Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Can't Decide Between 14" and 16"
- Thread starter StoneCold X
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
This reminds of me of an off road suv/truck purchase - on the forums everybody want the best off-roader, yet will be lucky to go at least once a year.
We might think that 14 is portable and good for outings, but very few people end up working outside even with a laptop.
Yes, I have the silver 16 inch max as my main computer BUT I also have 2 X 14 space grey base models ( one either side of the 16 ) and they are also brill for taking around the house, into my photo studio etc. And if one battery is dead the other is normally fine
I have never moved the 16 inch from my desk. 14 MUCH more portableI am travelling with my 16’ pro and I am glad that I am. Screen and the battery life make it worth while. I have gone back and forth from the 14/16 and brought and sold a few machines of each now settled.
Get a good backpack for commuting, it makes all the difference. The size of the backpack should match the size of your back, so weight is optimally distributed. I also found a sternum strap to be really useful for better weight distribution. Don’t fall for any of the fashion brands. I bought a Briggs & Riley backpack once ($400) and had to add a 3rd party sternum strap when carrying lots of stuff (MBP + iPad + water bottle + umbrella + accessories) to make it feel really comfortable. Photo bags (Lowepro, Tenba, Mindshift, Manfrotto, etc.) are a good match as they’re designed to carry a lot of heavy photo gear (lenses) around.
That being said, I have no problem carrying all this stuff around commuting to the office (currently 3 days a week), which involves a total of 45 minutes of walking to/from the train station. Walking around on campus from the office to lecture halls and back, to a lab or a conference room to meet with students isn’t a problem at all. I’ve not travelled much the past two years, but given I’ve used 15” MBPs before and then the 16” Intel when it came out in 2019, I think it’s manageable and 14” vs 16” doesn’t make much of a difference when it comes to weight. I wouldn’t take either with me when I climb a mountain or go hiking all day long.
I avoid sling or messenger bags when I have to carry around a lot of stuff. The 14” + a charger and maybe a small water bottle is a better fit for these types of bags.
I can also report being 100% happy I chose the 16” one… There were already weeks I had to be in the office all 5 days (since we have many offices, sometimes coming by bike, sometimes using the public transport/train/walking a lot) and I forgot about (got used to) the size/weight of the laptop completely when in the backpack…
And since I have to always attend meetings/workshops when in the office the size is a godsend whether on the table in a meeting room or just on a lap when in a workshop with chairs-only… would never go back to smaller screen (and smaller trackpad)
And since I have to always attend meetings/workshops when in the office the size is a godsend whether on the table in a meeting room or just on a lap when in a workshop with chairs-only… would never go back to smaller screen
(and smaller trackpad)
Coming from the 12" MacBook, the 14" Pro feels roomy and spacey. I get the equivalent feeling of going from a 13" to a 15" lol.
If you can decide between 14-inch and 16-inch, then you should take the 20-inch MacBook Pro.
go Ruck bags are made with proper weight distribution in mind. I have had a GR1 for years and it not only still looks new but carries like a dream.
Served me well from 11th grade to College graduation--but could never go back it. I might even go up to 16" in 3-4 years after my 14" has run it's course.
Nah, I have stayed on 13" for a while. I tried a 14", but found to uncomfortable for me, I can't see myself with a 16".
Looks like we may be getting a 15" M2 MBA, but it'll likely be fan-less, have limitations with multiple external monitor support and resolution scaling.
The rumored 15" M2 MBA sounds great for you and many others. Apple will likely limit multiple external monitor support and resolution scaling so no go for me.
I recently went out of country for vacation and brought my 11" iPP. Had absolutely no interest bringing my 16" M1 Pro, despite needing to do some light work during my trip. It's too large and heavy for travel but perfect at home.
Obviously the 16" is heavy but I'm never holding my laptop with one hand anyway, way too expensive... I don't live near a store & so haven't seen/lifted the 14" but a family member has an older 13" and everything's so tiny and squished together it drives me insane.
I am a small weak female, just had 2nd shoulder replacement actually. As some have mentioned my laptop gets a lot of desk to bed to couch to desk use right now anyway. But I've carried it in my bag and it's not a bother, would have no problem taking it to class/a coffee shop/library. Maybe because I remember when it stopped being convenient/cool to go to your locker and we all started carrying around 3+ textbooks + binders etc. in a totebag. I'd love to travel with it as I'm not the type to use my laptop on the plane anyway.
My last laptop was I believe a 2010 MBP (may be a bit off on year) which apparently had a weight of 4.4 pounds, I never thought twice about it.
Screen of the 16" is gorgeous
I am a small weak female, just had 2nd shoulder replacement actually. As some have mentioned my laptop gets a lot of desk to bed to couch to desk use right now anyway. But I've carried it in my bag and it's not a bother, would have no problem taking it to class/a coffee shop/library. Maybe because I remember when it stopped being convenient/cool to go to your locker and we all started carrying around 3+ textbooks + binders etc. in a totebag. I'd love to travel with it as I'm not the type to use my laptop on the plane anyway.
My last laptop was I believe a 2010 MBP (may be a bit off on year) which apparently had a weight of 4.4 pounds, I never thought twice about it.
Screen of the 16" is gorgeous
I've been using a 14" for the last couple of weeks and the screen really does seem cramped when you're used to a 16" one, even on the scaled resolutions. I think its the ability to comfortably work on a couple of apps on the same screen which I missed most. Its a brilliant laptop though, but I don't think I could go back to that size now.
