MBA 15" or MBP 14"?

[ega30]

Hi everyone!

I'm new to the forum, at least as a registered user; I've been reading you guys for a long time.

There's a very similar thread already, but since my use case is different, I thought it'd be best to open my own thread.

My trusty 2014 MBP's 15" display has given up the ghost after 9 years of faithful service. I bought it new back in the day to go to university and spec'd it according to my needs (engineering degree = CAD & FEA software, lots of spreadsheets, Windows running on a VM, etc.): 16GB of RAM, upgraded 2.5GHz Quad-core i7 processor, 512GB storage.

It performed admirably throughout my degree. Even nowadays it still kept up with what I wanted to do. I've become a much less demanding user: I mainly use Safari, Mail, Photos, FaceTime and Numbers/Excel now. I watch quite a few films on it too, so I guess that's a relevant point to consider as well.
I do not replace my devices every couple of years: quite the contrary. I would've kept on using my 2014 for a few more years had its display not broken.

I've ruled out the 13" MBA (or MBP) because I want a bigger screen for films and spreadsheets. Which leaves me with the choice between a 15" MBA or a 14" MBP.

For the sake of future-proofing, the most basic configuration I would consider is a MBA with a 512GB SSD and 16 GB of RAM. That's "only" $300 less than the basic 14" MBP, which has a better display, better chip, more ports, etc. The difference in weight between the two is negligible. If I increase the MBA's RAM to 24GB, the price difference drops to $100.

Any advice?

 

[iistart]

if the price different is minimal, go for the MBP, better screen better chip.

 

[ega30]

if the price different is minimal, go for the MBP, better screen better chip.

The question is whether I will get a better experience out of the "better" specs of the Pro. Because if I end up with a slightly heavier laptop, with a slightly smaller screen, but the real-world performance is the same, I may as well save myself the cash and go for the Air.

 

[Falhófnir]

Personally I find the old 15" machines set to 1650x1080 effective resolution is the floor for a full-size laptop experience. While the 14" does have more resolution, that only makes up for the physical area to a certain degree. The 14" is more like a 13" class machine that offers a bit more space, while the 15" will open up the possibility of juggling more than one app on screen at a time without needing to flick back and forward between desktops. IMO coming from a 15" already you'd definitely notice the smaller display on the 14". The only point in favour of the 14" would potentially be the HDR capability for watching films, so I guess it's down to whether you trade off on screen area for that (or look into getting an Apple refurbished M1 16, perhaps? That would start at $1,929 for the equivalent spec).

 

[ega30]

That's a fair point. My girlfriend has a 14" MBP and the screen does feel smaller than the one on my 2014 15" MBP.

Part of my work routine with the Mac involves having Safari or a PDF open on one half of the screen, and copying data from it to a spreadsheet on the other half of the screen. This can be an absolute pain in the neck with a small screen.

I thought the 16" would be impractically huge, but I see its footprint is almost identical to my 15"'s.

Two things bother me though: seeing as I like to keep my devices for as long as I can, I'm concerned I'll lose one or two years of softwares updates by getting a refurbished 2021 16" M1. It is also heavier that my current MBP, and I was hoping to finally get something lighter.

I will have to get myself down to an Apple Store at some point to see/touch/play will all devices and make a decision.

 

[dmr727]

I will have to get myself down to an Apple Store at some point to see/touch/play will all devices and make a decision.

This is the way. Although beware, you're gonna find yourself enjoying the buttery smooth Pro-Motion display on the MBP. I don't miss it on my MBA during normal use, but when playing with an Air that's sitting next to a MBP, I find myself wishing I had it.

 

[ega30]

I should also perhaps mention that the reason why I use the Mac to watch films and TV series is because we do not own a television 😅 I guess this will have to change at some point, so I doubt I'll spend the next 10 years using a MacBook as a replacement TV.

 

[ega30]

This is the way. Although beware, you're gonna find yourself enjoying the buttery smooth Pro-Motion display on the MBP. I don't miss it on my MBA during normal use, but when playing with an Air that's sitting next to a MBP, I find myself wishing I had it.

That's the issue when you're looking at stuff in a shop. Doesn't matter if its a Mac, a TV, or even bathroom tiles. You notice the slightest differences.

Once you're back home and you can't compare anymore the story changes.

 

[GMShadow]

You can get the 14" MBP on sale for $1749 right now at Amazon, and I'm sure that price will turn up again there and other retailers. That said, I think the MBA15 has some benefits as well - I do agree with trying one out and seeing if the size/weight works better for you.

 

[ega30]

I posted the price differences in $ for reference, but I am over in Germany so I cannot benefit from the offers on Amazon US/Costco and so on.

