MBA 15 inch vs 14 inch MBP vs 13 inch MBA comfort

[TorontoSS]

Hello! I've been reading/watching the reviews of the 15 inch MBA with a lot of interest. All of them say it's thin and light, particularly compared to the 16 inch MBP. To me this is obvious. iJustine did point out that the 15 inch is clearly heavier than the 13 inch and it sounded as if it's closer to the 14 inch in weight (which it is legitmately, i just thought the weight distribution might make it more comfy to work off).

So my question is, for those of you who have had the 14 inch and got the 15 (I realise it's day 1) do you notice a weight difference at all or does it feel the same? I had the 14 but went for the 13 MBA because of the comfort. It just feels easier when you're typing on your lap or watching anything. I have a feeling that it's going to feel similar (that the 13 will genuinely feel more comfy to use than the 15). Of course you miss out on the immersive feel of the 15 (which honestly looks great from what i saw in the apple store). But it's all about trade offs righT?

So for those who have tried these laptops, what's your view in terms of comfort?

 

[hch720]

Keep in mind the 15” air has garbage, pathetic screen quality compared to the pro model. For that reason I’d go for a base m1 14” from Apple refurbished.

 

[Klae17]

Keep in mind the 15” air has garbage, pathetic screen quality compared to the pro model. For that reason I’d go for a base m1 14” from Apple refurbished.

Is there a good comparison of the two somewhere?

 

[hch720]

Is there a good comparison of the two somewhere?

For size, probably not yet. But there are tons of “m2 13 air vs 14 pro” comparisons on YouTube with a section about the display quality

 

[Klae17]

For size, probably not yet. But there are tons of “m2 13 air vs 14 pro” comparisons on YouTube with a section about the display quality

ok thanks

 

[certen]

The main comparison should be between 15 and 16 as it is more like for like.

then you compare the prices, which will make fairly obvious (Assuming budget and or weight is concern)

I wouldn’t compare against 14 as simply it is not like for like size

 

[uller6]

Keep in mind the 15” air has garbage, pathetic screen quality compared to the pro model. For that reason I’d go for a base m1 14” from Apple refurbished.

I've got both sitting next to each other. There isn't a huge difference in screen quality, to be honest. 120 Hz is nice, but the air is fine with 60 Hz. They're of similar brightness (regular use, no HDR).

 

[Runaway Train]

Visited the Apple store today and looked at the 15, 13 and 14 MBP. Airs (both) lighter by quite a bit. 15 screen looks fine, seems like a nice machine. MBP feels bulky, but you get the power. Pick your poison. I have 16” MBP from my employer. Feel like I no longer need to go to the gym given picking the thing up seems like weight lifting.

The big compromise for me is no dual external display support for the air. Trade offs ……

 

[TorontoSS]

I've got both sitting next to each other. There isn't a huge difference in screen quality, to be honest. 120 Hz is nice, but the air is fine with 60 Hz. They're of similar brightness (regular use, no HDR).

Do you find any difference with how they feel in terms of comfort? typing while sitting, etc?

 

[TorontoSS]

The main comparison should be between 15 and 16 as it is more like for like.

then you compare the prices, which will make fairly obvious (Assuming budget and or weight is concern)

I wouldn’t compare against 14 as simply it is not like for like size

I think you're totally right about this. Although a lot of reviewers seem to believe the 15 Air is going to be the most popular macbook but i actually think the 13 size is an "everyday, works for everyone" sort of size.

 

[uller6]

Do you find any difference with how they feel in terms of comfort? typing while sitting, etc?

I had a 2013 15", then went to the M1 14" but felt a bit cramped both in terms of screen and palm rests. And the 14" is just a little fatter than I'd prefer when typing. I really like this 15" Air - the screen size and resolution (I'm running slightly larger than default at "true" 2X retina scaling) is perfect, and the footprint is slightly smaller than my 2013. The 15" Air is amazingly thin, and the keyboard feels awesome.

