Torn between Air M2 and Pro 14 - Any news on the horizon?

[IJBrekke]

I don't understand why someone would get a 14" MBP instead of the 16". The extra screen area makes a huge difference. If it's between the 14" MBP and the M2 MBA, the MBA wins hands down in my opinion, because it's so easily portable. If you need the extra power of the MBP why wouldn't you get the 16"?

Just to play devil’s advocate: Price, weight, portability, personal preference. What if you want the power of the Pro when docked with an external monitor, but also want portability for all other situations? The 14” corners this market.

 

[ilikewhey]

I don't understand why someone would get a 14" MBP instead of the 16". The extra screen area makes a huge difference. If it's between the 14" MBP and the M2 MBA, the MBA wins hands down in my opinion, because it's so easily portable. If you need the extra power of the MBP why wouldn't you get the 16"?

lol you should check some polls, between the 14 mbp and the m2 mba, the 14mbp won by some margins, and that poll is in the mba section.

 

[fatpolomanjr]

lol you should check some polls, between the 14 mbp and the m2 mba, the 14mbp won by some margins, and that poll is in the mba section.

The poll did show that. We can discuss the merits of voluntary response sampling of macrumours users, but the question you're responding to is asking why one would choose the 14" over the 16". I think the devil's advocate comment above yours nails the considerations.

 

[ilikewhey]

The poll did show that. We can discuss the merits of voluntary response sampling of macrumours users, but the question you're responding to is asking why one would choose the 14" over the 16". I think the devil's advocate comment above yours nails the considerations.

the merit change when you discussed mbp 14 vs the m2 air.

 

[fatpolomanjr]

the merit change when you discussed mbp 14 vs the m2 air.

I guess I'm just not sure how the results of the poll are relevant to the comment you're replying to.

Question: "Why would someone choose mbp 14 over 16 if you need pro specs? Why would someone choose mbp 14 over m2 mba if you need portability?"

Answer: "The results of the poll show more people would choose mbp 14 than m2 mba. 👍"

 

[ilikewhey]

I guess I'm just not sure how the results of the poll are relevant to the comment you're replying to.

Question: "Why would someone choose mbp 14 over 16 if you need pro specs? Why would someone choose mbp 14 over m2 mba if you need portability?"

Answer: "The results of the poll show more people would choose mbp 14 than m2 mba. 👍"

I don't understand why someone would get a 14" MBP instead of the 16". The extra screen area makes a huge difference. If it's between the 14" MBP and the M2 MBA, the MBA wins hands down in my opinion, because it's so easily portable. If you need the extra power of the MBP why wouldn't you get the 16"?

first you mention extra screen area between 14 and 16, then you change gear to 14 and mba because its portable? your statement lacks consistency and it doesn't logically flow.

 

[Technerd108]

I don't understand why someone would get a 14" MBP instead of the 16". The extra screen area makes a huge difference. If it's between the 14" MBP and the M2 MBA, the MBA wins hands down in my opinion, because it's so easily portable. If you need the extra power of the MBP why wouldn't you get the 16"?

first you mention extra screen area between 14 and 16, then you change gear to 14 and mba because its portable? your statement lacks consistency and it doesn't logically flow.

It makes perfect sense. If you want portability then you go air. If you want power you go 16" since the screen on the M1 MBP is mini led and XDR which apple charges a ton for you might as well get the biggest screen.

The 16" has more thermal headroom and battery life than the 14". Plus if you get the M1 Max only the 16" has a high power mode completely lacking on the 14" so clearly even Apple considers the 16" a more "Pro" machine. Also the charger on the 16" is better. And it has louder and larger speakers.

So the gentleman was saying he doesn't see the point of getting the 14" for serious "Pro" work when the 16" is a better device for "Pro" workloads. Makes sense to me.

However I can see some people that fit in the middle who want the power but also value portability. Although I would never get the M1 Max in the 14" due to thermal throttling that doesn't happen in the 16" under the same workloads.

Luckily for everyone there are choices.

 

[ilikewhey]

It makes perfect sense. If you want portability then you go air. If you want power you go 16" since the screen on the M1 MBP is mini led and XDR which apple charges a ton for you might as well get the biggest screen.

