Macbook Air M2 vs Macbook Pro 14 M1

[chuiting]

I currently have a Macbook Pro 14 M1 base model. Right now it basically sits on my desk and I use with an external monitor. I will begin working out of two offices and will need to be more mobile and think I would prefer the lighter laptop. I don’t want to be carrying around a bag. Would prefer to throw the laptop in leather folio for transport. Am I giving up too much in the screen and performance going to the Macbook Air M2. I would probably go to a 512GB/8GB model. I don’t do any ultra processor intensive work. I am also trying an iPad Pro at the moment to see if that might fit my need but I am thinking I will need to stay with a Macbook.

Any insight on this? Much appreciated.

 

[fwmireault]

From your description, I think the M2 chip is more than enough for your workflow. MBA has a considerably lower quality screen (not as bright, lower contrast, no 120hz support), but it's more a matter of preference than necessity. If you use it with an external monitor, you don't get a lot of the screen benefits anyway. If portability is really important to you, the 13 inch MBA might be a better fit, but I don't know how much of a difference it will make coming from a 14 inch MBP.

 

[tstafford]

I own both (base M1 MBP and base M2 Air). If I had to choose one it would be super tough. The screen is just so much better on the MBP. But the Air is obviously more portable and far, far better battery life. I'd probably choose the MBP because of the screen. And it's an easy tie break given you already own the MBP.

 

[dizmonk]

I currently have a Macbook Pro 14 M1 base model. Right now it basically sits on my desk and I use with an external monitor. I will begin working out of two offices and will need to be more mobile and think I would prefer the lighter laptop. I don’t want to be carrying around a bag. Would prefer to throw the laptop in leather folio for transport. Am I giving up too much in the screen and performance going to the Macbook Air M2. I would probably go to a 512GB/8GB model. I don’t do any ultra processor intensive work. I am also trying an iPad Pro at the moment to see if that might fit my need but I am thinking I will need to stay with a Macbook.

Any insight on this? Much appreciated.

IMO it depends which MBA you want. I had the 15 and loved the battery life but I had difficulty in that it felt a little flimsy. Not flimsy in the sense that it would break or fall apart, but when I typed the screen would occasionally bounce. from the typing pressure. I don't hit the keys that hard but I do a lot of writing. If you don't need the bigger screen then the 13 might be your best bet. I had the 14 and I think I'm going back to it. I hope that makes some sense.

 

[sclough]

I currently have a Macbook Pro 14 M1 base model. Right now it basically sits on my desk and I use with an external monitor. I will begin working out of two offices and will need to be more mobile and think I would prefer the lighter laptop. I don’t want to be carrying around a bag. Would prefer to throw the laptop in leather folio for transport. Am I giving up too much in the screen and performance going to the Macbook Air M2. I would probably go to a 512GB/8GB model. I don’t do any ultra processor intensive work. I am also trying an iPad Pro at the moment to see if that might fit my need but I am thinking I will need to stay with a Macbook.

Any insight on this? Much appreciated.

Personally I think you would love the MBA 15". I have the 512GB/16GB model. I had the 16" MBP which is obviously quite a bit bigger and heavier than the 14" but from checking out the 14" I still like the 15" MBA much better. It's light and thin. It has plenty of power for you. Yes the screen on the MBP is better but now that I switched over I'm perfectly content with the MBA. Obviously people vary, but I think the MBA is still a good screen, just not a MBP. After 20 years of MBP for me the 15" MBA is the best Mac laptop yet. The screen size, thin form factor, and lighter weight are a great combo and I personally think you'd like it.

 

[teohyc]

If you don't need the ports and better screen, just go for the MBA. The MBP 14 is the much better laptop though except it is heavier

 

[Zest28]

The 15" MBA and 14" MBP weigh the same. So just keep the 14" MBP instead of wasting money to "upgrade" to the 15" MBA.

Since you don't even use the power of the 14" MBP, you might as well keep the 14" MBP for 20+ years even (will have to replace the battery sometimes).

 

[okkibs]

Even the weight difference to the 13" MBA isn't huge. I would say both are pretty heavy for carrying them in a bag (the 14" more so obviously), the 11" iPad Pro is the only thing I casually take with me like that. The dimensions of the bigger iPad Pro are too much for many daily carry bag. I wouldn't want to carry any Macbook like that.