 

[Saturn007]

Keep in mind the 15” air has garbage, pathetic screen quality compared to the pro model.

Sweeping, dismissive adjectives are hallmarks of hyperbole!

1. Have you even seen the 15” in person yet?

2. I'll bet that most people who have would NEVER say its display is “garbage, pathetic” — even when compared to a pro model.

For example, Muller and Runaway have already let us know that “there isn't a huge difference in screen quality” between the 14” and the 15“ and that the “15 screen looks fine” in comparison to the 14”!

I believe them!

Toronto — great idea for a thread! I especially like the request for feedback on how the 15” MBA feels in the lap.

 

[Asiatic Black Hebrew]

Keep in mind the 15” air has garbage, pathetic screen quality compared to the pro model. For that reason I’d go for a base m1 14” from Apple refurbished.

I'm typing on the 15" right now. If this is a "garbage" screen then I guess my standards are just insanely low. The screen looks just fine to me.

 

[Surfsalot]

I'm typing on the 15" right now. If this is a "garbage" screen then I guess my standards are just insanely low. The screen looks just fine to me.

Have you checked for light bleed?

 

[F23]

can never go back to the cheap ips glowy 60 Hz LCD panel. OLED iPhone, mini LED iPad, mini LED MBP. these screens have spoiled me

 

[Asiatic Black Hebrew]

Have you checked for light bleed?

I haven’t checked for anything. I’ve simply used the laptop as I normally would for daily use & haven’t noticed any issues.

 

[ilikewhey]

Visited the Apple store today and looked at the 15, 13 and 14 MBP. Airs (both) lighter by quite a bit. 15 screen looks fine, seems like a nice machine. MBP feels bulky, but you get the power. Pick your poison. I have 16” MBP from my employer. Feel like I no longer need to go to the gym given picking the thing up seems like weight lifting.

The big compromise for me is no dual external display support for the air. Trade offs ……

the 13 felt lighter ofcourse, but the 15 feels about the same as the 14, however when you grab the 15 by one corner it feels heavier due to the larger frame.

 

[ilikewhey]

Keep in mind the 15” air has garbage, pathetic screen quality compared to the pro model. For that reason I’d go for a base m1 14” from Apple refurbished.

don't forget ancient lol

 

[bill-p]

Hello! I've been reading/watching the reviews of the 15 inch MBA with a lot of interest. All of them say it's thin and light, particularly compared to the 16 inch MBP. To me this is obvious. iJustine did point out that the 15 inch is clearly heavier than the 13 inch and it sounded as if it's closer to the 14 inch in weight (which it is legitmately, i just thought the weight distribution might make it more comfy to work off).

So my question is, for those of you who have had the 14 inch and got the 15 (I realise it's day 1) do you notice a weight difference at all or does it feel the same? I had the 14 but went for the 13 MBA because of the comfort. It just feels easier when you're typing on your lap or watching anything. I have a feeling that it's going to feel similar (that the 13 will genuinely feel more comfy to use than the 15). Of course you miss out on the immersive feel of the 15 (which honestly looks great from what i saw in the apple store). But it's all about trade offs righT?

So for those who have tried these laptops, what's your view in terms of comfort?

Just got my 15". We have a 14" and a 16" at home, too. There's also a 12" (but oddly no 13").

The jump from 14" to 15" is bigger than 15" to 16". The 15" and 16" are actually not too different surprisingly.

In fact, the jump from 12" to 14" is just about the same as 14" to 15" in sizing so there's that for perspective. The increase in workspace is massive.

Beyond that, the 15" Air is lighter than 14". Maybe not by much overall but when holding, there's a sense that the 14" is really dense, much like the 16", whereas the 15" is featherweight. Nothing beats the 12" still.

