MacBook M1 Pro base 16”

[steelcurtain85]

I’m torn on what to do. I need a new laptop for graduate school (nurse practitioner; mainly doing research, writing papers, and viewing media). I know good and well the MacBook M1 Air (16GB/1T) would be just fine for my needs, but I’m kind of wanting to try a 16” screen. I have an external monitor, but I like being able to study on the couch with just my laptop.

Is it silly of me to want to leap from the air to the M1 pro just for a bigger (and nicer) screen, better webcam, and extra ports?

 

[NdTonks]

Nope! A lot of people like the MBP for the screen realestate, myself being one. I don't need all the extra power I'm sure but the screen is a huge part of a laptop experience.

 

[flapflapflap]

Go to the Apple Store and check it out. It’s way too large for my needs.

 

[Chancha]

I have been using an M1 Air since day one, yesterday picked up a 14" base Pro at the Store after seeing both sizes in person. The 16" while having a wonderful viewing experience and a better deal since it is only $200 difference from the 14" with the same specs, it is simply way too large to be considered a portable / couch machine (unless you are also a XXL size person...). The 14" is marginally thicker than the Air while still having similar if not the same processing power.

For your purpose, perhaps the Air is truly the best fit, as you don't seem to need the performance, and the screen real estate is not a must just a bonus for you. Also may I add, the 14" has pretty average battery life whereas the Air on the other hand is absolutely ridiculous.

 

[MisterAndrew]

I use my 15" on the couch and it's bigger and heavier than the new 16". It's great for writing papers on. The 14" size is pretty small.

 

[echodriver]

I find the Air's screen to be plenty big - and unless you need the extra grunt, the extra battery life over the 14" is welcome as well

 

[Natzoo]

I have always gone for the bigger screen, the phone also, just for the extra space on the display. Nothing wrong with getting the M1 16", and you can always return within 14-days. So definitely try it out, do migration assistant and get the full experience.

 

[JohnnyGo]

I find the Air's screen to be plenty big - and unless you need the extra grunt, the extra battery life over the 14" is welcome as well

I’m with the majority so far: the Air seems a better fit for your needs.

The 14” is heavier and battery life isn’t that great if you are actively using Wifi. All video tests are done in airplane mode or with little Wifi activity

 

[steelcurtain85]

I tend to keep computers for the long haul. Up until last month, I was using a late 2013 MacBook Pro Retina (16/256) 13”. It stopped getting updates this year and I had one bad experience where it acted wonky during a zoom meeting for school (giving a presentation). I was terrified to use it again.

I’ve been borrowing my mom’s 2017 MacBook air and love the weight of it. I attempted doing split screen with research on one half of the screen and a word processer on the other. That was pretty much a **** show because of the size.

I just feel irresponsible buying something so expensive because I want a bigger/nicer screen (I have a Dell 4k monitor) and better webcam.

 

[PeterJP]

If you're using a late 2013 13", then the 13" MBA M1 will be a tremendous upgrade in every possible way. I know, because I have a late 2013 13" and an M1 mac mini that had identical hardware to the M1 MBA. Get yourself the M1 with 16/512 and live happily for a very long time. If you have a 4K external screen, then the smaller 13" screen should not be a problem.

 

[macnmac]

now that i've had my 16 for a few hours, i dont think ill ever go back to my 13" m1 w/ external monitor

 

[steelcurtain85]

now that i've had my 16 for a few hours, i dont think ill ever go back to my 13" m1 w/ external monitor

If you use split screen mode, do you find both areas large enough to be useable? As an example, I would want to have a research article PDF on one side and Microsoft word on the other.

While I'm grateful to have a nice external monitor, I hate spending hours in the basement office away from the wife and kids. Lately I’ve been throwing in noise cancelling headphones and working on the laptop next to them. It’s a bit less depressing to be able to look up and see the family. I feel like 16” would be a world of difference compared to 13”….. maybe I’m just trying to justify it?

 

[PeterJP]

now that i've had my 16 for a few hours, i dont think ill ever go back to my 13" m1 w/ external monitor

I can attest to the fact that indeed, split screen is a lot nicer on the 16" than on the 13". However, I will always use an external monitor when possible because 27" is just so much nicer. Actually looking at getting a 32", in fact.

But sometimes I'm lazy and I just want to remain seated and work a bit. In that case, the 16" screen is nicer. Then again, it gets compensated by the weight and size. In a sofa, it's just not practical to use the 16". It's similar to grabbing a book vs grabbing a 15.6" Windows laptop. It's just unwieldy. Just firmly my personal opinion, of course, and the reason why I'm going back to the 14". If the 13" Intel models would've had the power of the 16", I may never have gotten the 16" in the first place.

 

[Basic75]

it is simply way too large to be considered a portable

I can still remember when everything under 3Kg was considered "lightweight".

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

I can attest to the fact that indeed, split screen is a lot nicer on the 16" than on the 13". However, I will always use an external monitor when possible because 27" is just so much nicer. Actually looking at getting a 32", in fact.

But sometimes I'm lazy and I just want to remain seated and work a bit. In that case, the 16" screen is nicer. Then again, it gets compensated by the weight and size. In a sofa, it's just not practical to use the 16". It's similar to grabbing a book vs grabbing a 15.6" Windows laptop. It's just unwieldy. Just firmly my personal opinion, of course, and the reason why I'm going back to the 14". If the 13" Intel models would've had the power of the 16", I may never have gotten the 16" in the first place.

