How much of an issue is the lack of power headroom if we're just talking about the Pro chips instead of the Max?
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14 inch vs 16 inch which is more ideal?
- Thread starter Crazytile
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How much of an issue is the lack of power headroom if we're just talking about the Pro chips instead of the Max?
Then get the 14” with the knowledge there will be voltage throttling due to the smaller power source.
I did. My point is that the 16" Max isn't a one size fits all just because you want a max.
Going back to the original question, thermal throttling is always going to be present in the smaller form factor, but its whether or not that's actually an issue in your workflow when away from the desk as to how much that should factor-in to your buying decision.
Are you going to be hammering that machine, making all the cores do all the things flat out because you have to be rendering stuff in the fastest time possible (on the move) or actually, are you just using it as an general purpose laptop when not at a desk.
And yes, I think the other thing worth bearing in mind now, especially with the M4 Pro being available is that maybe not everyone needs to buy a Max chip which is often the default way of thinking on here!
Are you going to be hammering that machine, making all the cores do all the things flat out because you have to be rendering stuff in the fastest time possible (on the move) or actually, are you just using it as an general purpose laptop when not at a desk.
And yes, I think the other thing worth bearing in mind now, especially with the M4 Pro being available is that maybe not everyone needs to buy a Max chip which is often the default way of thinking on here!
This is also the thing:
You can get less fan noise by running low power mode.
Running low power mode, a max is still going to be faster than a pro running flat out, and less noisy. Because 2x the GPU cores running at even 3/4 the speed generates less heat.
Going a Pro because you're worried about fan noise under load in a max is... just silly. You've got the option to run faster if you want to get something done fast and aren't worried about the noise - or you can make the machine virtually silent with low power mode (and not a heap slower).
Not much of an issue with the pro chips from what I saw in the past anyway. For that matter it is likely a little less of an issue with the binned Max chips though I imagine you'd still see it. That is probably a reason there isn't a stock non-binned Max version in the 14". Let me emphasize though most people will likely not even notice it. In most things it is just a little bit slower in higher power mode. In automatic it'll be a bit slower at the expense of keeping the noise down. It's pretty specific workloads that really emphasize the lower power budget.
16 for me. i had the 13" in a previous version and the temp issues/fans kicking in were too annoying to deal with so I've been on 15 inch models and up since then.
My solution to the 16" (bigger screen, less throttling) vs 14" (less weighty, better for train/airplane) dilemma is to have a 16" for daily power work and a MBA 13" for travel (where I don't work full days, like vacations and conferences).
This is a great solution that I tried recently also, adding the base 13" air to my lineup. Unfortunately I just couldn't live with the 60hz screen, otherwise I thought it was a great little product
I was deciding between 14 or 16 inch MBP M4 MAX as well and ended up with the 14 which I like for portability. I don't notice any throttling or unusual heat under high workload. Just better don't clog those air intakes. The 16 is nice but just too big and heavy for me to travel.
It's a good idea. I'm debating swapping my 11' Ipad to a 13' to target the same use case.
For most things people won't notice but in specific workloads it is very apparent.
Exactly; it's a trade off.
The way I see it:
99% of the time I am not running those workloads and need portability, so I went 14". When I need portability (literally every day) the size difference is very apparent. The 1% of the time I push the machine hard, yes it is more noisy, but typically those particular tasks for me are hobby stuff and I just run in low power mode to shut it up if the noise is annoying. I'm not "on the clock" in those scenarios.
Other's usage may vary; if you are primarily desk usage and do not move the machine around that much or travel with it and can afford the additional expense, 16" is probably better suited. Particularly if you spend a lot of time doing things like 3d renders - and you're using the machine to make money doing that.
On my 14" MBP, the only time I see CPU temps hear max and hear the fans kick into high gear is when converting video files. However, the machine never throttles despite temperatures nearing 100C. Compared to my M2 Max MBP which would develop a (relatively) hot spot around the 6, T, and Y keys under heavy load, this M4 Pro system is still cool to the touch under the same scenarios.
I've been using a 16" M1P for the last several years. I love the screen size... but the weight weighs on you. Also, unless you're in first class, it's too big to open on a plane and work. The keyboard is right up against your chest and the screen at a funny angle. Next laptop, I'm sizing down, I think.
I did exactly what you're contemplating. I missed the feeling of ultra portability that I had when I had a 15" tbMBP when I had a 16" M1 Pro. I've since downsized to a 14" M4 and I've found that I'm not really missing the screen space.
Before I made the switch, I started using my 16" M1 with the display size altered to resemble the same amount of desktop I'd have with a 14" laptop. I found that most of the time I wasn't using the extra space. I could read a few more lines or see slightly more of a spreadsheet, but it wasn't enough to meaningfully alter my workflow.
No regrets about downsizing. It saved me a chunk of change too.
I'm honestly coming from the opposite. I plug in my MBP into a 32" everyday for work (might downsize to 27").
For me the 16" MBP is a desktop replacement. I can actually do 'heavy' work while traveling and at home it's great since I can do heavy work on the counters or table or even in bed when I want to change sitting environment.
Yes, it's sadly quite heavy, and I wish Apple can reduce the weight. Coming from a lighter 16" Windows machine, you notice it, but the trade off is worth it compared to the 14" version.
For me the 16" MBP is a desktop replacement. I can actually do 'heavy' work while traveling and at home it's great since I can do heavy work on the counters or table or even in bed when I want to change sitting environment.
Yes, it's sadly quite heavy, and I wish Apple can reduce the weight. Coming from a lighter 16" Windows machine, you notice it, but the trade off is worth it compared to the 14" version.
In November 2022 I bought a M1 Pro 16". The Air 15 was not born yet. Last month I swapped for a 15 Air M4 and could not be happier.
As for some of the comments here. The thing is one must consider its use case. I understand (and reflected a lot over it) between a 14 Pro or the 15 Air.
Yes, one can use an external screen, it greatly improves productivity. However, if one is using the internal screen, the visible space on an existing window is limited by that screen. So an external portable monitor ain't gonna make that Excel spreadsheet more visible. I came upon an image that I can't remember where I found it, that clearly shows the limitation of a 14 screen compared to a 15 Air.
I went with the air because I find the 16 pro big, clumsy and heavy. And my use case never heard the fans kicking anyway.
My only regret (or sort of) is the lack of nano screen option. I would like to see it in person to find out if I am missing out or not. But not enough to warrant lugging around the 16.
So, hopping for the redesign in 2026!
As for some of the comments here. The thing is one must consider its use case. I understand (and reflected a lot over it) between a 14 Pro or the 15 Air.
Yes, one can use an external screen, it greatly improves productivity. However, if one is using the internal screen, the visible space on an existing window is limited by that screen. So an external portable monitor ain't gonna make that Excel spreadsheet more visible. I came upon an image that I can't remember where I found it, that clearly shows the limitation of a 14 screen compared to a 15 Air.
I went with the air because I find the 16 pro big, clumsy and heavy. And my use case never heard the fans kicking anyway.
My only regret (or sort of) is the lack of nano screen option. I would like to see it in person to find out if I am missing out or not. But not enough to warrant lugging around the 16.
So, hopping for the redesign in 2026!
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At home, I will plug my 14" into my CalDigit TB4 dock that has a 32" 4K display and multiple external drives attached. If I need a second monitor when out and about, I have the option of using Sidecar with my iPad or a portable 15" monitor that connects using a single USB-C cable. I don't view the 14" as being any different from the 16" in terms of flexibility or use cases, but the slightly smaller profile and lighter weight are what pushed me towards the smaller MBP.