Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

The Cockney Rebel

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Jul 17, 2010
3,880
5,352
As per the title?

I actually love the 13" form factor of my Air, and have my 16" M2 MBP for when I want a bigger screen.

Although I must say, I enjoy using my Air more.

What about you?
 
yea, for t
Yup. Sold my 13" M2 Air and bought the 15" as I've always wanted a bigger screen Macbook, but do not have the need for a Pro machine. No regrets.
for the light video editing I do this thing is like Speed Racer.
 
Well, yes, it is the trade I want.
However, I need to sell my 13" first for a good price.
 
Nope, I have a 16” Lenovo laptop for my work stuff and a 27” monitor if I really need the bigger screen and love my 13” M2 air for personal use around the house and take with me on trips.
 
Coming from M1 but if I had the M2 I would have made the same decision

It was an instant buy for me and so far I do not regret it. That extra 2 inches of screen real estate is the difference between me being able to get all my work on screen and having to horizontal scroll or leverage workspaces. I can now do all of my work without having to increase the resolution on my screen and my eyes are thanking me.

This computer ticked nearly all of my want list boxes. The only thing left that Apple isn't doing that I'd like is a computer with a full size keyboard but I have been dealing up until today and I'll continue to be able to deal. Most of the time an external number pad is absolutely no big deal to set up next to my computer.

I do anticipate having some need for my 13'' Air in the future from time to time when I need to travel on a smaller footprint. I've just never been able to get the iPad to work for me as a travel device. I'll work out over the next few months if I want to split time or not but iCloud makes it easy enough to make sure all of my files are available regardless of what device I decide to go with.
 
No.

I am tempted but I would want M3 and I do want a 15" air. It is very tempting for sure but I would lose too much money in the process to get 1.7" extra screen.

Besides my 13.6" doesn't feel small to me and I really like the weight and portability.

I am going to have to see what the 15" actually looks like and feels like in person before I consider a switch.

I really like my M2 MBA 13" so I think I will wait until next year when they release the M3 version then I will have a faster machine and a bigger screen.

First time in a while I have been so happy with a laptop. But if it goes on sale and I can sell my 13" high who knows. Lol
 
I did the exact same & couldn't be happier with my decision. This is the perfect Macbook for me.
How is the weight difference? Does it feel heavier than the 13" or does it feel the same because it is dispersed over a larger area? Very curious about that.

Also does it feel as solid as the 13"?

Appreciate any insight you may have.
 
  • Like
Reactions: The Cockney Rebel
No.

I am tempted but I would want M3 and I do want a 15" air. It is very tempting for sure but I would lose too much money in the process to get 1.7" extra screen.

Besides my 13.6" doesn't feel small to me and I really like the weight and portability.

I am going to have to see what the 15" actually looks like and feels like in person before I consider a switch.

I really like my M2 MBA 13" so I think I will wait until next year when they release the M3 version then I will have a faster machine and a bigger screen.

First time in a while I have been so happy with a laptop. But if it goes on sale and I can sell my 13" high who knows. Lol
I'd have to agree (although it's a personal preference, not everyone will feel the same way). There's something about the compactness and lightness of the 13" macBook Air that just feels right to me.
Even the 15" macBook Pro (2015 model), one of the best laptops I have ever used doesn't feel as comfortable to use.
 
Yup. Sold my 13" M2 Air and bought the 15" as I've always wanted a bigger screen Macbook, but do not have the need for a Pro machine. No regrets.
Out of curiosity, I looked to see what Apple were offering on my 16GB/1TB 13” MBA & they only offered just over £700! I paid £1,850 for it, just a few months ago.

Anyway, I actually like the 13” form factor, and I have my 16” M2 Pro.

What colour did you get? One reviewer said that the 15” flexes a fair bit, is that so?

Hope you’re happy with your new machine.
 
