MBP14/16 to MBA15 switch - honeymoon over?

[erkanasu]

Anyone here ‘downgrade’ to the MBA15 (16gb/1TB) from MBP16 Max/14 Pro? Initially loved the air a ton… but when it came time to sell the MBP16… I ’chickened’ out and returned the air. Felt like I was lighting cash on fire a perfectly good MBP M1MAX, better in all regards besides weight and form.

i think if you are in a similar situation, I suggest keep your MBP and instead get an non-upgraded or lightly upgraded air as backup machine, but don’t spend more than ~1700

 

[Isamilis]

Anyone here ‘downgrade’ to the MBA15 (16gb/1TB) from MBP16 Max/14 Pro? Initially loved the air a ton… but when it came time to sell the MBP16… I ’chickened’ out and returned the air. Felt like I was lighting cash on fire a perfectly good MBP M1MAX, better in all regards besides weight and form.

i think if you are in a similar situation, I suggest keep your MBP and instead get an non-upgraded or lightly upgraded air as backup machine, but don’t spend more than ~1700

If you can “survive” with Air then you shouldn’t *need* the MBP. Unless you *want* better display and speaker. Is it worth the money, obviously very subjective.

 

[erkanasu]

If you can “survive” with Air then you shouldn’t *need* the MBP. Unless you *want* better display and speaker. Is it worth the money, obviously very subjective.

Oh totally, this is just wants, has nothing to do with needs! 😂

As is the case with most of us here

 

[JayMysterio]

I think the issue for some of us ( me ) is one of reality vs perception.

Yeah, I loved my 16in MBP, but to me it's a portable desktop. I just wasn't taking it out as often as I originally imagined. The thing is a monster, and what I did when I actually was out using it, didn't require a MBP. I've had the Air & have enjoyed tossing it in the bag to use out & working on projects. I don't really need a 4K when I am out, and have headphones so the speakers don't get used. When home I have all of those things on my desktop. I am also one of those people who found typing on the MBP uncomfortable for longer periods because of the higher sharp edges. For whatever reasons the lower stance of the Air is more comfortable for me. I also got caught up in worrying about lugging around a $2K+ machine out & about wherever I went. I just use the Air more.

I got the 16in for the screen, and justified the purchase with all the extra bells & whistles that would be available to me if I ever needed it.

I didn't actually need them.

The perception was that MBP itself justifies the cost of that extra screen real estate, but the reality is I just needed more screen real estate without all those other bells & whistles. So the 15in Air has been a pleasant compromise. Not everyone needs what a MBP provides, so it came down to accepting maybe I can "survive" on less to do more.

 

[Zest28]

Why would you downgrade from the 16" to the 15" MacBook Air?

You will loose alot of money for a worse machine in the end. If you need something ultra portable for those few cases where the 16" is too big (even the 13" M2 MacBook Air is too big for a plane unless you fly business class), an iPhone would probably cover those cases just fine.

 

[dizmonk]

I tried out the 15 even though I have the 14 MBP. I returned the 15. I just felt like it was too wide. The form factor of the 14 is near perfect. My only complaint about my M1 14 is a tiny bit heavy and I'd like the better battery life of the Air... Very, very much first-world problems.

 

[tstafford]

I tried out the 15 even though I have the 14 MBP. I returned the 15. I just felt like it was too wide. The form factor of the 14 is near perfect. My only complaint about my M1 14 is a tiny bit heavy and I'd like the better battery life of the Air... Very, very much first-world problems.

Yep. All these things. I have the MBP14 and an 13" M2A. The MBP14 is just better. But again all those things you say.

 

[IJBrekke]

Why would you downgrade from the 16" to the 15" MacBook Air?

You will loose alot of money for a worse machine in the end. If you need something ultra portable for those few cases where the 16" is too big (even the 13" M2 MacBook Air is too big for a plane unless you fly business class), an iPhone would probably cover those cases just fine.

 

[erkanasu]

ok...

so decided to keep my pro machine and got the 15" base model open box for $1150 at best buy - will use for chill work or biz trips (i.e. saved a thousand dollars from what I had a few days ago with 1TB/16GB build).

trying to have the best of both worlds lol

#sendmetoapplerehab

 

[pugxiwawa]

I got 15" MBA to complement 16" M1 MBP. It's a near perfect travel laptop. The size and weight are just perfect for taking it on the road and being able to have enough real estate to do actual work. Also have 13" MBA but i found that too small, will sell that one and keep 15/16. However, I do agree 16" MBP is a work horse. It's a great machine for keeping at home and occasional travel when need the power and connectivity.

 

[iregret]

Don’t look at me. I have a top spec’d 14” MBP that can’t even utilize all the power it has. Mistakes were made…

 

[erkanasu]

sooo...looks like im an 8gb basic b#$%@ here who mistakenly spent thousands they should have not, my 15" entry is rocking! seems almost equivalent to me as my MAX for my day to day product management and office tasks

 

[jeffg819]

Sold the M1 14" the day after I got the 15" MBA. No regrets and glad I listened to the MBA part of my brain.

 

[Sowelu]

The honeymoon is still going strong here.

Every time I grab my 15" MacBook Air to go into another room or put it on my lap, latent muscle memory still has me grabbing it as if it's still a thick and heavy 16" MacBook Pro that it replaced - and I sense the difference from memory.

There is a very noticeable difference in weight and thinness between the two and you feel it every time you grab it (and without losing the benefits of a larger display). I think the thinness also gives the perception that it's lighter than it really is because of how the weight is distributed (versus the very cool but slightly chunky 14" MBP, for example).

In terms of processing power, the only thing I've noticed between the two is that the Air runs cooler (or, feels cooler to the touch). But, I am not a power user as I do not work with video or photo processing other than some basic Photos stuff and basic MP3 editing for my playlists. Pay no mind to 'content creators' who push the Airs like they're Pros and complain that they throttle. Of course they will when pushed too hard, that's not what this model is designed for.

