If you're on the fence: Here's why I chose the 14" M1 Pro MBP over the M2 MBA

[resolutiontime]

I will continue to bang this drum: The 14" MBP is a perfect mix in portability between the M2 Air and the 16" MBP. It's thinner than the 16" M1 but a little thicker than the M2 Air.

Of all the new Apple Silicon Macs, the 14 Pro is probably my favorite because of how pleasant it is to carry around while still having all the power of my identically specced 16" work machine. It kind of reminds me of a thin hardback book or my old Speak N Spell from the 80s.

How is it perfect mix if it has the worse battery life of the 3 laptops you mentioned (MBP 14, 16 and MBA M2)?

Battery life is essential for a portable laptop in 22'.

 

[fisherking]

I will continue to bang this drum: The 14" MBP is a perfect mix in portability between the M2 Air and the 16" MBP. It's thinner than the 16" M1 but a little thicker than the M2 Air.

Of all the new Apple Silicon Macs, the 14 Pro is probably my favorite because of how pleasant it is to carry around while still having all the power of my identically specced 16" work machine. It kind of reminds me of a thin hardback book or my old Speak N Spell from the 80s.

so... you like your 14" pro. i'm happy with my M2 air. someone else loves their 16" pro, and others enjoy their M1 air. and so on. seems there's options for everyone, and all this 'this is what i like and therefore it's the best' arguments are... ridiculous (am not accusing you of this). there's just so much of that kind of thinking on the forum...

 

[patmondal]

Hope this was useful!

Very useful!

I have M1 MBA and was trying to decide between keeping it, upgrading to M2 MB or MBP. I really want Magsafe and hate the dongle/USB-C 5-in-1 or 7-in-1 adapters. Was leaning towards the MBP cause of th HDMI.
Sadly, trade-in for the M1 MBA isn't worth much. Hopefully a newer M2 Pro MBP comes out soon. I might go for that.

Or just stay with what I have. The easist action is inaction.

 

[usagora]

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.

I wouldn't say a 4% increase in thickness is "much, MUCH chunkier". We're talking about two hundredths of an inch difference, which is about the thickness of 5-6 sheets of standard 20-lb. letter-size printer paper.

 

[joanbcn91]

Many of the users who now praise the MBP, in a month, when the MBP M2Pro goes on sale will say it is still better for the price 😂.

 

[spiderman0616]

so... you like your 14" pro. i'm happy with my M2 air. someone else loves their 16" pro, and others enjoy their M1 air. and so on. seems there's options for everyone, and all this 'this is what i like and therefore it's the best' arguments are... ridiculous (am not accusing you of this). there's just so much of that kind of thinking on the forum...

Of course! For me, just depends on the day. I kind of have to keep my work and personal computing separate due to the sensitive information I deal with daily, so if I truly need to do my job away from the office, the 16" goes in my bag. If I'm doing personal stuff but really need macOS, the 14" goes with me. Otherwise it's either my iPad or iPhone.

I think the Apple ecosystem works best when you have at least one of each device category active. But a lot of people think that means you need the BEST one of each category, and that is 100% not true. I buy the best model for the one or two devices I use daily. The rest I'll usually go base model or mid tier.

 

[spiderman0616]

How is it perfect mix if it has the worse battery life of the 3 laptops you mentioned (MBP 14, 16 and MBA M2)?

Battery life is essential for a portable laptop in 22'.

Battery life has not been a problem once so far, and I rarely use this machine on a charger. It has the "worse" battery life of the three, but that doesn't mean it has awful battery life.

 

[fisherking]

Of course! For me, just depends on the day. I kind of have to keep my work and personal computing separate due to the sensitive information I deal with daily, so if I truly need to do my job away from the office, the 16" goes in my bag. If I'm doing personal stuff but really need macOS, the 14" goes with me. Otherwise it's either my iPad or iPhone.

I think the Apple ecosystem works best when you have at least one of each device category active. But a lot of people think that means you need the BEST one of each category, and that is 100% not true. I buy the best model for the one or two devices I use daily. The rest I'll usually go base model or mid tier.

never owned an ipad, never wanted one. and my GF has a *gasp* android phone. but am happy in the walled garden, and love moving files back & forth with my macbook and imac using universal control (my fave new feature).

lots of apple toys to choose from....

