MacBook Pro 14" or 16" to use exclusively on the couch?
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slplss
macrumors 6502a
I remember MBP 15" 2010 weighted like a tank but still felt natural using it on my lap. The new 16” is about 1/5 lighter than 2010 15".
The 2007 MBP 17 was a real tank.
Dj OnE-Chuck
macrumors newbie
I just got the new 16in and I'm not sure I want to use it on the couch. It's not because of the weight, it's just a big boy! I have to admit that it's a little smaller and less chunky than I thought. I really love it, the big screen is amazing. But for the couch, I'll keep using my iPad Air. I'm not the kind of person that will do work sitting on the couch.
I have a 2019 13in MBP, it's a lot smaller and lighter but I never used it on the couch...
I have a 2019 13in MBP, it's a lot smaller and lighter but I never used it on the couch...
I ordered both the 14 and 16 inch. One of my biggest concerns was the weight, since I love to work sitting in the couch with my laptop on my lap. So I was “afraid” that it would be too heavy. It’s not. It’s heavier than my previous 13 inch, yes arguably. And a bit heavier than the 14 inch. But in reality I don’t care.
On my lap, I can work for hours without even thinking about it. To be fair, the first days of two, I was extremely aware of the weight, because my concern was, that it would be too heavy. And yes, I felt the weight difference coming from a 13 MBP. Truth is, it’s heavier, but not at all heavy. Actually, I find it easier to work on in the couch, than my previous 13 MBP. The extra weight and thickness makes it more solid and stable.
If you want, you can read my thoughts between the 14 and 16 here: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/cant-decide-between-14-and-16.2319640/post-30713730
On my lap, I can work for hours without even thinking about it. To be fair, the first days of two, I was extremely aware of the weight, because my concern was, that it would be too heavy. And yes, I felt the weight difference coming from a 13 MBP. Truth is, it’s heavier, but not at all heavy. Actually, I find it easier to work on in the couch, than my previous 13 MBP. The extra weight and thickness makes it more solid and stable.
If you want, you can read my thoughts between the 14 and 16 here: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/cant-decide-between-14-and-16.2319640/post-30713730
I used that one for 3 years and switched to MacBook Air in 2010 because it was so much more comfortable when traveling. I switched back to MBP when Apple released Retina version in 2012. My next one was 2017 15” and then 2019 16” (work) and now I’m rocking 14”
I love how people are so adamant on whatever size they chose. How can you tell someone that because you have a 16" you need to be on a desk. I had a 16" intel now a m1 max and there is no way I wanted the 14" when I saw it in the store. Any size would suit you but at the end of the day its up to you to make that choice. I like bigger machines due to using FCP and Photoshop and I feel the the 14" would be limiting. If all I was doing is web searches etc. I would say 14" is fine but who needs a $2000 web search machine just get a 13" or an IPP.
I just upgraded from a 13" MBP to the new 16" last week, mainly for couch use, and I LOVE IT so far. It sits on a cushion on my lap, and I don't notice the weight, even though it is big and heavy enough to sometimes use two hands when moving it around (to be safe). But it's only one pound heavier than the 14", and I really wanted a considerably bigger screen for the couch where I use it for a few hours a day, and occasional travel. The extra 0.9 inch gain of the 14" over the 13" just didn't seem like enough of an improvement to me.
The old 13" will also become a big upgrade to my bed/commuting laptop (an 11" AIR). So in effect, I've made big upgrades to my two laptops which serve different purposes, and I'm VERY happy.
But go with whatever size screen will WORK best for your planned uses, and don't worry about the weight UNLESS you plan to commute or travel with it a lot. That is when it would matter. But this 16" screen is really sweet!
The old 13" will also become a big upgrade to my bed/commuting laptop (an 11" AIR). So in effect, I've made big upgrades to my two laptops which serve different purposes, and I'm VERY happy.
But go with whatever size screen will WORK best for your planned uses, and don't worry about the weight UNLESS you plan to commute or travel with it a lot. That is when it would matter. But this 16" screen is really sweet!
I think I've finally decided the 16" is for me too! Just wiped off the 14" and put it back in the box. Need to wipe the 16" base machine also - taking them back to apple this next week. Then comes the long wait for my BTO 16" due for delivery in January.... ?
Lucas Curious
macrumors 6502a
ouch that silver on black is ugly especially with the black trackpad. Glad I went with Space color yet again. Why did you put that on the trackpad. The Mac looks sexy as is.
Lucas Curious
macrumors 6502a
Thats what she said
oops sorry I meant to say, "thats what (she/he/they) said"
MacRumors please dont ban my account. Impulsive mistake
Jl006p
macrumors regular
Whatever helps you sleep at night my guy. Why do people put eyelashes on their car? The world may never know.
polyphenol
macrumors 68020
Someone close has a 16" and I have just got at 14"- and we discussed this issue just an hour or so ago.
