MBP 16 2021 - Size, the Elephant in the Room

[bradl]

Everyone who sees it is shocked as to how big it is....

That's what she said. ?

I was shocked with how enormous it wasn’t with how everyone was saying it was enormous.

That's what HE said. ?

Because he wants a large display.

That's what SHE said. ?

Seriously, I thought size was going to be an issue as well, but in comparing the two, especially against what I'm currently on right now (mid-2011 13" MBA), the 14" is roughly the same physical size as my 13", although the screen size is definitely bigger on the 14", but also that the 16" wouldn't be portable like the 14".

When I'm ready, I'll be getting the 16" as well, not just because of the fact that I use this as my primary desktop, but it is also portable for me, so I get the best of both worlds on that. What the 16" is going to offer that is better, are the speakers (again, the size of the speakers), as well as the thermals. I won't be putting in heavy work like the video/movie makers and those doing massive computing (read: Kafka), but the thermals on the 16" are definitely better than the 14".

This MBA of mine has made it over 10 years without any repair work needed at all, so if that's the benchmark, I should easily be able to make this next Mac last just as long. We'll see when I'm ready to pull the trigger.

BL.

 

[smoking monkey]

I disagree. To me, the size is nothing. People who want a 13-14" size should just buy a 13-14" laptop.

To me the volume is a PITA. I carry it every day and while I love the power and size, I don't love the weight and total volume. It's big. Like my old 17" big.
It's complicated because I need the screen real estate and somewhat need power, but I don't need the total weight and volume.

 

[adamjackson]

For years now, I've dealt with professional machines from Apple with no ports, weak batteries, bad keyboards, waste of space Touch Bars and very loud fans that ran constantly.

If all of those things were fixed by adding .4 pounds of weight and .2" of thickness, that's a very fair trade-off for me.

 

[rodrigezlopez]

To me the volume is a PITA. I carry it every day and while I love the power and size, I don't love the weight and total volume. It's big. Like my old 17" big.
It's complicated because I need the screen real estate and somewhat need power, but I don't need the total weight and volume.

Feel the same. Switched from Air M1, I liked it but I also wanted more screen real estate, but the new 16" is so heavy and chunky in comparison so I'm switching to 14" model now. I wish they would make something like last 15" model but with smaller bezels. I remember there was noticeable a difference between the 13 and 15 but the new 14 feels almost identical to 13 in case of opening two apps on the same screen. Maybe they were scared of competition with future intel chips and decided to make bigger chassis and cooling system just in case to be able to release more powerful models if necessary. But now I feel strange carrying around this heavy thing which never even turned on the fans on my tasks (software development).

 

[rodrigezlopez]

For years now, I've dealt with professional machines from Apple with no ports, weak batteries, bad keyboards, waste of space Touch Bars and very loud fans that ran constantly.

If all of those things were fixed by adding .4 pounds of weight and .2" of thickness, that's a very fair trade-off for me.

The problem is that it was successfully fixed on Air M1 (except the ports) that is not only lighter than Intel MBP13 but also battery lasts far longer. Why couldn't they go the same way with the large model? New 16 is even heavier than 2012-2015 15" model. I'm sure that the weight of Pro 15" was ok or even better then of competitors, but the world is changed. Now there are plenty of much lighter 15"-16" laptops on the market and Apple has nothing to compete them.

 

[UBS28]

Apple made their laptops way too thin in the past basically.

The 16” MBP is perfectly designed for the M1 Max as it remains quiet under maximum load.

People who think the 16” MBP is too heavy, should look in the mirror where the problem is and start going to the gym.

 

[rodrigezlopez]

Apple made their laptops way too thin in the past basically.

The 16” MBP is perfectly designed for the M1 Max as it remains quiet under maximum load.

People who think the 16” MBP is too heavy, should look in the mirror where the problem is and start going to the gym.

It's true that it's perfect for high loads. But there are many people who don't need M1 Max or even M1 Pro perfomance but they really need more screen space. And reality is that now (if you stick to Apple ecosystem) you have to carry around 2.1kg laptop just to be able to open two windows comfortably on the same screen. It was ok 10 years ago but now in 2021 It's disappointing when there are 16" windows laptops almost half as light (i mean Lg gram 16).

 

[Sluchbox]

Apple made their laptops way too thin in the past basically.

The 16” MBP is perfectly designed for the M1 Max as it remains quiet under maximum load.

People who think the 16” MBP is too heavy, should look in the mirror where the problem is and start going to the gym.

I’m with you. I remember having a Dell laptop with a 15 inch screen and weighed 10 pounds.

10 pounds. That’s nothing. A small grocery bag weighs more than that.

And today’s 16 inch MBP weighs a lot less than that. Less than 5 pounds. My kids’s book bag weighs more than that. Heck, my teenager’s lunch weighs more than that. Yet adults are here complaining about how hard it is to carry.

