Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

bobbydaz

macrumors regular
Jan 24, 2009
194
67
UK
Tested out at Apple store today and it's 16" all the way. For any creative work the 14" would be beyond frustrating. Photoshop, Indesign, Wordpress etc.. there is just not enough screen estate for palettes. Going from my current 15" to a 14" would be the wrong decision.

I don't actually think the 16" is too big. It's a bit heavy to be fair, but compared to the 17" I had back in the day it's not that bulky.

If you are only playing around with browsing, emailing, general tasks then the 14" is a great fit, but I can't see how any pros could work with such a small screen.
 

MisterSavage

macrumors 601
Nov 10, 2018
4,853
5,751
If you are only playing around with browsing, emailing, general tasks then the 14" is a great fit, but I can't see how any pros could work with such a small screen.

Not a pro, but I got by just fine with the 14" and Xcode while I was waiting for my Studio Display to arrive. If it was my *only* display I would have definitely went with the 16".
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fomalhaut

Dealmans

Suspended
Mar 12, 2022
1,405
1,213
Exactly, if you have a iMac or big display etc the 14" is perfect. Wish they were cheaper, $3369AUD for a 1TB at 10% off now on amazon, is still hard to justify when you have a 24" iMac and 12.9" M1 iPad lol

Anyone with a 14" and a M1 12.9" iPad want to comment on the screen diff between the 2?
 

Saturn1217

macrumors 65816
Apr 28, 2008
1,360
1,048
Typing this from my new 16" MBP. Just picked it up and while i was in the store I had the chance to look at the display models while I was waiting for help.

I actually asked if it was possible to exchange for the 14" MBP right there in the store, but it would have taken too long and besides I felt that since I had already purchased the 16", I might as well give it a test drive and I can always return it if needed.

The size isn't really that bad. Feels very comparable to the 2019 16" MBP. The screen actually doesn't feel quite as big as I was expecting.

The weight however...

Before anyone makes any "you need to work out huurrr durrr" comments. I'm a small, weak female who does not work out. I have zero issues with that. I'm making a laptop purchase with that constraint in mind. If that isn't you and you have an issue with that kindly keep it to yourself.

Anyway, the weight is really a lot. It feels noticeably heavier than my 2017 15" MBP (expected) AND my work provided 2019 16" MBP (not so expected). I'm only planning on carrying this thing around the house and the weight is still a bit concerning. It does feel ok in my lap. It is really just holding it especially one-handed that is concerning. I basically REALLY need to evaluate how comfortable development tasks are on this screen because if it isn't a massive improvement, I might as well get the 14".

Everything else about this computer is amazing. Highly recommend the silver color. Something about it is just more special with this design (I always had space gray before). Keyboard is so wonderful. Compared to the 2017 MBP with that stupid butterfly keyboard, this feels like magic. Display is of course top notch. I haven't heard the fans yet. I've been setting it up for the last hour or so and the battery life hasn't budged.

I'll play around with this for the rest of the week and see if I can get used to the weight, otherwise I might be switching to the 14".
 

Fomalhaut

macrumors 68000
Oct 6, 2020
1,993
1,724
Tested out at Apple store today and it's 16" all the way. For any creative work the 14" would be beyond frustrating. Photoshop, Indesign, Wordpress etc.. there is just not enough screen estate for palettes. Going from my current 15" to a 14" would be the wrong decision.

I don't actually think the 16" is too big. It's a bit heavy to be fair, but compared to the 17" I had back in the day it's not that bulky.

If you are only playing around with browsing, emailing, general tasks then the 14" is a great fit, but I can't see how any pros could work with such a small screen.

Using the 14" MBP by itself? Then yes, it is a bit frustrating for many tasks that require lots of windows or more screen real-estate.

However, for a portable solution that you use occasionally, the 14" is the sweet-spot in my opinion - it's nicely portable in a small bag, fits much better in limited spaces (transport, cramped desks/tables etc.), and just feels nicely proportioned for a mobile device that you carry around frequently. Mine spends 95% of its life plugged into 2 external monitors with external keyboard/trackpad, so the screen size is not a huge issue. I have used it for a week's work by itself, and it was fine, although I missed my large monitors.
Not a pro, but I got by just fine with the 14" and Xcode while I was waiting for my Studio Display to arrive. If it was my *only* display I would have definitely went with the 16".

Absolutely! If you don't have an external monitor, then 16" is going to be more comfortable for all-day use.

Exactly, if you have a iMac or big display etc the 14" is perfect. Wish they were cheaper, $3369AUD for a 1TB at 10% off now on amazon, is still hard to justify when you have a 24" iMac and 12.9" M1 iPad lol

Anyone with a 14" and a M1 12.9" iPad want to comment on the screen diff between the 2?