The 16" has more thermal headroom and battery life than the 14". Plus if you get the M1 Max only the 16" has a high power mode completely lacking on the 14" so clearly even Apple considers the 16" a more "Pro" machine. Also the charger on the 16" is better. And it has louder and larger speakers.

So the gentleman was saying he doesn't see the point of getting the 14" for serious "Pro" work when the 16" is a better device for "Pro" workloads. Makes sense to me.

However I can see some people that fit in the middle who want the power but also value portability. Although I would never get the M1 Max in the 14" due to thermal throttling that doesn't happen in the 16" under the same workloads.

Luckily for everyone there are choices.

16inch has better performance not because of thermal but a design cap by apple.

 

[Technerd108]

One video doesn't prove anything. I am sure the engineers at Apple don't know what they are doing and don't take bigger fans and more space into consideration when they implemented the cap.

You can find multiple videos showing thermal throttling occurring on 14" before the 16".

And that doesn't explain the lack of high performance mode in the 14". If they thought the laptop could handle it they would have included. Think of the advertising that they could have done saying that there was literally NO difference between the two? Instead they didn't announce high power mode in the marketing because they didn't want to advertise any difference between the models.

Both are well designed and it is amazing they can put the M1 Max into a 14" chassis. I would say that is an engineering marvel unless you think Apple did a bad job with the design of the 14"?

The cap is there for a reason and even with throttling these laptops are insane fast compared to the Intel variants that they replaced.

 

[ilikewhey]

One video doesn't prove anything. I am sure the engineers at Apple don't know what they are doing and don't take bigger fans and more space into consideration when they implemented the cap.

You can find multiple videos showing thermal throttling occurring on 14" before the 16".

And that doesn't explain the lack of high performance mode in the 14". If they thought the laptop could handle it they would have included. Think of the advertising that they could have done saying that there was literally NO difference between the two? Instead they didn't announce high power mode in the marketing because they didn't want to advertise any difference between the models.

Both are well designed and it is amazing they can put the M1 Max into a 14" chassis. I would say that is an engineering marvel unless you think Apple did a bad job with the design of the 14"?

The cap is there for a reason and even with throttling these laptops are insane fast compared to the Intel variants that they replaced.

your comments and speculation doesn't prove anything either 🤣

credibility works both way, my brother has the same m1 max chip in his 16inch and so far my 14inch can do all the heavy duty his laptop can do, but of-course, my anecdotal doesn't prove anything right? lol

 

[Technerd108]

your comments and speculation doesn't prove anything either 🤣

credibility works both way, my brother has the same m1 max chip in his 16inch and so far my 14inch can do all the heavy duty his laptop can do, but of-course, my anecdotal doesn't prove anything right? lol

 

[russell_314]

Sorry, forgot to mention, I don't live in the US, and Apple pretty much doesn't give any discounts whatsoever where I live. The price difference will be 2090 USD for the Pro versus 1820 USD for the Air.

Not really any heavy workloads. Some light gaming (ScummVM adventures, emulators etc), mostly office and media consumption. I have gaming PC for the heavy lifting.

Is it going to sit on the desk and rarely be moved or are you carrying this thing around with you all the time?

That’s the big question. If it’s going to sit at the desk, get either the 14” MacBook Pro or a Mac mini. If you’re carrying this thing with you every day, get the MacBook Air.

Of course with sustained workloads and the screen is where the 14” Pro is going to have an advantage. Only you can decide if you need the extra power. Don’t believe people saying they’re pretty much the same laptop when it comes to size and weight. The spec sheet doesn’t tell the story. Go to the Apple store and pick them up with your hands. They’re significantly different!

 

[ilikewhey]

Is it going to sit on the desk and rarely be moved or are you carrying this thing around with you all the time?

That’s the big question. If it’s going to sit at the desk, get either the 14” MacBook Pro or a Mac mini. If you’re carrying this thing with you every day, get the MacBook Air.

Of course with sustained workloads and the screen is where the 14” Pro is going to have an advantage. Only you can decide if you need the extra power. Don’t believe people saying they’re pretty much the same laptop when it comes to size and weight. The spec sheet doesn’t tell the story. Go to the Apple store and pick them up with your hands. They’re significantly different!

well thats not exactly fair, i carry my 14 mbp from home to work and walk around the office with it just fine. in fact i feel like the 14inch's thickness gives me a better grip compare to my previous m1 mba.

