using --> MBP
carrying --> MBA
using and carrying a bit --> MBP
using and carrying daily --> MBA
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M2 MacBook Air or M1 Pro MacBook Pro 14” dilemma
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carrying --> MBA
using and carrying a bit --> MBP
using and carrying daily --> MBA
Exactly so your "14" MBP is the best laptop, period" statement is not accurate since it ignores the portability aspects inherent to laptops.
Its a good video. The only correction is that the base 14" also requires an upgraded power brick to get fast charging.
MBP is portable same as MBA. MBP 14' is the best laptop if I take all of this aspects under consideration.
using and carrying a bit --> MBP
using and carrying daily --> MBA
As you said in your above post, the Pro is better if you carry it infrequently and the Air is better if you carry it frequently.
however if I were to chose I would pick MBP, cause I am not traveling daily with it strapped.
I think we’re getting a bit carried away with the portability.
These systems are still significantly thinner and lighter than previous comparable generations.
The new MacBook Air is an incredibly nice everyday laptop that’s well-suited to >90% of consumers.
At the same time, .61” thick and 3.5 pounds on the 14” MacBook Pro is still extremely portable.
I still quite like the idea of a MacBook Air, but I know deep down I’d probably be making the wrong decision for my own personal use.
If someone consider M2 as portable laptop I would go with base M1 instead...
If someone wants something better then it is better to skip MBA and go after MBP instead.
What surprised me most in the Apple Store was how many MacBook Air customers were gravitating towards the 13” MacBook Pro.
I saw it happen at least two or three times in the span of a few minutes: customers that came in to look at the MacBook Air took an interest in the 13” MacBook Pro.
I heard one guy call it “more of a real computer.”
While it seems like an awkward value proposition to Apple enthusiasts like ourselves, Apple knows what they’re doing: it’s an extremely attractive computer with MacBook Pro branding and capable prosumer performance.
Even the Touch Bar is still quite cool, and I think it can be appealing to the average consumer.
I saw it happen at least two or three times in the span of a few minutes: customers that came in to look at the MacBook Air took an interest in the 13” MacBook Pro.
I heard one guy call it “more of a real computer.”
While it seems like an awkward value proposition to Apple enthusiasts like ourselves, Apple knows what they’re doing: it’s an extremely attractive computer with MacBook Pro branding and capable prosumer performance.
Even the Touch Bar is still quite cool, and I think it can be appealing to the average consumer.
What's interesting about the 13" Pro is that the M2 is literally identical inside to the M1. iFixit in one of their videos transferred the motherboard, touchID, and trackpad and in effect upgraded an M1 to an M2.
Just curious what load you’ve been putting on the MBA M2 and if you’ve run into slow performance and if so when?
Also do you have the base model?
Depends what you want the machine to do.
Carrying an MBA daily is pointless if it doesn't do the job.
Sure. I mean, if you are traveling to your office so you can run extended benchmarks bring the MBP instead.
It seems like they just slotted a M2 inside since they could.
I am curious what will replace the 13” MacBook Pro. It gets a lot of slack, but it offers sustained performance and battery life that brings out the potential of the M2 chip in a Pro-branded package at a more accessible price point. It carries a lot of appeal for the average consumer.
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If the question was asked another 2-3 months, the decision might be easier as the 14” MBP price will be lower than its current price.
The base 14” MBP is now $1750 at Best Buy and Amazon. This makes it only $50-150 more than the comparable 16GB/512GB M2 MBA.
Was it a teenager there with his mom getting him a Mac? That's so cringe and I would have laughed out loud if I heard it 🤣
If the only reason someone is considering the Air is price then the base model is the only one that makes sense. Once you start upgrading the Air it is very close to the 14" Pro in price. If someone needs more power than the base model Air then it's likely they should be considering the 14" Pro in the first place
forget the power, pro also means, better/bigger screen and speakers, like the main the thing you look at. pro motion too
About screen resolution : the M2 Air and M1 Pro are fairly close in terms of screen size, 13.6 vs 14.1.
As far as I know, native non-scaled resolution on the Pro is also a bit higher.
But, does that mean. you get more screen real estate with the Pro, or is everything just larger, a bit like what you get with the normal iPhone 13 vs the Pro Max (you can't fit more apps on one page with the Pro, everything's the same, only looks bigger)...
