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macrumors 68040
Original poster
Mar 28, 2010
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12,404
Just some thoughts on my experience of owning both a 14" MacBook Pro 8/14 core, 16/512 (which I decided to keep) and the new M2 MacBook Air (8/8, 16/512).

Little things...
- MagSafe on the MBP is more secure than on the MBA. This is because the connector on the MBA doesn't sit flush with the enclosure since it is so thin, meaning that it actually disconnects a lot easier (though the opposite argument is that this is benefit).
- Perhaps subjective, but I prefer the key action of the MBP. The key travel is slightly longer and they bottom-out a little more softly.
- The trackpad is noticeably quieter on the MBP. The MBA's is louder and has a hollowness about it.

Display
Blooming isn't a big issue on the MBP provided you keep the screen brightness at a sensible setting, relative to the environment. But the quality... It's simply outstanding and perfectly suited for photography (one of my hustles) and video work. Those without a keen eye for colours and contrast may not notice or appreciate/require the difference, so for everything else I don't believe an owner would make use of it.

The same goes for ProMotion - this is not so much a quality of life improvement as it is a feature for video work. The adaptive refresh works really well and provides a true feel for the content's actual frame rate. Outside of creative work the UI is clearly smoother in motion, but I wouldn't consider this a 'need' over the MBA.

The increase is display size and resolution is noticeable on the MBP. It just allows you eek out more of your content, which I believe for a device of this size is important in getting as much screen estate as possible. The bezels on the MBP are also slightly slimmer.

None of this is to say that the MBA scree is a lesser component in anyway. In fact, it's actually a significant improvement over the previous generation with more colours, better contrast and higher maximum brightness.

Speakers and microphone
I find this to be an interesting area today given how our listening habits have changed. There are users who no doubt won't care what the quality of the speakers are provided they do the bare minimum for productivity; some will need high quality audio as a backup for creative content; others may use them a lot for listening to music.

One thing that is certain however; how difficult it is to put into words just how much better the MBP speakers are than than the MBA.

They sound big, full and wide, with excellent clarity and yet bass that shouldn't be so solid on a device this thin. If you're wanting to enjoy music in a small room then there's honestly no need to use a Bluetooth speaker (within a sensible distance), and the quality is good enough that I would feel confident doing some basic initial mastering for production.

Dolby Atmos is mesmerising. Combined with the XDR display, watching compatible movies is just fantastic. I have some HDR + DA movies that I've purchased and it literally does bring new life to them - specifically older titles that I have had good remasters (Top Gun, Total Recall for example)

FaceTime camera
Very good on both devices, relative to the sensor size. Performance appears very similar on both, with the MBA edging out just slightly with more natural colours and slightly better low light performance. I'm guessing this has something to do with the M2 chip. Not a deal-breaker by any means - they're both perfectly serviceable. And keep in mind that once you view the video on a larger display, for instance an iMac - the stream is almost potato quality anyway and comparable to the Studio Display.

Performance
Outside of video editing - which is not my domain, but I have played around with it - speed is virtually identical for both devices during everyday productivity (Office, iWork, Safari, email, and many apps in between). Little to no lag or waiting for anything to happen. OS updates were quicker on the MBP which is to be expected, but I honestly can't recommend M2 chip highly enough for most users.

Where the MBP was quicker in creative content (Lightroom, Photoshop, Logic Pro), it was only marginally. If you're thinking of holding out for the M2 Pro/Max I seriously wouldn't bother.

The fans on the MBP have only ever come once, during its first OS update. Other than this is has remained cool to the touch. The MBA also remains cool to the touch and again has only ever heated up during the initial setup and OS update process. As far as I'm concerned the debacle over this device 'overheating' (Thanks Max Tech! /S ) is unfounded.

Enclosure
Both devices feel as though they have thinner enclosures than the previous generations, not necessarily a bad thing but just something to keep in mind. The MBA is so thin that the back plate and keyboard plate can actually flex with enough force.