 

[spiderman0616]

never owned an ipad, never wanted one. and my GF has a *gasp* android phone. but am happy in the walled garden, and love moving files back & forth with my macbook and imac using universal control (my fave new feature).

lots of apple toys to choose from....

I could get by just fine with just my Mac and iPhone, honestly. The iPad is probably the most superfluous device in my lineup, but I do love it for reading and notetaking with the Pencil.

 

[fisherking]

I could get by just fine with just my Mac and iPhone, honestly. The iPad is probably the most superfluous device in my lineup, but I do love it for reading and notetaking with the Pencil.

it's been so long for me, i can barely write anymore (and wasn't so good at it before the ipad era) 🤣

plus, i've been reading books on my iphone since forever (& before that on various palm organizers) 🤯

 

[kp98077]

it's been so long for me, i can barely write anymore (and wasn't so good at it before the ipad era) 🤣

plus, i've been reading books on my iphone since forever (& before that on various palm organizers) 🤯

You still liking that base Air?

 

[kngelv]

The jealousy of Pro owners is incredible. As soon as they saw the unveil of the M2 Air they’ve been like this ever since.

The M2 Air was their dream laptop. It has everything and nothing on it is poor.

They don’t actually use their speakers that often and the display only comes into play on HDR video.

No, most of us don’t use Final Cut Pro. So that’s a moot point, unless you are a seriously heavy user.

Air wins, quite easily. The fact it loads websites quicker is hilarious.

The insecurity you have shown on this and other threads is the hilarious thing. You keep lying about the screen because you just want to be right. Again as I said in the other thread where you are crying/lying. It is a simple fact that the 14" MBP has a better screen than the MBA 2 on ALL content. Just because you supposedly can't see it does not make it untrue. There are plenty of reasons to buy either one of these. There are also a bunch of us who find comparison/discussion posts helpful. I for one am looking at a new laptop and these are the two I have been debating.

James

 

[jdb8167]

it's been so long for me, i can barely write anymore (and wasn't so good at it before the ipad era) 🤣

I just had to fill out a paper form for a driver's license renewal. My handwriting looked like a 1st grader's. Embarrassing. It makes me think I should practice writing but then that seems like such a waste of time.

 

[cygy2k]

The insecurity you have shown on this and other threads is the hilarious thing. You keep lying about the screen because you just want to be right. Again as I said in the other thread where you are crying/lying. It is a simple fact that the 14" MBP has a better screen than the MBA 2 on ALL content. Just because you supposedly can't see it does not make it untrue. There are plenty of reasons to buy either one of these. There are also a bunch of us who find comparison/discussion posts helpful. I for one am looking at a new laptop and these are the two I have been debating.

James

I have both the 14 mini led and Air M2. The screen is different and better in certain scenarios but I actually hate the 14 Pro for web browsing. The constant shadow around the entire screen from the mini led is far more distracting to my eyes than any other difference between the two. I notice it far more than ProMotion, HDR, etc.

And no, I don't have a defective unit. I've compared mine to about 15 other 14 Pros and mine actually has less of a shadow than most.

Not trying to pick a side, just show that every device has it's tradeoffs and those pros/cons of one might far outweigh things for somebody else.

I happen to like my M2 Air for more general computing due to weight, thinness, screen not having a shadow, and overall usability.

The 14 Pro is better for others that need power, HDR, blinding brightness outdoors, or need better in-device speakers.

 

[fisherking]

I just had to fill out a paper form for a driver's license renewal. My handwriting looked like a 1st grader's. Embarrassing. It makes me think I should practice writing but then that seems like such a waste of time.

right. well, my handwriting looked like a 1st grader's before i abandoned paper. 😳

now, it looks like a doctor's 🤪

 

[fisherking]

You still liking that base Air?

yeah, it's great. fast, stable. easy to carry with one hand. bright screen. love having the fingerprint signin. i have no complaints 👍

 

[Misheemee]

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!

Great write up and use case call-outs, thanks for sharing

 

[kp98077]

yeah, it's great. fast, stable. easy to carry with one hand. bright screen. love having the fingerprint signin. i have no complaints 👍

Sweet!

 

[darthbane2k]

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!

 

[DavidChoux]

I have both the 14 mini led and Air M2. The screen is different and better in certain scenarios but I actually hate the 14 Pro for web browsing. The constant shadow around the entire screen from the mini led is far more distracting to my eyes than any other difference between the two. I notice it far more than ProMotion, HDR, etc.

