Can't Decide Between 14" and 16"

[ducati1212]

im very happy with my 16 inch but I do not need to carry it around much as its basically a house laptop I have a work laptop I lug around. Its good size, built like a tank, a little heavy but feels great on my lap on a couch. I do wonder with all the weight what happens the day I do drop it but I guess I will find out at some point.

 

[Realityck]

I generally agree. I feel the brights are a bit brighter on the 16", however, the 14" is still a really good screen. My 14" hasn't gotten warm yet. The 16" I have has been ice cold too. This is sooo hard to decide which I want to keep. The 14" is really nice and familiar, if that makes sense. Especially going from my work laptop to this one. But when I go to the 16", it really feels like a new machine. Something special about that 16".

The 14" was only slightly warm in store to be more precise, but that 16" was so different, not even a trace of being warm it was unnerving to what I am used to with my intel retina MBP.

 

[mcpix]

I just got my 16" today and I was surprised at how big it was. I have a 2017 15" and a 2017 13" MBP. I use both in my lap, but typically I use the 15" on my desk for video and photo work and the 13" for laptop browsing. I'm not sure I'll be as comfortable using the new 16" in my lap, we'll see. The 16" screen is gorgeous and I still think it's a better "value" over the 14". Of course, ideally I would like to have both?!

 

[godoffear]

I grabbed 16 just because, if I had a 14 I know I'll feel like I need more real estate

 

[BoxerGT2.5]

I picked up the 16, I have 14 days but coming from a 13mbp this thing is awkward. Love the screen, battery life is bananas, charges fast. We'll see.

 

[modernmoments]

I actually really like the 16" on my lap. I feel like I have so much room with arms to type on it. Not that the 14" is cramped, but I do notice that my arms sort of tuck in more when I type. I also like that the 16" is so cool on basic tasks that I can keep it on my lap and it's not warm at all. I'm going to try this with the 14" tomorrow and see if it stays just as cold. I'm still so blown away by the battery. I've used it intermittently since I took it out last night and still at 74%. It doesn't budge much, although I admit, I'm not super pushing it yet. But I do have Mail, Safari, Messages, Music, Twitter and Messenger all open.

 

[nquinn]

When I picked up the 16" store model (10/16/512GB SSD) it was almost cool to the touch underneath. The 14" was slightly warm which surprised me, so the thermals are that different.

Odd, at my Apple store I was actually shocked that all the MBP's were luke-warm underneath. I was expecting them to be quite cool from everything I heard and was actually kind of disappointed. Certainly not hot like intel, but still warm-ish.

 

[bobjonesco]

I bought the 16" before they were on display. Went back today to see if the 14" could tempt me to swap in my 14 day trial period, but I noticed that the front edge is sharp and cuts into my palms. Not the most comfortable thing in the world.

 

[TwinCitiesJHawk]

yeah i could see that as much as we all want to love the 16, it really is a specific consumer. did it give you any leg pain or anything or just awkward?

It was just BIG. No pains or anything. Imagine last years MBP 13" + an ipad on your lap at the same time... thats the best way I can describe it ?

 

[golfnut1982]

I ordered the 16" because I currently have the 2019 16". Pretty sure I'd miss the size of the screen and general comfort of the laptop if I went to the 14". I'm also getting a decent trade in with Apple. I wonder if I'll miss my supplemental heating unit....?

 

[kp98077]

It was just BIG. No pains or anything. Imagine last years MBP 13" + an ipad on your lap at the same time... thats the best way I can describe it ?

yeah, I ended up going for a 14 in silver, love this thing, perfect size! powerhouse!

 

[Fomalhaut]

Currently i use my MacBook keyboard and trackpad ,as well as a mouse,and i stare at my monitor in front of me.do u think that looking at the internal display will change a lot ? I mean it's just my neck leaning down slightly isn't it ? How bad is that (genuinely asking )

Most ergonomics experts recommend having the screen vertically oriented with the top of the screen aligned with your eyes. From: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/office-ergonomics/art-20046169

Any posture that means you have to tilt your head forward (instead of resting vertically on your spine) will add some stress. Think of holding a heavy ball at arms length and then bringing it closer to your chest - get's easier doesn't it? That's what's happening to your neck and shoulder muscles.

