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M2 MacBook Air vs M1 Pro MacBook Pro 14”


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Frankly, the MacBook Pro has the same issue as modern-day iPhones where it would be just about perfect if the display didn't use PWM.

The MacBook Air is fine and suited for the average consumer. The 14" MacBook Pro is amazing and well-suited to professionals and enthusiasts.
 
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I have the 16" 14" and the M2 Air. They are all great and I've given my opinion here trying to cut through some of the misinformation. My basic points and usage scenarios.

1. 16" - It's amazing. Huge beautiful screen. Incredible sound. All the ports you want. Amazing battery life. It's really a perfect machine. I can't say anything bad about it. Only drawback: it's a BEAST. It's a big boy. When you take it somewhere, you are schlepping it. It's a chore.

2. 14". A great computer. In the middle. In some ways you might think because it's in the middle so it's just the right porridge. But in other ways it doesn't excel in anything. The screen is still smaller. And the battery life is NOT great, just acceptable. Is it in the perfect middle or is just middling? I can't decide. If you do get the 14" carefully consider your specs - the Max configuration and 32 or 64 gb will hit your battery life very badly.

3. M2 Air - Forget about the numbers that make it seem not much different than the 14". It's a completely different 'feel.' Wonderfully light body just makes you want to pick it up. Battery life is very comparable to the 16" MBP. But it doesn't have that 16" screen.[ And the screen is not as good as the 14" but not that far off - maybe 75% as good.] Or audio . Or all the ports. Oh one odd thing about it - it has a very different feeling keyboard - much more pleasant and bouncy than the 14" or 16" MBP. I don't know if this is a function of the thinner chassis or a new keyboard mechanism. I hope the latter and that it's brought to the M2 MBP series. I'd love that keyboard on the 16" M2 MPB. Apple are you listening? That would be an instant buy.

In any case - I'm hoping this helps people choose. I have no investment or really care what people get and not rooting for any machine. Whatever works for you is right.
We’ll said! All serve various purposes!
 
Yes, I don’t think the refresh rate affects the PWM. The only setting that might help is Limit Luminance with one of the custom display presets, but I’m still having issues with it today.
Here's one more question for you. How do you know the problem is PWM vs just eye strain from being on ANY computer too long? I'm getting a little of it and I tend to think it's just my age (and body) telling me it's time to time a break from screens...
 
I have the 16" 14" and the M2 Air. They are all great and I've given my opinion here trying to cut through some of the misinformation. My basic points and usage scenarios.

3. M2 Air - Forget about the numbers that make it seem not much different than the 14". It's a completely different 'feel.' Wonderfully light body just makes you want to pick it up. Battery life is very comparable to the 16" MBP. But it doesn't have that 16" screen.[ And the screen is not as good as the 14" but not that far off - maybe 75% as good.] Or audio .

A good post from someone who has both.

For some reason, Pro owners can’t accept what I’m about to say; whilst browsing websites, there’s really not much ‘in it’ in display quality between M2 Air and 14 Pro.

I literally have both laptops in front of me right now (thanks to my brother bringing his round).

Yes on HDR content, there’s a difference. Pro is superior. Speakers are better.

But in normal everyday work, browsing websites, using typical work apps, the display different is minimal. Very minimal.

What’s your opinion on that? In basic usage, looking at websites, watching basic YouTube stuff, would you agree that there’s very little in it between the two displays?
 
how about comparing the 12 inch ipad Pro screen. To me the ipad screen does look both better and brighter over the m2 air.
 
Bestbuy and Costco currently has the base 14" MBP for $1599.
Thanks. I was considering M2 Air, but after comparing the spec I wanted. I ended up with M1 pro base. I bought one at 1799 at Best Buy 10 days ago, and I'm going back to Best Buy for price adjustment.
 
MBP 14" , base model is $1,599 USD at Costco, Best Buy and Amazon...Yikes, I may end up buying a MBP 14" at this price.

I better get used to the 6 or 7 hour battery life...
 
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MBP 14" , base model is $1,599 USD at Costco, Best Buy and Amazon...Yikes, I may end up buying a MBP 14" at this price.

I better get used to the 6 or 7 hour battery life...
I'm using MBP14 right now. Time remaining is 10h48m, charge is 77%, brightness value is halfway, low-power mode is enabled.

My return period ends soon. I wish MBP were smaller and less massive. But, compared with MBP, the specs for MBA just aren't so much better? That's my experience, based on Apple Store trials.
 