And no, I don't have a defective unit. I've compared mine to about 15 other 14 Pros and mine actually has less of a shadow than most.

Not trying to pick a side, just show that every device has it's tradeoffs and those pros/cons of one might far outweigh things for somebody else.

I happen to like my M2 Air for more general computing due to weight, thinness, screen not having a shadow, and overall usability.

The 14 Pro is better for others that need power, HDR, blinding brightness outdoors, or need better in-device speakers.

Are the blacks more crushed on the 14" Pro compared to the new Air (especially at low brightness)?

 

[Dealmans]

How is it perfect mix if it has the worse battery life of the 3 laptops you mentioned (MBP 14, 16 and MBA M2)?

Battery life is essential for a portable laptop in 22'.

so Is a power point unless live in the jungle

 

[Dealmans]

I have both the 14 mini led and Air M2. The screen is different and better in certain scenarios but I actually hate the 14 Pro for web browsing. The constant shadow around the entire screen from the mini led is far more distracting to my eyes than any other difference between the two. I notice it far more than ProMotion, HDR, etc.

And no, I don't have a defective unit. I've compared mine to about 15 other 14 Pros and mine actually has less of a shadow than most.

Not trying to pick a side, just show that every device has it's tradeoffs and those pros/cons of one might far outweigh things for somebody else.

I happen to like my M2 Air for more general computing due to weight, thinness, screen not having a shadow, and overall usability.

The 14 Pro is better for others that need power, HDR, blinding brightness outdoors, or need better in-device speakers.

Never seen this shadow myself, lack of pro motion is a killer

 

[erasr]

The insecurity you have shown on this and other threads is the hilarious thing. You keep lying about the screen because you just want to be right. Again as I said in the other thread where you are crying/lying. It is a simple fact that the 14" MBP has a better screen than the MBA 2 on ALL content. Just because you supposedly can't see it does not make it untrue. There are plenty of reasons to buy either one of these. There are also a bunch of us who find comparison/discussion posts helpful. I for one am looking at a new laptop and these are the two I have been debating.

James

Point made. Ruffled feathers.

The displays are barely no different in everyday use. Stop talking nonsense. Many, many people who have both say the same thing. The margin in day to day content is minimal.

I've said time and time again, the Pro is better when watching HDR video, with it's better speakers and display.

Overall, the speed of the Air on web pages (faster than the Pro) and the form factor wins out. I stand by the fact that many Pro owners will have felt slightly envious when the M2 Air was unveiled. And no, most people can't and won't just buy both or sell their Pro for the Air.

I'm helping people decide on which to get. This is an Air forum. Most of us here all believe the Air is a better product to buy, for various legitimate reasons — many of which I have laid out in bullet point format in other posts.

 

[erasr]

Never seen this shadow myself, lack of pro motion is a killer

"Lack of 'Pro Motion' is a killer" 😂😂😂

The human eye doesn't even see the difference over 60Hz. Again, there is zero difference in day to day work between the two, e.g viewing websites, using work apps.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

The displays are barely no different in everyday use.

You've clearly missed the point. High dynamic range ('XDR') isn't a feature that's purposed for everyday use on these devices, but is included to support the creation and consumption of content. As a professional, having truer blacks brighter highlights provides more accuracy even for print, which is my domain.

For instance unless you've had the experience of taking medium format photographs (which have a significantly higher dynamic range than most other mediums), scanning negatives, adjusting them digitally and then printing them to large format luxe paper, you won't appreciate how important it is to get that extra percentage of accuracy. The problem even with traditional monitors is that you have to make concessions in order to get the output how you want it.

Overall, the speed of the Air on web pages (faster than the Pro)

Yes, you've made this point several times.

and the form factor wins out

- for one demographic.

I stand by the fact that many Pro owners will have felt slightly envious when the M2 Air was unveiled.

So you've backtracked. Your comments started off with hyperbole, but now owners only feel 'slightly' envious.
This is besides the point anyway since M2 Pro et al will be unveiled one day, which for the customers who need those chips, will be the next upgrade.

I'm helping people decide on which to get.

I almost spilt my coffee reading that.

No, you're not. You've come to this thread with conjecture and a clear dislike of anyone who doesn't agree with your opinion. Had you made your thoughts known in a mature manner then we couldn't be having this conversation.