Can't Decide Between 14" and 16"

[HardBall]

Well, I’ve been using a 16” M3 at work for a while now and have the 14” at home.

The 16 is a brick, but no difference to my previous Intel 16” pro. The display is stunning though, with the 14” I often long for a bigger (or external) display; rarely so for the larger one.

Yeah, the 16" is much much heavier than I remember the 15 inch, although I haven't really used a 15 inch for a couple of years now, so my impression might be a little off.

The 14" M1 Max that I use today is basically perfect in terms of the blend of power and portability. And when I am back at home at a desk, I just plug it into two additional displays, and no issues with screen real-estate at all.

I think you can only justify the 16" if you for some reason cannot have an additional display at the desk. It is too heavy to lug around to use at conference, on a train, or at a coffee shop, and still not enough real-estate to truly work at a desk. Seems like the worst of both worlds.

 

[dropadrop]

I spend most of my days running around meetings without the ability to plug into an external display. My eyesight is not good and there really is a big difference between the 14” and 16” screens.

I think I’ve been switching between a smaller (I want portability) and bigger (I need screen estate) for over 20 years and this might be the first time I keep the same size over an upgrade.

I carry the laptop home every night and travel 5-6 times a year and feel the weight - especially having a 14” for personal use to always reference. Still no regrets, the 16 is the right one for me (or 15” air if it had hdmi).

 

[bradl]

Yeah, the 16" is much much heavier than I remember the 15 inch, although I haven't really used a 15 inch for a couple of years now, so my impression might be a little off.

The 14" M1 Max that I use today is basically perfect in terms of the blend of power and portability. And when I am back at home at a desk, I just plug it into two additional displays, and no issues with screen real-estate at all.

I think you can only justify the 16" if you for some reason cannot have an additional display at the desk. It is too heavy to lug around to use at conference, on a train, or at a coffee shop, and still not enough real-estate to truly work at a desk. Seems like the worst of both worlds.

I honestly can't say that. I currently have two 27" monitors mounted onto my desk. My Windows PC is below my desk. I have my 16" M1 Pro sitting open underneath one of those monitors, while the other is mounted above and to the left of my M1 Pro. Instead of using a KVM, I am going directly into those monitors; the one above and to the left is connected to my M1 Pro by HDMI, and then DisplayPort to my PC. The other monitor (the one directly above my M1 Pro) is also going to the PC via DisplayPort.

When traveling, I definitely am not using it on a flight, especially when sitting on a crowded flight anywhere; that is one of those times I can stay disconnected from tech and enjoy the scenery I am flying over, or just simply rest and listen to music. For a conference or any type of meeting, it actually is perfect for me. If I go naked (read: no case on it), it fits in the same backpack I have used for my mid-2011 13" MBA. But it definitely is portable, durable, and powerful enough to be both my daily driver at my desk as well as for any business I have out of town.

BL.

 

[DHagan4755]

My eyesight is not good and there really is a big difference between the 14” and 16” screens.

Not discounting the other points of your post, but others have written something similar (quoted above) and it doesn't make sense to me. Can someone explain why they find the larger model better for their eyes?

I believe both MacBook Pros have the same or very close pixels-per-inch, meaning if your eyes are struggling with the 14 it's not going to get better with the 16 since all of the elements on the screen (fonts, icons, etc) will be the same size on both just more screen space on the larger model obviously.

 

[PROFESS0R]

I have used the largest laptop Apple has offered ever since the 17” (which gave to my granddaughter who is still using it). I carry my 2019 i9 16” laptop to the university in a laptop backpack every day I work, and I will do the same with the new 16” M3 max I recently ordered. I do not find the weight to be burdensome, nor the size to be at all unwieldy except when I use it on a commercial flight and I am stuck in a center seat (something that rarely happens).

My i9 thermal throttles anytime (which is most of the time) I use my analyses program or drive multiple monitors. When I saw the YouTube video of the 14” M3 MacBook Pro throttling under the exact same conditions as a 16” MacBook Pro which was identically configured, I knew that there was no way I would even consider the 14”.

For the record, my 16” i9 did not throttle for the first couple of years, but throttling ramped up as I used more powerful programs and upgraded Mac OS X. After 5 years, it throttles so badly and the response latency is so long I can barely stand it. I now direct a 12” fan at the i9 to keep it from throttling.

Performance degradation over time is real if one updates to the latest software that pushes the performance envelope of the computer. Ideally, I would like my computers to be useful for 7 years, not 5 years.

I also realize that I am an outlier when it comes to typical use of these machines. I am confident that the 14” version of the MacBook Pro suffices for 90+% of the population of MacBook users in the US.

Joe

 

[ctjack]

For the record, my 16” i9 did not throttle for the first couple of years, but throttling ramped up as I used more powerful programs and upgraded Mac OS X. After 5 years, it throttles so badly and the response latency is so long I can barely stand it. I now direct a 12” fan at the i9 to keep it from throttling.