 

[ilikewhey]

like i said, design cap by apple, plus the 16 was drawing twice the power. out of all these, only 2 real life scenario where ppl mostly edit in 4k and they were 1-4 seconds apart.

 

[Technerd108]

like i said, design cap by apple, plus the 16 was drawing twice the power. out of all these, only 2 real life scenario where ppl mostly edit in 4k and they were 1-4 seconds apart.

It is still a cap and reason why the gentleman said that he didn't understand why a "Pro" user would choose the 14" over the 16".

Who cares how much power it is drawing if it is not thermally constrained as you want as much performance as possible unless you feel the M1 Max is not an efficient processor? The battery life is still better on the 16" so I don't see what power draw has to do with anything?

Sometimes people just want the fastest, best device they can get with thermal headroom not found in the 14", they want the bigger screen, louder speakers, faster charger and so on even if those differences are small and most "Pro" users pay a lot of money to have the best.

You never answered why Apple would intentionally cap one of their "Pro" devices even understanding the physical differences like larger fans and heat sinks in the larger 16" MBP over the smaller 14" if it was just arbitrary. Doesn't make sense since at the higher end they cost the same. Could it be that physics plays a role in hardware design and software capabilities?

I don't know as I am not an Apple engineer. But I don't see any logical reason for them to undercut the performance of something when their is no benefit to them to do so other than some real limitation based on the physical properties of the 14" and again why some people would prefer the larger 16" MBP over the 14".

 

[topcat001]

Apart from portability the 16” is better in every possible way.

 

[russell_314]

well thats not exactly fair, i carry my 14 mbp from home to work and walk around the office with it just fine. in fact i feel like the 14inch's thickness gives me a better grip compare to my previous m1 mba.

I guess it depends on personal preference but I’ve seen so many people here saying that the MacBook Air and the 14” MacBook Pro are only slightly different when it comes to size and weight. That had me thinking that perhaps I made the wrong choice buying the MacBook Air. I’m talking about the M2 Air. I don’t have any hands on with the older version.

I picked up a 14 inch MacBook Pro at the Apple store as it not purchased, but lifted off the table and held it in my hands for a few minutes. It feels significantly heavier, and nothing like the Air. At first I thought well maybe it’s just my mind playing tricks on me so I went over to the other table and picked up the MacBook Air. Unfortunately, they didn’t have them side by side. When I got there, it felt like what I expected it to feel like because I own one.

I’m not against this because I think the pro machine should be a pro machine, so I’m glad we’re getting away from Jonny I’ve. Even Apple doesn’t like him anymore because that’s how Siri voice dictation spells his name. 😂😂

I’m not saying it isn’t portable because obviously it’s a laptop and you could put it in a laptop bag but if your primary concern is thin and light, then the Air is the choice. They are not close as some people would suggest. I always tell people if possible go to the Apple Store and put hands on on yourself so before spending several thousand dollars you’re comfortable buying what you want. My perspective is just my perspective and someone else might grab that 14” MacBook Pro and think wow this is light.

If you don’t have an Apple Store nearby, but you’re in the USA, Best Buy sells MacBooks. I don’t know if they’re attached. There’s some sort of bracket a lot of retailers use so you may not be able to lift it like you can at the Apple store. I have to believe there are other similar stores in the UK in Europe that sell MacBooks besides Apple.

 

[Dealmans]

it’s just like the iPhones pros weigh more and have more

 

[IJBrekke]

I guess it depends on personal preference but I’ve seen so many people here saying that the MacBook Air and the 14” MacBook Pro are only slightly different when it comes to size and weight. That had me thinking that perhaps I made the wrong choice buying the MacBook Air. I’m talking about the M2 Air. I don’t have any hands on with the older version.

I picked up a 14 inch MacBook Pro at the Apple store as it not purchased, but lifted off the table and held it in my hands for a few minutes. It feels significantly heavier, and nothing like the Air. At first I thought well maybe it’s just my mind playing tricks on me so I went over to the other table and picked up the MacBook Air. Unfortunately, they didn’t have them side by side. When I got there, it felt like what I expected it to feel like because I own one.

