Going from a 16" M1 Pro MBP to a 15" M2 MBA... Screen and Performance

[mstgkillr]

I am carefully considering going from a 16" M1 Pro MBP (1TB, 16GB) to a 15" MBA (2TB, 16GB or 24GB). Can anyone give me a quick rundown of the performance loss (CPU/GPU), display downgrade, battery life, etc., that I would see with this swap? Would it be noticeable?

Daily, I am NOT a Pro user, just email, Microsoft Office, and web browsing. I may watch a HD movie once a week or so. Less often, I use Autodesk Fusion 360 for 3-D design and printing.

I like the idea of a lighter laptop, as I take it with me to work daily; however, it's not a long haul from my car to the office and back. I also carry it in a backpack with my work laptop, and the Pro might be a little more durable (less flexible) than the air.

 

[mstgkillr]

And to add to the confusion (my confusion), I can get an awesome discount for a "loaded" 16" M1 Max MBP... maybe I just want to buy something at this point.

I am considering the following:

• 16" M1 Pro MPB, 1TB, 16GB, just keeping what I currently own

Or, selling my current MBP and getting one of the following:

• 16" M1 Max MBP, 4TB, 64GB, for $3,249 shipped.
• 15" M2 MBA, 2TB, 24GB, for $2,448 shipped.

Any input on the CPU/GPU differences between the three? Screen differences? Future proofing? Will I even notice the difference?

 

[dmr727]

I think you'll notice the lack of Pro-Motion, but perhaps you'll get used to it, I dunno. It's not a swap I think I'd do - mainly because of the screen - but if you're just jonesing for some new kit, have at it!

 

[FranApple]

As a counter point, I haven't really noticed Pro Motion on the MacBook Pros. Definitely more noticeable on phones and iPads.

 

[The_Joker13]

I think I would go with an M1 14” mbp vs the new 15” air. The screen is nearly as large, it’s probably just as portable as the 15”, maybe slightly less but you get so much more performance. JMO

 

[dmr727]

As a counter point, I haven't really noticed Pro Motion on the MacBook Pros. Definitely more noticeable on phones and iPads.

Huh - guess we're a good example of why folks should play with these things in the store and see how they feel! But thanks for making me feel better about my M1 MBA.

 

[mstgkillr]

I think you'll notice the lack of Pro-Motion, but perhaps you'll get used to it, I dunno. It's not a swap I think I'd do - mainly because of the screen - but if you're just jonesing for some new kit, have at it!

I already ordered my wife a 15" MBA (upgrading from a 13" M1 MBA), but only due to the larger screen. I might be jonesing for a new rig, but I'm trying to justify it I guess. Probably more honest than most. I really like my current MBP, but that maxed out M1 Max for $3,249 seems appealing if nothing more than for the discount.

I think I would go with an M1 14” mbp vs the new 15” air. The screen is nearly as large, it’s probably just as portable as the 15”, maybe slightly less but you get so much more performance. JMO

I don't think I could downsize that much.

 

[NeonNights]

I just returned my stock MBP 16 M2 Max. I loved the M1 Max on my Mac Studio and decided to switch from the Mac Studio to the MBP 16. The display was gorgeous but I quickly tired of the bulk, even with it just sitting on my desk. I didn't think the 4.8 lbs would bother me because I've had 6.7 lb laptops in college but coming from an M1 MBA the MBP 16 was hefty just carrying around the house. I mean, I can easily deal with the weight but simply don't want to and returned it.

Now I'm on the fence between a Starlight MBA 15 or a MBP 14 M2 Pro. I probably don't need the extra GPU grunt of the M2 Max. The MBA 15 is a larger screen but the resolution is actually lower than the MBP 14, that's what makes the decision so complicated. Weight between the two will barely be noticeable.

 

[Surfsalot]

As a counter point, I haven't really noticed Pro Motion on the MacBook Pros. Definitely more noticeable on phones and iPads.

like chalk and cheese next to a 24" iMac

 

[maerz001]

Why you think the loaded MBP will give you something new? With your described use case storage and ram will be unused and cpu idle

 

[chrono1081]

For your use case the air will be plenty powerful. The airs have so much more power than people realize. I personally don't notice the pro motion when I go between my Air (personal) and MacBook Pro (work). If you're looking for a thinner laptop for portability + large screen I'd say the 15 inch air will fit the bill nicely.