Performance degradation over time is real if one updates to the latest software that pushes the performance envelope of the computer. Ideally, I would like my computers to be useful for 7 years, not 5 years.

In hard use cases, I found barely any paste on the CPU after 2-3 years. I would definitely say that 5 years (2019 MBP 16) is due for a second repaste of CPU with the Arctic MX4.

Did that to my 2012 and it became snappier - because overheated CPU doesn't work well when there is no paste.

 

[maerz001]

Not discounting the other points of your post, but others have written something similar (quoted above) and it doesn't make sense to me. Can someone explain why they find the larger model better for their eyes?

I believe both MacBook Pros have the same or very close pixels-per-inch, meaning if your eyes are struggling with the 14 it's not going to get better with the 16 since all of the elements on the screen (fonts, icons, etc) will be the same size on both just more screen space on the larger model obviously.

Cos u can change the resolution and so get bigger font

 

[dtakias]

I have used the largest laptop Apple has offered ever since the 17” (which gave to my granddaughter who is still using it). I carry my 2019 i9 16” laptop to the university in a laptop backpack every day I work, and I will do the same with the new 16” M3 max I recently ordered. I do not find the weight to be burdensome, nor the size to be at all unwieldy except when I use it on a commercial flight and I am stuck in a center seat (something that rarely happens).

My i9 thermal throttles anytime (which is most of the time) I use my analyses program or drive multiple monitors. When I saw the YouTube video of the 14” M3 MacBook Pro throttling under the exact same conditions as a 16” MacBook Pro which was identically configured, I knew that there was no way I would even consider the 14”.

For the record, my 16” i9 did not throttle for the first couple of years, but throttling ramped up as I used more powerful programs and upgraded Mac OS X. After 5 years, it throttles so badly and the response latency is so long I can barely stand it. I now direct a 12” fan at the i9 to keep it from throttling.

Performance degradation over time is real if one updates to the latest software that pushes the performance envelope of the computer. Ideally, I would like my computers to be useful for 7 years, not 5 years.

I also realize that I am an outlier when it comes to typical use of these machines. I am confident that the 14” version of the MacBook Pro suffices for 90+% of the population of MacBook users in the US.

Joe

I would suggest to restore the macbook to a previous OS where the performance was acceptable and also take it to a store to reapply cpu thermal paste and remove any dust from inside.

 

[dropadrop]

Not discounting the other points of your post, but others have written something similar (quoted above) and it doesn't make sense to me. Can someone explain why they find the larger model better for their eyes?

I believe both MacBook Pros have the same or very close pixels-per-inch, meaning if your eyes are struggling with the 14 it's not going to get better with the 16 since all of the elements on the screen (fonts, icons, etc) will be the same size on both just more screen space on the larger model obviously.

Display resolution is pretty flexible, but to fit the ”same amount” of window content on a 14” I’d have to zoom out one step. This is fine for most things, untill it’s not, and then I zoom back.

On the 16” I don’t need to do that. I’ll have pretty much the same content on screen, but a bit bigger.

At home with the 14” this does not bother me. I use Logic where I need to fit a lot on screen, I just don’t have the other part (somebody screen sharing something so small I can barely see see it).

 

[penlost]

Can somebody advise on screen resolution? On the 16inch MBP I adjust the display one to the left to make things larger (1496X967) and everything looks good due to my dodgy 50s eyesight. On the 14 inch, which I love form factor wise I keep it on the default but it is a strain sometimes to see it. So.. On the 16inch am I giving up screen real estate but just making everything bigger? I am still deciding between the two sizes!

 

[MrGunny94]

Can somebody advise on screen resolution? On the 16inch MBP I adjust the display one to the left to make things larger (1496X967) and everything looks good due to my dodgy 50s eyesight. On the 14 inch, which I love form factor wise I keep it on the default but it is a strain sometimes to see it. So.. On the 16inch am I giving up screen real estate but just making everything bigger? I am still deciding between the two sizes!

I’m using the one above default on the 14” and doing wonders for me after LASIK

 

[penlost]

I’m using the one above default on the 14” and doing wonders for me after LASIK

You mean the same setting as me (slightly bigger) do you feel you miss out on space ?

 

[kp98077]

14" owner here. I also own a 15.4" MacBook Pro. How does the 16" M1 pro feel compared to the 2019 15.4"? Can anyone who has or has had a 2019 15.4" tie me some insight? Thanks in advance. Just curious if I should eventually try to sell my 15.4" 2019 to get a 16" M1 Pro or not. My 2019 has has a keyboard and battery replacement so its sitting at 8 cycles right now and its an I9 so I doubt I would get anything close to what I paid for it.

would never do that the weight is nuts for the 16, much rather have a 14 pro

 

[MrGunny94]

You mean the same setting as me (slightly bigger) do you feel you miss out on space ?

Yeah, even native is way too big for me

 

[Pezimak]

I physically compared Apples laptops in the store at the weekend. Best size and design is the 15” Air, great laptop, but sadly lacking in power, the 16” Pro is far too big for me, the 14” Pro is ok though. Nice and compact and powerful.