I'm using MBP14 right now. Time remaining is 10h48m, charge is 77%, brightness value is halfway, low-power mode is enabled.

My return period ends soon. I wish MBP were smaller and less massive. But, compared with MBP, the specs for MBA just aren't so much better? That's my experience, based on Apple Store trials.
I'm not quite following what you're saying. I'm in the same situation and am likely to keep the 14... I really like the extra screen real estate and speakers... What are you going to do?
 
I'm not quite following what you're saying. I'm in the same situation and am likely to keep the 14... I really like the extra screen real estate and speakers... What are you going to do?
I'm coming from 11.6-in MBA -- so, in my eyes, *all* the latest MacBooks are way too big.

I kinda see the difference in display quality but not terribly much -- I see the blacks being deeper but ProMotion just totally goes over my head. I'd be willing to go for MBA display if, for instance, the diagonal measurement were closer to 11.6in.

MBP having better options for RAM is a big selling point for me.

For the past couple days I've gone to Apple Store, looking for reasons to return MBP14 in favor of MBA. I've not yet found a really good reason. In my eyes, MBA stands out for being lightweight and, perhaps, for nothing else... Yes MBA *is* a more comfortable lap experience -- but it's not as if MBP14 is unusable. For each computer, I'm able to hold it atop my left forearm and type with my right hand... MBP14 also fits in my backpack, which is small. So it's not as if the device is *huge* -- the size difference between 14.2in and 11.6in is just so very striking.

I've not yet heard MBP14 fans come on yet. Do kind readers have any comment, any horror stories about fans? I wonder how it feels when MBA resorts to thermal throttling.

Notebookcheck review is nice. This link leads easily to MBP14 pages too. https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Air-M2-Entry-Review-A-very-good-but-too-expensive-daily-MacBook.636637.0.html

As for me -- gonna go back to Apple Store yet again (return period still is active lol). Probably gonna keep MBP. Albeit with some reluctance.

Also worth noting: Battery replacement costs 199 USD for MBP14 and 129 USD for MBA.
 
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I started a thread on this, but I thought I would add to this thread that I've been following. The 14 Pro is discounted down to $1599 at Best Buy in the US right now - $100 cheaper than an M2 16/512... No brainer for me, as I've been sitting on the fence for while on this.
 
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I'm coming from 11.6-in MBA -- so, in my eyes, *all* the latest MacBooks are way too big.

I kinda see the difference in display quality but not terribly much -- I see the blacks being deeper but ProMotion just totally goes over my head. I'd be willing to go for MBA display if, for instance, the diagonal measurement were closer to 11.6in.

MBP having better options for RAM is a big selling point for me.

For the past couple days I've gone to Apple Store, looking for reasons to return MBP14 in favor of MBA. I've not yet found a really good reason. In my eyes, MBA stands out for being lightweight and, perhaps, for nothing else... Yes MBA *is* a more comfortable lap experience -- but it's not as if MBP14 is unusable. For each computer, I'm able to hold it atop my left forearm and type with my right hand... MBP14 also fits in my backpack, which is small. So it's not as if the device is *huge* -- the size difference between 14.2in and 11.6in is just so very striking.

I've not yet heard MBP14 fans come on yet. Do kind readers have any comment, any horror stories about fans? I wonder how it feels when MBA resorts to thermal throttling.

Notebookcheck review is nice. This link leads easily to MBP14 pages too. https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Air-M2-Entry-Review-A-very-good-but-too-expensive-daily-MacBook.636637.0.html

As for me -- gonna go back to Apple Store yet again (return period still is active lol). Probably gonna keep MBP. Albeit with some reluctance.

Also worth noting: Battery replacement costs 199 USD for MBP14 and 129 USD for MBA.
Why settle for it if you're not enthusiastic about the 14 MBP? In addition to the screen and the speakers, the thing which leads me to keep the 14 is the battery life. It's better than I expected and probably about 80-90% of the Air in my real-world use.
 
the thing which leads me to keep the 14 is the battery life. It's better than I expected and probably about 80-90% of the Air in my real-world use.
Yup that's what I, too, am seeing. Everyone says MBA great for 'time remaining' so I'm reluctant to dismiss this consensus finding. I think MBP battery better than I expected.

Does running on 'more space' scaling (versus 'default for display') take away from 'time remaining'?
 
I'm using MBP14 right now. Time remaining is 10h48m, charge is 77%, brightness value is halfway, low-power mode is enabled.

