Totally agree! That’s the thing….anyway I turn with this decision I can’t go wrong. I’ve decided to go with the M3 14 inch MBP. The deal was just too good to pass on.
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15 inch MB Air M3 (16gb/512gb) vs 14 inch MB Pro M2 (10CPU/16GPU)
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The MBA is surprisingly powerful. Most people report the fans on their MBP never turn on. Meaning the MBA is not hindered by the lack of fans if the M3 is so efficient that it rarely needs fan unless you are like 1-2% of the population.
Although I do have to say, my local Best Buy has an excellent open box of the M3 Pro MBP 18/512 for $1413....very tempting, even though I don't need all that power
Can’t argue with that current deal on the M3 Pro, extreme value achieved. However, a devil’s advocate opinion on sizing:
My favorite laptop previously was a 2017 15” MBP due to the screen real estate. A few years ago I tried a 14” MBP and it felt cramped…the issue is the scaling. The 14” uses the same scaling as all 13” models, so it operates like an XL small-screen laptop. The 15” is different entirely and something I strongly prefer. I ended up on the current 15” Air which is basically identical in size and shape to my old 15” Pro, but a half pound lighter.
So, even though you have made your choice, if you’re finding the 14” to be too cramped you can easily switch to the M3 Air and likely be very satisfied. It is an excellent laptop.
My favorite laptop previously was a 2017 15” MBP due to the screen real estate. A few years ago I tried a 14” MBP and it felt cramped…the issue is the scaling. The 14” uses the same scaling as all 13” models, so it operates like an XL small-screen laptop. The 15” is different entirely and something I strongly prefer. I ended up on the current 15” Air which is basically identical in size and shape to my old 15” Pro, but a half pound lighter.
So, even though you have made your choice, if you’re finding the 14” to be too cramped you can easily switch to the M3 Air and likely be very satisfied. It is an excellent laptop.
Great point! I’ve still got both of them sitting here….unopened🙂. Just haven’t had time to deal with them this week. My favorite laptop was the 2018 15 inch MBP for the same reasons you mentioned. I’ll stop by Best Buy or Costco Tonight and test the 14 inch MBP to see the scaling first hand! Thanks
Great comment. I feel the 13.6” air and 14” MBP scaling is way too cramped to get real work done on for a long time. The 15” MBA is the sweet spot.
The reason this has been such a though decision for me has to do with the things I value in a Macbook: Design/Form Factor/Style, Larger display size, usability features: Ports, display quality, speakers, etc.. and performance.
I value all of these in a Macbook. But, the Macbook that excels in all of these areas doesn’t exist…yet! I love the 15 Air for its sleek design and display size. I’m drawn towards the M3 Pro for its usability features and performance. Delima!
With regards to display size. I think Apple nailed it with the 15 inch (e.g., my current laptop is a 2018 15 inch pro). I wish they still offered it as a size option in the Pro lineup. The current Pro lineup has the 14 inch, that I find slightly too cramped…and the 16 inch which I find slightly too unwieldy. Delima!
I value all of these in a Macbook. But, the Macbook that excels in all of these areas doesn’t exist…yet! I love the 15 Air for its sleek design and display size. I’m drawn towards the M3 Pro for its usability features and performance. Delima!
With regards to display size. I think Apple nailed it with the 15 inch (e.g., my current laptop is a 2018 15 inch pro). I wish they still offered it as a size option in the Pro lineup. The current Pro lineup has the 14 inch, that I find slightly too cramped…and the 16 inch which I find slightly too unwieldy. Delima!
Been there, many sleepless nights.....I know, it's completely lame. The desire to have the perfect machine. Both are great, you just have to decide what is more important to you. The 14" isn't bad once you get used to it. I suppose if one is constantly working on things like large spreadsheets, or side by side windows multitasking, then the 15 or 16" might help in that aspect.
14" pro currently at Best Buy for $1499 has a trade in value of $1200. If you go that route, when the M4 drops if you decide you really just want the 15" model, you could have a nice down payment from trade in.
Another 2018 15” MBP owner here! I love the form factor. Similar to the earlier comments, I’d find it tough going any smaller. The current generation 16” pros are about 2-300g heavier and less bevelled design, which tip it too far toward unwieldy beast for my liking.
I’m really hoping the next MPB redesign in about 2 years time will go the way of the iPads and have a tandem OLED display and slimmer design, closer to the current 15” MBA height and weight. One can dream.
If I had to replace my MBP today I’d grudgingly go for the 15” MBA and try to forget better screens exist in the modern MBPs.
I’m really hoping the next MPB redesign in about 2 years time will go the way of the iPads and have a tandem OLED display and slimmer design, closer to the current 15” MBA height and weight. One can dream.
If I had to replace my MBP today I’d grudgingly go for the 15” MBA and try to forget better screens exist in the modern MBPs.
This is why I still have the 14 M3 Pro and 15 M3 still unopened (after a week) 😊. Along with my 2018 15 inch MacBook Pro…in perfect condition (physically).
It helps to frame how sneaky good those 2017-2018 MBPs were…4 USB-C ports, multi-monitor support, Goldilocks screen size. They were ahead of their time. Before the 15” Air came out, I advocated for Apple to put an M-based processor in the old 15” MBP body, fix the butterfly keyboard, and call it a day. They almost did so with the new Air but it comes with some compromises on ports, passive cooling, and processor strength.
That said, for my use I found I could live with 2 ports in a mobile setting, then have a dock with my monitor at home. The 15” Air is as close as I can get to the older MBP if the screen scaling is a priority. Agreed that the absolute ideal Apple laptop lies somewhere in the middle of all of it: 15” MBP in the Air-size body would be absolute perfection. The 16” is just too big.
Haha! Well, I just returned the 15 inch Air to Costco….so the 14 M3 Pro is the last one standing😊. In the end…the $1,499 deal was just too sweet for a great basic all around MacBook. They’ve all got compromises🙂. Man…this was one tough decision and not made easier by the leaks the last couple of days that the M4 Macbooks are rumored to come with minimum of 16GB RAM.
If that rumor turns out to be true, I’m guessing the base M4 Pro might have 24GB minimum. Still though, that base M3 Pro with 18GB RAM and decent Geekbench scores (single/double/metal) should hold up well for the stuff I’ll do with it for a few years.
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Awesome, congrats. Looking to buy my son a MacBook now but that deal on the pro is over. The base model M3 MBP with 8/512 is on sale for $1399. I am wondering how that thing would do for basic use
Thanks! They still have the M3 Pro deal on at Costco for $1,499 till 9/1. My local Costco in Atlanta has a few in stock…all Space Black.
One last post: I have the 14 MBP M3 Pro all setup and in use. I'm blown away by the difference in performance from my 2018 15 inch I7 Intel MBP. It's really night and day. If I so much as opened Lightroom on the 2018 MBP...the fans would whirl like a 747 taking off. This M3 MBP is quiet, fast and cool! I haven't heard the fans once.
1BadManVan
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Oh yea, even the M1 pros was a massive jump from the Intels in them prior. The M series chips was the best change Apple ever made to these. It's honestly what finally drove me to buy my first MacBook ever! Just had to try it and ive been so impressed! Always had windows laptops, I even bought a couple windows machines at the same time and they just couldn't compare to the MacBook for the portability, battery life and efficiency overall.
Congrats on the decision, enjoy it for years to come!