She would have gone for the 14" except she does some things (Corel graphics, for example) which are a pain on a smaller screen. But for sofa use, the 14" would have been fine.
Having seen the 16" in regular use, and a 2015 15" before it (which is, within a very few millimetres, exactly the same size), I chose a 14". But I am changing over from a 12.3" Surface, so it feels much bigger.
Later today will be my first true evening sofa use!
81Tiger04
macrumors 6502
Ha ha if you're coming from a 12.3" I bet the 14" feels like a giant!
My main reason for considering the 16" is the real estate. I generally have 2 spreadsheets open at a time and need it in order to operate (or at least feel like I do).
polyphenol
macrumors 68020
Quite right!
I used to use a Surface for work and found it useful/convenient for lightweight sofa surfing. But it has become painful. Especially as the keyboard keeps disappearing while I am typing, and the screen rotate is utterly bizarre.
I have 2014 and 2015 MBP 15s and I got the 16 and am happy with it. One thing that I do that’s unusual is to run my MBPs in native resolution and the 16 is pretty close to 4K which is what I run off my desktops.
If I really wanted mobility, then I’d also get a MBA for those times when I didn’t need h to e bigger display.
You also get very fast charging with the 16 so less time on the charger.
I'm afraid that's very individual.
If you want my experience, I've been mostly using 15+ inch MacBooks in the past 15 years (including 17-inch ones). The last two were 2017 15-inch and 2019 16-inch, and I went with 14-inch this time. Yes, the screen real estate is smaller, but surprisingly it doesn't bother me at all. There is also an option to select "More Space" resolution which is 1800x1169 equivalent if you have fairly good eyesight. I keep my screen on "Default" setting (1512x982) as it's more comfortable for my eyes.
I went with 14-inch because of its portability and weight. My 2019 16-inch barely fits my backpack, and 2021 version is even bigger. I travel a lot, so I really wanted something more portable. Plus the smaller size is so much easier to pick up with one hand and go. I found myself moving between my desk and couch pretty often - something that rarely happened with my 16-inch, I mostly had it plugged to my docking station at my desk.
But I do most of my work plugged into 32-inch 4K display and I don't have too many workflows that require a lot of screen real estate while being mobile. Even with 16-inch I preferred to work with external monitors or at least my iPad Pro 12" as a second display. If I, for example, had to edit videos on the go often, I'd go with 16". But for my mostly office workflows + software development, I'm very comfortable with my 14". Plus it looks more aesthetically pleasing to me.
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This has been a very interesting thread and I really appreciate all of the responses.
I've actually purchased both the 14" and 16" from Best Buy and have been evaluating them during the holiday return period so I actually still have until January 16th to decide.
I've had a few generations of 13" MBP so I thought the 14" would be the correct size for me. When I first opened the larger 16" it felt ridiculously too big and I put it right back in the box and continued to evaluate the 14". However, after two weeks I decided to the 16" a fair evaluation and it grew on me.
I was absolutely certain I was returning the 16" but now I'm not sure and I'm leaning towards keeping the 16". It still feels a tad bit too big, but the 14" feels too small now. Every time I pick it back up it seems like I'm zooming and increasing the scaled resolution. I'm not exactly "old" at 42 but I do find I need larger text.
I'm really having a tough time deciding which to keep even after several weeks but after really giving the 16" a chance I think I might just keep it.
I've actually purchased both the 14" and 16" from Best Buy and have been evaluating them during the holiday return period so I actually still have until January 16th to decide.
I've had a few generations of 13" MBP so I thought the 14" would be the correct size for me. When I first opened the larger 16" it felt ridiculously too big and I put it right back in the box and continued to evaluate the 14". However, after two weeks I decided to the 16" a fair evaluation and it grew on me.
I was absolutely certain I was returning the 16" but now I'm not sure and I'm leaning towards keeping the 16". It still feels a tad bit too big, but the 14" feels too small now. Every time I pick it back up it seems like I'm zooming and increasing the scaled resolution. I'm not exactly "old" at 42 but I do find I need larger text.
I'm really having a tough time deciding which to keep even after several weeks but after really giving the 16" a chance I think I might just keep it.
I knew I'd want the 16 for the bigger screen as I have 15s. My idea, if I wanted something more portable for travel where I didn't need the horsepower, is to get the M2 MBA and hopefully it will have a 32 GB RAM option. If I really want mobility for the couch, an Air would be a better choice. Ideally 15 or 16 inches but 14 is enough. If I need more room or power, I can always grab the 16 MBP.
spiderpumpkin
macrumors 6502
I've had the 16" M1 Pro for a couple days and so far it's the perfect laptop for sitting around on a couch or chair. The large footprint of the base keeps the computer very steady and planted while I type and use trackpad. The areas to rest wrists is just perfect and the huge screen is the perfect size.