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This is why I don't bring the 16" MBP on trips

Allen_Wentz said:
I am surprised
A) that one can just switch to someone else's 14" computer and perform real enterprise-critical work in today's cramped seat spaces and
B) that one finds a 14" workable when a 16" is not.
Real work gets done at destination.
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I don't have enough time, so real work has to be done on a 12 hour flight. Believe me, a 14" fits, and a 16" simply won't in many economy class flights. I've traveled many times with a 16", when that was all I had, and it was a pain. A 13" MacBook Air would be even better if one was available to me.

To set up a machine from scratch takes one day. The machine, someone's spare, comes to me wiped. I reinstall latest macOS. Then use migration assistant. Log in to iCloud. Make sure Office is authorized and my Adobe apps are too (from my work account). Make sure MacPorts and Homebrew installs are working and up to date. My iPhoto and iMovie libraries live on a portable Thunderbolt SSD. Music doesn't travel with me. A separate (slow) SSD is used as a portable Time Machine backup.

I once had to get a MacBook Pro repaired while on a trip. Screen kinda died. The Time Machine SSD comes in handy. Took one day to turn it around.
 
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chars1ub0w said:
I don't have enough time, so real work has to be done on a 12 hour flight. Believe me, a 14" fits, and a 16" simply won't in many economy class flights. I've traveled many times with a 16", when that was all I had, and it was a pain. A 13" MacBook Air would be even better if one was available to me.

To set up a machine from scratch takes one day. The machine, someone's spare, comes to me wiped. I reinstall latest macOS. Then use migration assistant. Log in to iCloud. Make sure Office is authorized and my Adobe apps are too (from my work account). Make sure MacPorts and Homebrew installs are working and up to date. My iPhoto and iMovie libraries live on a portable Thunderbolt SSD. Music doesn't travel with me. A separate (slow) SSD is used as a portable Time Machine backup.

I once had to get a MacBook Pro repaired while on a trip. Screen kinda died. The Time Machine SSD comes in handy. Took one day to turn it around.
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Seems like an awful lot to do, is buying a 14 to use as your primary system not doable?
 
diggy33 said:
Seems like an awful lot to do, is buying a 14 to use as your primary system not doable?
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Too expensive to buy one. I have 64GB RAM/4TB SSD on my M1 Max 16", which cost my sponsor around $6K originally. To get similar or better specification as my primary system, it would be prohibitively expensive for me to purchase with my own funds. A top-of-the-line 14" is about $7K. Meanwhile the borrowed M3 14" is sized to sit nicely on a coffee table.
IMG_4456.jpg
 
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TechnoMonk said:
I travel with my MBP 16 multiple times a month. I have no problem. lol. 14 inch is too tiny. MBA is not even an option, too underpowered for my needs.
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Having owned and used every laptop screen size that's out there, I wouldn't say that 14" is tiny. It's just the right size IMO. I've always been a fan of 13" laptops but since using the M4 14" Pro, I immediately prefered the additional inch or so of screen size despite being ever so slightly larger than the 13" Air.

15 and 16" is too big for my liking. They're nowhere near as portable as 13 and 14"
 
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navaira said:
I am ashamed to admit that for a few seconds I wondered what this circular thing you attached to the screen is, because if it’s a stand it shouldn’t cover the screen like that… 😬
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Yes I am still wondering that… is it a stand? surely not? and if not, how does this person use it, just a pencil and no case at all? and if no stand, is it really usable just propped up against the other seat like that?

To each their own, of course, but that pic begs many questions…
 
cjsuk said:
One very light camera body (nikon Z50ii) and one utility zoom lens (18-140mm), iPad, two changes of clothes, power bank and essentials and that’s it.

I found out it’s easier to get an Airbnb with a washing machine than cart clothes around the planet. There’s no dress code at work so any work travel is the same as anything else: utility clothes.

As for gifts, we tend to avoid them.

Travel bag … that is literally it!
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I've travelled many times before, even across the globe with my carry-on weighing over 80lbs. Definitely a two hander when I put it in and take it out of the compartments above my seat. I couldn't do this without a bag that has a pull out handle and wheels. I couldn't ever go back to a regular back pack. Not fun having all that weight on your back when having to trek a mile across airports, often in a rush.
 
DeepSix said:
I've travelled many times before, even across the globe with my carry-on weighing over 80lbs. Definitely a two hander when I put it in and take it out of the compartments above my seat. I couldn't do this without a bag that has a pull out handle and wheels. I couldn't ever go back to a regular back pack. Not fun having all that weight on your back when having to trek a mile across airports, often in a rush.
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Weighs 4.4Kg packed. And you don’t have to have it on your back most of the time.

