Why is that? I’m tempted to get the Air, but I’m not 100% sure. I honestly don’t need a Pro, but why wouldn’t you use the better screen?
Probably depends on my current lifestyle. Back in the day i was a high schooler or bachelor, and my laptop or PC stayed at the same spot for years, needing to move only once in a blue moon. My 10 lbs windows laptop sounded like a no big deal.
Running 2 jobs required me to whip out my laptop during the work time - Air is the easiest device to not pull attention. Also i have only couple inches of work space in cafeteria or quiet rooms, so MBP 14 would not fit as is with the economy airline trays. As i grew older, i have more money to stay active - this includes camping and climbing to the top of the hill to get some cell reception and get my job done. I think i am a fan of ultimate stealth and less weight.
MBP 14 - doesn't add a meaningful screen estate, it is bigger but not life changing. 17.3" Windows matte screens are life changing but 13.3 to 14.1 is not it.
MBP 14 overheats simply browsing if i put it on a sofa or bed - sometimes i like to work from there. I also have to baby it since it is a $1600 machine that has active vents that suck up all the dirt and grime from air (akin to my air purifier).
MBP 14 is heavy and not so easy to move it while open with 1 hand. It is not easy to pack and unpack from the backpack. It has a bigger footprint. It is not easy to pick up from a desk.
MBP works only 10 hrs from battery (12hr at most if using all the savings to cut yourself short) but my Air was driving 2K screen and worked for 15-16hrs constantly 100-0% when new.
MBP 14 cuts into wrists with elevated edge and typing is wrist wrecking.
Now the pros.
MBP clearly has a better screen - but it is questionable. For example 144hz of Windows laptop made me hate M1 Air's old screen because 144hz is so fast and always on. 120hz of MBP is variable refresh rate - if you scroll non-stop in Safari, it will ramp up from 60hz to 90hz then 120hz. Most of the time it hangs around 60-90hz anyways, and even 120hz is so short lived that I simply don't see a difference between this and Air.
Quality - cinema and such are much better. Simply better saturation, color and all but you don't really notice it shifting between laptops unless doing side-by-side.
Speakers - night and day better. But the days of cranking the music and movies are long gone with kids, and other people could say there are TVs to do the same.
Power - it is really 2-4 times more powerful. The question is I don't tap into that much power to feel the limits. For example if you have 2 4K screens, then MBP will be much more fluid experience - but I don't drive externals anymore - the sweet spot for Air is 1 2K screen or 1 4K screen(for M4 Air, because M1 Air with 4K is way behind of MBP with the same setup).
As a result if you need all that power and goodies but sacrifice on handling, then you have to stick to MBP 14 - like I needed 3 screens to drive for work and Air was not an option. But if you don't have such hard requirements, and if you don't tap into the Air power limits, there is less reasons to get MBP.
