Flying economy class: 14'' and 16'' impressions?

[teh_hunterer]

Here’s how I would approach the decision:
1. What do I use theMac for when traveling?
2. What are the must have capabilities/
3. Can the iPad do all those things I will need to do when traveling?

If yes to 3:

4. Is an 11 inch screen big enough?

If yes, then use the 11.

If no, go with the Pro.

If no to 3, will the Pro do it?

None of this is really mission critical to me, so it's just about what would be the best experience. I am thinking 11" iPad for the airport and the plane, and the 14" MacBook for the hotel room, watching stuff in bed, typing. The 11" is just a tad too small to be the everything device for a whole trip, but it's fine for a plane.

Or potentially the 12.9" iPad Pro to just do it all - smart folio case for the airport and plane, magic keyboard for heavier duty use in the hotel room, watching stuff in bed, typing.

The more I use this 12.9" I just purchased, the more I think I might return it. It's beautiful, jaw dropping almost, but it's just a tad too big and unwieldy. I think the 4:3 aspect ratio also contributes to that. If they made a 12" iPad with the same aspect ratio as the 11", videos would appear the same size as they do on the current 12.9", without having to be so tall, and you'd save a bit of size and weight.

Or maybe I just stick with the 11" for everything and I use the extra weight and space to bring a Nintendo Switch and a book. The indecision lol...

 

[julesme]

Did you end up taking it on a plane after all? I'm tossing up whether to bring my 14" MacBook, my 11" iPad, or get an 12.9" iPad Pro for travel.

I used my 14” MBP last week on a plane for a few minutes. It worked great placing it on the tray table, but it was an exit row, so there was a lot of space between my row and the seat in front of me. Overall, I can recommend using the 14” MBP for work-related / important things that require the MBP.

For light email, web browsing, or watching movies, I would recommend using the 11” iPad Pro because the size works better in the airplane row (and it fits easily in the seatback pocket).

 

[Zest28]

16" is too small to work on. I bring my iMac on the plane.

 

[AppleFanatic10]

I'm on an economy class seat right now with my 14' MBP and I can tell you if the person in front reclines back you'll barely have room to type on. The lady next to me has the same MBP and the person is not reclined in front of her and she's typing away just fine.

 

[Melbourne Park]

I don't bother. Feeling secure in business flying from Australia, my MacBook in my carry-on secure overhead. No problems. Until leaving the plane someone had shuffled my carry-on and my MacBook bent.

In economy what does one do with a MacBook when they give you a meal? If one is on a window you can stick it in the gap - and then forget it when you leave the plane. Ever forgotten something and tried to get it back after leaving? Impossible.

The solution?

I don't have one.

 

[Admiral]

I'm looking for a new Mac and being able to work on a plane is a big factor for me.

I own a 13'' M1 MBP from last year, and my impressions so far have been ranging from "pretty comfortable to work on" to "I can barely cram it into the available space". Sometimes I even had to put the keyboard on my belly and semi-close the laptop to fit it, depending on the airline.

I was wondering, how do you 14'' and 16'' owners find working on them while flying economy class?

I had the 12" MacBook long, long ago and it was nearly perfect in economy and business.

 

[EugW]

I had the 12" MacBook long, long ago and it was nearly perfect in economy and business.

It actually fits below the seat vertically too.