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M2 MacBook Air or M1 Pro MacBook Pro 14” dilemma
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I agree! I always prefer it when someone else buys it for me! 😎
Me, too! But it has never worked out that way for me. I have bought 3 MacBook Pro's over the years. The first two went directly to my daughter during her high school and college years. She tells me they were nice. The third one is all mine! I have had for two days now and I love it. Up until this point, I have had iMac's for my use and I have really enjoyed them. I chose to go the M1 MacBook Pro route over the new M2 MacBook Air. The M1 Pro will suit my needs just fine.
You don’t buy a laptop because it’s lighter or thinner. You buy it because of your professional needs. It’s not like you are running a marathon with a laptop strapped on your back that you need to be concerned about it’s weight and thinness. It’s a tool.
And if your needs, personal or professional, are met by a lighter, lower-cost machine, why would you buy the heavier, more expensive one that has little advantage other than power that you cannot use?
This isn't like the dilemma I faced in 2009, when the MacBook Air had not only serious technical shortcomings relative to the unibody MacBook Pro but also a much higher price tag. Back then, I chose a heavier, but more capable and less expensive machine. This time, I'll get all the power I could possibly need, 16 GB of RAM, 1 TB of storage (double what the base 14" Pro offers, and a feature that I can actually use), in a thinner, lighter, less expensive package.
50% is a pretty notable difference.
I too am stuck with this dilemma. I could benefit from the Pro performance and I’m a huge display nerd/enthusiast, but I could easily fall for the features and design of the Air.
I’ll most likely stick with the 14” Pro. A wild card popped up for the 16” especially coming from the 15” Pro that makes it more appealing, but I think the 14” checks more boxes. I might just upgrade to the better M1 Pro chip so there’s less potential buyer’s remorse when Apple releases the M2 Pro.
The new M2 chip will have more then enough power for most users, but if you need extra power/performance, then get the M1 Pro.
If the M2 suites your professional needs - a lighter and thinner body will be nice bonus.
50% of less than a 1/4 inch? Use a tape measure and look that distance, you won't notice it.
In my mind, the size/portability factor in determining whether to get an MacBook Pro M1 14 vs. M2 MacBook Air is a bit ridiculous. The physical differences between the two are minimal. The purchase should be based on performance expectations alone. Just get what best suits your performance needs. The physical dimensions of these two models really should be a non factor except in extreme situations.
When making a pros/cons list, one of the only pros to the air is the size so people place an irrationally high weight to that because it doesn’t have anything else besides battery life and cost which are objectively marginal benefits.
The battery life is amazing on the M1 Air and Pro, but as long as the 14” Pro goes long enough on a charge to where I don’t have to think about it, it’s not super relevant.
I think how long you are planning to keep a device also counts in decisions about which to order. Will there be software in the next several years that won't run on a M1? Who knows
Very valid point. But seeing how the M1 Pro 14 has been available from Apple for less than a year, I would expect that software updates would be made available for quite some time.
For me personally it's too early to answer the question of 14" Macbook M1 Pro vs Macbook Air M2 until we've seen some reviews and benchmarks post release/press embargo. Specifically the questions surrounding the battery life of M2 Air vs M1 Pro and how hard the M2 chip will throttle in the newly updated ,passively cooled, Macbook Air chassis under heavier sustained workloads.
I'd also want to see both next to each other in store before deciding so I can compare the displays and weight/ergonomics.
I'd also want to see both next to each other in store before deciding so I can compare the displays and weight/ergonomics.
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It’s true from that perspective, but when it’s the entire volume of the device then 50% is a major difference that will be noticeable.
That being said, I wouldn’t put too much weight behind it and would rather consider the other pros and cons. .66” is still ridiculously thin. I remember when .95” was stupid thin.
I’m a sucker for design like the MacBook Air taper, and admittedly would have factored that into the decision had they given it a more traditional design. It’s incredible that we’re getting to the point where even an Air should be capable and suitable for most workflows. I wasn’t sure when all we had was specialized low-power Intel processors that we’d ever see that day.
I end up back at the MacBook Pro every time, as it has the XDR display and the best sustained performance. I had considered an iMac since I don’t need the portability but the Pro is more appealing.
How would you like to have my dilemma, I have had a wrapped up new MBP for two weeks now, waiting to see the new Air! LOL... torture!
pretty sure ill keep the Pro, but just making sure...
pretty sure ill keep the Pro, but just making sure...
You have impeccable self control.
it is bulbous and chunky. I have the M1 Pro 16" and it is worse. otherwise, fantastic device.
agree, unless you wish to use multiple 4K+ monitors or you want to unlock a wider range of scaled resolutions on an ultra wide...I capitulated and went with the M1 Pro 16" to use alongside my LG 34" 5K2K.
The screen tech is good but not essential for me and I have an 16" M1 Pro. If Apple came out with something thinner and lighter sans Pro Motion, I would totally swap. The 14" M1 Pro battery life is crappy compared to the 13" M1 MBP and the 16" M1 Pro. I also think the extra ports are useless for 95% of users. I don't need an SD card reader and have never used HDMI. Regarding weight, the M1 Pro's are chunky and heavy. I'd opt for the lighter version no matter what if you intend to use it outside of home regularly. All said, I went with the M1 Pro because I needed higher scaled resolutions when connecting to my 34" 5K2K.
the battery on the 14" is not sufficient, I ended up going with the 16" partly because of the better battery life. I came from the 13" M1 MBP which has amazing battery life.
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I have the 16 and it's large and heavy, I've taken it outside my home just once and I've had it for months. I was contemplating taking it on an 10-day international trip, placed it in my backpack the night before, and found it too heavy...didn't want to deal with having to take it out and onto a tray during security check-in, also was concerned it would be too big to fit in standard hotel safes. Ultimately just took my 11" iPP and was glad that I did.