Did you go for the 15” or 13” MacBook Air and why?

[DHagan4755]

According to Evans Hankey, VP of industrial design, the MacBook Air's wedge and tapered design saw its demise because Apple silicon meant they didn't have to "play any kind of games with shape or form to make it look thin...it's quite honest and simple." (Article link)

 

[Surfsalot]

I already have a 16 inch M1 Pro MBP, so I was looking for a very light, very portable laptop. The 13 inch MBA is noticeably lighter than the 15 inch, so I went with the 13 inch MBA.

If I did not already have a 16 inch M-series MBP, I probably would have gone with the 14 inch MBP, since it amazingly is not much heavier than the 13 inch MBA, as a my sole laptop. That said, I'm very glad I got the 13 inch MBA since I use it every day just carting it from room to room (and now that it's warm, out onto the deck) .

How's the air screen when out on the deck v the mbp, brightness etc?

 

[Saturn007]

Thanks for the link to the article with the Hanley quote. Fascinating read. Highly recommend it to others.

However, Hankey is off base. (Was he even with Apple way back then?) The wedge wasn't “playing games“ with shape or creating illusions — that's Apple's current excuse or rationalization for going to the shopworn box shape for the revamped MBA. The wedge is easier to grab, hold, and type on. Functionally and aesthetically, it was — and still is — a winner.

I supposed Hankey and others would also claim they dropped the valued ports we had on the Intel MBAs because they decided to stop “playing games”! 😁 In fact, that looked like playing games at the direction of the marketing department! That is, to differentiate the MBA and MBP — and strip the M1 MBA to bare bones, even dropping MagSafe charging along with SD card reader, etc.

I still believe that one of the reasons Apple dropped the wedge design with the M2 MBA series was because it had contributed to the spontaneous screen cracking of the M1 MBAs with its re-engineered chassis. The cracking was infrequent to be sure, but occurred often enough to lead to a class action lawsuit and be an engineering and legal concern at Apple.

 

[GMShadow]

Thanks for the link to the article with the Hanley quote. Fascinating read. Highly recommend it to others.

However, Hankey is off base. (Was he even with Apple way back then?) The wedge wasn't “playing games“ with shape or creating illusions — that's Apple's current excuse or rationalization for going to the shopworn box shape for the revamped MBA. The wedge is easier to grab, hold, and type on. Functionally and aesthetically, it was — and still is — a winner.

I supposed Hankey and others would also claim they dropped the valued ports we had on the Intel MBAs because they decided to stop “playing games”! 😁 In fact, that looked like playing games at the direction of the marketing department! That is, to differentiate the MBA and MBP — and strip the M1 MBA to bare bones, even dropping MagSafe charging along with SD card reader, etc.

I still believe that one of the reasons Apple dropped the wedge design with the M2 MBA series was because it had contributed to the spontaneous screen cracking of the M1 MBAs with its re-engineered chassis. The cracking was infrequent to be sure, but occurred often enough to lead to a class action lawsuit and be an engineering and legal concern at Apple.

The M1 was not a new design - it had been used for the 2018, 2019, and 2020 Intel MBAs as well.

 

[Elise]

I've used 13" MBPs for like, forever and I was getting tired of the small screen. I wanted something bigger and I don't regret it - I love the big screen.

It is very light and easy to carry but the size does make it slightly more awkward to travel with. It doesn't fit neatly into the bags I carry, so I probably wouldn't take this abroad. However, I still have my M1 MBP that I can take on my travels if need be.

 

[Kahnforever]

I had the 13” M2 MBA for a year. Very nice computer. I liked how small and light it was and could still do some heavy work on it.

I recently upgraded to the M3 15”, 24 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD MBA. While I miss how physically small the 13” is, I’m happy with the 15”. Having the extra screen real estate is important as it provides more productivity. The speakers are a lot better and the 15” is still very thin and light.

If a person travels a lot, I would go with the 13” without question. If only travelling sometimes and using it more at home, the office, cafes… I would go with the 15”.

 

[MikeDr206]

I've used 13" MBPs for like, forever and I was getting tired of the small screen. I wanted something bigger and I don't regret it - I love the big screen.

It is very light and easy to carry but the size does make it slightly more awkward to travel with. It doesn't fit neatly into the bags I carry, so I probably wouldn't take this abroad. However, I still have my M1 MBP that I can take on my travels if need be.