How much better is 27" monitor compared to the new 16.2" MacBook pro for you? In undecided whether to keep my monitor and dock the 14 to it ,OR get the 16" and return the monitor .
I know I'd be willing to use the in display more since it has 120hz and mini led with awesome brightness,but honestly ,unless i watch movies and animal shows ,i pretty much don't care about brightness i think..

 

[darngooddesign]

Is it silly of me to want to leap from the air to the M1 pro just for a bigger (and nicer) screen, better webcam, and extra ports?

Nothing silly about wanting a larger screen, that and the cost difference not being all that much is why I'm choosing the 16 over the 14; Just prepared for it to be around a pound heavier.

Go to the Apple Store and check it out. It’s way too large for my needs.

The angled view makes the old MBPs look much thinner than they actually are because of how Apple tapered the sides of the cases.

 

[matrix07]

I’m torn on what to do. I need a new laptop for graduate school (nurse practitioner; mainly doing research, writing papers, and viewing media). I know good and well the MacBook M1 Air (16GB/1T) would be just fine for my needs, but I’m kind of wanting to try a 16” screen. I have an external monitor, but I like being able to study on the couch with just my laptop.

Is it silly of me to want to leap from the air to the M1 pro just for a bigger (and nicer) screen, better webcam, and extra ports?

Big screen is my number 1 reason I’m looking at new MBP.

 

[Adarna]

Whatever previous Mac or PC you owned will not be any faster than any base model MBP with Apple Silicon.

One wish I had was a Macbook Air 16" using the 2019 MBP 16" body.

 

[macnmac]

If you use split screen mode, do you find both areas large enough to be useable? As an example, I would want to have a research article PDF on one side and Microsoft word on the other.

While I'm grateful to have a nice external monitor, I hate spending hours in the basement office away from the wife and kids. Lately I’ve been throwing in noise cancelling headphones and working on the laptop next to them. It’s a bit less depressing to be able to look up and see the family. I feel like 16” would be a world of difference compared to 13”….. maybe I’m just trying to justify it?

it should be more than enough, i use to do that on my 13" but my eye sight is pretty decent and i can read small fonts perfectly fine... but on the 16, there is plenty of room to have the split and have a reasonable font size - to be honest, you should either hit up an apple store and play with the display models, or just buy one and give it a test run and see what you ultimately think

 

[macintoshmac]

I use my 15" on the couch and it's bigger and heavier than the new 16". It's great for writing papers on. The 14" size is pretty small.

Since you write, I want to ask you, how do you feel the 15" is for side-by-side? One side is what you are typing, the other could be browser with research or PDF or anything.. how do you feel about the comfort of this vis-a-vis say, an iMac with 24" display but relatively smaller jump in resolution ?

On my 13" MBA, split screen makes the web browser too narrow, and sometimes my own document becomes too narrow - too vertical.

On top of that, on a desktop, this 13" makes my neck craned downwards all the time, and I do find myself hunched into the desk often. I am thinking the 16" would help me keep myself straight ?

 

[collin_]

I would say go for the 16”. Having a larger, brighter screen makes a huge difference. Even at $2,500, the base model is a pretty great value IMO. I wouldn’t buy it from Apple, though. You can often avoid sales tax by purchasing it through a reputable 3rd party seller like bhphotovideo or Adorama. If you’re paying full cost + sales tax on top of that then I’m not so sure if it’s a good value.

Oh wait, actually just buy from Apple’s online education store. That might save you even more despite the sales tax. Pretty decent discount and they don’t even verify that you’re a student (for anyone reading this who isn’t).

 

[macintoshmac]

If you use split screen mode, do you find both areas large enough to be useable? As an example, I would want to have a research article PDF on one side and Microsoft word on the other.

While I'm grateful to have a nice external monitor, I hate spending hours in the basement office away from the wife and kids. Lately I’ve been throwing in noise cancelling headphones and working on the laptop next to them. It’s a bit less depressing to be able to look up and see the family. I feel like 16” would be a world of difference compared to 13”….. maybe I’m just trying to justify it?

I am thinking of the same. Replace my 2017 MBA and get the 16" for split screen benefits and as my daily driver. I do not want to get a large screen right now, and while I can make do with the MacBook Air 2017 for another year, I am doing graphics work in Affinity Publisher that makes me think.

Text is fine on Word or smaller apps like iA Writer and Ulysses. Graphics are doable, but combined with the ergonomic benefit of the larger screen along with the speed boost, I am leaning towards the 16" myself.

I will be moving in a year, and do not want to have an iMac 24" on the road with strangers for 3-4 days during transport since I would not be able to carry it with me in the car. The trunk would carry more pressing, immediately needed stuff that would be required along the way on the road.

So, for the next 5 years, it seems I am to have this MacBook Pro 16" and once I move, I may look at getting a display.

 

[Fishrrman]

Prediction:
You're gonna find that 16" display (and the MBP that goes with it) a drag to be carrying around in class, etc. You'll get tired of it sooner rather than later.

Get the 14" model instead. Base model will do fine.
Take the $$$ you save and get a nice 27" display for your room.

 

[TGM85]

Prediction:
You're gonna find that 16" display (and the MBP that goes with it) a drag to be carrying around in class, etc. You'll get tired of it sooner rather than later.

Get the 14" model instead. Base model will do fine.
Take the $$$ you save and get a nice 27" display for your room.

A nice and reasonable compromise, I like it.

I just bought the 16", but if I was a student who had to carry it around all day, taking it to classes, labs and libraries, I'd probably get the 14" one.

 

[darngooddesign]

I can still remember when everything under 3Kg was considered "lightweight".

I remember lugging my SE30 in a shoulder bag to college. LOL