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I'm aware thanks ! I meant to say they could have fit an even bigger battery, those making the MBA 15 even better than the 13
What for? It would just be heavier then. Already has pretty damn good battery life for a fast 15 inch machine. Lighter weigt is the better option IMO, seeing as this is an *Air.
 
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I’ve come to the realization that the Pros and Airs are just 2 very different machines for very different people. An Air is not a ”lesser” Pro, but just a different machine.
Especially these days when at any given time, the low end of an Apple Silicon generation has almost identical single core performance as the high end. That’s something AMD/Intel will NEVER replicate.

Someone with an M1 Air, actively cooled (I think it was an ice pack?) was running tests against a MacBook Pro with fans and noted that, as they don’t need to run the system heavily often, an Air with an ice pack was just as good in those limited use cases as the 13” MacBook Pro.
 
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Batteries today are nothing like they were 10+ years ago, back when you could and needed to replace MacBook batteries regularly. Sure, any battery will degrade over time, but I would venture to guess that most people get 4-6 years of good use out of their MacBooks, before they consider the battery to be a problem. And that is assuming people keep their MacBook that long before upgrading due to advancements in processors, screens, storage, keyboards, etc. Sure, you could argue that all these components should be user replaceable, but there just isn’t enough of a population that is willing and able to do computer part repairs/replacements.
lol batteries today is the same lith ion as it was 10 years ago, back then the battery in the macs were rated for 1000 cycle, same as it is today. companies like tesla and CATL are making new chemistry in the 4680 cells but its capacity still cannot match the 18650 cells first introduced back in the early 2010s.
 
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Yeah ,really sad what "beautiful design" leads to

But let me guess, he still ended up with the M2 , didn't he ? :))
Nope! She hasn’t gotten it yet, but even with the 15” coming out she’s set on the M1 because of the clamshell design, speakers, and lack of notch on the screen

I did the same thing, got my M1 last winter with upgraded ram and storage instead of getting the M2. For me the rose gold-ish color was a factor too. I wish they would make the new airs in fun colors like the iMacs, I’d upgrade tomorrow for a pink one with white bezels 😍
 
Nope! She hasn’t gotten it yet, but even with the 15” coming out she’s set on the M1 because of the clamshell design, speakers, and lack of notch on the screen

I did the same thing, got my M1 last winter with upgraded ram and storage instead of getting the M2. For me the rose gold-ish color was a factor too. I wish they would make the new airs in fun colors like the iMacs, I’d upgrade tomorrow for a pink one with white bezels 😍
same ! absolutely love the m1 , got 16/512 for less than a mba m2 8/256 would have cost me , this is ridiculous
 
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That crappy battery replacement experience is exactly why we need regulations to force companies to make it easier to swap batteries. There's NO VALID REASON they had to make the battery so hard to replace. Layering components in a different order and it'd be cake. They just don't want end users replacing them, pure and simple.
Using all caps to say something doesn't make it true. There are plenty of possible reasons for putting the components in the places they're in (among many possible factors, component shape, heat dissipation and keeping hot components away from each other, air flow, securing components against g-forces, components that need certain locations like the keyboard, and assembly/testing procedures). Or are you suggesting that of all the best possible arrangements, they looked at the top candidates and said, "okay this way would be the very best, but it'd make it too easy to change out the battery, so let's go with a less optimal solution that blocks battery access better (twirls mustache)".

But keep on feeling persecuted, if that does it for you.
 
"iFixit said the 15-inch MacBook Air is very difficult to repair. In addition, RAM and storage cannot be upgraded after purchase"

Who would've thunk it?
 
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I’ve come to the realization that the Pros and Airs are just 2 very different machines for very different people. An Air is not a ”lesser” Pro, but just a different machine.
When you start to compare base 14" Pro and 15" Air with matching RAM and storage, you’re breaking the value for the money scales. Unless you have very specific needs to justify the difference.
 
When you start to compare base 14" Pro and 15" Air with matching RAM and storage, you’re breaking the value for the money scales.
Not everyone buys purely on value, and not everyone values the same things. A new 14” M2 MBP is $400 more than a new 15” M2 Air. A discounted 14” M1 MBP only $100-200 more than a new 15” Air; then again we are already seeing discounts on the 15” Air so the price difference between discounted 14” M1 MBPs and discounted 15” Airs will probably stabilize at $200-$300.

Unless you have very specific needs to justify the difference.
Like being thinner and having a larger screen and much better battery life?

