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!