I think the 14" is just-right for a laptop that you use as a mobile device for short periods. For multi-hour usage, I think it's much more comfortable when paired with a larger monitor.

14" plus external monitor for teh win
Yep!
 

ctjack

macrumors 68000
Mar 8, 2020
1,556
1,574
The weight however...
That is so interesting. I felt that the 16 is more squarish and more bubbly-airy design, that the weight felt almost well split across the size. In fact, when i first picked it up from the table, i almost through to the ceiling of a show room. Yeah kinda was prepared to smth heavy. I think when grabbing the laptop, my Air feels heavier, because the body size and volume are so small but the weight because of it feels much greater. I have even a feeling that MBP 13 2017 feels lighter and easier to take around than my m1 air.
 

OW22

macrumors 6502
Sep 3, 2006
462
279
Dublin, Ireland
14" plus external monitor for teh win

I think that’s going to be my choice. With the new ASD, the 14in will be fine as a desktop and then I can take it on the road with me. I was looking at the Studio and there isn’t a huge price difference but you have the portability of the MBP and a killer screen. And if you look at the Studio forum, there’s a thread on the noise of the Studio’s fans which would really out me off. I’m running a late 2015 iMac and the fans rarely go on. It’s silent 90% of the time.

The MBPs seem to me like they can be a jack of all trades.

Question now that I know will have been asked umpteen times. RAM…..If I intend on keeping the MBP and ASD for 5 years minimum, is upgrading to 32GBs a must? I’m not a heavy user. I currently run 8GB of RAM in my iMac and I do get the warning more frequently now that websites are straining the memory and it’s running low etc.

I’ll upgrade the base 14in MBP to 1GB of SSD. If I bump up to 32GB it brings the cost to nearly €3,000. That’s a lot of quiche. But Maybe the RAM upgrade could give me another year before upgrading the computer.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SirKeldon

bobbydaz

macrumors regular
Jan 24, 2009
194
67
UK
Question now that I know will have been asked umpteen times. RAM…..If I intend on keeping the MBP and ASD for 5 years minimum, is upgrading to 32GBs a must? I’m not a heavy user. I currently run 8GB of RAM in my iMac and I do get the warning more frequently now that websites are straining the memory and it’s running low etc.
Depends on what type of work you are doing. I've been using 16gb in 2016 MBP for many years doing light Photoshop, Graphics and Web design work and it's never really struggled. With an M1 I expect the performance to be even better with 16gb so personally I don't think 32gb is necessary for me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: planteater and OW22

OW22

macrumors 6502
Sep 3, 2006
462
279
Dublin, Ireland
Depends on what type of work you are doing. I've been using 16gb in 2016 MBP for many years doing light Photoshop, Graphics and Web design work and it's never really struggled. With an M1 I expect the performance to be even better with 16gb so personally I don't think 32gb is necessary for me.
I’d like to place this on the record. You have now settled my decision and I will go with 16GB.

If I find my machine struggling in a few years, you and I will have words.
 

bobbydaz

macrumors regular
Jan 24, 2009
194
67
UK
I’d like to place this on the record. You have now settled my decision and I will go with 16GB.

If I find my machine struggling in a few years, you and I will have words.

Good choice! I think it's wasted money tbh, better spent on larger SSD or accessories.
 

bobbydaz

macrumors regular
Jan 24, 2009
194
67
UK

Attachments

  • slap.jpg
    slap.jpg
    276 KB · Views: 68

fpenta

macrumors regular
Oct 30, 2016
231
126
That is so interesting. I felt that the 16 is more squarish and more bubbly-airy design, that the weight felt almost well split across the size. In fact, when i first picked it up from the table, i almost through to the ceiling of a show room. Yeah kinda was prepared to smth heavy. I think when grabbing the laptop, my Air feels heavier, because the body size and volume are so small but the weight because of it feels much greater. I have even a feeling that MBP 13 2017 feels lighter and easier to take around than my m1 air.
You should re-calibrate yourself?
 

geta

macrumors 68000
May 18, 2010
1,603
1,395
The Moon
Tested out at Apple store today and it's 16" all the way. For any creative work the 14" would be beyond frustrating. Photoshop, Indesign, Wordpress etc.. there is just not enough screen estate for palettes. Going from my current 15" to a 14" would be the wrong decision.

I don't actually think the 16" is too big. It's a bit heavy to be fair, but compared to the 17" I had back in the day it's not that bulky.

If you are only playing around with browsing, emailing, general tasks then the 14" is a great fit, but I can't see how any pros could work with such a small screen.
Real “pro” should work in the office/studio on desktop computer with big wide monitor or multiply monitors… while the laptop would be his second mobile device while outside the office/studio or on the road, and for this purpose i would like to have the most powerful and lightest laptop.