Different things appeal to different people, so there is no blanket rule that someone has to prefer a discounted MBP just because the price is only $100-$300 more.
 
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Yes, trading that for better screen, performance, more power, sturdier build, more ports, presumably longer SW support of the M2 Pro MBP 14”.
That’s what $400 will get you, although the 15” Air seems to be just as sturdy as the MBP. There is also no reason to believe that the M2-Pro will have longer OS update support than the M2.

The MBP is also much less powerful with a depleted battery when the Air still has hours of juice.

Some people care about performance, other people care about battery life and thinness. People have been buying Apple‘s small laptops (Duos, 2400C, iBooks, 12” PowerBook, and plastic MacBook) despite their lower performance for about as long as Apple has been making them.

Value is subjective and the Pro is not objectively better than the Air, that’s why Apple sells both.
 
That’s what $400 will get you, although the 15” Air seems to be just as sturdy as the MBP. There is also no reason to believe that the M2-Pro will have longer OS update support than the M2.

The MBP is also much less powerful with a depleted battery when the Air still has hours of juice.

Some people care about performance, other people care about battery life and thinness. People have been buying Apple‘s small laptops (Duos, 2400C, iBooks, 12” PowerBook, and plastic MacBook) despite their lower performance for about as long as Apple has been making them.

Value is subjective and the Pro is not objectively better than the Air, that’s why Apple sells both.
I guess it falls down to three groups of people: one that know how close to Pro will the $400/€500 Air upgrade get them, one that don’t, and one that don’t care about value but want a Mac that fits their, I’d say, specific needs.
 
Yes, trading that for better screen, performance, more power, sturdier build, more ports, presumably longer SW support of the M2 Pro MBP 14”.

The "studier build" may be a negative if it is a thicker build, which many don't want.

Also, some of these points are moot - I have never used anything besides a USB port in 10 years of owning MacBooks. So ports may not be necessary.

I was in and Apple Store yesterday, comparing all of their laptops for sale. In terms of footprint, size, and weight, I actually think the 15" Air provides the "ideal" combo out of all of the laptops. The footprint size may be problematic in certain situations (like airplane tray tables), but the screen is so much bigger than the 13" Air, while in a thinner package than the 14".
 
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I guess it falls down to three groups of people: one that know how close to Pro will the $400/€500 Air upgrade get them, one that don’t, and one that don’t care about value but want a Mac that fits their, I’d say, specific needs.
It will get them exactly $400 away from a 14” MBP and $600 away from a 16” MBP; no more, no less.

I’m not sure why you othered the third group with a slightly condescending “that fits their, I’d say, specific needs“ when literally everyone buys a laptop based on their specific needs, whether their need is price, performance, battery life, portability, or different combinations of those things. No ones needs/values are objectively better, or worse; the only time these things are relevant is when they apply to you and your purchases.
 
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The "studier build" may be a negative if it is a thicker build, which many don't want.

Which is fine and if they don't want it they should chose one that is sturdier.

Also, some of these points are moot - I have never used anything besides a USB port in 10 years of owning MacBooks. So ports may not be necessary.

Which is why a machine without them might be a better choice for you. For me, the HDMI port, SD Card slot and extra available USB-C ports were a large prt of teh reason I replaced my M1 Air with an M1 MBP.

I was in and Apple Store yesterday, comparing all of their laptops for sale. In terms of footprint, size, and weight, I actually think the 15" Air provides the "ideal" combo out of all of the laptops. The footprint size may be problematic in certain situations (like airplane tray tables), but the screen is so much bigger than the 13" Air, while in a thinner package than the 14".

Again, it depends on your needs. I had a 15" MBP and flying with it was a pain, the 14" is better suited to trays so it is what I find best for me.

There is no one size fits all.
 
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That’s what $400 will get you, although the 15” Air seems to be just as sturdy as the MBP. There is also no reason to believe that the M2-Pro will have longer OS update support than the M2.

The MBP is also much less powerful with a depleted battery when the Air still has hours of juice.

Some people care about performance, other people care about battery life and thinness. People have been buying Apple‘s small laptops (Duos, 2400C, iBooks, 12” PowerBook, and plastic MacBook) despite their lower performance for about as long as Apple has been making them.