Both are absolutely beautiful both aesthetically and in engineering terms. I couldn't stop holding and looking at them, just appreciating their beauty. The MBP in particular has a slightly retro feel to it that I'm fond of.

The weight is substantially different. The MBP weighs just a touch more than the outgoing 13" model, but not to the point where it would discourage you from travelling with it. For the specs it's still an impressively compact and light device. The MBA on the other hand is so thin and light that it's an absolute joy to carry around. It's almost like an iPad! In fact it's so light it can wobble around a bit when you're typing on your lap.

Though the MBP keyboard is (in my opinion) nicer, typing does need a little settling in period because the enclosure is raised off the surface more than the MBA. If you're used to this from previous MBPs then it's a non-issue.

So, why did I choose the MBP?
I use a Mac for a number of things, including my main job (working with clients for coaching, delivering presentations) and side hustles (photography, product design). The two features that sold the MBP for me were the screen and the speakers. These are the most impressive that I've ever come across on a portable computer and they significantly gave me a leg-up when it came to editing photos, sharing video with clients and simply enjoying my music collection.

The addition of HDMI is convenient for plugging into projectors and TV whenever I travel anywhere, and means I can forget about bringing adapters. And the SD card slot makes my camera workflow a lot quicker, as well as being able to take project files from my 3D printer and audio from my audio recorder!

I will miss just how 'airy' the MBA was, though equally I'm now more aware of how overblown the concept of weight is. For its class, there really is nothing that you can compare the 14" MBP to in the Windows world when you combine the performance with the thickness and weight. It's a beautiful product and easily the best Mac notebook I think Apple has ever made. The Pro chip at 8/14 cores has completely exceeded my expectations.

Finally, the difference in pricing between the models was £180. For that additional cost I felt the additional screen improvements, speaker quality and keyboard was worth it.

Hope this was useful!
 

erasr

macrumors 6502a
Sep 18, 2007
735
624
Speakers: definitely better on MBP.
Doesn’t really matter: how often are you really playing something out of the speakers?! AirPods or HomePods all the way.

Display: exactly the same on day to day content, browsing. In fact the deeper blacks create issues when online shopping for clothes, for example. Black isn’t as well defined. Standard OLED type issue.
However, the display is better for movies, yes.
Doesn’t really matter: because I rarely watch movies on my laptop 😂 got a massive LG OLED tv for that. Same for most people. It’s a small usage %.

What else? The MBP is a chunky monkey. Not as portable as the Air. Much bigger than the last Pro’s too.

I’d pay more for portability, weight and slim design than power. Most people don’t need the Pro power at all.

In fact, my designer friend is using the M2 Air with heavy usage; Indesign, WordPress, GarageBand (he’s a drummer) all open at the same time, doing heavy design work. His Air hasn’t got hit once. It’s lightening quick.

Mine is lightening quick.

I compared mine to a colleagues M1 Pro 14 and mine loaded every website QUICKER. That’s bonkers. Websites are the most common thing we all go to on laptops. The fact that the most popular common thing is QUICKER on the M2 Air says a lot.

(Oh the keyboards are the same haha).

Overall, M2 Air is better for most people. The Pro is best for people who need that power, such as my bro who renders 3d design. Speakers are better on the Pro and display better on HDR a content (rare usage).
 

Apple Knowledge Navigator

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Mar 28, 2010
3,604
12,404
Speakers: definitely better on MBP.
Doesn’t really matter: how often are you really playing something out of the speakers?! AirPods or HomePods all the way.
Interesting view, though as mentioned it's a very personal matter. Not everyone has access to a HomePod, and in any case it may be more convenient to use the built-in speakers. For instance, of a morning I like to get my MBP open and listen to a podcast straight away from the device, whilst making breakfast. Very easy and great quality.

The MBP is a chunky monkey. Not as portable as the Air. Much bigger than the last Pro’s too.
You're mistaken.