 

[Nismo73]

Just had to go from the dining room table to the couch with the 16...I'm exhausted now.

 

[bradl]

Just had to go from the dining room table to the couch with the 16...I'm exhausted now.

Carry it around the house 8 times and you'll be straight up swole. ?

BL.

 

[dmccombs]

Just had to go from the dining room table to the couch with the 16...I'm exhausted now.

You just need to get one of these for the 16". ?

 

[Fomalhaut]

To me the volume is a PITA. I carry it every day and while I love the power and size, I don't love the weight and total volume. It's big. Like my old 17" big.
It's complicated because I need the screen real estate and somewhat need power, but I don't need the total weight and volume.

This is the conundrum of choosing the larger size. When you're mobile you often don't have an external monitor, and will benefit from the larger screen, but you pay for it by having a larger and heavier computer to lug around.

Whether this is an issue for you is highly individual.

If you are carrying it from a car to an office or to your home, it's not going to be a big deal.

If you have a good backpack and can carry a bit of weight, it's fine for most people for moving a couple of times a day.

If you have a shoulder bag, handbag, or briefcase, the 16" is quite large and heavy to carry.

If you have to move around a lot during the day, between meeting rooms, coffee shops etc., and take the computer in and out of a bag multiple times, the 16" is more of a handful than a smaller model.

If you trying to use the computer on public transport (taxis, buses, planes, trains etc.), the 16" has a large footprint that may be tricky in confined spaces.

If you are traveling by air with limited hand-luggage weight limits, the size and weight of the 16" might be an issue.

If you use external monitors nearly all the time, or use the MBP in clamshell mode, the 16" may be a waste

 

[Fomalhaut]

I’m with you. I remember having a Dell laptop with a 15 inch screen and weighed 10 pounds.

10 pounds. That’s nothing. A small grocery bag weighs more than that.

And today’s 16 inch MBP weighs a lot less than that. Less than 5 pounds. My kids’s book bag weighs more than that. Heck, my teenager’s lunch weighs more than that. Yet adults are here complaining about how hard it is to carry.

While it can be somewhat heavy to carry for long periods in your hands or with a shoulder bag / hand-bag, it's more a question of the size and footprint. It needs a fairly large bag, and plenty of table space. Not a problem in an office, but can be when moving around a lot in restricted spaces.

 

[advan031]

We're complaining about sub 5lbs? Really??

 

[Tagbert]

It's true that it's perfect for high loads. But there are many people who don't need M1 Max or even M1 Pro perfomance but they really need more screen space. And reality is that now (if you stick to Apple ecosystem) you have to carry around 2.1kg laptop just to be able to open two windows comfortably on the same screen. It was ok 10 years ago but now in 2021 It's disappointing when there are 16" windows laptops almost half as light (i mean Lg gram 16).

That’s why a number of people have argued that Apple should bring out a 15” Air to give an option for people who need a larger screen but don’t need the full “pro” performance.

 

[Tagbert]

While it can be somewhat heavy to carry for long periods in your hands or with a shoulder bag / hand-bag, it's more a question of the size and footprint. It needs a fairly large bag, and plenty of table space. Not a problem in an office, but can be when moving around a lot in restricted spaces.

That’s why the 14” is a good option for people who prioritize mobility

 

[Sluchbox]

While it can be somewhat heavy to carry for long periods in your hands or with a shoulder bag / hand-bag, it's more a question of the size and footprint. It needs a fairly large bag, and plenty of table space. Not a problem in an office, but can be when moving around a lot in restricted spaces.

If the size and footprint are a problem, then you should definitely get a smaller laptop. There’s no question about that, and it makes perfect sense.

My post was in reply to people complaining about the weight.

 

[Sluchbox]

That’s why a number of people have argued that Apple should bring out a 15” Air to give an option for people who need a larger screen but don’t need the full “pro” performance.

I am 100% in this category.

I have two apps installed on my Mac computer, Chrome and QuickBooks, that’s it. I don’t need much processing power at all, so the base model MacBook Air is plenty for me. But I would like a larger display.

 

[sionell]

To me the volume is a PITA. I carry it every day and while I love the power and size, I don't love the weight and total volume. It's big. Like my old 17" big.
It's complicated because I need the screen real estate and somewhat need power, but I don't need the total weight and volume.

Actually it's smaller than the 17" by quite a bit:

	late 2011 17" MBP		2021 16" MBP
Height	0.98 inch		0.66 inch
Width	15.47 inches		14.01 inches
Depth	10.51 inches		9.77 inches
Weight	6.6 lbs		4.8 lbs (assuming M1 MAX)
Screen size	17"		16.2"

I have the late 2011 17" MBP. It's a beast. I used it for many years - but never traveled with it. The 2021 16" is smaller in all dimensions. The new 16" is 2 pounds lighter than the 17".

