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15" M2 MBA vs 14" or 16" MBP - 16GB/1TB
- Thread starter rick3000
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Yeah, I think 1 TB where it starts matching the previous gen because they used 2 bus lanes instead of 1 as in the base model.
Can confirm, the 1TB M2 14" Pro model gets 6GB/s read/write according to BlackMagic. (For comparison the 1TB M2 Air 15" gets 3GB/s only).
what do the OP end up going with? I was going to say this weekend (Labor Day) Costco has the 16" m2 Pro for $2250! I don't like the weight much but even tempted as my 15 5112/1gb cost about $1799.
I ultimately decided that since I was planning to keep my 2014 MBP to run 32-bit apps and would therefore replace the battery in it anyway, to see if it was still useable after the battery replacement. I bought a third party battery and swapped it myself. My initial hesitation to doing this was that if I messed up I would have no computer, and iFixIt's guide is a very risky complete disassembly of the entire computer. However, if you look at the comments there is a very simple and quick alternative way to do a battery replacement that makes it a lot less risky.
So for now I'm still using my old '14 MBP, but I know I'm on borrowed time with it. I'm waiting to see what happens when they launch M3, because I wasn't completely sold on the 15" Air or the 16" Pro, and I am no longer being forced to decide immediately by the battery issue.
I spent over an hour in an Apple Store comparing the 15" m2 Air and the 16" MBP side by side, the 14" MBP is too small for me. I like having more screen space. Both have more than enough performance, and I don't render enough for the Pro's speed in that area to be a deciding factor.
I really like the size and weight of the Air, and it is surprisingly sturdy for how large and thin it is. But the screen is very similar in size and quality to my current MBP, so other than performance the screen doesn't feel like much of an upgrade. The 16" MBP would be an upgrade in terms of screen size and screen quality, and I like having the ports. Weight isn't a huge factory, but I do like the lightness of the Air.
The 16" MBP is too expensive for what I actually need from a computer right now, but I also feel like it is a more future proof purchase. The 15" Air spec'ed to 16GB/1TB is too close in price to the 14" MBP, especially when you include purchasing a dongle for HDMI and SD cards. I said the 14" MBP is too small for me, but considering the price vs a spec'ed up 15" Air, it's hard to ignore the 14" Pro.
I am definately leaning toward the Air, but I'm hoping when they launch M3 the 15" Air gets a base spec bump so the price is more differentiated from the 14" Pro.
One interesting thing I noticed is that I preferred the smaller trackpad on the Air because my palm was not resting directly on the trackpad like with the Pro, but both trackpads are almost too big.
So for now I'm still using my old '14 MBP, but I know I'm on borrowed time with it. I'm waiting to see what happens when they launch M3, because I wasn't completely sold on the 15" Air or the 16" Pro, and I am no longer being forced to decide immediately by the battery issue.
I spent over an hour in an Apple Store comparing the 15" m2 Air and the 16" MBP side by side, the 14" MBP is too small for me. I like having more screen space. Both have more than enough performance, and I don't render enough for the Pro's speed in that area to be a deciding factor.
I really like the size and weight of the Air, and it is surprisingly sturdy for how large and thin it is. But the screen is very similar in size and quality to my current MBP, so other than performance the screen doesn't feel like much of an upgrade. The 16" MBP would be an upgrade in terms of screen size and screen quality, and I like having the ports. Weight isn't a huge factory, but I do like the lightness of the Air.
The 16" MBP is too expensive for what I actually need from a computer right now, but I also feel like it is a more future proof purchase. The 15" Air spec'ed to 16GB/1TB is too close in price to the 14" MBP, especially when you include purchasing a dongle for HDMI and SD cards. I said the 14" MBP is too small for me, but considering the price vs a spec'ed up 15" Air, it's hard to ignore the 14" Pro.
I am definately leaning toward the Air, but I'm hoping when they launch M3 the 15" Air gets a base spec bump so the price is more differentiated from the 14" Pro.
One interesting thing I noticed is that I preferred the smaller trackpad on the Air because my palm was not resting directly on the trackpad like with the Pro, but both trackpads are almost too big.
good feedback! Not an easy choice.. big 16 sales this weekend in the US however. 14 I thin maybe the sweet spot.
yes agree, some great deals on the M1.. weight concern is just around the house and on lap on the coach... but I figure larger screen maybe worth it? Tried the 15 MBA not for me.
Real estate wise, that one inch difference between 15" and 16" is visible but not as significant as vs 13" 14", IMO 15" 16" are the same class of "possible to tile dual windows" as long as you choose the highest resolution UI.