Value is subjective and the Pro is not objectively better than the Air, that’s why Apple sells both.
Anytime I see the word subjective used I think of all the examples of people trying to save money more then its a decision based on what you intend to use it for and its versatility as far as transportable, usage in different work place or travel scenarios. Yes in most instances the word subjective is used as a vague justification for why people prioritize saving money over a product that might have been more useful. Also all these models can be very quiet to utilize, it falls more into the different camps of performance, I/O ports, display types, and weight/size. One could say with the addition of the 15" MBA everyone has a lot of choice on what to spend and utilize. Everyone wins.
 
Anytime I see the word subjective used I think of all the examples of people trying to save money more then its a decision based on what you intend to use it for and its versatility as far as transportable, usage in different work place or travel scenarios. Yes in most instances the word subjective is used as a vague justification for why people prioritize saving money over a product that might have been more useful.

What is best is subjective, since not all users have the same criteria for what they need and what tradeoffs they are willing to make. The marginal utility of a more powerful / more ports etc. may not be worth the cost to the buyer.

Also all these models can be very quiet to utilize, it falls more into the different camps of performance, I/O ports, display types, and weight/size. One could say with the addition of the 15" MBA everyone has a lot of choice on what to spend and utilize. Everyone wins.

Choice is a good thing.
 
I kind of wish they had made the Pro 15", and the Air 14". I feel like the Apple laptop options are perpetually either a little too small or a little too big.
 
I kind of wish they had made the Pro 15", and the Air 14". I feel like the Apple laptop options are perpetually either a little too small or a little too big.
Just a FYI but the 2012 15" retina MBP is nearly identical dimensions compared to the 2021/2023 16" MBPs. What is smaller and lighter is the choice of either the 14" MBP or the thinner 15" MBA. But as people mention both the 13" MBA or the 14" MBP is slightly smaller making either more ideal for cramped commuting situations such as planes.

As far as size its 13.6" MBA vs 14.2" MBP vs 15.5" MBA vs 16.2" MBP. Thats a lot of sizes to choose from. ;)
 
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When you start to compare base 14" Pro and 15" Air with matching RAM and storage, you’re breaking the value for the money scales. Unless you have very specific needs to justify the difference.
When you buy a car, do you go for the cheapest, the best value? You probably go for the one you like that you can ultimately afford. But why? It may not be the cheapest. Heck, it may not even be the best value. Do you do this with clothes? How about a home?

Sure, the Pro may be considered a better value. But the Air is a pretty solid, capable machine for what you get. It’s also got a fantastic form factor. In the end, someone may not need the capabilities or the extras of the Pro and just really want the Air. After all, people are going to live with this laptop for a number of years (just like a car). They might as well get what they want, even if it isn’t the best value proposition.
 
When you buy a car, do you go for the cheapest, the best value? You probably go for the one you like that you can ultimately afford. But why? It may not be the cheapest. Heck, it may not even be the best value. Do you do this with clothes? How about a home?

Your equating cheap with value; but they are not the same. Take tools, for example. In general, I buy high quality because they will last longer, and perform better, than cheap ones. That’s value. OTOH, for a tool I will only use once I have bought cheap harbor Freight stuff because they offered the best value since I only planned to use it to nail a fence, for example.

Sure, the Pro may be considered a better value. But the Air is a pretty solid, capable machine for what you get. It’s also got a fantastic form factor. In the end, someone may not need the capabilities or the extras of the Pro and just really want the Air. After all, people are going to live with this laptop for a number of years (just like a car). They might as well get what they want, even if it isn’t the best value proposition.

Value is subjective, and part of the equation is what you want and the enjoyment you get out of the added value. Value is not just what is the cheapest that meets your needs; it’s what satisfies your needs as well. One person’s best value may be the cheapest that meets their needs, anothers is one with some extra bells and whistles.
 
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I guess it falls down to three groups of people: one that know how close to Pro will the $400/€500 Air upgrade get them, one that don’t, and one that don’t care about value but want a Mac that fits their, I’d say, specific needs.
You have a very myopic view of the world. Some care better battery life and ability to move around with out lugging the extra weight. I use an M1 Max MBP 16, but I know lot of folks who have better value with MBA. MBP isn’t useful or just doesn’t fit for their use case.
 
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That crappy battery replacement experience is exactly why we need regulations to force companies to make it easier to swap batteries. There's NO VALID REASON they had to make the battery so hard to replace. Layering components in a different order and it'd be cake. They just don't want end users replacing them, pure and simple.
You're 100% right, and it's inexplicable that people have downvoted this comment.
 
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