New M4 15" MBA vs refurb 14" MBP w/ Nano?

[Amala3221]

I know this choice is very subjective but I’m seemingly incapable of making a decision here…

My M1 MBA has broken and I need a replacement. I was just about to get a new 24gb/1Tb 15” MBA when I remembered that the Pros have the option of a nano screen. I really, really love the nano screen on my iPad and having it on a laptop would be lovely. There’s a refurbished model in the Apple Store which is 24gb/1Tb 14” with the standard M4 chip and a nano screen, it’s only £30 more than the MBA.

I use my laptop for mostly pretty basic things like writing, regular video calls etc, and a bit of very light gaming (Stardew Valley type of stuff). I do like to keep laptops for a fair few years - I’d have been happy with my M1 for a while longer if it still worked. If the price difference was greater I’d definitely go for the MBA but as it is the Nano is very appealing, but I’m still hesitating. Is there anything obvious that I’m likely to regret about buying the Pro if I go ahead with it?

Thanks!

 

[kitKAC]

Get the Pro.

 

[chown33]

You didn't mention weight or mobility at all, which suggests that any weight difference between the models is of little or no consequence.

You also didn't mention noise, so there's no way to guess if fan noise might become a factor. High-performance gaming is one area where heat is a major factor, and fans spin up in a Pro to accomodate that, but I don't know how Stardew Valley would fit into the gaming domain. The Air doesn't have a fan at all.

Weight and fans are two differences that come to mind when comparing Pro vs. Air models. Well, there's also physical dimensions (size), such as in situations like air travel, but I assume you're familiar enough with the relative sizes to evaluate that.

In short, if weight, fans, and size aren't obstacles, the Pro seems better.

 

[waypath]

I went from a M2 MBA 15" to a M4 MBP 16" with Nano screen. The nano screen is amazing (best upgraded feature in my opinion) and you will regret not getting it when you have the chance now. The nano screen gives you more freedom. It frees you to use the laptop anywhere no matter the lighting and it makes everything on the screen feel closer like you can touch it rather than seeing the glossy glass as a barrier between you and your content (even in perfect lighting conditions)

 

[Amala3221]

You didn't mention weight or mobility at all, which suggests that any weight difference between the models is of little or no consequence.

You also didn't mention noise, so there's no way to guess if fan noise might become a factor. High-performance gaming is one area where heat is a major factor, and fans spin up in a Pro to accomodate that, but I don't know how Stardew Valley would fit into the gaming domain. The Air doesn't have a fan at all.

Weight and fans are two differences that come to mind when comparing Pro vs. Air models. Well, there's also physical dimensions (size), such as in situations like air travel, but I assume you're familiar enough with the relative sizes to evaluate that.

In short, if weight, fans, and size aren't obstacles, the Pro seems better.

Thanks very much for this, of course I should have mentioned those things not sure how they slipped my mind.

I’m fine with the weight and dimensions; it’s nice to have a light laptop but I’m used to lugging around heavy laptops so it isn’t a major consideration. If the Pro fans were on constantly I’d probably find it annoying but from what I’ve read they don’t tend to come on when you’re only doing light tasks so that’s fine.

So I reckon I’ll go for the Pro. Thanks!