Tell me I'm wrong, please

[spiderman0616]

I haven't owned the 15" MBA, just tried it a couple of times at the store, but I upgraded from an M1 MacBook Air to a 14" M1 Pro MacBook Pro, and also was fortunate enough to get a 16" version of the same model from my employer. I am surprised by how much I appreciate the extra ports, nicer screen, and presence of fans for when I'm gaming or video/photo editing.

But if you're just using Office, answering emails, using Safari, the standard laptop things, you really don't need to move up to that beefy of a machine. I was blown away by both the 13" and 15" models in person and I bet you will be too. To be honest with you though, the harder choice for me personally would be if there were some insane deal on the 14" M1 Pro. That is my absolute favorite Mac of all time--like the perfect cross between the 13" Air and the 16" Pro.

 

[neo_cs193p]

Sold my MBP M1 pro 16" 16GB/1TB for the exact amount I paid for a new MBA M2 15" 16GB/1TB.

Don't regret it one bit. The Air display is much easier on my eyes (main reason I sold the MBP), the Air speakers are still very good, the performance is still great (even better than the MBP in many cases due to the faster single core speed of the M2).

And the computer is much lighter and easier to carry around, use on my lap etc. It's the first laptop I really want to use all day without an external display. And I've had many: 11", 12", 13", 15", 16".

I only ever miss the extra ports of the Pro (mainly the USB-C on the right) and the nice-to-have XDR which I only used about 15 min/week. Both of which pale in comparison to a light computer with a comfortable display I can actually look at.

 

[noblesoul117]

Excellent points... Why no interest in this pro line of Macs? I know my use case warrants a MBA but I'm trying to assess this whole PWM issue as my eyes do hurt a little more on the Pro line vs. the MBA. I tend to overthink stuff but I hate getting ripped off.

Why no interest? I truly have no idea. Like I said, there are no pros & cons or mental gymnastics. Just a calling or intuition. MPB is objectively great but personally irrelevant.

Your possible benefit from a better screen could be valid. Just prioritize whatever is truly important for you.

 

[HawkTheHusky1902]

I'm using an M1 MacBook Pro 16" myself. My previous machine was a 2018 MacBook Pro 15" that my dad now uses. I found that one inch definitely makes the difference for me. The kiddos these days seem quite comfortable watching movies on their iPhones and so on, and maybe I'm weird to say this, but I've just never gotten small screens. Even the 16" is not ideal but I feel like it's just barely crossed the threshold where I can be comfortable using it for long periods. I didn't feel that way with the 15" screen.

Something else though that I think is worth factoring into this: support. An M2 is likely to enjoy an extra year more of support than an M1. I don't like going without security updates myself so I'm always wary of the idea of saving money buying the already long-replaced generation and then needing to pay for a new machine sooner. In that sense, $1700 for an M1 and $1700 for an M2 aren't actually the same cost.

All that said, I know what you are going through. I'm a really indecisive person myself and I know how awful these situations are. Hang in there.

I agree and i dont like when online people make the 16" size seem wayyyyy too big, but when i tried it in a shop it was perfect for me, not too small, not too big, of course it depends on one's size and use case, but i just cannot live with a 14" size, especially as a main computer. People also make the weight a big deal, and personally, as a big dude, it is perfect, and i can just pick it up very easily and it fits perfectly in my hand. Also, deciding on which config is a major issue for me, like you, and i tend to go back and forth between which config to get and if i need it or not and so on so much sometimes it just kind of drives me nuts lol...if you know what i mean.
Needless to say, i cant wait to pick one up one day
PS: Still LOVE my mid 2010 MBP 15" i5 8gb and ssd...running great in Monterey with OCLP or Catalina with DosDude patcher. I got it from a friend for free some months back and i cleaned it out, fixed the gpu issue, and its running great as my main computer! I LOVE these older MBPs... they are so addicting to repair lol. Im looking to pick another one up with the same basic config off of ebay for 100 bucks with a charger and SWEET antiglare high res display now...