Screenshot 2022-08-24 at 15.39.13.png


The additional thickness is negligible.

I’d pay more for portability, weight and slim design than power. Most people don’t need the Pro power at all.
As mentioned in the OP, my perspective was that of multimedia.
 

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PBMB

macrumors 6502
Mar 19, 2015
331
135
I compared mine to a colleagues M1 Pro 14 and mine loaded every website QUICKER. That’s bonkers. Websites are the most common thing we all go to on laptops. The fact that the most popular common thing is QUICKER on the M2 Air says a lot.
That should not be a surprise since the M2 beats the M1 by a comfortable margin in Speedometer 2.0. Or this is what I remember from comparisons in YouTube videos.
 
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Chateaunole-du-Pape

macrumors 6502
May 25, 2022
267
533
This is a very good, well written summary, and I think your rationale for choosing the 14" Pro is sound.

As my needs are different than yours - while I am a pretty good photographer and take a lot of nice shots when traveling, I do so almost exclusively with my iPhone these days, and don't spend much time editing them - the extra ports and SD slot, larger screen and true blacks of the Pro really aren't meaningful to me. Photography isn't something that I'd ever try to make money at, and I don't edit video at all.

Watching video on my laptop is generally limited to keeping an eye on a baseball game while my wife and I are watching something else on one of our 65" TVs, so, again, any desire for a slightly bigger, slightly better laptop screen and better speakers is outflanked by my preference for the thinner and lighter form factor of the M2 Air.

I've not owned the 14" Pro and can't comment on the feel of its keyboard or trackpad, but have to say that I'm wholly satisfied with both on the M2 Air.

Again, nice job on the clear, concise and clear-eyed review. I do think you made the right choice for yourself, just as I think I did for myself.
 
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erasr

macrumors 6502a
Sep 18, 2007
735
624
Interesting view, though as mentioned it's a very personal matter. Not everyone has access to a HomePod, and in any case it may be more convenient to use the built-in speakers. For instance, of a morning I like to get my MBP open and listen to a podcast straight away from the device, whilst making breakfast. Very easy and great quality.


You're mistaken.

View attachment 2046687

The additional thickness is negligible.


As mentioned in the OP, my perspective was that of multimedia.

Buddy, what MacBook Pro 13 are you comparing the MacBook Pro 14 to there?!

I was comparing it to the 2017, 2018 MBP, which most people had before this M1 model. The height of the 2018 MBP is 0.59 inch (1.49 cm)

Compare that to your 0.61 inch (1.55cm) MBP 14.
Much, MUCH chunkier.

(P.S, I'd personally put a podcast on my iPhone whilst having breakfast. Way to clunky to be doing it on a laptop. And also, podcast?! Sound is just fine on the Air for that stuff)
 
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Apple Knowledge Navigator

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Mar 28, 2010
3,604
12,404
Buddy, what MacBook Pro 13 are you comparing the MacBook Pro 14 to there?!
I was comparing it to the 2017, 2018 MBP, which most people had before this M1 model. The height of the 2018 MBP is 0.59 inch (1.49 cm)
You didn't specify this in your original post. You said "Much bigger than the last Pro’s too." - so I reasonably assumed you meant the previous 13" model - which is also the same enclosure as the current M2 MBP. Go to Apple's website and compare them for yourself.

Compare that to your 0.61 inch (1.55cm) MBP 14. Much, MUCH chunkier.
It's really not, if we're leaving out the hyperbole. And besides, the additional thickness allows for improvements that are subjectively better than the previous generation.

(P.S, I'd personally put a podcast on my iPhone whilst having breakfast. Way to clunky to be doing it on a laptop.
There's nothing "clunky" about opening the lid on a notebook, clicking Podcasts and then clicking Latest episode. It's actually quicker than using my iPhone, which I would rather save the battery for for the rest of the day.

