Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

mbp 14 with 27" monitor OR mbp 16 only

I am holding off buying next MacBook Pro until they release Apple non-Pro Display.
I work (and learn) for 8+ hours a day and laptop is really hurting my back & neck.
If they won’t release in the next 24 months, I will have to buy some display from some other company (something from LG / Huawei MateView 4K HDR).
But I would really like to have Apple non-pro Display. Just can’t afford and justify the price of the Pro one.
 
I went the 14" route with dual 27" monitors (not 4K and they look perfectly fine to me). The monitors were connected to a Windows desktop. I am slowly migrating files from my Windows to an external drive so I can retire my Windows machine and possibly sell it (Probably worth around $2500-3000 in the current market).
 
Not in the market so take my opinion for what it is but between the better thermal performance of the 16 and the not terribly different portability between the two, I’d go with the 16”. I almost bought a 16” MBP back in 2019 to replace my 13” MacBook Pro.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HappyInCalgary
It depends. I personally use my laptop in clamshell mode 95% of the time, so I would definitely choose the 14" and save the $500 (and the extra weight in your backpack). For the same reason, I have a MacBook Air instead of a MacBook Pro. I don’t need the extra power, and while the MacBook Pro screen is much better, for my usage that hardly matters.

Personally, I can’t imagine doing serious work every day on a laptop. Ergonomically, it’s so much worse than a monitor + external keyboard and mouse. And compared to a 24" or 27" monitor, any laptop screen is just tiny, even the 16".

But: if you do use your laptop a lot without an external screen – for example you work a lot in libraries etc. – then of course, the 16" is much better. The difference in screen size is very noticeable, and the battery is also way better.
 
0089294 said:
should i rather get the base 14 and hook it to my 27" monitor (i copy the display anyway ,so i just use the monitor to get things bigger and more ergonomic)



or get the base 16 and return my monitor



i want to point out that i dont need portability this much ,and while it does indeed come in handy to be able to put the 14 in any backpack,i can pretty much deal with the extra space its gonna take when i need it.



2 things to consider of using the 16 only :



1)bad ergonomics,because of neck strain i beleive ,tho the 16's display is higher than that of the 13/14.also how does the trackpad feels? dont u have to bend your hand in order to use it ?



2)doing so i will always be using the best display (4k120hz basically on these new macs) ,plus getting 10c CPU compared to mbp 14 ,as well as better cooling ,and much better battery
Click to expand...
I've ordered the 14 MBP with the M1 Max Chip (to be delivered today) and am pairing it with a 27" LG monitor. I use the portability of the laptop a lot but also wanted a decent home setup for editing and work from home so I feel this is the best option for me. However, this question is a lot about personal preference and how you plan to use the machine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Love-hate 🍏 relationship
0089294 said:
should i rather get the base 14 and hook it to my 27" monitor (i copy the display anyway ,so i just use the monitor to get things bigger and more ergonomic)



or get the base 16 and return my monitor



i want to point out that i dont need portability this much ,and while it does indeed come in handy to be able to put the 14 in any backpack,i can pretty much deal with the extra space its gonna take when i need it.



2 things to consider of using the 16 only :



1)bad ergonomics,because of neck strain i beleive ,tho the 16's display is higher than that of the 13/14.also how does the trackpad feels? dont u have to bend your hand in order to use it ?



2)doing so i will always be using the best display (4k120hz basically on these new macs) ,plus getting 10c CPU compared to mbp 14 ,as well as better cooling ,and much better battery
Click to expand...
If you don’t really move your setup a lot get the 16.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Love-hate 🍏 relationship
NewUsername said:
It depends. I personally use my laptop in clamshell mode 95% of the time, so I would definitely choose the 14" and save the $500 (and the extra weight in your backpack). For the same reason, I have a MacBook Air instead of a MacBook Pro. I don’t need the extra power, and while the MacBook Pro screen is much better, for my usage that hardly matters.

Personally, I can’t imagine doing serious work every day on a laptop. Ergonomically, it’s so much worse than a monitor + external keyboard and mouse. And compared to a 24" or 27" monitor, any laptop screen is just tiny, even the 16".

