MBA or MBP

[parajba]

As per title. I was set on a MBA M3 13” 16/512, but then I read that it throttles with games. I don’t game but you it for Zwift, a cycling training app.
I then looked at the MBP 14” 18/512, which would be around £500 more expensive (£1400 vs £1900, maybe £1700 refurbished from Apple).

I don’t travel, so it stays at home but I do value a light and pretty package.

Apart from Zwift, all light use (web, Office).

Any thoughts?

I also value a good keyboard. I would like the larger screen of the Pro. I need it to be quiet when in use, I cannot stand noisy fans.

 

[halledise]

Air is fanless.
Pro has fans but unless you're doing real heavy lifting you'll rarely hear them.
Air sounds the best fit for you, in my opinion, given your stated use.

 

[TechRunner]

I would like the larger screen of the Pro.

Have you considered adding a 15" MBA to the mix? Then you'd get the fanless design you seek with the larger screen you're after. Just a thought.

 

[parajba]

Thanks both, yes I am leaning towards the MBA 13 or 15. I wish there was a forum user who actively uses Zwift on the MBA to let me know how it is.

 

[StoneJack]

As per title. I was set on a MBA M3 13” 16/512, but then I read that it throttles with games. I don’t game but you it for Zwift, a cycling training app.
I then looked at the MBP 14” 18/512, which would be around £500 more expensive (£1400 vs £1900, maybe £1700 refurbished from Apple).

I don’t travel, so it stays at home but I do value a light and pretty package.

Apart from Zwift, all light use (web, Office).

Any thoughts?

I also value a good keyboard. I would like the larger screen of the Pro. I need it to be quiet when in use, I cannot stand noisy fans.

Mba m2 would be great choice. you can find a model with more ram if you wish

 

[Kottu]

MBA 15" and MBP14" differs only 40g. (0.1 pund) in weight. You will get a much better screen and better performance.

 

[parajba]

I went to the local Apple Store. I played with the 14, then with 13 Air. Jeez, night and day difference. Same processor, but the screen is massively different. I’ve never noticed that. I liked the Air, but now that I tried the 14, well, I don’t like the Air screen anymore. It’s not only about the frequency of scrolling, there was something else. Maybe the size played a role too, but the panel seemed materially better. I browsed the same websites, did exactly the same things. When I went back to the Air, it seemed like an old laptop, which is strange as it’s a very pretty and fast one.

One advantage of the air: the form factor is nicer. I liked both keyboards, but the 14’ felt slightly better with longer travel?

The 14’ is bulkier, perhaps too much for my liking. I don’t travel, it’s my main house computer, but it’s always nice to have light devices to move around the house.

The price delta is material too. We are talking about £500 increase between the two in similar 16/512 config.

In conclusion, I am so undecided!

 

[wingennis]

I'm not a serious gamer and am not familiar with Zwift but play Sims 3 and 4 on highest settings for hours on my 13" M2 Air. It gets warm but not hot and I have never experienced a problem. Much easier to move around than my previous 14" Pro.

 

[parajba]

Thanks, interesting that the weight difference is only 100g, I assumed it was more. 1.61kg of the 14 vs 1.51kg of the Air. I think the added thickness makes it look heavier that it actually is.

I found a MBP M3 Pro 18/512 for £1779 refurb official Apple, so the difference is £400.

 

[kp98077]

to me if you game no brainer a pro, even the 16..

 

[chrono1081]

I used to play Final Fantasy 14 all the time on my MacBook Air M2 and never had throttling.

 

[ignatius345]

Thanks both, yes I am leaning towards the MBA 13 or 15. I wish there was a forum user who actively uses Zwift on the MBA to let me know how it is.

You could always get the Air, install the app and put it through its paces. If it can't handle it, return it and use the credit toward the Pro -- if it can, you're good.

 

[MBAir2010]

does the A&P® sell macbooks?
they would have that MacBook A&P....air and pro!
and
Tim Cook would stand and make sure
shoppers would have under 8 items or less at the express lanes.

oops, A&P has merged with Stop 'N Shop
i forgot their new name.

 

[parajba]

Still haven’t decided.
Amazon has MBAs M2 albeit 8/256GB on sale for £899. And the M2 8/512 for £999, even more tempting.

 

[PlayUltimate]

Thanks, interesting that the weight difference is only 100g, I assumed it was more. 1.61kg of the 14 vs 1.51kg of the Air. I think the added thickness makes it look heavier that it actually is.

I found a MBP M3 Pro 18/512 for £1779 refurb official Apple, so the difference is £400.

Try matching the RAM specs between them. I chose the 14" MBP M3 Pro refurb since the price was nominally the same as a new 15" Air with 16/512. (US pricing)

 

[parajba]

I bought the MBA M3 13" 16/512 in silver. Very nice.
Typing is so much better than the laptop it replaces, a 2017 MBP with that horrible keyboard.
Fast, light, not too expensive.

 

[TechRunner]

I bought the MBA M3 13" 16/512 in silver. Very nice.
Typing is so much better than the laptop it replaces, a 2017 MBP with that horrible keyboard.
Fast, light, not too expensive.

Enjoy it!

 

[bellflyer14]

Congrats! Enjoy your new machine.