I have a Briggs & Riley "medium briefcase," and I was surprised that the 15" MBA doesn't fit when in a padded neoprene sleeve.

Fits great when not in a case, however.

Medium Expandable Brief

Shop the @work Medium Expandable Briefcase featuring durable construction, expandable capacity, and thoughtful organization—perfect for professionals needs.

www.briggs-riley.com

 

[pshifrin]

I have a Briggs & Riley "medium briefcase," and I was surprised that the 15" MBA doesn't fit when in a padded neoprene sleeve.

Fits great when not in a case, however.

Medium Expandable Brief

Shop the @work Medium Expandable Briefcase featuring durable construction, expandable capacity, and thoughtful organization—perfect for professionals needs.

www.briggs-riley.com

What padded neoprene case are you using? I'm looking for one like the acme made ones that are no longer made.

 

[MikeDr206]

What padded neoprene case are you using? I'm looking for one like the acme made ones that are no longer made.

I have this one, but I don't recommend it. Much too loose thickness and height wise.

I'm thinking of getting a 14" case, as I've heard they fit.

https://www.amazon.com/tomtoc-Protective-Chromebook-Shockproof-Accessory/dp/B01N0TOQEO

 

[mpetrides]

How's the air screen when out on the deck v the mbp, brightness etc?

I've not run them side-by-side but I used my M2 MBA out on the deck all of last summer and didn't have a problem seeing the screen.

 

[dizzbuster]

I originally had a M2 13" but found it to be too small for my old eyes so I sold it and went with a 15" M2. Sure it is a little heavier but the additional size also helps it while on my lap. I could not be happier.

Cheers!

 

[kamikazeeMC]

13" not using it on a table/desk. Second day in, screen realestate seems enough coming from a 27" 1440p desktop, not that I do anything intensive anymore.

 

[Jessemtz25]

I went from a 2020 MBP to a 15" Air to switch it up a bit and see if I can live with another only an Air but also a slightly larger screen. no regrets yet but I also haven't traveled with it yet either.

 

[fteter]

With my tired old eyes, the decision to go for the bigger screen was easy. I really appreciate the 15" screen - could not believe the difference when compared side-to-side with my 13" MBP screen.

 

[Yebubbleman]

I find that I'm much more likely to want to travel with a 13/14-inch laptop than I am a 15/16-inch laptop. In the x86-64 world (whether we're talking Macs or PCs), it's usually the difference between whether or not I'm traveling with a discrete GPU versus the integrated graphics; generally making it worth making an exception for the larger machine. In the ARM64/Apple Silicon world, I'm sacrificing a bit of battery life on an Mx Pro based 14-inch over a 16-inch MacBook Pro (and proportionately moreso with an Mx Max), but you're not really making that sacrifice with the MacBook Airs; otherwise, it's the same power in a more portable machine. Given this, I'm fine with a smaller machine, generally.

 

[SiegeDamage]

I opted for the 15" M3 because I like having more screen space. I often have 2 (or sometimes 3) windows side by side, and find that the larger screen makes things more legible & allows me to be more productive.

 

[nburwell]

13” has always been the sweet spot for me as I don’t have the need for a bigger screen, even when editing photos. From an M2 owner.

 

[MikeDr206]

13” has always been the sweet spot for me as I don’t have the need for a bigger screen, even when editing photos. From an M2 owner.

my dream is a 13 inch, which can then somehow unroll out on either side to turn into a 17 inch.

 

[Alohabai]

I have both and found 15” is much more comfortable for eyes and multi-windows arrangement, with only slightly bigger than 13”.

I also have both. Tried a 13” iPad but then after deciding I NEED a keyboard, returned it for my second MBA.

 

[Tsepz]

13inch for portability and have been very happy with it thus far, both for personal usage and when I need to use it due to failure of my crappy work Dell laptop.

 

[helloapple1]

Those that own the 13.6”, would you say it feels closer to a 14”?

 

[geta]

Those that own the 13.6”, would you say it feels closer to a 14”?

It feels closer to the old 13” MBP, but much better.

 

[helloapple1]

It feels closer to the old 13” MBP, but much better.

I don’t really know what the 13” MBP felt like. Bigger screen or ?

 

[mizmor]

13 for portability for university and research travel. I have a Windows desktop with a couple 27" 1440p monitors for gaming and general use so a bigger laptop would just be silly.

 

[SnowCrocodile]

13. I have had my share of large laptops. I prefer light & portable.