I am very happy with the 15" Air. I am thinking that the next update with the M3 is going to be even better as it will run even cooler, faster, and of course have even longer battery life.

 

[TechZeke]

Add me as another switcher. I originally had an M1 MBP 16"; I thought the 16" was a brick and never used it, so I then went to a 14". I have now sold my 14" to family member for a 15" MBA and loving it so far. Don't miss any of the extra features from the pro models, because I never used them. What I do notice is that the 15" MBA's design, display size, and form factor are simply chef's kiss.

Also, the 15" MBA easily dethrones the 2016-2019 15" MBP as the sexiest laptop ever made.

 

[kp98077]

Still on my honeymoon and dont miss that 16" MBP beast at all, was way to heavy to use in bed, on the coach, at the cafe etc. and more than I needed so ended up getting a 16GB 15 air and its great! Ordered a DBbrand cover today, will look great! I still cant get over the light weight! Even was fine on flights

 

[kp98077]

For those who have had a 14 pro or have one, I feel that is the ONE thing I maybe missing out on having the 15 MBA. The clarity of the screen and colors... any input here? Not sure if I should go back or stay on 15 MBA....

 

[jeffg819]

I'll preface this by saying I never watched movies on my M1 14" MBP. And for most of the day, I'm looking at an ASD while using the MBAir in clamshell mode. That said, I've never once thought to myself while using the 15" MBA as a laptop that something was missing or amiss. And I sold my 14" in short order so I would not be able to do side by side comparisons ad nauseam. Very happy with the Air.

 

[kp98077]

I'll preface this by saying I never watched movies on my M1 14" MBP. And for most of the day, I'm looking at an ASD while using the MBAir in clamshell mode. That said, I've never once thought to myself while using the 15" MBA as a laptop that something was missing or amiss. And I sold my 14" in short order so I would not be able to do side by side comparisons ad nauseam. Very happy with the Air.

good feedback, just the keyboard on the 15 Air feels little different to be.. probably just me 🥹

 

[Dopestar]

I think the issue for some of us ( me ) is one of reality vs perception.

Yeah, I loved my 16in MBP, but to me it's a portable desktop. I just wasn't taking it out as often as I originally imagined. The thing is a monster, and what I did when I actually was out using it, didn't require a MBP. I've had the Air & have enjoyed tossing it in the bag to use out & working on projects. I don't really need a 4K when I am out, and have headphones so the speakers don't get used. When home I have all of those things on my desktop. I am also one of those people who found typing on the MBP uncomfortable for longer periods because of the higher sharp edges. For whatever reasons the lower stance of the Air is more comfortable for me. I also got caught up in worrying about lugging around a $2K+ machine out & about wherever I went. I just use the Air more.

I got the 16in for the screen, and justified the purchase with all the extra bells & whistles that would be available to me if I ever needed it.

I didn't actually need them.

The perception was that MBP itself justifies the cost of that extra screen real estate, but the reality is I just needed more screen real estate without all those other bells & whistles. So the 15in Air has been a pleasant compromise. Not everyone needs what a MBP provides, so it came down to accepting maybe I can "survive" on less to do more.

I totally agree with you about the MP16. So do you have both MP16 and MBA15?

 

[JayMysterio]

I totally agree with you about the MP16. So do you have both MP16 and MBA15?

After I kept & tried the Air for two weeks, I sold the MBP to pay for the Air. Someone I knew was looking for a MBP for their DJ gigs / mixing projects, so it worked out great for everyone.

 

[arnolds1]

Anyone here ‘downgrade’ to the MBA15 (16gb/1TB) from MBP16 Max/14 Pro? Initially loved the air a ton… but when it came time to sell the MBP16… I ’chickened’ out and returned the air. Felt like I was lighting cash on fire a perfectly good MBP M1MAX, better in all regards besides weight and form.

i think if you are in a similar situation, I suggest keep your MBP and instead get an non-upgraded or lightly upgraded air as backup machine, but don’t spend more than ~1700

I did something similar - the 16 inch MBP screen feels so good that I didn't want to downgrade to the MBA 15. So don't worry, you are not alone 🤗

 

[arcite]

sooo...looks like im an 8gb basic b#$%@ here who mistakenly spent thousands they should have not, my 15" entry is rocking! seems almost equivalent to me as my MAX for my day to day product management and office tasks

One of Us. One of Us. One of Us.

 

[dizmonk]

I think the issue for some of us ( me ) is one of reality vs perception.

Yeah, I loved my 16in MBP, but to me it's a portable desktop. I just wasn't taking it out as often as I originally imagined. The thing is a monster, and what I did when I actually was out using it, didn't require a MBP. I've had the Air & have enjoyed tossing it in the bag to use out & working on projects. I don't really need a 4K when I am out, and have headphones so the speakers don't get used. When home I have all of those things on my desktop. I am also one of those people who found typing on the MBP uncomfortable for longer periods because of the higher sharp edges. For whatever reasons the lower stance of the Air is more comfortable for me. I also got caught up in worrying about lugging around a $2K+ machine out & about wherever I went. I just use the Air more.

I got the 16in for the screen, and justified the purchase with all the extra bells & whistles that would be available to me if I ever needed it.

I didn't actually need them.

The perception was that MBP itself justifies the cost of that extra screen real estate, but the reality is I just needed more screen real estate without all those other bells & whistles. So the 15in Air has been a pleasant compromise. Not everyone needs what a MBP provides, so it came down to accepting maybe I can "survive" on less to do more.

Brilliant... Summarizing exactly what I was wondering and hoping. Thanks for the encouragement to keep the 15...