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14" MBP vs 15" MBA for primary computer, some gaming

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BigCanoe

macrumors 6502
Original poster
As is typical, my price keeps creeping up as I try and add just a little bit more to my next laptop purchase. Right now I am considering the following:

2026 MBA 15" 24GB/1TB $1549 (Amazon)
2025 MBP 14" 24GB/1TB $1699 (B&H)

My research shows the Air is lighter, thinner, has better Wifi and Bluetooth. The MBP has more ports (same speed?), better screen, better speakers, active cooling.

My use case is web, streaming, and gaming (not AAA) with Crossover. I want to get into some AI and rekindle my programming interest. I am coming from an older Mini PC and its driving me nuts.

I never fly, I rarely travel other than by car. I would mostly use this on the couch and could see eventually setting up a desk with another monitor.

Advice?

Thanks!
 
I have an M5 Air in the same configuration you listed and it works beautifully! I love mine. Sounds like you found a good deal too. I bought mine just before they came out so I had to spend $1800 or so.

The MBP is a beast, but it also weighs like one. If you don't move around a lot with it it might not bother you (especially if you hook it up to another monitor). The point is, get the one that fits your budget. They're both great!
 
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As someone who has owned both the 15" Air and my current 14" Pro I'd recommend trying in store to see what fits your use case best. 15" is an awesome couch computer and screen real estate with larger size is definitely an advantage. I shifted over time to needing more portability hence my 14" Pro. Better screen on Pro is also nice too and you might prefer with your gaming needs. Both are awesome machines either way and I got very close to buying another 15" Air but I wanted that slightly smaller size.
 
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Is there much/any difference to "lap" operating temps on the Air vs the Pro under light use? Meaning, how hot they get when you are wearing shorts haha!
 
For gaming the MBP 14 is going to be better because of the 120 hz screen giving higher frame rates above 60 fps, less tearing, better blacks giving more immersion in dark/night scenes along with HDR. Also the fan will provide slightly better performance meaning better sustained FPS, and better speakers giving more oomph to the in game audio. If you’re not playing AAA games then this might not be so essential however, and the MBA can play exactly the same games just not as well as the MBP but has a larger screen.
 
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snipr125 said:
For gaming the MBP 14 is going to be better because of the 120 hz screen giving higher frame rates above 60 fps, less tearing, better blacks giving more immersion in dark/night scenes along with HDR. Also the fan will provide slightly better performance meaning better sustained FPS, and better speakers giving more oomph to the in game audio. If you’re not playing AAA games then this might not be so essential however, and the MBA can play exactly the same games just not as well as the MBP but has a larger screen.
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Seconded. For playing local games the MBPro is superior.

An exception is cloud gaming, where there's probably far less difference.
 
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I would not discount the MBA though, it has a larger display and is thinner, lighter and cheaper than the MBP. You can still play some AAA games at fairly decent FPS and the display and speakers are pretty good imo and it can do all the tasks you mentioned very fast.
 
Yea I am a little concerned about lap heat from the Pro and as this is not my main gaming rig as I have a PS5, maybe the Air is plenty. I can see using this laptop alot on the couch or even in bed for coding, web, streaming, etc.
 
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I went from the m1 13” MacBook Pro to the 15” m5 Air and I’m incredibly glad that I did and don’t regret leaving the Pro line. The 15” is a nice screen and nice real estate for a primary device. Speakers are great. If heat becomes an issue, there are computer trays with active cooling that you can purchase but I game on my ps5 only so can’t speak to the gaming. I may have regretted getting the smaller 14” Pro screen because the 15 is truly nice while laying back on the couch.
 
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I'd go the pro.

Better display with HDR which is great of games that support it, stronger GPU and better speakers.

It has a fan, but if you set low power mode it will still be faster than an air and basically silent.
 
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throAU said:
I'd go the pro.

Better display with HDR which is great of games that support it, stronger GPU and better speakers.

It has a fan, but if you set low power mode it will still be faster than an air and basically silent.
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Are they not exactly the same with 10 GPU cores on the base M5 MBP and 15” MBA. 13” MBA base has 8 GPU cores.
 
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I do some gaming on my 10 core 13" M4 Air, and lap heat isn't an issue. It gets hot in the area just above the keyboard, but that's about it. I can't imagine a 15" Air or a MBP would be any worse, and probably even better.
 
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I think the 13 comes with 10 core GPU if you upgrade the RAM or SSD too?

I am headed to the store today as I cant decide based on videos, etc. I need to hold em!
 
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BigCanoe said:
Yea I am a little concerned about lap heat from the Pro and as this is not my main gaming rig as I have a PS5, maybe the Air is plenty. I can see using this laptop alot on the couch or even in bed for coding, web, streaming, etc.
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Not sure if it helps but I went from an M1 Air to an M1 Max 16" Pro. Doing light work on both the Air was far cooler and more comfortable on the lap. I find the Pro to get a bit sweaty even with light work.
 
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GeorgeRussell said:
Not sure if it helps but I went from an M1 Air to an M1 Max 16" Pro. Doing light work on both the Air was far cooler and more comfortable on the lap. I find the Pro to get a bit sweaty even with light work.
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That does help! I figured that might be the case.
 
BigCanoe said:
I think the 13 comes with 10 core GPU if you upgrade the RAM or SSD too?

I am headed to the store today as I cant decide based on videos, etc. I need to hold em!
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It does - mine is a 24GB/1TB model with both a 10 core CPU and GPU. Enjoy the store! I don't think you'll go wrong regardless of what you decide. 🙂
 
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BigCanoe said:
I think the 13 comes with 10 core GPU if you upgrade the RAM or SSD too?

I am headed to the store today as I cant decide based on videos, etc. I need to hold em!
Click to expand...
This is the best idea. If you have a local store that has both on display, touch them, hold them, feel them, type on them. Take you time. It will help you make the right choice and IMHO totally worth the trip. The forums, reddit, and YouTube can only tell you others opinions.

And of course if you want to be wild, you can buy both and return the one that doesn't work for you.
 
Just got back...ruling out the 13 Air, it felt too small to me. That leaves the Pro 14 or Air 15. I couldnt tell much difference in the displays under the store lights. Both were nice. I really liked the sky blue color. The blacks I could see scratches and smudges on them on the display models. Still nice though. I guess I am closer to deciding ha.
 
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BigCanoe said:
Just got back...ruling out the 13 Air, it felt too small to me. That leaves the Pro 14 or Air 15. I couldnt tell much difference in the displays under the store lights. Both were nice. I really liked the sky blue color. The blacks I could see scratches and smudges on them on the display models. Still nice though. I guess I am closer to deciding ha.
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IMG_5154.jpeg


My air 15 just arrived. In love. Replacing the neo, waiting on my skin to arrive and them shipping the neo back.
 
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