I used to have a german partner and her carry on bag was just the tea, first aid and medicine collection. Perhaps I am damaged and overcompensating the other way now 🤣
 
My favorite thing about people using greasy laptops on planes for work, is that I can record their screen with my phone and nab all sorts of useful info, from PII to corporate data.

While OP might be doing innocuous work, doesn’t change the fact that using a device for non-entertainment purposes on a plane is piss-poor operational security.
 
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JtheLemur said:
My favorite thing about people using greasy laptops on planes for work, is that I can record their screen with my phone and nab all sorts of useful info, from PII to corporate data.

While OP might be doing innocuous work, doesn’t change the fact that using a device for non-entertainment purposes on a plane is piss-poor operational security.
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Sounds like a case for the Apple Vision Pro.💡
 
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OP's photo is one of the many reasons why I never travel by air anymore. Airline tray table problem solved. 🤣 Of course, I'm retired, so travel is primarily for pleasure these days.

I still pack a bag similar to what I would carry on a flight--a backpack with my MBP, iPad Pro (13 in past, now 11 inch), several T-shirts, underwear, socks, small bag with chargers and dongles, med case, keys--everything I would need for 3-4 day if I got stranded by the airline without my checked baggage, which happened more often than I liked either dt lost baggage or dt airline-canceled flight. That's the bag I take into hotels along the way. The rest of my baggage just stays in car.

Interestingly enough, I often bring along my original Mac case (the one that fits the Toaster Mac, remember that one?) to carry a single cup Keurig coffee maker because hotel coffee is such crap.
 
Mac
DeepSix said:
Having owned and used every laptop screen size that's out there, I wouldn't say that 14" is tiny. It's just the right size IMO. I've always been a fan of 13" laptops but since using the M4 14" Pro, I immediately prefered the additional inch or so of screen size despite being ever so slightly larger than the 13" Air.

15 and 16" is too big for my liking. They're nowhere near as portable as 13 and 14"
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14 and 13 are tiny for my needs. 16 doesn’t bother me at all, I travel a lot, and never really felt that it wasn’t portable. Sure the MBA 13 or 15 are lighter but, they are no good for my needs.
 
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Well, this thread shows why Apple makes laptops in all sizes. Everyone has a different preference. For me, luggage is like this. Black suitcase has a bike. Green suitcase (shown here) was destroyed by United Airlines yesterday. It was its second outing only. Blue backpack contains camera equipment. Green laptop bag has the 14".
IMG_4461.jpeg
 
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JtheLemur said:
My favorite thing about people using greasy laptops on planes for work, is that I can record their screen with my phone and nab all sorts of useful info, from PII to corporate data.

While OP might be doing innocuous work, doesn’t change the fact that using a device for non-entertainment purposes on a plane is piss-poor operational security.
Click to expand...

100% agree with this. I have always been annoyed with the security posture of laptops for corporate and confidential works. Firstly you can lose them or they get nicked and secondly you can take them somewhere insecure. No amount of security theatre or software will protect your data with any certainty.
 
When I had a 16”, it was indeed too large for the tray whenever I flew, but it was just fine if I set it on my lap. I must be the only person who still places a laptop on his lap. 😝

When I downsized to a 14" recently, my decision to go smaller had mostly to do with sometimes needing to carry lots of gear for many hours on foot. It’d just be a matter of getting used to the size and it only took a week for the 14" to seem normal.

Then again, I still have my Apple Studio Display so I can still have the larger screen when I want. I’m technically not giving up anything, just gaining portability when I want it.
 
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I did a lot on-the-go with a 15" MBP; when the time came to upgrade and take the Apple Silicon route I went with the 13" MBA. It does enough for the kind of work that I am required to do (I do not do video editing and the MBA screen is sufficient, so in addition to being larger and heavier, the "Pro" machines are largely wasted on me).
 
I wouldn't bring any laptop onto a plane because people are nosey and the people sitting right next to you will watch what you're doing. Plus a friend of mine had his identity stolen on the plane. It's very easy for anyone to steal others identity on the plane and you won't even know it.
 
smirking said:
When I had a 16”, it was indeed too large for the tray whenever I flew, but it was just fine if I set it on my lap. I must be the only person who still places a laptop on his lap. 😝
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I do that too! I have a personal 14” M3 Max but my work laptop is a 16” M1 Pro and even in domestic first class, the tray table is often too small for the laptop. But I’m a relatively petite person so leg room often isn’t an issue and so I’ll just put my laptop on my lap if I’m working on the 16” on a domestic flight.

Now, if I’m flying international, I’m usually in business class and thus have plenty of room for a full sized laptop. Plus, laptops on laps don’t work super well on lay flat seats. But yeah, I use my lap for any 15” or larger laptop on a domestic flight.
 
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