My return period ends soon. I wish MBP were smaller and less massive. But, compared with MBP, the specs for MBA just aren't so much better? That's my experience, based on Apple Store trials.
75% is the sweetspot for me that gives me a bright. 375 nits.

Do you like squinting and eye strains? Or you sit near your laptop? The screen real estate is fine.

Battery life and the new keyboard are my only gripes. I like the older style (pre 15') MBA keyboards.
 
MBP 14" , base model is $1,599 USD at Costco, Best Buy and Amazon...Yikes, I may end up buying a MBP 14" at this price.

I better get used to the 6 or 7 hour battery life...
What are you planning to do with your MBP 14" so that battery life is only 6 - 7 hours?
I'm saying battery life is depending on whether you push it hard or not. I could easily get about 1 hour use with 7% battery consumption in my typical use. Very similar to MBA M1 I had before.
 
What are you planning to do with your MBP 14" so that battery life is only 6 - 7 hours?
I'm saying battery life is depending on whether you push it hard or not. I could easily get about 1 hour use with 7% battery consumption in my typical use. Very similar to MBA M1 I had before.
Browse the web and watch YT at 100" Brightness. No low power mode.

I feel like people are underselling the MBA, I've heard people getting 7% in TWO hours.
 
Here's one more question for you. How do you know the problem is PWM vs just eye strain from being on ANY computer too long? I'm getting a little of it and I tend to think it's just my age (and body) telling me it's time to time a break from screens...
That is a good question. I'm on of those who does get eye strain from PWM but it also is depending on what Hz PWM is used. Like in iPhone 12 it is about 240 and it is quite noticeable. Also I had one Asus Zenbook that had 400Hz PWM and it was disaster until I found out utility app that allowed me to up Hz and I cannot remember exactly how high I pushed it but it was couple thousand where it was acceptable (I could push it over 10000 but it made coil while type of noise then I decide to put it to value where it did not make that sound).

What I'm saying here is that PWM is pretty individual thing but something like MBP 14" with about 15000Hz PWM is probably something that very few people should get issues from PWM.

For easy test anyone can try is simple hand waving test to see how well you can see PWM and where goes the rate you do not see it. This is how to do it. Have your display you want to test display full screen white image from normal viewing distance. Now wave your hand with fingers spread apart up/down or left/right around middle way between your eyes and screen. When it looks like you have much more that 5 fingers, the display is using PWM at rather low rate. If you have adjustable PWM rate (like I had with Zenbook) you and the go up with PWM Hz and find the value where you no longer see this effect. The display without PWM should look in this test like your finger are blurred but you can see only 5 fingers.
 
Browse the web and watch YT at 100" Brightness. No low power mode.
Well then it does not matter which you choose because you are within 6 to 7 hour range with both MBP 14" and MBA M2...

I feel like people are underselling the MBA, I've heard people getting 7% in TWO hours.
I don't think that is possible with the scenario you described. It was not even remotely possible with my MBA M1 and it is not much different from MBA M2 regarding battery life (based on Notebookcheck it should be around 8.5 hours in that test, I'd say it match what I was getting with my MBA M1).
 
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I'm going to be high-key pissed if the battery craps out like my MBP 15" 2015 in a few years..Apple's version of planned obsolescence.
Notebookcheck is unreliable..they don't even have either MBA m1/m2 in their top 10 list of ultra-portables, lol.

They rated my 2015 15" MBP for 7.5 hours MAX brightness, web browsing. Please..
 
I'm going to be high-key pissed if the battery craps out like my MBP 15" 2015 in a few years..Apple's version of planned obsolescence.
Any Li-ion battery will get weaker in few years. Depending on your usage and charging habit you can slow down or speed up that process. Anyway, I'd say few years is what these are supposed to last anyway.

Notebookcheck is unreliable..
OK. You are free to believe what you want but that is one of the most reliable sources. Just go get either or both MBA M2 and MBP 14" and see it yourself that their battery run time charts match pretty well. I don't understand why you just keep reading user comments over the internet about these since you never know how each one is testing theirs. It is obvious that someone telling they get days and days usage on single charge is something you should not buy right away without knowing exact conditions during that. When ever I myself challenge some of these claims I get some vague reply saying something I don't have stop watch clocking all the time or similar excuse. :)

They rated my 2015 15" MBP for 7.5 hours MAX brightness, web browsing. Please..
It likely was that when new. It won't be the same today due to battery aging and newer OS using more CPU power causing more power use. It is just something you need to realize. It is the same with every notebook.
 
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