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rhemy123

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 12, 2021
233
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Hi everyone. I was planning on buying the new MacBook Pro. However I’m having difficulty deciding whether I should buy the 14” or 16”. I currently have a 15” MacBook Pro and mostly use it for Logic Pro and typing up school papers. When the 16” first came out I was definitely going to get it, but now I think I should get the 14” MacBook Pro. For those who came from the 15” MacBook Pro which size did you get and why?
 
Hi everyone. I was planning on buying the new MacBook Pro. However I’m having difficulty deciding whether I should buy the 14” or 16”. I currently have a 15” MacBook Pro and mostly use it for Logic Pro and typing up school papers. When the 16” first came out I was definitely going to get it, but now I think I should get the 14” MacBook Pro. For those who came from the 15” MacBook Pro which size did you get and why?
Please note that your MacBook Pro has a 15.4" screen (not 15"), and the new MacBook Pros have either 14.2" or 16.2", notch included.

As you can see from the two images here, the 16.2" display is 10.66% larger than yours, while the 14.2" is 14.98% smaller. The 16.2" one is closer to that you already have. Unless you want to downsize, I would suggest you to go with the 16.2" MacBook Pro.
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Thanks I feel like I don’t want anything bigger or heavier. But it does make sense to go with the bigger version since it won’t make that much of a difference.
 
Thanks I feel like I don’t want anything bigger or heavier. But it does make sense to go with the bigger version since it won’t make that much of a difference.

It's really hard to downsize in my experience. I don't need the power or performance of a pro model, but I can't deal with a 13" screen. I would love if they came out with a 15" or 16" Air next year! In the meantime, I'm going from the last generation 16" to the new 16.2", mostly because I'm tired of having my thighs cooked on the couch.

Tim
 
It's really hard to downsize in my experience. I don't need the power or performance of a pro model, but I can't deal with a 13" screen. I would love if they came out with a 15" or 16" Air next year! In the meantime, I'm going from the last generation 16" to the new 16.2", mostly because I'm tired of having my thighs cooked on the couch.

i wish I could go see them in the store. I feel like my 15” is very thin and very light. I feel like this new 16 will be heavier.
 
i wish I could go see them in the store. I feel like my 15” is very thin and very light. I feel like this new 16 will be heavier.

Yes... it's thicker and heaver than my 16", which is bigger and heavier than your 15". If size and weight are important, maybe you should try the 14". I use a 16" as I don't travel with it or have to carry it any further than my desk to my couch. For work (where I travel) I use a 13" and just pair it wish an external monitor when home.

Tim
 
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I have a 2015 15.4-inch MBP. From my measurements, the body size of the 2015 MBP is almost exactly the same as the 2021 MBP 16-inch and the weight is exactly the same. If your 15-inch is from 2015, you'll get a bigger (and better) screen for the same form-factor and weight if you get the 16-inch MBP.
 
Please note that your MacBook Pro has a 15.4" screen (not 15"), and the new MacBook Pros have either 14.2" or 16.2", notch included.

As you can see from the two images here, the 16.2" display is 10.66% larger than yours, while the 14.2" is 14.98% smaller. The 16.2" one is closer to that you already have. Unless you want to downsize, I would suggest you to go with the 16.2" MacBook Pro.
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This isn’t entirely accurate. The area below the notch is 16:10. The 16.2” diagonal measurement includes the area of the notch. To get an accurate representation you should set the ratio to the resolution of the screen (3456 x 2234)
 
I'm going for the the $3499 16". I'll probably have my son order it since he's military.
Apple is giving $1210 trade in for a Base Intel 16"
 
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This isn’t entirely accurate. The area below the notch is 16:10. The 16.2” diagonal measurement includes the area of the notch. To get an accurate representation you should set the ratio to the resolution of the screen (3456 x 2234)
Yes, the resolution shows an aspect ratio of 1.54:1, which is different from the 16:10 of previous MacBooks. I suppose the area below the notch is 16:10, but I have not yet done the math. In any case, the difference will be small.
 
