actually, in my reviews, I've had both the 14 and 16 front and center of my external display to be used a secondary display. the problem with the 16 is that it has a large footprint and takes up a lot of space. the 16 screen is really incredible, it just sucks that it's so heavy and thick (I never used a 15/16). The 14 is nice too but the battery is not as good.
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
The battery isn’t as good as the 16” sure, but the battery is still great on the 14”.
If it’s primarily at home then why does battery matter? I know you keep asking about the 14. Toss a battery charger in bag. I really don’t have much use for a “personal” laptop outside the house unless on vacation. (Work provides me with one at work or clients).
Oh I see on the monitor. I just plug laptop into dock or hub. It stays closed. Already have a kb, mouse and what not. Can’t say I’d care to use laptop front and center with monitor behind it.
I know I've mentioned a few times in this thread that I have both the 14" and 16" I'm agonizing over which one to keep. I love the 16" so much, but the footprint is large. I don't even care about the weight at all. Or the portability because I only travel 3-5 times a year, plus I have an iPad Pro 12.9". But on my desk right now with my 38.5" monitor, it's barely fitting. It's making me lean more towards the 14" for now, especially since the battery is still pretty good on the 14".
By the time most read this, I'll probably be changing my mind again back to the 16".
By the time most read this, I'll probably be changing my mind again back to the 16".
I'll be installing a monitor arm for my 34 inch ultra wide to create more space in case I go with the 16. Would that help?
You're absolute right. Battery life shouldn't matter but I want that extra juice in case I do travel with it.
I actually tested this with excel in the Apple store and you're right - it only added maybe 3 columns to excel. It does depend what resolution you want to run at though.
Really the biggest difference for 16 vs 14" imo is not any single-window view - 216px wider and 135px taller just won't matter that much. What helps is if you want to run 2 windows side-by-side in which case you'd get an extra 108px per window which is still... not that much but helps a bit. Just nothing at all like adding a 2nd monitor or moving to a 3840px wide ultrawide monitor or similar which would give you twice the width of a default 16" or 2.5x the width of a 14".
The more I type this the more I think I'm changing my order from a 16 to a 14.
16-inch MacBook Pro
- Looks like 2056 x 1329
- Default: Looks like 1728 x 1117
- Looks like 1496 x 967
- Looks like 1312 x 848
- Looks like 1168 x 755
14-inch MacBook Pro
- Looks like 1800 x 1169
- Default: Looks like 1512 x 982
- Looks like 1352 x 878
- Looks like 1147 x 745
- Looks like 1024 x 665
Is there anyone who had an old 15/16" and is regretting switching to a new 14"?
I'm an Intel 16" user and considering getting the new 14", but afraid that I would miss the screen real estate of 16"...
I'm an Intel 16" user and considering getting the new 14", but afraid that I would miss the screen real estate of 16"...
i went MBP 16 2019 -> 13 MBA M1 -> 14 MBP M1 Pro
Not a single regret/doubt
To each their own though, try the 14" (change resolution to see more space on screen), and if it doesn't work out return it
I personally don't think the 16" is that awful. Heavier than the 14"? Of course. Is it ridiculous? I really don't think so, especially if you're someone who has had larger laptops in the past.
If anything could deter me from the 16", it's the physical footprint. It's a large machine. No way about it. You have to weigh (pardon the pun), are you going to need to travel a lot, do you want to do work on a plane or in a classroom, is it going to be primarily a home machine, etc. Those are the questions I think people have to ask themselves.
I'm not saying to dismiss the weight. It's a factor. But it's really just 1.5 lbs. In the grand scheme of things, it's not a major life decision for many. Again, I think it's the footprint.
If you're a student or a very frequent traveler, you may want to stick with the 14". However, YMMV. If you're in the field and you need a bigger screen for on the move editing, maybe it's still "portable" enough for you.
If anything could deter me from the 16", it's the physical footprint. It's a large machine. No way about it. You have to weigh (pardon the pun), are you going to need to travel a lot, do you want to do work on a plane or in a classroom, is it going to be primarily a home machine, etc. Those are the questions I think people have to ask themselves.
I'm not saying to dismiss the weight. It's a factor. But it's really just 1.5 lbs. In the grand scheme of things, it's not a major life decision for many. Again, I think it's the footprint.
