s place, basically any overnight trips. I won’t have a monitor to plug it into so it’s nice to have extra screen real estate to get some work done.
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The battery life of the M1 Pro 14" would not be a limiting factor in 99% of single-day use case scenarios. It's fantastic.
The 16 is still superior. If you want the best battery life, go with the 16.
Sure, but if neither of them are going to die after a full day's normal use then the difference becomes inconsequential and merely an on-paper spec differentiation.
I'm in a similar quandary. Currently have a 15" MBP 2016 and looking to upgrade to M1 MBP.
90% of the time it is wired up to a LG 5K, but I do need the portable option when occasionally working away or in other rooms in the house.
My work is web, using Wordpress, Photoshop etc and the 15" screen has worked well. I really can't decide to go 1 inch higher or lower! Performance isn't the issue, it's more about size/weight.
90% of the time it is wired up to a LG 5K, but I do need the portable option when occasionally working away or in other rooms in the house.
My work is web, using Wordpress, Photoshop etc and the 15" screen has worked well. I really can't decide to go 1 inch higher or lower! Performance isn't the issue, it's more about size/weight.
I'll tell you go to an Apple Store and try them, but you're not gonna get the same feelings as when you own it and use it for some days, my recommendation: if you're using a 15" from 2016 is go for the 16", size is practically the same as the one you're carrying now, just a little bit heavier.
Despite the 14" has more usable space than your 15" when using "More Space", given the form factor you're used to, I'll go for the 16" or you're gonna feel it "too small"/"too cramped" if you go to the small one, having owned both, 16" is not as big as you think and your muscle memory is already on that size, you're gonna be astounded having the same size but totally different and amazing display. Just my 2 cents.
In your case, I'll just go for the 14" if you want more portability than the one you have now ... or finally you like it more, for the rest of them, go 16" all the way.
thanks for the advice, I'm going to the Apple store tomorrow to try out, but as you say you need to live with these things for a while to truly know. The fact that it will spend over 90% of its life sat next to my display seems like a waste of a 16". I don't commute so not worried about weight too much, but I do run my own business so always need to take a laptop when I go away for any period of time. Life would be so much simpler if Apple had just kept the 15" and not given me the choice!!
Well, for me that was the case, the first two days I loved the 16", and I know it's a better machine, then I realized I wasn't using it as a laptop as much as I did with the 14" due to its footprint, even around the house, but you have to be aware I've been using 13" form factor since 2008-2009, not exactly the same kind of change you'll be experiencing, that's why I'm settled with 14", but that's just me.
Hence the reason I think you'll be more used to the bigger shape/size given you're coming from a 15", so the footprint shouldn't impact you that much as it did to me. And yes, I do think these things have to be tested more than in-store, cause you can't understand proportions 100% with those big tables or how it will fit in your house/backpacks/etc, kinda similar as with shoes, you try them at the store, they're super cool, then 2 weeks later you realize that they don't adapt to your feet and/or are not as comfortable as you first tried, then you wish you could change them, but again, that's just me.
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I agree, it's difficult to judge only by the in-store test. However, after playing around with the 16" and 14" at the Apple Store, the 14" felt like a "toy" so I went with the 16".
I previously had a 15" Dell laptop, and believe it or not, but the 16" MacBook Pro is smaller than my 15" Dell. That was a shock for me. Only the weight as moderately increased. So it's still very portable for my standard.
After 3 months I have no regret at all, the 16" is perfect for me, even if I use it most of the time as a desktop, the screen is so good that I tend to use it even when connected to the dock.
Playing with the 14" right next to the 16" is gonna make the 14' feel smaller than it really is.
Yep. When I exchanged my 12.9" iMac at the Apple Store for an 11" I momentarily wondered if I was making a mistake because the 11" looked the size of a Tic Tac in that environment. I still love mine and my new 14" MacBook Pro.
Hope this helps.
I just got in the 16" yesterday. Ordered 16" M1 Pro 10/16/16, 16GB, 2TB. I came from a mid-2011 13" MBA. I'm not going to say that the weight difference isn't noticeable, but I will say that compared to a 11 year old MBA, the weight difference is negligible. My wife has the 2019 16" as well. I notice no difference in weight.
Most of my work will be at my desk, connected to a KVM that is wired to my 24" Dell U2412M, so I'm in the same boat as you.. but for the portability, for as occasional as I might travel, the weight will be roughly negligible compared to what I've carried before.
BL.