15 inch Air vs 14 inch MBP with nanotexture

[TorontoSS]

I currently have a 15 inch air and it seems great. I enjoy it. But the grass is always greener on the other side.
I saw a deal for a 14 inch MBP with nanotexture (£300 off retail). I of course don't need it and I enjoy the air. But I'm always aware that I don't have promotion and the speakers aren't as good.

However - I'm not a power user by any means. i don't need the extra ports or anything.
I enjoy promotion because it's nice.
I haven't noticed a massive difference between the screens to be frank when I place them side by side in an apple store.
I have had an m1 pro in the past and remembered the speakers were way better.

But I also remember the weight.
I know the M4/M5 macbook pro without the fan is a tad lighter but I don't think this would be noticable. But may be noticable between a 15 inch air and a 14 inch pro.

- For those who have had both computers - do you find the ergonomics were better on one over the other?
- did you notice a big difference with the screen? i think the nano texture is one thing which may make a difference.

which did you prefer?

 

[bellflyer14]

I currently have a 15 inch air and it seems great. I enjoy it. But the grass is always greener on the other side.
I saw a deal for a 14 inch MBP with nanotexture (£300 off retail). I of course don't need it and I enjoy the air. But I'm always aware that I don't have promotion and the speakers aren't as good.

However - I'm not a power user by any means. i don't need the extra ports or anything.
I enjoy promotion because it's nice.
I haven't noticed a massive difference between the screens to be frank when I place them side by side in an apple store.
I have had an m1 pro in the past and remembered the speakers were way better.

But I also remember the weight.
I know the M4/M5 macbook pro without the fan is a tad lighter but I don't think this would be noticable. But may be noticable between a 15 inch air and a 14 inch pro.

- For those who have had both computers - do you find the ergonomics were better on one over the other?
- did you notice a big difference with the screen? i think the nano texture is one thing which may make a difference.

which did you prefer?

I've had them all, just about. 15" MBA, 14" MBP, 13" MBA. I love promotion on my phones, and can't use an iPad without promotion. It was not nearly as big of a deal on the MacBook screen. Did not honestly notice much in day to day. Sure, got on YouTube and looked up some fancy 4k HDR demo videos and went "wow, that's cool" for a few minutes. I don't think the juice is worth the squeeze if you are happy with your 15" MBA and you are not a power user. It's throwing money down the drain. My wife is a semi power user and she "downgraded" from an M3 Pro MBP to a 13" Air fully loaded.

 

[dizmonk]

I've had both. The reason I settled on the M4 Macbook Pro are the speakers, the display, the nanotexture and ironically enough, the weight. When working with the Air (the 15") anytime I slid it on a table the screen wobbled often (not a lot but enough to notice). Although the ergonomics are better on the Air, I prefer the Base Pro as it is a little more heft and stability. If you work outdoors or near windows often the nanotexture will help a lot. If you are in an office in normal lighting it won't make a big difference.

 

[TorontoSS]

I've had them all, just about. 15" MBA, 14" MBP, 13" MBA. I love promotion on my phones, and can't use an iPad without promotion. It was not nearly as big of a deal on the MacBook screen. Did not honestly notice much in day to day. Sure, got on YouTube and looked up some fancy 4k HDR demo videos and went "wow, that's cool" for a few minutes. I don't think the juice is worth the squeeze if you are happy with your 15" MBA and you are not a power user. It's throwing money down the drain. My wife is a semi power user and she "downgraded" from an M3 Pro MBP to a 13" Air fully loaded.

Thank you - that’s some good and realistic advice. You are totally right, it is a bit of throwing money. On the iPad, I agree, promotion does make a difference. It is nice. On the phone as well. On a laptop, I find i don’t mind as much. The nano texture and the speakers were calling out to me but it’s honestly not needed at all!

For normal media watching (say YouTube and Netflix which is what we all do) I think the air is pretty good. So many not notice a difference.
Did you notice a difference in the weight or ergonomics?

Thank you!

I've had both. The reason I settled on the M4 Macbook Pro are the speakers, the display, the nanotexture and ironically enough, the weight. When working with the Air (the 15") anytime I slid it on a table the screen wobbled often (not a lot but enough to notice). Although the ergonomics are better on the Air, I prefer the Base Pro as it is a little more heft and stability. If you work outdoors or near windows often the nanotexture will help a lot. If you are in an office in normal lighting it won't make a big difference.

Interesting the EXTRA weight won you over vs the lighter weight of the air. I am the opposite where I’d much prefer the lighter air. Do you notice a difference with the nano texture? Do you miss the screen space of the 15 at all?