Alternatively, you may want to work out a little....

 

[haruhiko]

I went and looked at both at stores which have been running in demo mode for hours. The 14" looked noticeable smaller compared to the 16". They both represented different personal preferences to what you want. The 14" a lot more mobile, use on a plane and elsewhere. The 16" screen was that much larger and HDR effects were more pronounced (brights and darks) on the bigger display.

When I picked up the 16" store model (10/16/512GB SSD) it was almost cool to the touch underneath. The 14" was slightly warm which surprised me, so the thermals are that different.

Don’t forget you were in a store which is much bigger than your typical working / home environment.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

I bought the 16" before they were on display. Went back today to see if the 14" could tempt me to swap in my 14 day trial period, but I noticed that the front edge is sharp and cuts into my palms. Not the most comfortable thing in the world.

But the 14 is also high and sharp ,are.u not bothered by it ?

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

Most ergonomics experts recommend having the screen vertically oriented with the top of the screen aligned with your eyes. From: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/office-ergonomics/art-20046169

View attachment 1881559


Any posture that means you have to tilt your head forward (instead of resting vertically on your spine) will add some stress. Think of holding a heavy ball at arms length and then bringing it closer to your chest - get's easier doesn't it? That's what's happening to your neck and shoulder muscles.

Alternatively, you may want to work out a little....

I see ,makes sense ,thank you.if i buy it ,I'll take the 14 base .

However I must ask your u not to share my pictures on this forum,thanks

 

[Realityck]

Image from GregsGadgets on YouTube video that shows the 14 vs 16 display resolution comparison as well as how much smaller the 14 is to the 16.

 

[ISKOTB]

I bought the 16" before they were on display. Went back today to see if the 14" could tempt me to swap in my 14 day trial period, but I noticed that the front edge is sharp and cuts into my palms. Not the most comfortable thing in the world.

"front edge is sharp and cuts into my palms." in the 14" model?

 

[Danny82]

I'm also on the edge of 14" and 16" and even the color.. even though all sense/logic is telling me the 16" is the right one for me..

My use case is as follows:
5% - the macbook leave house. (14" is better)
10% - on the couch.
(14" should be better as treat it like an ipad. But 16" is actually fine too. Tried it with the 16" 2019)
10% - on the bed.
(Same result as on the couch)
75% - either the dining table or coffee table in the living room.
(16" is better)

I do not use an external monitor so since the 16" should make my life better with more usage on any table at home.. sounds like a non debatable question.. but I like the look of the 14".. look more proportional and sexy.. the 16" looks....... TOO BIG..

Arghhh..!!! I will go for the 16" since it is a stay at home laptop 95% of the time.. sexy is not needed.. ?

From all I have read in the past few pages here, seems best combo will be someone with an external monitor at home and get the 14"..

If u have a ipad pro 12.9, get the 16" or sell the ipad pro and get the 14" and use the 14" as an ipad..

If you are like me, get the 16"..

If more than 50% of the time the macbook leave house, 14" sounds better but u chose..

Lastly, if u are going for 14" base model then this point is not for u.. but if u are going for the configuration of the base 16" for the 14", u have to think about this.. the price different is really not alot, just $200 for a bigger screen which is the nicest screen on a laptop and a bigger battery life which seems to be able to get around 4hrs more than the 14" in most average cases.

Hope this helps ☺
I'm getting the 16" base model 1tb silver.

 

[CalMin]

I got the 14”. I already miss the screen real estate, but it’s really just a matter of adjusting to it. I am mostly docked with it and the display serves as my email window.

What I don’t miss is the heft of it. 4.3lbs was already too much for the 16” 2019 Intel model. The M1 is a half pound heavier still! The 14” feels like a dream compared to that.