Hi everyone. I was planning on buying the new MacBook Pro. However I’m having difficulty deciding whether I should buy the 14” or 16”. I currently have a 15” MacBook Pro and mostly use it for Logic Pro and typing up school papers. When the 16” first came out I was definitely going to get it, but now I think I should get the 14” MacBook Pro. For those who came from the 15” MacBook Pro which size did you get and why?

I used the AR tool at full size to do a comparison with my current 15.4 vs the new 16.2. They are practically the same which made my decision to go with the new 16 easy :

57A10A41-D001-4C08-A4E0-25CB018050B8.jpeg
 
Went with the 14 inch….u guys making me cancel my order 😂


edit: Ok I canceled my order lol and got the 16....apple gave me $480 for my 2014 15" mbp + education disount my 12 mo financing was 150 bucks a month...not bad imo.
Not bad at all. Good move on the 16! Pro motion will look great on it!
 
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The 16" 2021 macbook pro is smaller than my 2011 15" macbook pro. I went with the 16". Also lol @ apple offering me $110 trade in value for it.
 
Please note that your MacBook Pro has a 15.4" screen (not 15"), and the new MacBook Pros have either 14.2" or 16.2", notch included.

As you can see from the two images here, the 16.2" display is 10.66% larger than yours, while the 14.2" is 14.98% smaller. The 16.2" one is closer to that you already have. Unless you want to downsize, I would suggest you to go with the 16.2" MacBook Pro.
View attachment 1871856I inserted two View attachment 1871855
Are you making these charts, or getting them from somewhere? I ask because I’d like to see how these screens compare to the 2018 iPad Pro 12.9 inch.

I’m in the same boat as OP, coming from a (late 2013) 15 inch and really on the fence between the 14 and 16. I always loved the 15 inch screen and felt cramped when I got on friends’ 13 inch MBPs. And since I have the 12.9 inch iPad, the 14 inch MBP seems too close in size, and not enough of an upgrade when I swap between devices.

I don’t travel or get out much (though that might change when COVID declines), but carrying around both the large iPad and large MBP could get annoying, though I suppose I could pick one depending on the trip.

So I am definitely leaning toward the 16, 90% there, but you all know how these things go….
 
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I ordered the 16.2, mainly because I value screen above all else.

I have a 12.9 2018 iPad with the magic keyboard. Excellent travel companion.

The 16 will live at my home for when I work from home (50% of the time)

I do want to go to the AppleStore on Tuesday and actually see/touch the 14, but I am fairly confident I have made the correct choice with the 16.
 
Also the 15" you have has a large bezel, which was greatly reduced with the 16". So you get a much larger screen without adding much heft.

Tim
Except my 2018 15" MBP is 4.02 lbs. The new 2021 16" MBP is 4.7 lbs. I don't really want to go up in weight. The 14" is 3.5 lbs. Save half a pound. Might be worth it. I can pair mine to a 34" LG Ultrawide so I have the screen real estate if I really need it.

Thank you @skaertus for the overlays!!!
 
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i'm going 14.2

i have both a 15.4 2016 touch bar MBP (personal) and a 16 2019 MBP (work), I hate the 16" it feels significantly heavier, larger/unwieldy. the new 16.2 is again heaver and larger than the outgoing 16":

16com.jpg
 

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Are you making these charts, or getting them from somewhere? I ask because I’d like to see how these screens compare to the 2018 iPad Pro 12.9 inch.

Here's that site pre-loaded with a comparison of the new 14" MBP with the 12.9" iPad Pro http://www.displaywars.com/14,2-inch-d{3024x1964}-vs-12,9-inch-4x3
 
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great thread, I'm pondering the same question.

So, how much bigger/heavier is the 140W brick than the older 96W brick from the 15.4? I can't find any pics of it that depict the size.

I'd consider the weight of the laptop + the brick together since you'll likely be carrying both of them
 
My current 15" just feels way too big in front of me now, so I went with the 14". Plus the display I'm planning on getting provides 90W of power via USB-C, so don't know if that'll be much good with the 16".
 
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