The return of the 15” MacBook Pro

[Matt Leaf]

Apples current line offers a 13 and 15 inch MacBook Air, and 14 inch and 16 inch size in the Pro.

However many would argue with the release of the 15” MacBook Air, that 15 inches is the perfect laptop size.

We had 15” in a Pro variant in the Retina MacBook Pro, and then the TouchBar MBP, but then once the MacBook Pro began to creep up to the 16” size - whether to cater to Intel thermals, or to pave the way for the current 14 and 16” line - we lost the 15” MacBook Pro in the process.

A 15” MacBook Pro offers a great balance of screen size and performance, where many would argue the 14” is too small, and the 16” too big and heavy.

Previous to the 15” Air, the argument was that if you wanted a large screen MacBook Pro your only option was the 16”. However, now with the arrival of the 15” MacBook Air, if you want a 15” Macbook then your only option is an Air.

Does anyone else feel like a 15” MacBook Pro would be a welcome addition back to the lineup? Obviously, there could be too little difference between 14” and 16” to warrant such a minor difference in the middle.

If it ever happened it might be some time before we saw it, but maybe in that world we would have again 13”, 15” and 17” MacBook Pro’s.

What do you guys think?

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

With the MBA 15” there’s no reason to make a MBP 15” so I would say no. If anything they need to get rid of the old gen design MBA/MBP and focus on the newer 4 sizes they have.

 

[Fishrrman]

Not.
Coming.
Back.

(for a long time)

 

[Yebubbleman]

Apples current line offers a 13 and 15 inch MacBook Air, and 14 inch and 16 inch size in the Pro.

However many would argue with the release of the 15” MacBook Air, that 15 inches is the perfect laptop size.

We had 15” in a Pro variant in the Retina MacBook Pro, and then the TouchBar MBP, but then once the MacBook Pro began to creep up to the 16” size - whether to cater to Intel thermals, or to pave the way for the current 14 and 16” line - we lost the 15” MacBook Pro in the process.

A 15” MacBook Pro offers a great balance of screen size and performance, where many would argue the 14” is too small, and the 16” too big and heavy.

Previous to the 15” Air, the argument was that if you wanted a large screen MacBook Pro your only option was the 16”. However, now with the arrival of the 15” MacBook Air, if you want a 15” Macbook then your only option is an Air.

Does anyone else feel like a 15” MacBook Pro would be a welcome addition back to the lineup? Obviously, there could be too little difference between 14” and 16” to warrant such a minor difference in the middle.

If it ever happened it might be some time before we saw it, but maybe in that world we would have again 13”, 15” and 17” MacBook Pro’s.

What do you guys think?

Nah. The 16-inch MacBook Pro covers the larger-display+better thermals/battery-life in the higher-end department, while the 15-inch MacBook Air covers larger display element in the lower-end department while still being faster than even the fastest Intel 15-inch MacBook Pro. Seems like a win-win to me!

 

[sowza1]

Apples current line offers a 13 and 15 inch MacBook Air, and 14 inch and 16 inch size in the Pro.

However many would argue with the release of the 15” MacBook Air, that 15 inches is the perfect laptop size.

We had 15” in a Pro variant in the Retina MacBook Pro, and then the TouchBar MBP, but then once the MacBook Pro began to creep up to the 16” size - whether to cater to Intel thermals, or to pave the way for the current 14 and 16” line - we lost the 15” MacBook Pro in the process.

A 15” MacBook Pro offers a great balance of screen size and performance, where many would argue the 14” is too small, and the 16” too big and heavy.

Previous to the 15” Air, the argument was that if you wanted a large screen MacBook Pro your only option was the 16”. However, now with the arrival of the 15” MacBook Air, if you want a 15” Macbook then your only option is an Air.

Does anyone else feel like a 15” MacBook Pro would be a welcome addition back to the lineup? Obviously, there could be too little difference between 14” and 16” to warrant such a minor difference in the middle.

If it ever happened it might be some time before we saw it, but maybe in that world we would have again 13”, 15” and 17” MacBook Pro’s.

What do you guys think?

The 16” is pretty close to the same physical size of the 15”. The 16” has less bezel and therefore has a 16” screen diagonally. I’d rather have a larger screen when on the go.

 

[Nbd1790]

I think the current size options across the Air and Pro lines make more sense than ever. Don't think they'll shake that up anytime soon. The 17 inch model is gone for good IMO.

 

[dmccloud]

The 16" Pro has already taken the spot that the 15" once held, and at a similar size and weight. A 15" MBP would make even less sense than the 13" Pro does in the current lineup because it would be indistinguishable from the other products in the line.

 

[Matt Leaf]

Thanks for the thoughts guys! Seems like most folks are happy with 16” size for the MBP.

 

[CloudsNeverDie]

I'd definitely take a 15" MacBook Pro. I find the 14" a little on the small side, and the 16" is just too big and heavy. The 15" Air hits a sweet spot in terms of portability, but the performance isn't there for pro users and the display and speakers are just so-so. Apple will figure this out... eventually.

 

[chabig]

Thanks for the thoughts guys! Seems like most folks are happy with 16” size for the MBP.

Apple's stated dimension represents the diagonal of the screen. The 16" Pro is a 16" screen in the a body the size of the 15" Pro.

 

[TechnoMonk]

I would say discontinue the 13 MBP, simplify the line up.
MBA: 13 and 15
MBP : 14 and 16.

 

[Pakaku]

A 15” MacBook Pro offers a great balance of screen size and performance, where many would argue the 14” is too small, and the 16” too big and heavy.

They are effectively the same size, just less bezel and more weight. The 15" was 13.75" * 9.48", and weighed 4 lbs. The 16" is 14.01" * 9.77" and weighs 4.8lbs.

Personally I'd love an 18"...

 

[Omni Geno]

Personally I'd love an 18"...

MacBook Pro Max 😝

 

[dmccloud]

Apple's stated dimension represents the diagonal of the screen. The 16" Pro is a 16" screen in the a body the size of the 15" Pro.

That an industry standard, not just Apple. Even television manufacturers use the same diagonal measurement standard for their screens.

 

[tennisproha]

Tried out the new 14" and 16" M4 MacBook Pros in store this weekend. Love the form factor of the 14" MacBook Pro with the screen size of the 15" MacBook Air. The 14" is too small for multiple windows, while the 15" is perfect. So yeah, I want a 15" MacBook Pro.

Hopefully they'll bring it back with the OLED redesign.

 

[DHagan4755]

The 15" MacBook Pro is not coming back — at least not in the foreseeable future. 16" is the new sweet spot for high-end mobile computing. Apple was slightly ahead of the curve as just shortly after they introduced this size in late 2019, everyone else from Dell to Asus seemed to introduce models based around a 16" display.

 

[DHagan4755]

I just want to add that some of those other manufacturers have also introduced 18" models, mostly for gaming. Apple hasn't picked up on it — yet.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

I use my mid 2009 15" still with the M2 16" side-by-side and they're near identical in external dimension, the M2 even a touch lighter in specs. I've always loved the 15" format (mainly indoor use) but now it's with a larger, spectacular, albeit more fragile screen.