 

[dizmonk]

Thank you - that’s some good and realistic advice. You are totally right, it is a bit of throwing money. On the iPad, I agree, promotion does make a difference. It is nice. On the phone as well. On a laptop, I find i don’t mind as much. The nano texture and the speakers were calling out to me but it’s honestly not needed at all!

For normal media watching (say YouTube and Netflix which is what we all do) I think the air is pretty good. So many not notice a difference.
Did you notice a difference in the weight or ergonomics?

Thank you!





Interesting the EXTRA weight won you over vs the lighter weight of the air. I am the opposite where I’d much prefer the lighter air. Do you notice a difference with the nano texture? Do you miss the screen space of the 15 at all?

Yes I do notice a significant difference with the nanotexture especially when working near a window or outside. I do miss the larger screen of the air but the speakers of the Pro make up for it. FWIW I also prefer the keyboard of the Pro.

 

[bellflyer14]

The 15" MBA is definitely a larger footprint, but the weight difference is negligible. I did find the 14" MBP a bit more "toss able"
side note-- for kicks, I picked up a MacBook Neo to take to work with me on occasion to use in meetings and such. This thing absolutely nails all of the normal every day stuff. Web browsing is quick, can't complain about the speakers, and I'm sitting in a dim living room right now typing this and the lack of backlit keyboard is not a problem at all.

I am the first person who gets caught up on specs, when in reality, I am no heavier of a user than grandma. I picked up the 512gb version with Touch ID on student discount with my son, and I am amazed what apple has done here.

 

[AVBeatMan]

So the keyboard on the Air's are different to the Pro's?

 

[bellflyer14]

So the keyboard on the Air's are different to the Pro's?

No it is the same keyboard. Only difference is the air keyboard spacing between keys is color matched to the MacBook. On the Pro the spacing between keys is black.

 

[dizmonk]

No it is the same keyboard. Only difference is the air keyboard spacing between keys is color matched to the MacBook. On the Pro the spacing between keys is black.

I don't know if that's completely correct. Having typed on both (for long periods of time), the keyboard on the MBP feels much more comfortable. That could be because the MBP is thicker (and the keyboard is slightly higher than on the Air). It simply feels more ergonomic and responsive to me.

 

[TorontoSS]

I don't know if that's completely correct. Having typed on both (for long periods of time), the keyboard on the MBP feels much more comfortable. That could be because the MBP is thicker (and the keyboard is slightly higher than on the Air). It simply feels more ergonomic and responsive to me.

i think the MBP keyboard has more travel and therefore can feel better. I have tried it in the store and definately feel it's better than the MBA. But i don't feel the difference is night and day though. The two things which are night and day differences for me are: nanotexture and speakers.

I have thought of it, and I have just decided to stick to the MBA. I am hoping I stick to this because I know in my head that it's a smarter decision because the hassle of moving from a perfectly awesome macbook to a slightly better laptop is not worth it. The irrational side sometimes wins though!

 

[AVBeatMan]

I've ordered the Air in Midnight. Heard it's a fingerprint magnet?

 

[dizmonk]

i think the MBP keyboard has more travel and therefore can feel better. I have tried it in the store and definately feel it's better than the MBA. But i don't feel the difference is night and day though. The two things which are night and day differences for me are: nanotexture and speakers.

I have thought of it, and I have just decided to stick to the MBA. I am hoping I stick to this because I know in my head that it's a smarter decision because the hassle of moving from a perfectly awesome macbook to a slightly better laptop is not worth it. The irrational side sometimes wins though!

I totally get it. I appreciate the choices Apple is giving us... but it does make the decision-making very difficult, idiosyncratic and fosters FOMO. Enjoy your machine! I'll probably stop at the Apple store today, just to torture myself...

 

[bellflyer14]

I've ordered the Air in Midnight. Heard it's a fingerprint magnet?

It is, but easily wipes down and clean again

 

[vi2867]

I ordered the MacBook Pro M5 Pro 24GB RAM 1TB HD Nano Texture Spay Gray. I wanted the best I can afford. I wanted Nano Texture for the glare. I got Pro for the new chips. WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Just trying future proof.

 

[AVBeatMan]

I ordered the MacBook Pro M5 Pro 24GB RAM 1TB HD Nano Texture Spay Gray. I wanted the best I can afford. I wanted Nano Texture for the glare. I got Pro for the new chips. WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Just trying future proof.

14 or 16"?