But; the miniLED, the 120Hz, the peak nits of the 16" is unmatched. The above posts mentioned the 15" being no different than the Intel era screen, that is somewhat true, at least the specs are. The 16" form factor is quite an ideal coach / in-house machine, with no intention of plugging in an external display you want the best and the largest screen possible, and the 16" gives you that, until OLED MacBooks happen.
It is much brighter and it both shows colors more accurately as well as more colors overall. The miniLED panels in the 14" and 16" are of course much better, in terms of contrast as well as a much higher maximum brightness of 1000 nits that can be unlocked with third party tools like Vivid to use in all apps. It has good HDR support as well, done properly with a solid amount of dimming zones.
The only reason it would be look better than the 14" is that the 14" won't get the M3 Pro/Max refresh until 2024. You might want to just get the 15" Air with the older M2 even once M3 comes out, if you can get it for a lower price. Unless you need more performance than the M2 can provide you won't gain much with the M3 Air. It will appear to be the same device and you wouldn't necessarily notice any difference. That's how it usually goes with these smaller upgrades from one generation to the next.
The M3 will use a new chip architecture; the new hotness….so it should be a great upgrade. Wait if you can, I think I’ll be worth it. Also, to cut down on ewaste; may as well use your current computer a little longer if you’re happy with it.
Compared to the 16" MBP, the 15" Air just feels so much more "portable". Being able to pick it up comfortably with one hand and when using it on the sofa etc, you really feel the difference between it and the Pro. There's not much saving in terms of footprint which was the main issue I had with the 16" when using it anywhere with limited space.
the 15" is nice, but I do see things lacking compared to the 14 m2 MBP, yes screen is smaller, but when you look at content you can see just as much almost on a a screen. I prefer the keyboard on the pro, the mini led for sure and brightness!
I have a 15" M2 MBA. First Air ever, after nearly a decade of MBP's.
I love the 15" screen. I was reluctant over loss of ProMotion and display type. I needn't have been. The display is at least as bright in practice as my 13" 2020 M1 MBP. For me, I like the 16gb ram and the 1TB drive.
I love the 15" screen. I was reluctant over loss of ProMotion and display type. I needn't have been. The display is at least as bright in practice as my 13" 2020 M1 MBP. For me, I like the 16gb ram and the 1TB drive.
Really?
I mean, I’m stuck between the 15 and 16 pro, need the screen estate especially for my eyes.
But I would use around the house mostly and actually use on a chair and settee a lot.
I was concerned about the difference in screen quality.
The difference in screen quality is an issue for me from the 15 MBA, thought it was a bit dull and not bright, and not to mention, colors are not as saturated. Ideally, i'd have a 16 pro and a base air for travel
!
There's no getting away from the fact that you feel the weight of the 16" MBP - it's a big chunk of metal. Which is nice and satisfying and reassuring, but it does feel way heavier than the Air.
IMO, you adjust to the difference in screen quality within a day or two. Unless you have them side by side or are constantly switching from one to the other, you adjust to each one and it becomes the norm.
There's no getting away from the fact that the Pro screen is the one to go for if you need to grade HDR material and it obviously gets retina-burningly bright, but the Air screen gets pretty bright. Is there any way you can go and see some side by side, check the screens out, the weight etc?
If the 15" Air had a 120HZ refresh rate and a Mini-LED screen then hardly anyone would get the MBP. I'm sitting here with a 2014 15" MBP that I really want to upgrade. I like everything about the Air except those two things. I'm a screen snob with my calibrated 77" OLED so something about settling for a regular LCD screen on the Air bothers me.
James
James
I would tend to disagree. There are many people interested in the Air but not the base model. Once you spec it up to 16gb/512gb - pricewise you're getting close to a 14 pro. In their goal to differentiate the consumer from the prosumer, Apple made it more confusing by not having equivalent base model specs.
The 15” Air is $1699, the 14” Pro is $1999. Both 16 gig, 512 meg SSD. I don’t really consider that $300 price difference as getting close. The Air can be upped to 1 TB to get closer to the Pro. That extra storage space can be significant over the years.
The catch is with the ease of which you can find discounts with the 14" 16", since 16GB 1TB is a regular SKU where 3rd parties also sell, and frequently have deals.
The 15" on the other hand, while the 16GB 1TB is actually a hidden Apple Store config (it is listed in retail stores but not online, but if you choose pickup it is immediately available), 3rd parties usually don't hold this model, thus almost no deals. At the moment in the Apple official refurb store of our country, the 15" 16GB 1TB just popped up yesterday with an equivalent of USD$1600 or so, which is quite tempting, but then the 14" 16" models are not very far off if I look elsewhere.