Coming from M1 but if I had the M2 I would have made the same decision

It was an instant buy for me and so far I do not regret it. That extra 2 inches of screen real estate is the difference between me being able to get all my work on screen and having to horizontal scroll or leverage workspaces. I can now do all of my work without having to increase the resolution on my screen and my eyes are thanking me.

This computer ticked nearly all of my want list boxes. The only thing left that Apple isn't doing that I'd like is a computer with a full size keyboard but I have been dealing up until today and I'll continue to be able to deal. Most of the time an external number pad is absolutely no big deal to set up next to my computer.

I do anticipate having some need for my 13'' Air in the future from time to time when I need to travel on a smaller footprint. I've just never been able to get the iPad to work for me as a travel device. I'll work out over the next few months if I want to split time or not but iCloud makes it easy enough to make sure all of my files are available regardless of what device I decide to go with.
So you have both the 13” and 15” Air?

I can see the allure of the 15”, but the 13” is so light and portable.
 
I haven't noticed to much flex but the bottom plate is not flush with the keyboard chassis. You can run your finger along it and feel the edge of the plate. It's somewhat of a nonissue because the rather large feet also sit out slightly so the computer is very stable when sitting on a desk.

The weight is distributed well when the machine is open, which is nice because I often have to move and turn my computer to show coworkers information on my screen or to have someone fill out a form or authorization.

When the machine is closed it feels like a fairly flat and solid piece of metal. It carries well and the finish, at least the Starlight finish, grips well. I appreciate that because I have a bit of nerve damage in my hands and my grip is not what it could be.

I've used the computer on my lap in my recliner. I'm a fairly big dude so it's not that awkward to use it like that. A smaller person might find it uncomfortable to use the computer that way though.

It really is a nice machine, assuming a 15'' consumer laptop is what you are looking for. Since the most intense thing I do is play old games on OpenEmu, I'm not to concerned about the CPU or lack of active cooling.
 
So you have both the 13” and 15” Air?

I can see the allure of the 15”, but the 13” is so light and portable.
The 13'' is definitely appealing for that and I am sure that its lower price point for essentially the same hardware will be pretty alluring to a lot of people. Of course everyone is different but for me the 15'' Pro is the difference between being able to layout the graphs, reports, spreadsheets, etc. that I do in my job every day and having to horizontal scroll to see everything. Two inches might not seem like much but it is a significant quality of life improvement for my job.

Of course I can plug into an external monitor with the 13'' (and I have all the relevant adapters to do that) but my job requires travel at times and I am not always sitting at my spacious desk where I can plug into a monitor and use a bunch of accessories. I can almost always find space for my laptop though so it's nice being able to do everything without having to plug into anything.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Saturn007
I haven't noticed to much flex but the bottom plate is not flush with the keyboard chassis. You can run your finger along it and feel the edge of the plate. It's somewhat of a nonissue because the rather large feet also sit out slightly so the computer is very stable when sitting on a desk.

The weight is distributed well when the machine is open, which is nice because I often have to move and turn my computer to show coworkers information on my screen or to have someone fill out a form or authorization.

When the machine is closed it feels like a fairly flat and solid piece of metal. It carries well and the finish, at least the Starlight finish, grips well. I appreciate that because I have a bit of nerve damage in my hands and my grip is not what it could be.

I've used the computer on my lap in my recliner. I'm a fairly big dude so it's not that awkward to use it like that. A smaller person might find it uncomfortable to use the computer that way though.

It really is a nice machine, assuming a 15'' consumer laptop is what you are looking for. Since the most intense thing I do is play old games on OpenEmu, I'm not to concerned about the CPU or lack of active cooling.
Thanks for the info.

Can you show a picture of the bottom plate?
 
IMG_0690.jpeg
IMG_0689.jpeg
IMG_0691.jpeg
Sure

You do need to run your finger across it to feel it. The plate barely sits out so its hard to see visually. You’ll notice it if carrying the machine from the bottom right away.
 
  • Sad
Reactions: The Cockney Rebel
Yes.