As for screens, quite honestly, without the "hack" to push 14" beyond 500 nits and without high contrast contents to look at, there's really not that big of a difference between the XDR display vs the display on the 15" Air for the most part. Neither is really as good as a true OLED display. I think Mini LED is impressive when it comes to HDR but if it's really not HDR, I don't think it's that impressive for SDR contents. When you're displaying anything that's not pure black, it's basically a wash between the 15" vs 14" vs 16" in terms of color reproduction. Makes sense that they're all similar in DCI-P3 coverage and all that. But... having said that, I think the 14" and 16" both have a very slight edge when trying to "hide" the notch, as the areas surrounding the notch are much darker. I kind of see the notch on the 15" Air more apparently, especially in low light condition where the display becomes less bright and there's less contrast.

Speakers-wise, it's interesting... 16" is king as usual, but it's much closer between 14" and 15" than the reviews are leading you to believe. If anything, maybe the 14" gets a bit louder when you push beyond Apple's preset? But the 15" is no slouch and it does sound a bit fuller than 14" somehow. But it makes sense to me because again... the width and length of the 15" is much closer to the 16" than it is to the 14".

I won't talk about performance because "it's enough for me" will probably be challenged if I try to elaborate.

So in short: 12" is lightest, 15" next lightest, 14" and 16" are both equally "beastly" in density.
In width/length, overall dimensions, 16" is biggest, followed by 15", then 14" is a good distance from that, and then 12" is the most compact.

I'm selling my 14" either way. It makes more sense for me to go with 15" Air and then maybe I'll plan for a Mac Studio somewhere down the line.

 

[NeonNights]

I've got both sitting next to each other. There isn't a huge difference in screen quality, to be honest. 120 Hz is nice, but the air is fine with 60 Hz. They're of similar brightness (regular use, no HDR).

Agreed. Seeing both in person at the Apple Store my wife and I couldn't discern a difference between the MBA 15 and supposed-to-be better MBP 14. In photo stills there's slight blur on the MBA 15 on account of no ProMotion, but when watching the video I certainly didn't tag the MBP 14 as obviously better display-wise and simply preferred the larger MBA 15 screen. I'm still torn between which laptop to get, MBA 15 or MBP 14.

The MBA 15 display is certainly not "garbage" as someone else claims.

 

[bill-p]

Have you checked for light bleed?

I did. There's none. Black screen at max brightness in absolute darkness.

 

[ilikewhey]

Speakers-wise, it's interesting... 16" is king as usual, but it's much closer between 14" and 15" than the reviews are leading you to believe. If anything, maybe the 14" gets a bit louder when you push beyond Apple's preset? But the 15" is no slouch and it does sound a bit fuller than 14" somehow. But it makes sense to me because again... the width and length of the 15" is much closer to the 16" than it is to the 14".

lol i strongly disagree with the sound, the 15 air sounds like a louder 13inch mba, which lacks any base already. the 14's sound is much more fuller.

 

[bill-p]

lol i strongly disagree with the sound, the 15 air sounds like a louder 13inch mba, which lacks any base already. the 14's sound is much more fuller.

Uh... let's just agree to disagree. I can measure the frequency response of all of the speakers so objectively, the 15" is actually able to reach lower frequencies than the 14". 14" is louder in the mid-band region.

If you heard otherwise, I suspect the device might have been defective.

 

[ilikewhey]

I can measure the frequency response of all of the speakers

please do

 

[AppleTech22]

I'm coming to the 15" Air from a 16" M1 Pro myself. Before that, had the M2 Air since its launch last July which I chose over the 14" Pro. I simply had to move to the larger screen for web design work while traveling, and the 16" Pro used to be my only option for a larger size.

So excited to be back on the Air typing this. I can't reiterate enough that even if the weight/size differences don't seem like much on a spec sheet or reading an online review, it's noticeable each and every time you handle the laptop. The thinner design is far more comfortable when typing on a desk or lap imo.

Really recommend going into an Apple store to test it out yourself. Some people will be happy to choose the thicker form factor for extra power and a better screen. For me, I'm already working on a 60Hz Studio Display all day and the mini-LED / LCD contrast differences only stood out when working at night or content consumption. I'm happily planning to stick with the 15" Air for a long time.