If you can have only one computer without external monitor, then the 16” would be the way to go.
 

MisterSavage

macrumors 601
Nov 10, 2018
4,853
5,751
Anyway, the weight is really a lot. It feels noticeably heavier than my 2017 15" MBP (expected) AND my work provided 2019 16" MBP (not so expected). I'm only planning on carrying this thing around the house and the weight is still a bit concerning. It does feel ok in my lap. It is really just holding it especially one-handed that is concerning. I basically REALLY need to evaluate how comfortable development tasks are on this screen because if it isn't a massive improvement, I might as well get the 14".

It can be a little tight having two windows open side by side in Xcode but it's doable. My iMac often sounded like a jet engine when I was using Xcode. I haven't heard the fans on my 14" and it's sitting right next to me when I'm using my Studio Display. I love mine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Saturn1217

kirk.israel

macrumors newbie
Sep 7, 2016
26
47
With usual disclaimers about how what works for one person might not be right for everyone - the 16 has worked out really well for me, despite having a big monitor and a small side monitor, because of the "side by side" window issue (I use a program to make it very easy to sling windows to half screens via keypress)

Here's the thing: I've been WFHing since the start of COVID, and I've realized that comes to mean that my desk is now associated more with "work mode". But besides "play mode" (social media mostly that can use a smaller screen) there's an "interesting personal projects mode" - and 16" screens make that kind of "couch work" much MUCH more pleasant.

I don't know about 14", but my older iPad Air 13 feels very inadequate. It's for like "I could do this on an iPad, but would prefer keyboard or need my file system" only - much less than what the 16" does for me now.

Also... a 16" sitting on my chest gives me a field of view for movies greater than my 65" TV across the room. (not quite apples to apples but still). So the 16" is excellent for work and for play...
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0198.jpeg
    IMG_0198.jpeg
    396.5 KB · Views: 219

Saturn1217

macrumors 65816
Apr 28, 2008
1,360
1,048
With usual disclaimers about how what works for one person might not be right for everyone - the 16 has worked out really well for me, despite having a big monitor and a small side monitor, because of the "side by side" window issue (I use a program to make it very easy to sling windows to half screens via keypress)

Here's the thing: I've been WFHing since the start of COVID, and I've realized that comes to mean that my desk is now associated more with "work mode". But besides "play mode" (social media mostly that can use a smaller screen) there's an "interesting personal projects mode" - and 16" screens make that kind of "couch work" much MUCH more pleasant.

I don't know about 14", but my older iPad Air 13 feels very inadequate. It's for like "I could do this on an iPad, but would prefer keyboard or need my file system" only - much less than what the 16" does for me now.

Also... a 16" sitting on my chest gives me a field of view for movies greater than my 65" TV across the room. (not quite apples to apples but still). So the 16" is excellent for work and for play...
This is exactly my use case. I work from home and don’t want to be in “work mode” at my desk when working on personal projects. I already spend 8-9hrs a day at my desk.

Decisions…
 

Seiko4169

macrumors member
Jun 18, 2012
90
53
England
I’ve got the 13 and 16, 13 for mobile use and 16 at the desk. Love the extra screen space on the 16 but only ever reach for the 13 if I need to travel.
 

Fomalhaut

macrumors 68000
Oct 6, 2020
1,993
1,724
I think that’s going to be my choice. With the new ASD, the 14in will be fine as a desktop and then I can take it on the road with me. I was looking at the Studio and there isn’t a huge price difference but you have the portability of the MBP and a killer screen. And if you look at the Studio forum, there’s a thread on the noise of the Studio’s fans which would really out me off. I’m running a late 2015 iMac and the fans rarely go on. It’s silent 90% of the time.

The MBPs seem to me like they can be a jack of all trades.

Question now that I know will have been asked umpteen times. RAM…..If I intend on keeping the MBP and ASD for 5 years minimum, is upgrading to 32GBs a must? I’m not a heavy user. I currently run 8GB of RAM in my iMac and I do get the warning more frequently now that websites are straining the memory and it’s running low etc.

I’ll upgrade the base 14in MBP to 1GB of SSD. If I bump up to 32GB it brings the cost to nearly €3,000. That’s a lot of quiche. But Maybe the RAM upgrade could give me another year before upgrading the computer.
Interestingly, even the MBP14 with M1 Max performs almost identically (in some cases marginally faster) than the entry level Mac Studio - see the "Constant Geekery" Youtube channel. There doesn't appear to be any performance benefit to the Mac Studio, at least not with 24-GPU cores, over the MacBook Pros, so if you need to have a laptop for mobility, you don't appear to be giving up performance.