That said - I haven't used my 17" MBP for many years. I've been using 15" MBP of various vintages. This past year I switched to a 13" M1 MBP and was concerned I would hate how small it felt. The joy at having such a lightweight machine - making it so easy to pick up and put down was amazing. I'm using the 14" MBP right now with a very similar reaction. Light weight and easy to move around and use. Still debating if I want to get the 16" as I like how lightweight this is to travel with!

 

[Sanpete]

I have the late 2011 17" MBP. It's a beast. I used it for many years - but never traveled with it. The 2021 16" is smaller in all dimensions. The new 16" is 2 pounds lighter than the 17".

That said - I haven't used my 17" MBP for many years. I've been using 15" MBP of various vintages. This past year I switched to a 13" M1 MBP and was concerned I would hate how small it felt. The joy at having such a lightweight machine - making it so easy to pick up and put down was amazing. I'm using the 14" MBP right now with a very similar reaction. Light weight and easy to move around and use. Still debating if I want to get the 16" as I like how lightweight this is to travel with!

It's largely a psychological thing. Some feel awkward with a large laptop. I never had any trouble traveling with the 17" myself. On airline trays (coach), buses, tables, anywhere - there's objectively plenty of space, it's not like seats are less than 15-1/2" wide. But for many it feels too big.

The weight didn't bother me, but I was used to carrying physical books ... I remember them fondly.

 

[Fomalhaut]

It's largely a psychological thing. Some feel awkward with a large laptop. I never had any trouble traveling with the 17" myself. On airline trays (coach), buses, tables, anywhere - there's objectively plenty of space, it's not like seats are less than 15-1/2" wide. But for many it feels too big.

The weight didn't bother me, but I was used to carrying physical books ... I remember them fondly.

It's not the width - it's the depth (front to back) and the height and angle of the screen, which means you have to move the laptop awkwardly close to your body for it to fit. You need T-Rex arms to type on it without sticking your elbows out (and into your neighbours' ribs). If the person in front reclines their seat, then forget about it. You can just about use an iPad.....without a keyboard.

 

[polyphenol]

It's not the width - it's the depth (front to back) and the height and angle of the screen, which means you have to move the laptop awkwardly close to your body for it to fit. You need T-Rex arms to type on it without sticking your elbows out (and into your neighbours' ribs). If the person in front reclines their seat, then forget about it. You can just about use an iPad.....without a keyboard.

But why point fingers at the MBP 16"? It is, within a few playing card thicknesses, the same size as the 2015 15" MBP.

Your points, which I fully understand, imply you need something considerably smaller. Not just a few millimetres.

 

[Sluchbox]

It's not the width - it's the depth (front to back) and the height and angle of the screen, which means you have to move the laptop awkwardly close to your body for it to fit. You need T-Rex arms to type on it without sticking your elbows out (and into your neighbours' ribs). If the person in front reclines their seat, then forget about it. You can just about use an iPad.....without a keyboard.

So don't buy a 16" laptop. There are plenty of smaller options.

 

[ascender]

This is the conundrum of choosing the larger size. When you're mobile you often don't have an external monitor, and will benefit from the larger screen, but you pay for it by having a larger and heavier computer to lug around.

Whether this is an issue for you is highly individual.

If you are carrying it from a car to an office or to your home, it's not going to be a big deal.

If you have a good backpack and can carry a bit of weight, it's fine for most people for moving a couple of times a day.

If you have a shoulder bag, handbag, or briefcase, the 16" is quite large and heavy to carry.

If you have to move around a lot during the day, between meeting rooms, coffee shops etc., and take the computer in and out of a bag multiple times, the 16" is more of a handful than a smaller model.

If you trying to use the computer on public transport (taxis, buses, planes, trains etc.), the 16" has a large footprint that may be tricky in confined spaces.

If you are traveling by air with limited hand-luggage weight limits, the size and weight of the 16" might be an issue.

If you use external monitors nearly all the time, or use the MBP in clamshell mode, the 16" may be a waste

That one in bold is the only drawback for me and always has been with the larger MBPs. Its the footprint that's the killer if you're mobile a lot. So long as you're able-bodied, I don't think the weight is an issue at all, but if you are in a cramped space on the move, it can verge on being impossible to use comfortably.

 

[Fatus_Asticus]

16gb MBA with 1tb runs 1,650

16gb MBP with 1tb runs 2,700 (16 inch)

Basically a grand. That is a lot of profit margin Apple gives up if they decide to stick a 15 inch MBA type device in the lineup. As it stands the traditional upcharge for 2 inches of screen is $200. That would put the 15 inch MBA at just under 2k (1,850). I think there would be a lot of pro users that would go with such a device. The MBA is really nice but that screen is really small. If you had a larger screen on the cheaper devices I think you'd see a statistically significant number of folks saving some cash.

Interesting idea, not sure that is the Apple way.