Macbook Air M2 or Macbook Pro 14??

[HeavenDevils]

Hello all,
Would like some input on helping me decide on which one I should purchase. Currently I own a base model Macbook Air M1 and planning on giving it to my girlfriend. I had preorder the new Macbook Air M2 (also base model) but cancelled it due to me not liking the SSD controversy (seen all the talk about it and while to me it's not as bad as it seems still decided to change my order). I placed a preorder again for the Macbook Air M2 with 10 core GPU, 16 GB Ram, and 512 GB SSD but looking further into it now was thinking about the base model 14in Macbook Pro M1 Pro. Been weighing the pros and cons for both but would still like some input from people who have used either before.

For reference:
Macbook Air M1 was my first Apple laptop I ever owned. I currently own a Iphone and Ipad and been a Apple user for those 2 products for quite some time.
I mostly used my Macbook Air for times where I didn't want to go on my PC (I am a PC gamer) for like checking emails, writing, watching videos or movies or playing not graphically intense games when I didn't want to sit at my desk or if I was away from home.
In the current config if I were to spend around $200 more I could get the base pro model. I like the Pro's screen and speakers but is it worth the extra weight, size, over the Air portability, and new design?
I have the Ipad 12.9 and use that for most of my media consumption but if i went with the Pro I wouldn't really need to carry both the Ipad and Air versus just owning the Pro. But the Pro might just be overkill for me just for basic usage when I could just own the Air.
Apologies for my rambling and thanks to all in advance for your help.

 

[Shirasaki]

It highly depends on how much you value portability over great sustained performance and better cpu performance (everyone know GPU in apple silicon Mac is just for professionals).

As for the ssd controversy, it’s more on the side of pressuring apple to deliver top quality everything on their expensive $1200 base MacBook Air rather than cheaping out, more so than actually arguing ssd performance is halved. People will say 256GB is plenty for your use case, but its up to you.

 

[JahBoolean]

If you're a gamer, you may enjoy the better gpu and 120hz display of the pro.

 

[mr_jomo]

So hard to recommend this choice, some thoughts tough:

• For your usage both machines (as was the M1 Air) are total overkill 😀.
• At least in my part of the EUR-zone, I can get the M1 Pro 14" about €60-80 below the M2 Air spec. you quoted.
• If size is paramount - doesn't seem so - the M1 Pro 14" is significantly more bulky. At least for me to the extend where it became more of a 'desktop' computer that a laptop.
• The M1 Pro 14", as I experienced it, runs a bit warmer to the touch for basic office work. Might have been user bias though.
• Battery life is worse than the Airs, typically I saw 20-30% less battery remaining after an 8-hour working day.
• The M1 Pro 14" improves on the Airs in a couple of significant ways: better sustained gaming performance (from superior thermal solution and GPU), more ports, amazing screen and speakers are impressive.

Btw. - I'm also torn: handled down my M1 Air to a daughter off to college and I don't know how to proceed 😂.

 

[Feisar]

I picked up a base 14” MBP M1 Pro 8/14c 16/512 on sale for $1799 (Best Buy or B&H). Amazon has it for $1749 ($50 less than recent sale prices - longer deliver time). That’s $100 more than a CTO M2 Air 8/10c 16/512 I was considering.

It’s my daily portable (I’m used to lugging 2 laptops and video/camera gear so my 14” MBP is considered lightweight, LOL) and general use web surfing, media consumption, photo/video edition laptop. I also have a 16” MBP M1 MAX 32/1TB as my desktop workstation.

Sale price, higher res display + 120hz + HDR, audio, SSD performance made it an easy decision to go Pro again despite the lighter weight Air.

 

[Realityck]

Hello all,
Would like some input on helping me decide on which one I should purchase. Currently I own a base model Macbook Air M1 and planning on giving it to my girlfriend. I had preorder the new Macbook Air M2 (also base model) but cancelled it due to me not liking the SSD controversy (seen all the talk about it and while to me it's not as bad as it seems still decided to change my order). I placed a preorder again for the Macbook Air M2 with 10 core GPU, 16 GB Ram, and 512 GB SSD but looking further into it now was thinking about the base model 14in Macbook Pro M1 Pro. Been weighing the pros and cons for both but would still like some input from people who have used either before.

For reference:
Macbook Air M1 was my first Apple laptop I ever owned. I currently own a Iphone and Ipad and been a Apple user for those 2 products for quite some time.
I mostly used my Macbook Air for times where I didn't want to go on my PC (I am a PC gamer) for like checking emails, writing, watching videos or movies or playing not graphically intense games when I didn't want to sit at my desk or if I was away from home.
In the current config if I were to spend around $200 more I could get the base pro model. I like the Pro's screen and speakers but is it worth the extra weight, size, over the Air portability, and new design?
I have the Ipad 12.9 and use that for most of my media consumption but if i went with the Pro I wouldn't really need to carry both the Ipad and Air versus just owning the Pro. But the Pro might just be overkill for me just for basic usage when I could just own the Air.
Apologies for my rambling and thanks to all in advance for your help.

Most that wanted the smaller base model 14” MBP were more than satisfied with it.
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[HeavenDevils]

Thank you everyone for your replies. After some thought I gonna stick to my preorder (M2, 10 Core GPU, 16GB, 512 GB SSD Macbook Air). My reasoning is as much as the I do like the 14in Pro display and ports the battery life and weight on the 14in Pro model pushes me towards the Air. Considering what I will mostly be using the laptop for I believe the Air is the right one for me. I do like the weight and size of the Air so I will be sticking with for the time being.
Also somewhat ironically after I posted my message my preorder for a Steam Deck was available and while completely different specs and form factor basically removed my gaming decision for Mac 😂.
Again thanks to all who gave me their input.

 

[JW5566]

After some thought I gonna stick to my preorder (M2, 10 Core GPU, 16GB, 512 GB SSD

That's a great looking spec and should avoid all the "problems" various excitable vloggers have pointed out with base specs.

I used to have an older MacBook Pro and I have to say, I love the smaller size/weight of my Air a lot more than I thought I would. I fit this and my iPad into a 2-in-1 sleeve when travelling. My Pro seems so big and heavy in comparison.

 

[HeavenDevils]

That's a great looking spec and should avoid all the "problems" various excitable vloggers have pointed out with base specs.

I used to have an older MacBook Pro and I have to say, I love the smaller size/weight of my Air a lot more than I thought I would. I fit this and my iPad into a 2-in-1 sleeve when travelling. My Pro seems so big and heavy in comparison.

Spec wise I believe this mac should last me awhile no intention to upgrade again unless Apple releases something really compelling.
I am planning on doing what you do with your Air and Ipad. If the new 13 Macbook Pro had magsafe 3, and more of the tech from the 14 Macbook Pro I would of gone for that one instead and while I do agree with most people that for the money the 14 Pro is a good option I also agree with them that its probably overkill for my use.

 

[amt2002]

I have a 14" Pro and now the new M2 Air. I only got the Air 72 hours ago so early days, but so far I'm much preferring the Air over the pro simply because of its lighter weight. Some have said the difference is negligible and that they hardly notice it. I disagree. I'm finding the air far more comfortable to use both on my lap and when in bed (where I typically use it for an hour or two at the end of each day!). The pro was heavy enough to cause tummy discomfort after 20 mins or so use in bed and I'm getting none of that so far with the Air. This alone makes it a keeper and the pro will be going on eBay soon.

Screen - looks 99% the same to my eyes, great display.
Speakers - a lot worse than the 14", but fine for what I need.
Performance - it definitely seems a bit quicker and snappier compared to the pro, but both are awesome. I just do admin work on it so don't tax it.