Regarding RAM, you will need to carefully study your current usage, and make an educated guess about how your usage might change in the next few years. In my case, I already knew from other machines that I easily use 32GB RAM with my typical usage. The simplest check is to see how often your memory pressure in Activity Monitor goes into "yellow" or "red" memory pressure. If it spends a lot of time there, you might need more RAM to avoid using lots of swap or compressed memory. You probably know that using large amounts of swap memory will write a lot your SSD, which has a finite number of write cycles meaning that excessive write volumes will accelerate wear on the SSD - whether this is sufficient to cause a failure within the lifetime of the machine is open to some technical debate!

As an idea, here is my current memory usage with a 32GB MBP14. Note that even though I have 4GB of cached files (which could in theory be purged), that it is still using almost 4GB of swap and has over 16GB of compressed memory, which is why is sits at "yellow" memory pressure the whole day.

I have about 20 tabs open in Edge browser, 20 in Safari and 10 in Chrome (with "tab sleeping" enabled on Edge and Chrome). Nothing else heavy is open (Mail, Notes, OneNote, Slack and VSCode editor). In my experience, it is web-pages that eat up the memory, but my line of work requires I have a lot of pages open at once (even if sleeping), so I have to live with this - or have 64GB RAM to use a web-browser, which seems....excessive :cool:

1648684894564.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: OW22

OW22

macrumors 6502
Sep 3, 2006
462
279
Dublin, Ireland
Interestingly, even the MBP14 with M1 Max performs almost identically (in some cases marginally faster) than the entry level Mac Studio - see the "Constant Geekery" Youtube channel. There doesn't appear to be any performance benefit to the Mac Studio, at least not with 24-GPU cores, over the MacBook Pros, so if you need to have a laptop for mobility, you don't appear to be giving up performance.

Regarding RAM, you will need to carefully study your current usage, and make an educated guess about how your usage might change in the next few years. In my case, I already knew from other machines that I easily use 32GB RAM with my typical usage. The simplest check is to see how often your memory pressure in Activity Monitor goes into "yellow" or "red" memory pressure. If it spends a lot of time there, you might need more RAM to avoid using lots of swap or compressed memory. You probably know that using large amounts of swap memory will write a lot your SSD, which has a finite number of write cycles meaning that excessive write volumes will accelerate wear on the SSD - whether this is sufficient to cause a failure within the lifetime of the machine is open to some technical debate!

As an idea, here is my current memory usage with a 32GB MBP14. Note that even though I have 4GB of cached files (which could in theory be purged), that it is still using almost 4GB of swap and has over 16GB of compressed memory, which is why is sits at "yellow" memory pressure the whole day.

I have about 20 tabs open in Edge browser, 20 in Safari and 10 in Chrome (with "tab sleeping" enabled on Edge and Chrome). Nothing else heavy is open (Mail, Notes, OneNote, Slack and VSCode editor). In my experience, it is web-pages that eat up the memory, but my line of work requires I have a lot of pages open at once (even if sleeping), so I have to live with this - or have 64GB RAM to use a web-browser, which seems....excessive :cool:

View attachment 1983844

Very helpful. Thank you for that.
 

MisterSavage

macrumors 601
Nov 10, 2018
4,853
5,751
I have about 20 tabs open in Edge browser, 20 in Safari and 10 in Chrome (with "tab sleeping" enabled on Edge and Chrome). Nothing else heavy is open (Mail, Notes, OneNote, Slack and VSCode editor). In my experience, it is web-pages that eat up the memory, but my line of work requires I have a lot of pages open at once (even if sleeping), so I have to live with this - or have 64GB RAM to use a web-browser, which seems....excessive :cool:

I had 16 GB on my last machine and it was killing me. I always have lots of tabs open and like you said that can chew through memory so quickly. My new machine having 32 GB is such a refreshing change.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SirKeldon

Saturn1217

macrumors 65816
Apr 28, 2008
1,360
1,048
Just returned my 16" for a 14" MBP. Much better for me. I no longer feel like I have to think before going to grab this computer. Losing some space is a bit of a bummer but not too bad.

Sometimes regardless of what logic says you just have to go with your gut. This feels like the right machine for me.
 

SirKeldon

macrumors 6502
Nov 22, 2021
262
201
Barcelona, Spain
Just returned my 16" for a 14" MBP. Much better for me. I no longer feel like I have to think before going to grab this computer. Losing some space is a bit of a bummer but not too bad.

Sometimes regardless of what logic says you just have to go with your gut. This feels like the right machine for me.
I know exactly how it feels, good decision! :)
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.