Replacing a loaner 2019 16" macbook pro

[TomLevenson]

Dear forum...

Longtime lurker, first time poster.

Here's my situation. Since my 2017 MacBook 12" turned toes to ceiling in Sept. 2021, I've been using a loaner 16" MacBook Pro. My IT dept. is, not unreasonably, asking for their machine back, and my boss has approved replacing it with any of three machines: an M2 MacBook Air, and M2 MacBook Pro 13" or an M1 MacBook Pro 14"--all to be configured similarly, w. 16 gb of RAM and 1 TB of storage.

My IT contact is suggesting one of the two 13" M2s, as he has a standing distrust of gen 1 hardware. My own inclination keeps wavering between the 14" M1 Pro and the 13" M2 Air (I don't mind the Touch Bar, but don't get a ton of value out of it on the 16" machine). My use is mostly as a writer and researcher: I'll often have a stupid number of browser tabs open, for example, as I chase archives and references through the twists and turns. I do some photo editing, and it's not out of the question that I'll be doing more video editing (Adobe Premiere, most likely) and some audio editing (Audition and/or Hindenburg). But those will be relatively rare cases, and in the unlikely event I work on a major video project I'd be working with a professional editor.

So my questions: are any thermal issues on the Air a problem in my case? (As in, should I be looking at the 13" pro rather than the Air if the M2 is the way to go?) And more important: is there a good reason to opt for the M1 Pro over the M2 or vice versa?

Thanks everyone.

 

[nick42983]

If they're paying for it I'd opt for the 14" MBP, I don't think there's anything to worry about as far as it being 1st gen, the only issue i've even heard about is the reliability of the SD card reader but it's a minor point. It's much more powerful, more ports, larger/better screen/speakers, with the only tradeoff being size and weight but still very portable. The other two would likely serve the fine but the 14" will give you all the headroom you need. My 2nd choice would be the M2 air for the ultra-portable form factor and normal function keys, the 13" Pro isn't worth it just for better thermals, other than the new processor its a dated design. The only exception might be a good deal over the Air but that's irrelevant in this case.

 

[maflynn]

and my boss has approved replacing it with any of three machines: an M2 MacBook Air, and M2 MacBook Pro 13" or an M1 MacBook Pro 14"--all to be configured similarly, w. 16 gb of RAM and 1 TB of storage.

The long and short of it is, the 14" MBP is just a better machine, both due to the performance Air vs. MBP, but also the screen and ports. I think you'll be more satisified with the 14 - at least I would be ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Fishrrman]

No contest.
Ask for the MBP 14"...!

 

[TomLevenson]

Thanks to all. That's the way I'm leaning, though the svelteness of the Air does tug at me.

 

[TomLevenson]

So I have (mostly) made my decision: MacBook Pro 14, 16 gb/1TB. I deferred to my unit's IT person as to whether to pop the extra $270 for the 10/16 core version over the 8/14--my guess is that it makes no difference, but there it is.

I made that choice based on advice here, which I followed with a visit to a brick-and-mortar Apple store, to get hands on with the machine. The small but visible difference in the quality of the screens was one factor, and so were the ports: having both the HDMI and card reader built in is a real plus for me. (I teach, and being able just to connect to classroom AV systems without having to bother with (remember to bring) a dongle is a good thing.

I did find the form factor of the Air sweet, and I did notice the weight; but in the end the fact that the 14" machine can support 2 outboard monitors and work well in my away-from-desk applications was what swayed me.