Yeah, they seem to be moving away from that. For example, you used to be able to buy the larger display iPhone (I believe it was called Plus) with the same hardware. Now if you want a larger display you have to buy the expensive Pro model.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
MBP 16 2021 - Size, the Elephant in the Room
- Thread starter orthorim
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
What we find difficult to assess is how many would happily buy larger screen devices pretty much solely for the screen.
A non-pro version, lighter, fewer connection options, less powerful, might be extremely popular yet not quite provide what traditional pro users want and will pay for.
My main dislike of the M1 Air and 13.3" MBP is the screen. I want something that is better in bright daylight and has higher contrast. A 14" Air would likely work well for me.
Last edited:
My comment was in reply to @Sanpete who made a comment about the *width* of the MBP 16" not being an issue:
" 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."
I agree. The width is normally not a problem in confined spaces like an airplane seat. It's the depth and screen height (that hits the seat-back in front).
I speak from experience having travelled a lot as a consultant with a 15.4" and 16" MBP. Economy class seats (particularly on shorter domestic routes where the aircraft are often smaller) are a challenge for larger computers.
I'm just correcting the assumption that there "objectively plenty of space" in economy-class seats. I'm average sized, and can physically move the computer right up to my chest - it's just not very comfortable for working. A smaller computer is definitely easier in this one circumstance.
In any case, it's a moot point for me. I travel far less for work these days (used to do it every week), and if one good thing has come out of the pandemic it's the realization that you don't have to physically travel (at least not that often) to work effectively.
Just had confirmation that the 2021 MBP 16" fits very easily into a particularly nice leather case bought for a 2015 15" - and which was never generous in size, just adequate.
(Obviously, that might not be true for all cases.)
for what it's worth... i prefer the size and shape of this new form factor. but obviously the main reason it's bigger is to improve thermals and allow for an hdmi port. the machine is only marginally thicker. the size is mostly an optical illusion because it doesn't have tapered edges which kinda suck when you pick the machine up anyway and they make it a lot more fragile when dropped. personally i like the size better. i don't move it around much so that is a factor for me.
I never had this problem to the point that it bothered me with the 17", which is about 3/4" deeper and taller when open than the 16". The economy seats I was in didn't recline very much, though! I'm 5'10" but not with a heavy build, so that may be part of it.
By luck, someone just posted this on YouTube, which shows exactly what I'm saying in the first couple of minutes:
I'm the same height as you (and quite slim), so I guess I must fly on cheaper airlines with smaller seats! TBH, there is a lot of variability in airlines. Long-haul flights are generally better, but the inter-state flights where I live are often quite small (some are even 50 seat turbo-prop aircraft to smaller cities).
The big problem is if someone reclines their seat. Probably even a 13" ultrabook would become uncomfortable because it would end up so close to your body (you have to slide to tray towards your body to allow the screen to open wide enough to see the screen).
You need the MacBook 12" for that, it was perfect for flights.
I finally saw the 16" in Edion sat next to an M1 Air and well yes, it was huge in comparison. I used to have the MBP 15" (work) and was so happy to be rid of that brick, I won't be picking up this one either.