But: if you do use your laptop a lot without an external screen – for example you work a lot in libraries etc. – then of course, the 16" is much better. The difference in screen size is very noticeable, and the battery is also way better.
Click to expand...
thats what im wondering,when i went in store the 16 loooked BIG ,and being closer to my eyes,wont it be on par with a 27" or sth?

ergonomically i agree thats its not as good for the posture,however i much prefer using the mac with lid open and linked to the monitor,because i am yet to find a setup as comfortable as mbp keyboard+trackpad (as well as a mouse on the right side ).i had a mechanical keyboard but it was just too big,and also the trackpad on the mbp is easily reachable

i dont use it a lot,usually i move it between the rooms and the living room etc,but i might indeed have to bring it to school next year
 
0089294 said:
thats what im wondering,when i went in store the 16 loooked BIG ,and being closer to my eyes,wont it be on par with a 27" or sth?

ergonomically i agree thats its not as good for the posture,however i much prefer using the mac with lid open and linked to the monitor,because i am yet to find a setup as comfortable as mbp keyboard+trackpad (as well as a mouse on the right side ).i had a mechanical keyboard but it was just too big,and also the trackpad on the mbp is easily reachable

i dont use it a lot,usually i move it between the rooms and the living room etc,but i might indeed have to bring it to school next year
Click to expand...
If you want to have a similar setup, you can just get the Magic Keyboard and the Magic Trackpad. The Magic Keyboard is excellent and almost identical to the MacBook Pro’s keyboard. It is really expensive and overpriced though.

I don’t have a Magic Trackpad so I can’t comment on that, but I suppose it will be the same as the one on the MacBook Pro.

The Magic Mouse is really bad imho. Apple more or less invented the mouse forty years ago but somehow every mouse they make is awful. So if you want to buy a mouse, I definitely recommend getting another mouse.

There are plenty of excellent monitors available, I have an LG monitor which I connect with USB-C, which is very convenient!
 
I went for 14" M1 Max to be used with my 2x 27" monitor setup. I can count with 2 hands how many times I've actually used the macbook's screens. Most of the time it's just in clamshell mode. Maybe it's because they are 15" macbooks, with the 14" I might actually just bring it around and use on the couch.

My current setup:
ABAF944A-D6FF-47A2-9EAE-E59BB994FC15.jpeg

The MacBooks are only open because the intel MacBooks are hot as hell and it’s for better cooling.
 
vinay427 said:
Personally, I would never settle for a laptop display for my primary work area or home office. There's probably a more technical term for this, but essentially a laptop can't fit a typical typing position while aligning the display nearly at eye level. It's one of those things that sounds like manageable, and probably is, until one considers the long-term consequences of a posture that doesn't align with what I would call the "hand-to-eye distance" for 99% of users. I inevitably find myself slouching in an awkward position after 15-20 minutes of laptop desk use, and begin to feel the effects on my posture after a little more time.

I would definitely recommend an external display for extended use, reserving the laptop display for mobile or temporary desk use. If you expect that you'll be in the latter most of the time, and don't mind the weight and size considerations of the 16", the larger laptop would probably be slightly more ergonomic (but not sufficient for long-term use). If you expect that you'll spend even a portion of your time at a dedicated desk, I would highly recommend an external monitor for the size and ergonomic benefits, or at least an external keyboard/mouse with a laptop stand for the ergonomic benefits.
Click to expand...
Or a wireless keyboard and mouse and a stand?
 
NewUsername said:
If you want to have a similar setup, you can just get the Magic Keyboard and the Magic Trackpad. The Magic Keyboard is excellent and almost identical to the MacBook Pro’s keyboard. It is really expensive and overpriced though.

I don’t have a Magic Trackpad so I can’t comment on that, but I suppose it will be the same as the one on the MacBook Pro.

The Magic Mouse is really bad imho. Apple more or less invented the mouse forty years ago but somehow every mouse they make is awful. So if you want to buy a mouse, I definitely recommend getting another mouse.

There are plenty of excellent monitors available, I have an LG monitor which I connect with USB-C, which is very convenient!
Click to expand...
But then I'd be spending even more.if I'm willing to get rid of my monitor for a 16" it means I wanna save some bucks ;)

I tried the magic trackpad ! Have u ? Idk if the one with iMac 24 M1 changed that but the magic trackpad 2 is much worse than the one in MBA M1,I believe it refreshes at 90hz( and so feels the mbp16 Intel) .also the material isn't as smooth .
Besides ,it's not as easy as using the one on keyboard,because I'd have to move my left hand Everytime I wanna reach it ...