 

[bill-p]

I am carefully considering going from a 16" M1 Pro MBP (1TB, 16GB) to a 15" MBA (2TB, 16GB or 24GB). Can anyone give me a quick rundown of the performance loss (CPU/GPU), display downgrade, battery life, etc., that I would see with this swap? Would it be noticeable?

Just did the comparison.

Displays are pretty much the same to me displaying SDR contents. 16" wins in HDR but it's just not that big of a difference when displaying anything that's not pure black. Maybe the 16" will hide the notch better in some lighting conditions?

CPU/GPU is quite a bit of a downgrade for 3D rendering and movie editing. So tread lightly if you're do heavy 3D work or you play a lot of games.

I still need to see how battery life plays out so... no comment. But I'm already feeling like 14" has no place anymore.

 

[dmccloud]

Just did the comparison.

Displays are pretty much the same to me displaying SDR contents. 16" wins in HDR but it's just not that big of a difference when displaying anything that's not pure black. Maybe the 16" will hide the notch better in some lighting conditions?

CPU/GPU is quite a bit of a downgrade for 3D rendering and movie editing. So tread lightly if you're do heavy 3D work or you play a lot of games.

I still need to see how battery life plays out so... no comment. But I'm already feeling like 14" has no place anymore.

The 14" Pro still has a place - people who want Pro-level performance without the added size and weight of the 16" model. The 13" MBP is the one I think gets cut, because other than the touchbar, it really has no place in the lineup, especially running the stock M2.

 

[DHagan4755]

I'm already feeling like 14" has no place anymore.

Nah. Apple's perfectly setup a line up of 2 sized models of MacBook Air & MacBook Pro*. There's no doubt the 15" MacBook Air is superb as is the 14" MacBook Pro for those who need more performance and ports than the MacBook Air but don't want a 16" model.

* Excluding the 13" MacBook Pro which needs to be phased out of the lineup.

 

[Onimusha370]

I have the same M1 Pro MBP as you! I would also be considering the move to a 15 inch MBA, but for me I really value the mini-LED screen for HDR video editing so its a no-go.

Quick rundown of differences below, going from the M1 Pro MBP to the M2 Air:

• Roughly 40% decrease in multithreaded CPU performance, but a 20% increase in single threaded CPU performance. For your use case it sounds like you'd benefit more from single core than multi core so the M2 sounds good
• Roughly 30% decrease in GPU performance, but the resolution of the 15 inch MBA is around 30% lower so shouldn't be a massive difference in real world use.
• You lose the mini-LED screen, which means lower contrast ratio and a big difference in how HDR content looks - but unless you're regularly looking at HDR photos/videos this doesn't make much difference.
• You lose Promotion - some people don't notice this much but personally I love the extra smoothness of my MBP vs my iMac and can see an obvious difference between the 2
• You lose the HDMI, SD card, and a thunderbolt port, worth considering
• Speakers will likely be a bit worse on the 15 inch MBA
• Obvious thinness and weight improvements from switching which you've already mentioned

Overall for your workflow I'd say the 15 inch MBA sounds like the perfect machine. I'd only hang onto the MBP if you need/want to work with HDR content, but it sounds like that's not a big issue for you.

 

[ncm34]

Initial impressions: The 16" Pro definitely feels more solid in my bag, although the 15" Air is surprisingly sturdy despite the thin & light profile. If you use the laptop display primarily, you may notice the display quality difference (both density and color/brightness), the major step down in sound, and slightly less actuated feel and travel of both the keyboard and trackpad. At the same time, you will appreciate how the Air seemingly just sips the battery and runs cool and silent. If you didn't experience the 16" Pro running hot or with the fans on frequently, this may be a less noticeable thing.

 

[Detonation]

The MBA 15 is a larger screen but the resolution is actually lower than the MBP 14, that's what makes the decision so complicated. Weight between the two will barely be noticeable.

While it is a lower resolution, you still are getting my useable screen space, albeit less sharp, since it scales at 1.5x instead 2x. The loss of 120Hz and mini-led is the larger concern for me. I'll be using mine exclusively for travel, so the air is appealing, but I love that pro display. And after bumping up to 16/512, the price difference is minimal (when the 14" is on sale) and its the far better machine.