And also, podcast?! Sound is just fine on the Air for that stuff)
I never said it wasn't. The argument you made was that listening to a podcast on a notebook was "clunky".
 

nvmls

Suspended
Mar 31, 2011
1,941
5,221
Speakers: definitely better on MBP.
Doesn’t really matter: how often are you really playing something out of the speakers?! AirPods or HomePods all the way.

Display: exactly the same on day to day content, browsing. In fact the deeper blacks create issues when online shopping for clothes, for example. Black isn’t as well defined. Standard OLED type issue.
However, the display is better for movies, yes.
Doesn’t really matter: because I rarely watch movies on my laptop 😂 got a massive LG OLED tv for that. Same for most people. It’s a small usage %.

What else? The MBP is a chunky monkey. Not as portable as the Air. Much bigger than the last Pro’s too.

I’d pay more for portability, weight and slim design than power. Most people don’t need the Pro power at all.

In fact, my designer friend is using the M2 Air with heavy usage; Indesign, WordPress, GarageBand (he’s a drummer) all open at the same time, doing heavy design work. His Air hasn’t got hit once. It’s lightening quick.

Mine is lightening quick.

I compared mine to a colleagues M1 Pro 14 and mine loaded every website QUICKER. That’s bonkers. Websites are the most common thing we all go to on laptops. The fact that the most popular common thing is QUICKER on the M2 Air says a lot.

(Oh the keyboards are the same haha).

Overall, M2 Air is better for most people. The Pro is best for people who need that power, such as my bro who renders 3d design. Speakers are better on the Pro and display better on HDR a content (rare usage).
Bro, we get it, you're so desperate about the M2 social acceptance, good effort.

Also, having tried it and also carrying a wedge M1, if you cared for "portability, weight and slim design than power", you've clearly missed the mark, because the M1 wedge is a piece of art vs the M2 outdated design (and notch free).
 
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Larabee119

macrumors regular
Sep 16, 2014
222
383
I've been enjoying my Macbook Pro 16 in with the M1 max 64GB RAM since launch day.
My children in college all changed to the M2 Air because they wanted the color. The most they do is word processing, some python here and there, and capture one for their photography. With bursty workload, the Air is perfectly fine for their needs.
For their needs, the perfect setup is M2 Macbook Air and 12 in M1 iPad Pro with Apple pencil. They call it the dead silent setup.
 

Asbow

macrumors regular
Aug 17, 2020
201
366
Interesting view, though as mentioned it's a very personal matter. Not everyone has access to a HomePod, and in any case it may be more convenient to use the built-in speakers. For instance, of a morning I like to get my MBP open and listen to a podcast straight away from the device, whilst making breakfast. Very easy and great quality.


You're mistaken.

View attachment 2046687

The additional thickness is negligible.


As mentioned in the OP, my perspective was that of multimedia.
When you’ve lugged a 17” MacBook Pro around they’re all light as. I prefer the thickness of the pro. The 2016 chassis put me off laptops.
 

jdb8167

macrumors 601
Nov 17, 2008
4,823
4,546
This is a very good, well written summary, and I think your rationale for choosing the 14" Pro is sound.

As my needs are different than yours - while I am a pretty good photographer and take a lot of nice shots when traveling, I do so almost exclusively with my iPhone these days, and don't spend much time editing them, so the extra ports and SD slot, larger screen and true blacks of the Pro really aren't meaningful to me. Photography isn't something that I'd ever try to make money at, and I don't edit video at all.

Watching video on my laptop is generally limited to keeping an eye on a baseball game while my wife and I are watching something else on one of our 65" TVs, so, again, any desire for a slightly bigger, slightly better laptop screen and better speakers is outflanked by my preference for the thinner and lighter form factor of the M2 Air.

I've not owned the 14" Pro and can't comment on the feel of its keyboard or trackpad, but have to say that I'm wholly satisfied with both on the M2 Air.

