Just ordered 15" after using 13" MacBooks in the past. I tend to use MacBooks for long time and my eyes are not getting any younger. This will be my primary computer at home and I don't use external monitors. Despite the bigger size, it's thinner and feels lighter than my current 2015 13" MacBook Pro and when I travel, I can just take my IPad with portable keyboard.
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Did you go for the 15” or 13” MacBook Air and why?
- Thread starter helloapple1
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I bought the 15" version Friday. I can't help but think the 13" would be so nice just to carry around and travel with when needed. Can't decide if I should trade, or cough up the funds and just have both.
I went with 13" version. I was going back and forth which to get. I finally decided to get 13" it is more portable and the 15" has a better chance to damage if I use it as a portable Mac.
I opted for a 15" M4 this time around to replace my 13" M2 MBA. The 13" screen has felt more and more cramped for space to me over time and that had become routinely annoying. So far, the 15" screen feels very spacious. While I have a 32" 4k monitor in my office, I mostly use the machine on my lap.
The 15" MBA fits in both my bags (ThinkTank Photo Retrospective 30 v2.0 and Waterfield Air Porter) so that part is good. I haven't travelled with the larger machine yet, but I am mostly just transporting it from one fairly stable location to the next so its extra 10 ounces of weight shouldn't be too bad to manage. If I really want to go light I have an M1 iPad Air with a magic keyboard case that I can use.
The 15" MBA fits in both my bags (ThinkTank Photo Retrospective 30 v2.0 and Waterfield Air Porter) so that part is good. I haven't travelled with the larger machine yet, but I am mostly just transporting it from one fairly stable location to the next so its extra 10 ounces of weight shouldn't be too bad to manage. If I really want to go light I have an M1 iPad Air with a magic keyboard case that I can use.
I just went to the Apple Store to play around with the 13” model and I find it extremely cramped, but mind you I own a 15 inch M3 MacBook Air.
I was thinking of switching to the 13 inch but I don’t think I should.
I was thinking of switching to the 13 inch but I don’t think I should.
Once you use a 15" MacBook Air, you get used to the roomy screen and find it hard to adjust to anything less. That said, you do get occasionally annoyed with how wide the laptop can be physically.
Once you use a 13" MacBook Air, you get used to how easy it is to carry and how comfortable it is to use in tight spaces and find it hard to adjust to anything else. That said, you do get occasionally annoyed with how crammed the laptop screen can seem.
Once you use a 14" MacBook Pro, you get used to the crisp screen and Pro Motion, and find it hard to adjust. That said, you do get occasionally annoyed at how thick the laptop is (relative to the other options) and the fact that you may have a computer with specs and power you paid for but you never use.
I've been using my M2 Starlight a lot more the past week ahead of my decision. I overbought the last one, with 16GB RAM and 1 TB storage. I don't use much storage on my laptop, so 256GB is fine. I am debating between the two base models. The more I use the screen on the 15", the more I think the screen size is the key differentiator for me versus 13 inch iPads.
This post sums up the whole thread. Thank you
I would have like the screen size of the 15", but the 13" was always the ideal size for traveling. I find working on those tiny tables on the planes much easier with a 13" laptop. Especially the awkwardness of working around the center-seat's armrest.
Well, I have to eat my words. I was checking out the 13- and 15-inch MacBook Airs at Costco ($50 discount on both), I stumbled over a special on a 14-inch MacBook Pro with 12-core M4 Pro chip, 24GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for $1749. Since the MacBook Air I was seriously interested in - the 15-inch model with 24/512 - was $1549, I spent the extra $200 for the faster processor, better screen and speakers, and additional connectivity.
Glad I have not yet owned a 120hz laptop
I have had 2 ProMotion iPads now (2017 13" and 2021 M1 11" Pro's) and one iPhone (14 pro max) with ProMotion.
I can deal with it with MacBook Air screens, iPad mini 7, and iPhone 16 plus
i have both. 15” is spacious but the exterior is not big (due to its thinness). I use 14” case which still fits perfectly. I gave 13” to my son as I like bigger screen and better speaker.
I tossed this decision around for a loooong time. I'd love the brightness and pro-motion screen the MBP, but don't need the extra grunt or appreciate the extra weight. The 15" MBA seemed appealing, but the bigger footprint just seemed annoying and would discourage me from taking it places. I'm also a fan of an external monitor when sitting in for a session.
So, after much ummm-ing and arrrr-ing, I am now the owner of a 13" M4 MBA 512GB, 24GB.
So, after much ummm-ing and arrrr-ing, I am now the owner of a 13" M4 MBA 512GB, 24GB.
If I didn’t already have a 13-inch M2 iPad Air, that’s exactly the Mac laptop that I would own right now. It’s a great choice.
I just got my 13” 16/512 M4 Air this week. I have always loved small laptops. A 12” PowerBook got me all through college, which was replaced by an 11” Air when I started teaching, replaced by another 11” Air, then a 13” M1. I tote my laptops for work around a lot, and having something small and light to carry with me is my priority. I also like the smaller footprint on my desk.
Heck I still use my 12” rMB at home all the time.
Heck I still use my 12” rMB at home all the time.
Their 24GB/512GB option is the sweet spot, although I would upgrade the storage to 1TB, and Im sure it will easily hold for the next 7+ years.
As for 32GB RAM, I think for most people it’s a waste unless you know you need it for a certain program/use.
If the MBA was my primary machine, I'd go 15" for sure. But I went 13" because I use my Mac mini & Studio Display in most situations. My MBA is for my bedroom and kitchen. My (cellular) 11" iPad Pro w/Magic Keyboard is for when I leave my home.
Okay, so I kind of caved. I got tired of my vacillating. I just went into the Apple store and got the M4 16gb/1TB model. I've been working on it for a few hours. Even though I've used M-series 15 MBA before there are few things that are striking.
1. Keyboard/spacing makes typing much easier.
2. I forgot how much more usable screen real estate there is (which definitely helps older eyes).
3. M4 is definitely faster than M3. This M4 MBA is easily faster than my M3 MBP.
4. I'm not sure how much of a downgrade the speakers are.
I need to take a week to test this thing out and get a sense of the battery life. I have no idea if I'm keeping it. On the initial cut, it's doing a lot better than I expected.
1. Keyboard/spacing makes typing much easier.
2. I forgot how much more usable screen real estate there is (which definitely helps older eyes).
3. M4 is definitely faster than M3. This M4 MBA is easily faster than my M3 MBP.
4. I'm not sure how much of a downgrade the speakers are.
I need to take a week to test this thing out and get a sense of the battery life. I have no idea if I'm keeping it. On the initial cut, it's doing a lot better than I expected.
While we are on this topic, what exactly does 32gb of ram get us? I assume it means the MBA has more ram to devote to graphics for say, some particularly demanding game? Any other potential use cases that might need that much memory?