M1 Pro 14 inch Macbook pro for $2000 USD vs. 512 Gb Macbook Air M2 for $1900 USD?

[AppleStart2013]

Currently living in Ireland and I am able to pick up the M2 MBA 512 gb model here straight away for around $1900 USD equivalent. However, I'm going back to Canada in 3 weeks and I can order an MBP 14 inch M1 pro there for around $100 more ($2000) since electronics are cheaper there and I can ask my family to pick it up for me.

I was wondering which is the better option?

 

[maflynn]

I was wondering which is the better option?

Ultimately it depends on your usage and preference. Looking at things objectively, the MBP offers a faster computer, with a better display that is larger, with more ports that is actively cooled.

I would go for the MBP all things being equal

 

[pshufd]

You would need to provide your use cases regarding whether you need portability or were planning to use it as a desktop replacement and how much computing power you need.

 

[nick42983]

Get the 14", unless ultra-portability is your main concern then it's better than the Air in every other way: more ports, larger screen, higher quality screen, faster processor, superior thermals. In the US the 14" M1 base model has been $1599 for most of the past 4 months until recently, look around to see if you can find a better deal than $2k

 

[pshufd]

Buy one in New Hampshire (US) if you can. No sales tax.

 

[jerryk]

If it is an option, you might want to see what you can get the units for on Amazon or at Best Buy. I was able to pickup a 14" M1 with 16GB/512GB for $1590 USD.

They are clearing them out because there is a rumored M2 Max/Pro based 14" coming in the beginning of 2023.

 

[benobi]

Both are excellent machines - chances are you will be very happy with either. The decision comes down to A) Portability and Battery Life vs B) Sustained Performance and Ports. The 14" MBP will handle sustained work loads much better (video editing, gaming etc) - while the Air will load short bursty workloads slightly more quickly (webpage loading, some photo editing etc). The big difference for me came down to two things: size (thickness/weight) and battery life. I found the thickness and weight of the 14" just a little too chunky for my tastes. The Air was simply more comfortable for me. The battery life, however, was a much larger difference than expected. The 14" would get around 9-11 hours for me with my basic workload. The M2 Air, however, consistently hits 15+ hours especially with low battery power enabled.

 

[ilikewhey]

for sure the mbp 14, the only thing going for the mba is the less than 1lb of difference and battery life, if you don't need more than 12 hours of battery life the mbp 14 is a no brainer.

 

[Zest28]

Depends. If it's your only computer, then definetly the 14".

 

[dizmonk]

I had an M1 MBA and got my daughter an M2 MBA... I am thrilled with my 14 MBP. The quiet power, battery life, superior screen and speaker for me all outweigh the extra battery life and reduced weight of the m2. Good luck.

 

[strayts]

I just got a base model 14" MBP for $1,599 here in the US. It's so so good. I would have paid $1,900 for it for sure.

 

[nick42983]

If it is an option, you might want to see what you can get the units for on Amazon or at Best Buy. I was able to pickup a 14" M1 with 16GB/512GB for $1590 USD.

They are clearing them out because there is a rumored M2 Max/Pro based 14" coming in the beginning of 2023.

Since these deals have been going on since August I think it's pretty clear that this is Apple's new indirect strategy for discounts/sales through resellers. No way they would have this much stock lying around, they are certainly building new MBPs and will probably do so for a few more months, until the M2 MBPs arrive. I think it reflects the weakening economic environment going into a recession in 2023. Apple would rather take the hit on their margins now and move units before next year when people are really going to start tightening their belts and closing their wallets.

 

[wilberforce]

You get more for your money with the MBP M1 Pro, but it is a bit chunky by today's standards (I have one). If portability and light weight are most important to you, the M2 Air is an excellent choice. (16GB RAM minimum)