14" bigger and heavier

[Lucas Curious]

Looking at the weight and dimensions of the 13, 14 and 16" MacBooks, it seems the 14 inch is about 1/2 inches longer and wider than 13" while also being 1/2 lb heavier. At this point how is the 14" more portable than the 16 inch? Its not portable anymore. wouldn't you guys prefer a bigger screen at this point? The cost difference with same specs is very small.

 

[danny1305]

So you don’t understand why a 14” would be bigger and heavier than a 13”?? And you also don’t understand how the 14” is more portable than a 16”?? Is this a serious post? Can’t be

 

[fs454]

It’s significantly smaller and much lighter than the 16, what are you talking about?

4.8lb 14” by 9.77” versus 3.5lb 12.3” vs 8.7”.

I’m a lifelong 15-16” MBP owner and I went to the 14 this time considering the power is equal between the two.

 

[skaertus]

Looking at the weight and dimensions of the 13, 14 and 16" MacBooks, it seems the 14 inch is about 1/2 inches longer and wider than 13" while also being 1/2 lb heavier. At this point how is the 14" more portable than the 16 inch? Its not portable anymore. wouldn't you guys prefer a bigger screen at this point? The cost difference with same specs is very small.

The cost difference is small indeed. The 14-inch model is bigger and heavier than its 13-inch predecessor, but it is still more portable than the 16-inch version. The 14-inch version is 3.5 lbs, while the 16-inch one is 4.7/4.8 lbs, which is about 34-37% heavier.

I agree that the 14-inch model is no longer portable. I suppose I would prefer the 16-inch version, but I would still have to see and feel them in person to make sure. The 16-inch, being heavier, may be a burden to carry around. I still think I would go for a MacBook Air at this point and skip the 14-inch Pro.

 

[Macalway]

Not an issue.

 

[shaneomac.28]

Silly me I thought with Apple's own Silicon the laptops would be thinner and lighter. The design aesthetic has devolved since Johnny Ives has left. The performance upgrades are obviously incredible!! I will probably get the 14 inch for the obvious tech spec upgrades. I will miss my 13 inch from a portability stand point.

 

[GrindedDown]

I find these machines to be highly portable sounding for obvious reasons (it’s a laptop after all). I think the real reason I think that though is that portability is not the top priority for me. I need a workstation that can handle my video production workflow and the fact that I can take that with me and operate on battery is incredible.

I feel that if portability is such a high priority in someone’s choice for a machine like this, then this laptop is not really meat for you. This is a machine for those who prioritize workflow, particularly creative endeavors.

 

[SoN1NjA]

As someone who can barely fit the 13" on the desks I'm provided in school, a 16" does not interest me in any way whatsover. Not to mention the 13" fits perfectly in my lap as is. I really don't see how you can say they're essentially the same

 

[wilberforce]

The new 14" MBP is virtually the same dimensions and weight as the 13" MBPs from 2015. (I have one). It is just as portable now as it was then. In 2016 the 13" MBPs shrunk slightly, and now they have essentially reverted to what they were in 2015.

2021 14" MBP:


2015 13" MBP:



The Air is the MacBook for those that prioritize portability above all else (including battery life).

 

[Deanster]

It seems like a lot of people are struggling with these questions. I'd argue that the previous-generation 13" MBP, even in its M1 variation was a portability-optimized computer with very modest 'pro' capabilities, where the 16" MBP was on the line between a highly portable large laptop and a fairly modestly capable desktop-replacement.

The new 14/16 MBP's lean much more heavily into desktop-replacement category, and you're just choosing the screen size and chunky-ness. If mobility is your main concern, then the 13" M1 MBP or MacBook Air provide outstanding capability in a very thin/light package.

I'm typing this on an M1 13" MBP, and my 16" M1 Pro MBP arrives tomorrow - it lives on my desk connected to the 27" LG 5K monitor about 90% of the time, I only bring it places when I'm actually doing real work, rather than just office and web stuff.

 

[JPack]

The 16-inch is about 40% larger in volume and 30% heavier, compared to the 14-inch model.

Are people just bad with math? Or maybe they've never held the 16-inch before?

 

[marmiteturkey]

It seems like a lot of people are struggling with these questions. I'd argue that the previous-generation 13" MBP, even in its M1 variation was a portability-optimized computer with very modest 'pro' capabilities, where the 16" MBP was on the line between a highly portable large laptop and a fairly modestly capable desktop-replacement.

The new 14/16 MBP's lean much more heavily into desktop-replacement category, and you're just choosing the screen size and chunky-ness. If mobility is your main concern, then the 13" M1 MBP or MacBook Air provide outstanding capability in a very thin/light package.

I'm typing this on an M1 13" MBP, and my 16" M1 Pro MBP arrives tomorrow - it lives on my desk connected to the 27" LG 5K monitor about 90% of the time, I only bring it places when I'm actually doing real work, rather than just office and web stuff.

That’s a good characterisation, although I’d say that the 14in MBP is 220g heavier than the 13in 2020 machine, which is negligible; certainly doesn’t put the machine in a different weight bracket imho.

The difference between the 16 and the 14 is much greater. I’m going from a 2019 16in (bought for the keyboard and speed) to a 14 (for the screen quality and speed). It’s docked most of the time but when it isn’t, portability is a factor. This is the first time I’ve not had to go big to go powerful.

 

[KPOM]

Silly me I thought with Apple's own Silicon the laptops would be thinner and lighter. The design aesthetic has devolved since Johnny Ives has left. The performance upgrades are obviously incredible!! I will probably get the 14 inch for the obvious tech spec upgrades. I will miss my 13 inch from a portability stand point.

I agree it would have been nice had Apple used the power savings to make thinner and lighter notebooks, but we’ll see next year with the 13” MacBook. I think Apple may replace both the Air and the 13” Pro with a new 13” MacBook that will remain <3 lbs (perhaps leaving the M1 Air as a lower-cost option). Clearly they are targeting creative professionals with the new 14” and 16” MacBook Pros. Those users were critical of what they perceived as form over function design decisions of the previous models.