 

[justinl01]

"front edge is sharp and cuts into my palms." in the 14" model?

No issue with mine, it's sharp but not to the point where it's digging in or uncomfortable.
It's a use case scenario for size, I had a 16inch Macbook Pro end ended up not using it much as I have an iMac and PC at home for desktop duties, the 16inch just became a pain taking it to work everyday.
I was deciding between the 16inch and 14inch and realised that how ever much I like the extra real estate and potential of it running cooler and quieter I realised that in the end for me the 16inch is really a desktop replacement laptop. I would end up leaving it at home opting for a smaller laptop to carry everyday. The 14inch is perfect for my use-case, portable enough to carry around everyday but powerful enough and with enough real-estate to be able to use it effectively. There's a reason Apple made 2 sizes and you can't go wrong with either depending on your situation, one is not better than the other!

 

[Fomalhaut]

View attachment 1881674

Image from GregsGadgets on YouTube video that shows the 14 vs 16 display resolution comparison as well as how much smaller the 14 is to the 16.

That's a fair difference in physical size, but not so much in terms of actual scaled content displayed. You'll just need stronger spectacles to the see the 14" Ideally they would have displayed exactly the same page to demonstrate the difference.

 

[Fomalhaut]

I'm also on the edge of 14" and 16" and even the color.. even though all sense/logic is telling me the 16" is the right one for me..

My use case is as follows:
5% - the macbook leave house. (14" is better)
10% - on the couch.
(14" should be better as treat it like an ipad. But 16" is actually fine too. Tried it with the 16" 2019)
10% - on the bed.
(Same result as on the couch)
75% - either the dining table or coffee table in the living room.
(16" is better)

I do not use an external monitor so since the 16" should make my life better with more usage on any table at home.. sounds like a non debatable question.. but I like the look of the 14".. look more proportional and sexy.. the 16" looks....... TOO BIG..

Arghhh..!!! I will go for the 16" since it is a stay at home laptop 95% of the time.. sexy is not needed.. ?

From all I have read in the past few pages here, seems best combo will be someone with an external monitor at home and get the 14"..

If u have a ipad pro 12.9, get the 16" or sell the ipad pro and get the 14" and use the 14" as an ipad..

If you are like me, get the 16"..

If more than 50% of the time the macbook leave house, 14" sounds better but u chose..

Lastly, if u are going for 14" base model then this point is not for u.. but if u are going for the configuration of the base 16" for the 14", u have to think about this.. the price different is really not alot, just $200 for a bigger screen which is the nicest screen on a laptop and a bigger battery life which seems to be able to get around 4hrs more than the 14" in most average cases.

Hope this helps ☺
I'm getting the 16" base model 1tb silver.

For only 5% out of the house and 20% on couch/bed, and without using an external monitor, the 16" sounds better.

In my case it could be (if we go back to the office almost full-time, which is not a given):
70-80% out of the house - mostly plugged into an external screen
15% in a home office - with external screen
5% dining table or couch.

Plus maybe 1-2 months a year overseas travel, moving frequently, but no external screen.

So the 14" would be my preference.

 

[Danny82]

Nice, seems like if we breakdown our lifestyle with our laptop usage, we can have a good understanding of our needs and not let our whatever wild thoughts get the better of us ?

Hope this helps everyone who have a dilemma like myself ?

 

[craigdmb]

Ended up getting the 14 inch purely from a practicality purpose as I will be lugging it around a bit. It will also fit on the fold down tray tables on my train service. I think the 16 inch would be way too big for that.

Have to say love the feel of the machine. It feels so solid the screen and the speakers are fantastic. Now I just need to upgrade my 32 inch QHD external display to something better. Maybe a 4K one with USBC charging.

 

[gpat]

Over the last year, many folks moved from the 16" / 15" intel MacBook Pro to 13" M1 MacBook Air / Pro - and if there's anything to learn from this is that people get accustomed to different notebook sizes pretty quickly and can be just as productive.

I did just that and my new 16" is on its way. This year, working on a 13" has been hell, even with an external monitor.