Again, nice job on the clear, concise and clear-eyed review. I do think you made the right choice for yourself, just as I think I did for myself.
I'm just a little confused on why this is posted in the MacBook Air forum instead of the MacBook Pro forum? It seems like he is attempting to influence MacBook Air owners for some reason. Should I go and post in the MacBook Pro forum why I bought a M2 MacBook Air instead of a 14" MacBook Pro? I'm guessing I would see a lot of pushback if I did that (I won't because I don't care what anyone buys.)
 

Jimmdean

macrumors 6502a
Mar 21, 2007
646
641
I'm just a little confused on why this is posted in the MacBook Air forum instead of the MacBook Pro forum? It seems like he is attempting to influence MacBook Air owners for some reason. Should I go and post in the MacBook Pro forum why I bought a M2 MacBook Air instead of a 14" MacBook Pro? I'm guessing I would see a lot of pushback if I did that (I won't because I don't care what anyone buys.)

Well those are the people he could help the most. No one worries about a MBP not doing the job (the real MBPs anyway), but someone looking at a MBA may not be immediately aware it can only do one external monitor, for example.
 

jdb8167

macrumors 601
Nov 17, 2008
4,823
4,546
Well those are the people he could help the most. No one worries about a MBP not doing the job (the real MBPs anyway), but someone looking at a MBA may not be immediately aware it can only do one external monitor, for example.
Except he didn't mention that the M1/M2 MacBook Air can only support one external display.

Should I go on the MacBook Pro forum and explain that the MacBook Air is almost a pound lighter and much easier to use when flying coach? Of course not. It's pretty obvious.
 

jdb8167

macrumors 601
Nov 17, 2008
4,823
4,546
I stopped reading after this.
It's OK to enjoy your MBA, it's a great computer, but if you spew out this kind of nonsense you're only going to embarass yourself.
Do you really use your MacBook speakers to listen to movies and music. I almost never do that. Even if the 14" M1 MacBook Pro speakers are the best on a notebook they'll still not be great compared to a real speaker system or high end headphones. I use my MacBook Air mostly at the office where I couldn't use the speakers even if I wanted to. In my home office, I have a high-end pair of powered speakers that I guarantee sound better than anything from any notebook.
 

nvmls

Suspended
Mar 31, 2011
1,941
5,221
Do you really use your MacBook speakers to listen to movies and music. I almost never do that. Even if the 14" M1 MacBook Pro speakers are the best on a notebook they'll still not be great compared to a real speaker system or high end headphones. I use my MacBook Air mostly at the office where I couldn't use the speakers even if I wanted to. In my home office, I have a high-end pair of powered speakers that I guarantee sound better than anything from any notebook.
Well thank god for the clarification, we can carry on with our day now.
 
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GMShadow

macrumors 68020
Jun 8, 2021
2,064
8,461
When you’ve lugged a 17” MacBook Pro around they’re all light as. I prefer the thickness of the pro. The 2016 chassis put me off laptops.

My 16” Intel feels “fine” but the 2012-2015 Retinas felt better for sure.
 

aajeevlin

macrumors 65816
Mar 25, 2010
1,427
715
Honest to me the whole discussion is really this. If you THINK you are going to need the computation power and this is your ONLY working machine and you have a limited budget then go for the MBP 14/16. But if you have another primary machine and want something just as useful but thin and light I'd go with the MBA.

Some of the reason OP have listed I don't agree, but buy whatever makes you happy. Many of the reason you have listed is really just what you think is the best and works for you.
 
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Apple Knowledge Navigator

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Mar 28, 2010
3,604
12,404
Do you really use your MacBook speakers to listen to movies and music. I almost never do that. Even if the 14" M1 MacBook Pro speakers are the best on a notebook they'll still not be great compared to a real speaker system or high end headphones. I use my MacBook Air mostly at the office where I couldn't use the speakers even if I wanted to. In my home office, I have a high-end pair of powered speakers that I guarantee sound better than anything from any notebook.
Exactly - this is your lifestyle. You have high end headphones, you have high end powered speakers. This does not reflect all users.
 
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