 

[dizmonk]

Well as the original poster, I returned the 16" and went back to a 15" Air. The 16 was very nice but the 15 fits my workload better, is much better to type on and I found the battery life slightly better. The weight and size of the 16 weren't as bad as I anticipated but if I kept it I would have added Applecare. That extra $400 is twice the cost of Applecare for the Air which I couldn't really justify. Thanks for the input though. Both machines are great.

 

[HawkTheHusky1902]

Well as the original poster, I returned the 16" and went back to a 15" Air. The 16 was very nice but the 15 fits my workload better, is much better to type on and I found the battery life slightly better. The weight and size of the 16 weren't as bad as I anticipated but if I kept it I would have added Applecare. That extra $400 is twice the cost of Applecare for the Air which I couldn't really justify. Thanks for the input though. Both machines are great.

Fair enough, you do you, and it comes down to one's preferences and use case/workload in the end. Glad you are done now. Have a great night.

 

[blatantblue]

I would absolutely choose an M1 16" MBP over the Air. The mini-LED promotion screen is worth it alone, not to mention the speakers, HDMI output and overall speed of the device.

 

[HawkTheHusky1902]

I would absolutely choose an M1 16" MBP over the Air. The mini-LED promotion screen is worth it alone, not to mention the speakers, HDMI output and overall speed of the device.

I agree, and not to say the 15" Air is bad, but the MBP is just on another level in all departments. When i tried both in a store, the MBP just felt more solod and the speakers were much better, and the display, etc.

 

[mortenandersen]

Well as the original poster, I returned the 16" and went back to a 15" Air. The 16 was very nice but the 15 fits my workload better, is much better to type on and I found the battery life slightly better. The weight and size of the 16 weren't as bad as I anticipated but if I kept it I would have added Applecare. That extra $400 is twice the cost of Applecare for the Air which I couldn't really justify. Thanks for the input though. Both machines are great.

You wrote that you find the 15 much better to type on. As this is a very important point when comparing the two options, I would be very glad if you please could elaborate on this point.

 

[dizmonk]

You wrote that you find the 15 much better to type on. As this is a very important point when comparing the two options, I would be very glad if you please could elaborate on this point.

The nature of the 16 is that when I typed for long periods of time, the edge of the palm rest would dig into my wrists. It was much worse on the 14 but still a problem on the 16. Due to the thinness of the 15, that problem didn't exist in my case.

 

[profH]

The nature of the 16 is that when I typed for long periods of time, the edge of the palm rest would dig into my wrists. It was much worse on the 14 but still a problem on the 16. Due to the thinness of the 15, that problem didn't exist in my case.

I also tried the 16" Max in my actual "lap" just now and found it incredibly uncomfortable the way its sharp edges dug into my legs; no such discomfort with the 15" Air

 

[mortenandersen]

The nature of the 16 is that when I typed for long periods of time, the edge of the palm rest would dig into my wrists. It was much worse on the 14 but still a problem on the 16. Due to the thinness of the 15, that problem didn't exist in my case.

Thanks so much for the answer. For me the important thing is that it is not an issue with the keyboard but with problems with the palm rest.

 

[Shortpay]

Do what your hearts tell you to do.

 

[BigMcGuire]

As someone who has used the 15 MBP and currently has the 16 MBP as my primary and 14 MBP for work...

16 is not terribly comfortable (but not impossible) to use on my lap for long periods of time. But it is night and day better to use as a machine/laptop because of the screen space, speakers, and battery life.

Yes, the 14 feels better when typing on my lap (which I almost never do). But you definitely notice the reduction in screen space and battery life difference. Case gets warm and you hear the CPU fans when doing work.

The 15 just cooked my legs and caused me to sweat constantly (internal GPU) even with a lap desk so ... I'm not going to comment on that.


To each their own but I really really enjoy the 16 - best computer/laptop I've ever used. I like everything about it but mostly the screen space, battery life, and how I can throw everything at it without hearing a CPU fan. I'm almost 40 and the 16 is more comfortable to read on than the 14 for long periods of time.