If you're a student or a very frequent traveler, you may want to stick with the 14". However, YMMV. If you're in the field and you need a bigger screen for on the move editing, maybe it's still "portable" enough for you.
When I went to the store to decide on the size the day after launch day, I was carrying my usual case with my 2018 15inch (I carry my 12", 13" M1 Pro, or my 15" on various days). That 16 is literally feels heavier than my entire bag with the 15", charger, phone, mouse, a couple of accessories, some papers, and a bunch of random stuff combined.
There is no way anyone who needs to carry it daily can reasonable use the 16". Sooner or later, he/she would regret it and have to go back to something more portable.
This. I changed to a higher resolution and can get a lot more windows, etc on the 14" than I though I could comfortably view. I came from a 15" and the 14" is much better IMHO when used on the couch/bed. When I need a bigger monitor, I just connect it to my external monitor and I'm glad the 14" doesn't take up much desk space and I just use it as a secondar monitor for email, etc. Works great.
I don't have a desktop or monitor, I have a small table that I keep the MBP on, with my gaming pc in the office.
Using Xcode, especially with SwiftUI, the 16 inch gives more physical real-estate without having to worry about changing resolutions.
Same with Unity.
If I had a Prodisplay xdr at home, hundred percent I would be at 14 inch, but I do not.
Using Xcode, especially with SwiftUI, the 16 inch gives more physical real-estate without having to worry about changing resolutions.
Same with Unity.
If I had a Prodisplay xdr at home, hundred percent I would be at 14 inch, but I do not.
Also, remember the new MacOS has Low Power mode which helps a pretty good deal with battery life on my 14". I can get another couple of hours out of web browsing, etc with Low Power Mode enabled. The setting also stays when on Battery mode if you want. My understanding is it just turns off turbo CPU mode or something which I don't even notice with my web browsing, etc.
I think it would be a pain for most people to carry it daily. It's very thick and heavy. Even moving it from my home office to my bedroom, living room or kitchen is kind of an ordeal particularly because it's so expensive and I don't want to drop it, I'm finding myself holding it with two hands. The footprint of it is also very large, and barely fits on my desk next to my 34 inch ultra wide monitor. I have a few other things on my desk which is 84 inches wide but it's only 30 inches deep. I always have things on my kitchen counter so I can't imagine placing it there nor can I place it on my dining table regularly unless I really make an effort to clear the table. Using it on my bed has been an OK experience but I have no place to lay it down other than the floor. My bedroom side table is not large enough so I'm forced to place it on the floor next to my bed.
I also am experiencing a lot of discomfort when typing on the 16. I've never used the 16 so maybe those who have are used to having their wrists and even part of their forearm pressed against the sharp front edge. Unless you have very large hands or freakishly long fingers, it may be an issue for you. Note that the 16 is very thick so even with proper desk/chair ergonomics, there will always be this annoying angle from your elbows to your fingers which will cause some part of your wrist to press against the sharp edge. I have no issue with this on the M1 MBP or 14.
Having said all this and having spent 2-3 days with the 16, it's an amazing screen. It's so large and such a great immersive experience. If it was maybe a little lighter/thinner, I would have gone with it. I think with the 16, you really get to benefit from Apple's latest screen tech in their laptops. Plus the battery life is excellent.
Agree. I only lug my 2019 16" around to conferences for work a few times a year and hate it. Another 0.5lbs and more size would be brutal.
14" is a no-brainer if you travel or commute a lot with it.
I’ll be honest I think the 14 is nice but not enough to upgrade from say a 13 M1. If you’re wanting something different the 16 would be the way to go
I pretty much exclusively use my MBP at home, so the 16 is great for the couch, bed or desk. If I was needing to carry it around daily, I'd probably opt for the 14 and get an external display if I needed a bigger screen.
I know you have all these specs here which is great! but do you actually own both the 14 and 16? I have both and tell significant difference with the 16 in terms of space on screen etc... no question...
YES I have a work 15/16, although Dell and am having a hard time a little bit with smaller size (14") hence trying to decide if 16" is more appropriate... or its just me getting older lol
agree in the store it felt heavy but for some reason at home it does not feel that bad actually...
I know you weren't replying to me, but I do have both. The 16" definitely feels a lot larger in terms of space, but when I actually compare the two side by side its not a massive difference in terms of what is actually shown on the screen. For videos and images, though, much different story.
yes that makes sense... 16 feels specials, 14 is nice but, so, so.. IMO