Choosing a macbook

[san23]

My office is buying me a macbook with a budget around the $2,500 mark (plus minus a bit should work as well). I don't have a heavy workload: I will be doing lots of word processing, browsing with multiple browsers & tabs, some Excel stuff, lots of PDFs, some PPTs and some music.

I have desktops at work and home so this will be primarily for use on travel ~ once a month
I'm confused between three models (in the specified price range): A MBP 14” with M3-pro chip OR a M3 15” MBA OR a M3 13” MBA both heavily souped up on RAM (and storage).

Weight is super-important to me so the 13" MBA is attractive but I worry that the screen may be too small to be productive (as I'm growing older; 13" was great in my younger days).

The 15” MBA seems like a good choice but is similar in weight (inside my briefcase) to the 14” MBP so that's confusing also. I make presentations from time to time so the HDMI port on the MBP is nice but 1 dongle would nullify the advantage.

Your inputs on choosing between the 3 models mentioned would help me reach a decision. Thanks much.

PS. not worried about 'latest' so I'm looking to make this purchase now.
PPS. cross-posting on the air-subforum; hope that's ok.

 

[curnalpanic]

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[smirking]

Your usage pattern fits within the "Everyday computing" category. You don't really need much in terms of horsepower. Any of the base models should work just fine. I'd choose the form factor you like, pick the amount of storage you want, and if there's any budget left over get more RAM, but these laptops perform just fine on 8GB RAM for the things you'll be doing.

Given your concerns about vision, yeah go for something 14" or 15". The 14" MBP has a ProRes screen. I don't think that's going to matter much for your needs so you don't need to factor that into your decision. Just focus on whether you want a 15" screen or an HDMI port.

Personally, I don't care for the HDMI port because I always need to carry a multi-adapter dongle anyway because I still encounter VGA projectors when I visit clients. I have a 16" M1 Pro and previously had a 15" Intel MBP (which has comparable dimensions to a 15" MBA). The weight difference is notable, but more notable is that the extra thickness makes it just a bit more awkward to carry around.

 

[specialstyle]

If the company is paying for it......... I'd look at the 14 inch MacBook pro. 13 inch MacBook no longer exists so you might be referring to an older model(?) -- if you're travelling with it I can tell you from experience that my older 15 inch MacBook was not great for travel. It's heavy, bulky, and difficult to fit into bags unless you buy something specific for it (which I refuse to do!).

I upgraded to the 14 inch MacBook pro with the M3 pro (pro chip not necessary at all) and it's been surprisingly good. Way lighter, the screen is barely smaller, bright, great battery....the whole 9 yards it's been all around a fantastic purchase. I will often stop working to tell my wife "wow I can't believe how good this thing is" and she rolls her eyes...over and over again lol.

Especially since the company is buying it... look at whatever 14 inch model fits the $2,500 budget and enjoy yourself!

 

[Sgaar]

With the need you say you have, I would go for a 15" MBA. The MBA is much thinner and noticeable lighter than a 15"MBP. The MBP gives you, on the spec sheet, a better screen, but in real life if you are just doing email, word processing and a couple of spreadsheets, it does not matter. The MBP speakers are better than MBA, but it might not matter to you. Word of the wise; stay away from the black MBA. Fingerprint magnet...

I started out with a 15" MBA but traded recently to a 15" MBP for separate reasons. I would have stayed with the MBA if it had the same horsepower as the MBP. To me the MBA formfactor is much better and the machine is overall easier to travel with.

 

[Sirious]

Agreed with @specialstyle
If you are not paying a penny (or much), go for the 14 inch MacBook Pro. You sound like a general computer user, but you will love the speed and performance of the Pro. It fairly light as well, but of course if lightness is a big priority - get the Air 13". You can customise it so much to help with your eyes etc but my 13 inch Air is perfectly scaled under defaults.

I have an Air and it's no slouch whatsoever, but I would 100% have gotten the Pro if it was in my budget. I don't always need HDMI, but I would find it very useful but learning to live with a dongle.

 

[mcpix]

I recently upgraded from a 13" M1 MacBook Pro to a 14" M3 MacBook Pro and I love it. The 13" always felt a little small, so I just used it for emails and youtube videos. The 14" for me is the perfect size for both casual and professional (photography and video) use. Plus the 14" display just looks better.