 

[HawkTheHusky1902]

You wrote that you find the 15 much better to type on. As this is a very important point when comparing the two options, I would be very glad if you please could elaborate on this point.

Weird, i felt they were similar when i tried them, but everybody is different. The MBP better even.

 

[pshufd]

The nature of the 16 is that when I typed for long periods of time, the edge of the palm rest would dig into my wrists. It was much worse on the 14 but still a problem on the 16. Due to the thinness of the 15, that problem didn't exist in my case.

I have to be careful on the 16 when typing a lot as I wear a watch with a titanium band and it will do a number on metal keyboards. I rest the lower outside of my palms on the palmrest and my arms are at a sharp enough angle so that my wrist and watchband don't hit the palmrest and front edge of the laptop.

 

[pshufd]

The 15 just cooked my legs and caused me to sweat constantly (internal GPU) even with a lap desk so ... I'm not going to comment on that.

I use my MBP 15 in the winter over a thin comforter and it keeps me warm in my recliner.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I have to be careful on the 16 when typing a lot as I wear a watch with a titanium band and it will do a number on metal keyboards. I rest the lower outside of my palms on the palmrest and my arms are at a sharp enough angle so that my wrist and watchband don't hit the palmrest and front edge of the laptop.

That is a great point. I can't wear my nike or sports band with my 16' MBP - I have to make sure to wear the trail / sports loop (felt). Works for me because I use the trail loop 90%+ of the time. But good to note.

 

[HawkTheHusky1902]

I have to be careful on the 16 when typing a lot as I wear a watch with a titanium band and it will do a number on metal keyboards. I rest the lower outside of my palms on the palmrest and my arms are at a sharp enough angle so that my wrist and watchband don't hit the palmrest and front edge of the laptop.

It also happens to me on my 2010 MBP, but then i thought there must be a solution and I found one! I will be getting one.
They come in various shapes and sizes/prices, but this is one of them:

 

[profH]

I hear about leg cooking with an old Intel 15 MBP, but what about the Air 15? It's really my only residual concern with keeping it vs. waiting to M3 -- it definitely runs warmer than my M1 Air but I'm not really sure how much warmer its going to be in the long term under regular use.

 

[darngooddesign]

I'm in the final week of my return window for the MBA 15 which I generally like... The sole problem is tons of deals for the M1 16...

Basically, I can get an M1 16" 16gb 1tb for the same price as an M2 15 MBA 16 GB 1tb ($1700). I don't need the power but feel torn passing up a much more powerful machine (and deal)...

Any advice is welcome.

The MBP will give you a better screen, speakers, and ports on the right side.
The MBA gets you lighter and thinner computer with better battery life.

Power differences are debatable because the M2 is faster in single core which might be better for you.

 

[HawkTheHusky1902]

I hear about leg cooking with an old Intel 15 MBP, but what about the Air 15? It's really my only residual concern with keeping it vs. waiting to M3 -- it definitely runs warmer than my M1 Air but I'm not really sure how much warmer its going to be in the long term under regular use.

I dont keep my laptops on my lap for longer periods of time because of heat and because it suffocates the laptop, but mainly not to fry my balls with radiation emitted from the bottom cover lol, especially since im planning to have kids (its a serious and real thing, look it up!)...thats why a laptop radiation shield is at the top of my to-buy list! I treat EMF very seriously.

 

[profH]

I dont keep my laptops on my lap for longer periods of time because of heat and because it suffocates the laptop, but mainly not to fry my balls with radiation emitted from the bottom cover lol, especially since im planning to have kids (its a serious and real thing, look it up!)...

Fwiw I did a reasonable amount of ball frying in my day and had no trouble producing two boys -- although maybe without all that laptop use they'd be more athletes and less quirky theater geek types : )

 

[HawkTheHusky1902]

Fwiw I did a reasonable amount of ball frying in my day and had no trouble producing two boys -- although maybe without all that laptop use they'd be more athletes and less quirky theater geek types : )

THATS WHAT IM SAYING

 

[profH]

THATS WHAT IM SAYING

We hang out at Macrumors -- are you sure that ship hasn't already sailed (genetically)?