MBP 14 with 32GB RAM vs MBP 16 with 16GB RAM

[1800AirTAG]

So here’s my dilemma as I’m in a similar boat as some other threads I’ve read.

First off, I read through a lot of comments and I appreciate the feedback from and to others, but I still can’t decide!

I love the larger screen and battery life on the 16, but I have a choice:

-16” with 16GB RAM
-14” with 32GB RAM

All other specs are identical.

So my thought was, does more RAM > bigger screen and better battery?
Thoughts?

 

[flaubert]

For what it is worth... my opinion is the bigger screen easily trumps the 32GB RAM for 99% of people. Unless you have some workflows in audio or video where you're needing to hold huge files in memory to work on them, the doubled size of RAM won't be a factor in day to day use, whereas you'll be looking at the screen every day wishing you could see more cells of the spreadsheet or whatever.

 

[Basic75]

Bigger screen = more productivity, more memory = more future proof. I would find 16GB rather tight for a computer that is supposed to last a good couple of years, unless you are only a very casual user. But then the 14" would be enough, too. What kind of a user are you?

 

[QuietOC]

Capacity is not performance. More memory devices on the same bus are generally a bit slower and less stable and use more power. The additional capacity is only helpful when it is used.

Larger screens with more pixels also use more power. 16" is still a very tiny screen. The bigger battery, better cooling, and better speakers are some other reasons. The 14" is thinner and lighter.

 

[1800AirTAG]

Bigger screen = more productivity, more memory = more future proof. I would find 16GB rather tight for a computer that is supposed to last a good couple of years, unless you are only a very casual user. But then the 14" would be enough, too. What kind of a user are you?

I can’t call myself a super user, I have my moments but mostly spreadsheets and testing scripts and such with the occasional video editing from GoPro footage.

I do connect to a 34” widescreen at home, and I’m hybrid so I was trying to figure out if losing the screen realestate the times I’m in the office vs more ram and convenience of carrying it in my small backpack is worth it.

But the suggestions here make sense, and I really appreciate them!

 

[Diablo360]

I’d say it depends on your usage. If you’re using it for basic tasks then 16gb is more than enough. Also it depends on whether you need the portability of the 14”, or the screen size of the 16”. I’d say buy the right laptop for your needs