I wanted more screen real estate in my light carry around laptop. Although the 13” was a handy size, after all of approx. 1.5 days with the 15” (delivered 3:00 pm Tuesday 13 June), I have no issues with the 15” unit. It is fast enough, light enough and, so far, seems economical on battery enough along with that larger screen to truly replace my 13” M2 MBA. My other laptops are a 16” M1 Max MBPro (which is a big heavy lump) and a 15” MS Surface Laptop 4 which the new 15” MBA trounces in every measurable way except size in which they are comparable (ignoring the fact that the Surface has a touch screen which is irrelevant to me). The Surface will now be retired.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Saturn007
I see it.

Have you not thought about returning it and getting another?
another user DMed me and asked if I noticed the issue as their laptop bottom plate also wasnt flush. That's when I actually checked and noticed. I guess I'd have to go to the Apple store and look at their demo units but that may just be how the two pieces fit.

Its not enough to annoy me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: The Cockney Rebel
another user DMed me and asked if I noticed the issue as their laptop bottom plate also wasnt flush. That's when I actually checked and noticed. I guess I'd have to go to the Apple store and look at their demo units but that may just be how the two pieces fit.

Its not enough to annoy me.
I’m glad it’s not annoying you.

Just make sure you make your decision, before the 14 days are up.
 
Coming from an M1 Air and ordered the 16GB/1TB Air 15. Will pick it up in the morning in-store.

The 13" Air has been great and I will miss the iconic wedge profile, but I've been wanting a larger screen for photo and video editing.

I actually went all out and bought the M2 Max MBP 16 last week but that thing is too big on my desk, let alone use on my lap. It also made my lap hot and sweaty with light use. Thought long and hard about it and I'd rather not carry around all that excess performance and so happily returned the MBP 16. Very much looking forward to the larger Air in Starlight.
 
Out of curiosity, I looked to see what Apple were offering on my 16GB/1TB 13” MBA & they only offered just over £700! I paid £1,850 for it, just a few months ago.

Anyway, I actually like the 13” form factor, and I have my 16” M2 Pro.

What colour did you get? One reviewer said that the 15” flexes a fair bit, is that so?

Hope you’re happy with your new machine.
I don’t notice any flex with it and I’m sure Apple have said that it’s a bit thicker to ensure it has stability and doesn’t flex.

I sold my base mode 13” M2 Air for £700. Paid around £1200 for it a year ago, so not bad really. Apple were only offering £500 trade in.

I got Space Grey. Love the colour.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Technerd108
How is the weight difference? Does it feel heavier than the 13" or does it feel the same because it is dispersed over a larger area? Very curious about that.

Also does it feel as solid as the 13"?

Appreciate any insight you may have.
You can definitely feel the weight difference coming from the 13", but it certainly doesn't feel heavy to me like the pros. I can still easily grab it off a desk with one hand. The bit of added weight is a small trade-off that I'm more than willing to make for this amazing screen. I wouldn't be concerned about the weight being a factor if you are on the fence about buying. It will definitely take up a bit more bag space, but is still plenty portable in my opinion.

And yes, it certainly feels solid. It's another premium product that we've all come to expect from Apple. I can honestly say that it's easily the best laptop I've ever had.
 
You can definitely feel the weight difference coming from the 13", but it certainly doesn't feel heavy to me like the pros. I can still easily grab it off a desk with one hand. The bit of added weight is a small trade-off that I'm more than willing to make for this amazing screen. I wouldn't be concerned about the weight being a factor if you are on the fence about buying. It will definitely take up a bit more bag space, but is still plenty portable in my opinion.

And yes, it certainly feels solid. It's another premium product that we've all come to expect from Apple. I can honestly say that it's easily the best laptop I've ever had.
Totally agree. I always wanted a larger screen Macbook but couldn't justify the price tag, but this is great value for what you get. Honestly can't get over how massive this thing is compared to the 13" and all my previous laptops. It's just feels enormous.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.