For those times where I do need something to use in a cramped space on the move, I've picked up a 12.9" iPad Pro. There obviously some things I can't do on it and multi-tasking/window management is still rubbish, but it lets me get work done on a decent sized screen.
For those times where I do need something to use in a cramped space on the move, I've picked up a 12.9" iPad Pro. There obviously some things I can't do on it and multi-tasking/window management is still rubbish, but it lets me get work done on a decent sized screen.
After days of hesitation, I finally decided to go for the 16-inch model.
Before that, my notebook only featured 13,3" so when I tried the 16" for the very first time, it was indeed a bit of a shock. Before ordering it, I was afraid that it would be way too big and heavy but not at all!
The 16-inch model is heavy for sure, you'll feel it in your hands but you can still perfectly bring it with you in your backpack if necessary. It is not too big, nor too small and its weight is appropriate (after all, this wasn't a problem at all 10 years ago).
As it's been pointed out by many users, the mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR display is gorgeous, arguably the best I've ever seen. Here also, there is a big gap between the MacBook Pro 2021 and the others notebooks. While the 14-inch and 16-inch are very similar, the 16-inch model is slightly more powerful, has better speakers, a bigger display (much more comfortable if you wish to watch a series on Netflix) and a better battery life. Honestly, I could hardly go back to a 13" or even a 14" display. The keyboard is excellent and the camera has been upgraded to 1080p in full HD (which should be the basis in 2022). Last but not least: the connectivity (MagSafe, SD, HDMI...) is back. No more adapters! The apps launch almost instantly (and I'm only using the "basic" model with the M1 Pro, without any upgrade).
If you're reading this thread and still hesitate whether you should order a MacBook Pro 2021 or wait for the next "generation", just don't wait - you won't regret it. I'm using Apple devices for ten years, and the MacBook Pro 2021 is by far the best notebook Apple has ever made.
Before that, my notebook only featured 13,3" so when I tried the 16" for the very first time, it was indeed a bit of a shock. Before ordering it, I was afraid that it would be way too big and heavy but not at all!
The 16-inch model is heavy for sure, you'll feel it in your hands but you can still perfectly bring it with you in your backpack if necessary. It is not too big, nor too small and its weight is appropriate (after all, this wasn't a problem at all 10 years ago).
As it's been pointed out by many users, the mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR display is gorgeous, arguably the best I've ever seen. Here also, there is a big gap between the MacBook Pro 2021 and the others notebooks. While the 14-inch and 16-inch are very similar, the 16-inch model is slightly more powerful, has better speakers, a bigger display (much more comfortable if you wish to watch a series on Netflix) and a better battery life. Honestly, I could hardly go back to a 13" or even a 14" display. The keyboard is excellent and the camera has been upgraded to 1080p in full HD (which should be the basis in 2022). Last but not least: the connectivity (MagSafe, SD, HDMI...) is back. No more adapters! The apps launch almost instantly (and I'm only using the "basic" model with the M1 Pro, without any upgrade).
If you're reading this thread and still hesitate whether you should order a MacBook Pro 2021 or wait for the next "generation", just don't wait - you won't regret it. I'm using Apple devices for ten years, and the MacBook Pro 2021 is by far the best notebook Apple has ever made.
Attachments
Hoping this doesn't sound like a brag, but a relevant hands-on experience with basically the full range of MacBooks. I currently own the following, from small to large:
- 12" MacBook retina 2017 - This is amazingly light and great for a 'weekend getaway' where you might need to check a few emails, but still have the flexibility to edit documents and of course full desktop browser support. Doesn't even feel like it's in your bag. The keyboard doesn't bother me too much, but I wouldn't want to do a heavy typing session. Responding to a few emails = OK. Writing a full script or doc, no thanks.
- 13.3" M1 MacBook Air 2020 - The best all-rounder for a casual device, but you can still get real work done. Great battery life and price/value. I could take this somewhere for longer than a weekend, knowing I have some more flexibility on the ports than my 12" MacBook, plus the keyboard is great. Got this for cheap last summer, and is my "hot spare" for my wife/kids should their computer break.
- 14" M1 Pro MacBook Pro 2021 - This is my work-provided laptop. My main requirements are productivity apps, video conferences and multi-tasking, without slowing down or crashing. This has been working like a dream for me, a real powerhouse for my use cases. Battery life can take me almost all day if I'm in an office environment. Screen is too small for serious Excel or PowerPoint work, so I need to use an external monitor. It's still a pretty hefty boy! Not unmanageable, but the 13.3" is more of the goldilocks for a laptop weight + battery combo on-the-go at <3lbs.
- 16" M1 Pro MacBook Pro 2021 - Just got this as my 'couch' laptop, I want to have a couple of web pages and/or apps open side-by-side, and the extra real estate for viewing more than 1 app/window is really noticeable on the 16". Of course it's great for YouTube and similar content. Not too big for my lap, but it's close.
- 17" MacBook Pro 2010 - The real beast. It's just too heavy at 3.0kg/6.6lbs. If you have it permanently on a desk, it's fine and even enjoyable to use. I let a family member use this a few days ago while their MacBook was getting serviced. It's great for that, but since it's stuck on High Sierra, we ran into some limitations with app compatibility.
Last edited:
I opted for the 16”. From a productivity standpoint, the 16” is much better as I’ve played with the 14” earlier in the year and found it too small for me. Did you find carrying the 12.9” iPad Pro together with your MBP uncomfortable and cumbersome? I have the 11” iPP but have never found the need to use it alongside my 16”.