I've also seen some issues with ghosting on the MB Pro M1, especially when moving horizontally.
Don't know, though, if I really need the performance of the Pro. I currently have a 2015 MB Pro 15 inch (i7, Radeon graphics) and the only time my fans kick in is when I launch Google Chrome...
As far as I know, native non-scaled resolution on the Pro is also a bit higher.
But, does that mean. you get more screen real estate with the Pro, or is everything just larger, a bit like what you get with the normal iPhone 13 vs the Pro Max (you can't fit more apps on one page with the Pro, everything's the same, only looks bigger)...
I've also seen some issues with ghosting on the MB Pro M1, especially when moving horizontally.
Don't know, though, if I really need the performance of the Pro. I currently have a 2015 MB Pro 15 inch (i7, Radeon graphics) and the only time my fans kick in is when I launch Google Chrome...
I had a similar problem, except my reasoning was as follows:
- I really want the MBA for its portability
- The screen on the MBA is adequate for my needs
- I buy a well-spec'd MBA
Had the screen not been adequate my logic would have been:
- I really want the MBA for its portability
- The screen on the MBA is inadequate for my needs so I must get an MBP
- If I am not getting my portability then I want maximum power instead
- I buy a well-spec'd 14" MBP
Other considerations: On a 0% interest two-year finance deal it is worth bearing in mind that a fully-loaded MBA runs at £115.33/month and a fully-loaded 14" MBP apart from being at 2TB (tops out at 8TB) runs at £177.00/month
Also: For even better thermal performance a 16" may be considered
And one more thing: The M1 Pro models are soon to become M2 Pro models; I would feel a little upset paying full price for something that was no longer the latest and greatest a few weeks later
Bottom Line:
The reality is that the M2 is well beyond my requirements, throttled or not, and the screen is the major decider for me while I want as much portability as possible. If I am forced to carry more mass, then I want that device to compensate by being well beyond what I need, it might come in handy later or provide better resale value.
Am I buying more than I need? Yes
Is my decision making truly logical and rational? Maybe not
But that is how it went for me.
- I really want the MBA for its portability
- The screen on the MBA is adequate for my needs
- I buy a well-spec'd MBA
Had the screen not been adequate my logic would have been:
- I really want the MBA for its portability
- The screen on the MBA is inadequate for my needs so I must get an MBP
- If I am not getting my portability then I want maximum power instead
- I buy a well-spec'd 14" MBP
Other considerations: On a 0% interest two-year finance deal it is worth bearing in mind that a fully-loaded MBA runs at £115.33/month and a fully-loaded 14" MBP apart from being at 2TB (tops out at 8TB) runs at £177.00/month
Also: For even better thermal performance a 16" may be considered
And one more thing: The M1 Pro models are soon to become M2 Pro models; I would feel a little upset paying full price for something that was no longer the latest and greatest a few weeks later
Bottom Line:
The reality is that the M2 is well beyond my requirements, throttled or not, and the screen is the major decider for me while I want as much portability as possible. If I am forced to carry more mass, then I want that device to compensate by being well beyond what I need, it might come in handy later or provide better resale value.
Am I buying more than I need? Yes
Is my decision making truly logical and rational? Maybe not
But that is how it went for me.
Yup. The two reasons someone should consider the Air are low price but that only applies to the base model and portability. If weight isn't an issue and you're considering an Air above the base spec the Pro is a better option.
I was thinking along the same lines when also trying to decide. My old unibody 15” was a beast at 5.6 pounds. The M1 MBP is much lighter by comparison and not that much heavier than MBA M2 imo. That said it’s nearly double the weight of my current Macbook 12”, but 100% of my usage is at home
After close to a decade with a 15" MBP I am looking forwards to working on the thinnest and lightest machine I have so far ever owned. I have referenced my reasoning (flawed it may be) in a post about three above this one but essentially my usage requirements fit comfortably within the confines of a thermally throttled M2.
If they didn't, or if the screen was an issue, I would have had no hesitation in moving to 14" or even potentially 16" - if I cannot have ultimate portability, then I will work around that but will instead demand horsepower.