I already have a mouse thank you bud.and I agree that the concept is rather terrible for a mouse

As for the monitor,sure there are some good ones,even mine isn't bad ,but I'm afraid I'll get spoiled by the insane mini led ...120hz+ superb contrast ratio+ crazy brightness...will I be able to use an IPS monitor again I wonder ...
 
0089294 said:
I cannot use 4k res on my monitor anyway, usually I use 1080p because Its easier on my eyes and I don't have more than 2 windows opened side by side (I can manage it like that I mean)
Btw u can have 2160p res I believe ,using apps such as switchres (even 2* retina apparently).I used it and it's good ,but 4k on 13.3 is definitely too hard haha
Click to expand...

would just be nice to enjoy 4k hdr vids on the new pros and im sure they'll release actual 4k in the next year or so which i'll probably wait for
 
toobravetosave said:
would just be nice to enjoy 4k hdr vids on the new pros and im sure they'll release actual 4k in the next year or so which i'll probably wait for
Click to expand...
Ohh so that's what u meant ? The new res is actually pretty close to 4k buddy ,like really close ,have u checked it ?
Besides even tho it's closer than a monitor ,it still looks f**** sharp.my 4k monitor is 163ppi (163 pixels per inch) ,while the new macs are...254 pixels per inch lol
 
0089294 said:
Ohh so that's what u meant ? The new res is actually pretty close to 4k buddy ,like really close ,have u checked it ?
Besides even tho it's closer than a monitor ,it still looks f**** sharp.my 4k monitor is 163ppi (163 pixels per inch) ,while the new macs are...254 pixels per inch lol
Click to expand...

I've used them in store I'm not saying they don't look fabulous I would just like to play my 4k movies at native resolution and obviously they're going to have higher pixel density than larger screens...they're only 14/16 inches...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Love-hate 🍏 relationship
ChiggMac said:
I've ordered the 14 MBP with the M1 Max Chip (to be delivered today) and am pairing it with a 27" LG monitor. I use the portability of the laptop a lot but also wanted a decent home setup for editing and work from home so I feel this is the best option for me. However, this question is a lot about personal preference and how you plan to use the machine.
Click to expand...

Which LG monitor?
 
0089294 said:
should i rather get the base 14 and hook it to my 27" monitor (i copy the display anyway ,so i just use the monitor to get things bigger and more ergonomic)



or get the base 16 and return my monitor



i want to point out that i dont need portability this much ,and while it does indeed come in handy to be able to put the 14 in any backpack,i can pretty much deal with the extra space its gonna take when i need it.



2 things to consider of using the 16 only :



1)bad ergonomics,because of neck strain i beleive ,tho the 16's display is higher than that of the 13/14.also how does the trackpad feels? dont u have to bend your hand in order to use it ?



2)doing so i will always be using the best display (4k120hz basically on these new macs) ,plus getting 10c CPU compared to mbp 14 ,as well as better cooling ,and much better battery
Click to expand...
It’s a £200 difference between the laptop sizes. Neither 14” nor 16” compare to a 27” monitor. Get the laptop you’d prefer when using it as a laptop and keep the monitor.
 
agent mac said:
It’s a £200 difference between the laptop sizes. Neither 14” nor 16” compare to a 27” monitor. Get the laptop you’d prefer when using it as a laptop and keep the monitor.
Click to expand...
honestly i dont *need* the 10c cpu ,let alone the upgraded gpu .so its actually about 400 euros difference (500$)
currently i have a 13.3 and it feels cramped,the 14 looks better doesnt it ?
but the 16.2 is gigantic ,dont you think that being closer than a monitor,it can compare with a 27" ?
as for the laptop itself i would rather the 14 i believe,tho id be losing quite a lot of cpu perf (but i dont rly need it anyway so...) as well as the battery which is meh on the 14 and amazing on the 16

if however i must keep the monitor (which is your advice) i think i have no choice but get the 14 base :)
 
ThisIs🐵 said:
I am holding off buying next MacBook Pro until they release Apple non-Pro Display.
I work (and learn) for 8+ hours a day and laptop is really hurting my back & neck.
If they won’t release in the next 24 months, I will have to buy some display from some other company (something from LG / Huawei MateView 4K HDR).
But I would really like to have Apple non-pro Display. Just can’t afford and justify the price of the Pro one.
Click to expand...
hmm i dont think it'll be under 1.5k still..
so it does hurt you using the laptop only.thats because you have to bend your neck right?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back