 

[ctjack]

I physically compared Apples laptops in the store at the weekend. Best size and design is the 15” Air, great laptop, but sadly lacking in power, the 16” Pro is far too big for me, the 14” Pro is ok though. Nice and compact and powerful.

I thought personally that the 15 Air size was in the strange middle.
My setup (current 13M1 and 14Pro owner) going forward will be:
1) The smallest available Air (11/13) with the 16/512gb specs at the least. With my 27 4K screen, it doesn't really matter which size my laptop as a secondary screen, but handling this is a breeze like an ipad.
2) Pro 14 - i would vote this route, if the above option doesn't support 3 screens (2 external + 1 internal) and you badly need or gain productivity from 3 screen setup. This thing is bulky and brings less joy to use, however build quality is exceptional and feels premium. Overall weight and size are not great in these so can live with it if required 3 screens while enjoying better screen/sound.

 

[UltimateSyn]

I wish they would do a premium 15" MacBook - one that has the prosumer consumption features (display, speakers, ports) of a 'Pro' device but without the compromises (weight and thickness) that come with a chassis that has to support the thermal constraints of the Pro and Max series processors. 15" really is the Goldilocks size to me; 14" is too small and 16" is too large.

Think a 15" laptop with the design of the current MacBook Pro, but thinner and lighter. Give it an OLED screen with ProMotion, an M4 chip, the MBP's ports / excellent speakers / incredible battery life. Bring it down under 4lbs. There's probably not enough market for it to justify a new device between the Air and the Pro, but that would be my dream device.

Anyway, I guess this isn't completely relevant to the thread's topic, but the idea did stem from how hard I've found it to choose between the two current MBP sizes. For right now I've got a 16" on the way... I've done the last two years with a 14", and will own the 16" that's coming until the OLED MacBook Pros come to fruition.

 

[HumpYourWayUp]

To finish this 54 page thread:

Get the 16"

 

[Alameda]

This. 100% I would not carry the 16" around. It's pretty much a desktop workstation that you can take it with you if you have no other resort but I'm sure you wouldn't want to do that

It depends.
I have two kids in college and they both have Airs, because they carry them all day long. My son lifts weights nearly every day, though, so he probably wouldn’t notice the extra weight of the 16”.

I travel a lot on business and my 14” Pro is noticeably heavy for travel, but it’s not too bad. The 16” would be too big and heavy for me, but if my portability was limited mostly to taking to to my office and home, I do t think it would be a problem.

 

[newton4000]

The 16" has many advantages - a huge screen, better thermals and better battery. However, it's large and not great for travel for many people. It's really that simple.

 

[sinanziric]

14" ONLY if you travel a lot, and only if you really need extreme mobility - otherwise BIG NO!

 

[newton4000]

14" ONLY if you travel a lot, and only if you really need extreme mobility - otherwise BIG NO!

You are VERY DEFINITE!

 

[mysticmanix]

I've tried the M1 Air, M2 Air, 14 and 16 Pros. The 16 inch is not too heavy perse, but I hate how long the palm rest is due to the larger screen, combined with the thickness of the machine it just digs into the wrist making it uncomfortable. I have a 15 inch air that is still comfortable due to how thin it is. 14 inch is nice but still a little too small, I'm tall so I find I have to hunch over more, 15 and 16 inch screens are noticeably larger.

 

[phrehdd]

So I pre-ordered the 16" MBP with M1 Max, 32 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD and have been a little bit nervous about the size because I carry around my laptop on a daily basis for work.

Because of this, I ordered the 14" MBP with M1 Max, 64 GB RAM and 2 TB SSD (this is what Apple Stores stocked for upgraded specs) from the Apple Store this morning.

I love the bigger screen on the 16" but my main concern is carrying it around daily, and I like the specs on the 14" but my main concern is working with the screen size.

I guess I am going to take advantage of Apple's return policy and use both to see what I prefer.

First world problems.....lol

I do appreciate your challenge about carrying a laptop around. Everyone is different in what they consider heavy. I don't consider a 16" laptop to be heavy at all. Older 15" laptops (Wintel) were heavier than the 16" as were the once popular 17" laptops.

Maybe you might consider two things - what is the most likely type of place you would put the laptop in use and getting the right type of case such as backpack or messenger bag or... to distribute the weight.

 

[Flowstates]

I do appreciate your challenge about carrying a laptop around. Everyone is different in what they consider heavy. I don't consider a 16" laptop to be heavy at all. Older 15" laptops (Wintel) were heavier than the 16" as were the once popular 17" laptops.

Maybe you might consider two things - what is the most likely type of place you would put the laptop in use and getting the right type of case such as backpack or messenger bag or... to distribute the weight.

You can lug a 14'' in a briefcase ... 16'' restricts your choices and a backpack just won't do.

I distinctly remember seeing someone lug a 17'' MBP and thinking to my self, aren't we going to be 5 commandements short ?