The more I read, the more confused I am. In here they speak about the backlight bleed issues of the Air, others don't like the colour accuracy of the Pro: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/who-is-going-to-buy-mba-15-inch.2390898/ 😩

Rationally speaking I know for a fact that the MBA has all the power I could possibly need. It's lighter. It has the bigger screen. It has no fan. Now I ask myself whether that's a good thing in the long term or not: it's one component that cannot fail, and logic tells me that the internals will get less dirty over time since the whole casing is closed (so less dust is going to gather up in there). Am I right?

 

[dusk007]

I went for the 15". I had a 14" from work. Also the 16" in hand, for me as a dev the keyboard and display are the primary driver of productivity.
14” is great and Better than the 13 but it is by itself limited. Great if you mostly have an external screen and only sometimes use it but itself, also easier in a train or plane. The 16” is just massive. brilliant if you do not have to lug it around but it does take a lot of space from my bike pack. Performance wise they are all more than fast enough.
100eur more or less shouldn’t make or break the decision. just decide what is important. IMO productivity the 15 gives me best ergonomics and with enough ram I don’t need that much cpu speed. Coming from an Intel Mac. just the never loud always cool quiet snappy m1 was a life changer and I had a 16” i9 mbp before which was trash in comparison.

performance for price the mbp is definitely better so if that is the criteria just get the mbp but go for 16“. Every Mac except the 16 only makes sense for ergonomics reasons. Go into the store and have a look. If you cost is the problem save yourself the pain and buy into the Linux world. Apple is expensive and they are too good at Marketing life better
by spending even more on more walled garden apple ****. Stay out of the garden if you can. Nice garden but you will be stuck.

If you happen to go on holiday too or through Switzerland, smuggle the Mac home. Or US is the cheapest but harder to get to from DE.

 

[leifp]

It is fundamental that you go see them in person. For myself the choice is a no-brainer: I can see the quality differences between the MBAir and MBPro screens glaringly and will not accept the off-angle declines and other lesser image quality elements of the Air. For my wife, screen quality was less important: she hated the speakers on the Air… there are always music or movies playing on her laptop whereas I use dedicated hardware for those things: a stereo and a TV. While we would love to A) save money and B) save weight we are a pair of MBPro users (also: due to external monitor constraints on the Air they’re a non-starter for me).

 

[ega30]

If you happen to go on holiday too or through Switzerland, smuggle the Mac home. Or US is the cheapest but harder to get to from DE.

That’s interesting. A friend of mine lives in Switzerland, I remember him saying electronics are cheaper over there.

I’d also have the chance to buy it in the US through another friend who’ll be spending a month there over the summer.

However I’d like to keep the option to test it for 15 days and then return it if I’m not convinced or the screen has issues or whatever. So the US option is out, and I’d have to work out if I can make Switzerland work somehow. EDIT: Switzerland without student discount is the same as DE with student discount. I’ll get it in Germany

Otherwise I’ll just make the most of my girlfriend’s student status and get it in DE with said discount.

Otherwise you make some very good points. Honestly by now I’m growing increasingly tired of the spec race that’s going on in the forum. I don’t need a maxed out MBP with the M2 Max.

Hell, I still use a 2012 iMac on a regular basis without issues. I would expect any current Mac to be a good deal more capable…

So in the end I’ll have to go see them in person at a store and pick the one that suits my needs best.

 

[Saturn007]

I should also perhaps mention that the reason why I use the Mac to watch films and TV series is because we do not own a television 😅

32” and 40” HDTVs are very inexpensive now. It'd be worthwhile getting one enjoying movies and TV the way they were designed to be viewed! That would also spare you having that be a factor in the Mac purchase.

There are several threads going on the 15” vs. 14” in the MacBook Air forum — worth checking them out.

The best comment I‘ve seen on this

“…Don't buy the 14" just because it is only a few hundred more than the 15" MBA because you feel it is a better value.​

​

Don't buy the 15" just to save some money.​

​

Buy what really fits your needs and wants best.​

​

Then no matter how much you spend you will be happy…”​

The full text of it is well worth reading.

See https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...bp.2392223/page-3?post=32241918#post-32241918

 

[ega30]

32” and 40” HDTVs are very inexpensive now. It'd be worthwhile getting one enjoying movies and TV the way they were designed to be viewed! That would also spare you having that be a factor in the Mac purchase.

Let’s just say that my girlfriend isn’t too thrilled at the prospect of buying a TV… Need I say more?

I’m working on convincing her…

There are several threads going on the 15” vs. 14” in the MacBook Air forum — worth checking them out.

The best comment I‘ve seen on this


The full text of it is well worth reading.

See https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...bp.2392223/page-3?post=32241918#post-32241918

Yup, I’m following that thread (among others).

In the end I’ll do exactly what that comment you quoted suggests. Screw the spec race and listen to my own requirements.