I’m not against this because I think the pro machine should be a pro machine, so I’m glad we’re getting away from Jonny I’ve. Even Apple doesn’t like him anymore because that’s how Siri voice dictation spells his name. 😂😂

I’m not saying it isn’t portable because obviously it’s a laptop and you could put it in a laptop bag but if your primary concern is thin and light, then the Air is the choice. They are not close as some people would suggest. I always tell people if possible go to the Apple Store and put hands on on yourself so before spending several thousand dollars you’re comfortable buying what you want. My perspective is just my perspective and someone else might grab that 14” MacBook Pro and think wow this is light.

If you don’t have an Apple Store nearby, but you’re in the USA, Best Buy sells MacBooks. I don’t know if they’re attached. There’s some sort of bracket a lot of retailers use so you may not be able to lift it like you can at the Apple store. I have to believe there are other similar stores in the UK in Europe that sell MacBooks besides Apple.

Comparing the two directly (my Air arrived last night), the Pro meets expectations of a traditional computer/laptop when you pick it up. The Air feels closer to an iPad in weight and size when you hold it.

 

[erasr]

I went from a 14" MacBook Pro to an M1 MacBook Air. I am a professional UX Designer who has pretty intense workloads. Nothing crazy, but more than the average person and I was worried that the Air would have issues. I purchased the base model with 16 GBs of RAM.

No performance issues whatsoever. What I did notice were the intangibles the Air line gives that can't be described on a tech spec sheet... fanless engineering is way underrated. Battery Life improvements. Ultraportability allowing me to work remotely out of the home easier (I didnt think a .7 pound and a little bit thinner chassis would be all that noticeable, but I can't go back ever again). The ONLY thing I miss at times with the Pro is that gorgeous screen.

My wife is now going to school and took my M1 Air, and I just purchased an M2 Air with 16 GBs of RAM and a 512GB SSD. I could have gotten the 14" Pro for $1599, about $100 less, but the better battery life, thinness, and fanless experience are well worth the slight cost in performance, worse screen, and lack of ports.

So many stories like this from people who've had both.

Same here and very similar work usage. The Air is magnificent. Had it 4 weeks now. It's the first Apple laptop in over a decade which has made me smile and enjoy after 2 weeks.

I generally think there's a '2 week window' where you love the new shiny product then forget it's new, or just get used to it.

Each day one month on I'm still in love with this shiny new laptop. The size, weight and power without fan is incredible.

I don't want to write this again (haha) but I'm still not even taking my power adaptor to work, even on the second full day. The batteries last two full days at least.

I'm popping out of my house way more often to go to coffee shops with my Air in a super thin sleeve. It's just effortless.

I'd never get a Pro now unless they make it the same size as the Air. The display just doesn't win enough points vs the Air unless watching a movie, which I'm rarely doing.

 

[0906742]

I'd never get a Pro now unless they make it the same size as the Air. The display just doesn't win enough points vs the Air unless watching a movie, which I'm rarely doing.

I don't think we will ever get Pro as the same size as Air. It is a Pro machine for a reason, cooling for better performance alone takes a lot of room. Again it is the same for iPhones, Pro models are extremely heavy. I'm sure you guys get just aluminum version of iPhone because it is so light and small.
I'm fine with something heavier and larger, and because of that I just ordered AW Ultra for myself instead of AW 8.


Offtopic, Joan please giggle. I love to hear her giggling.

 

[maka344]

I don't think we will ever get Pro as the same size as Air. It is a Pro machine for a reason, cooling for better performance alone takes a lot of room. Again it is the same for iPhones, Pro models are extremely heavy. I'm sure you guys get just aluminum version of iPhone because it is so light and small.
I'm fine with something heavier and larger, and because of that I just ordered AW Ultra for myself instead of AW 8.

I have a 14 Pro Max and an M2 Air - what’s your point?!

 

[erasr]

No I'd get the Pro iPhone.

There's a vast difference between a light laptop vs the argument for a light phone.

 

[whizkid11]

Get the Air. You won’t be sorry. Looks and feels like a pro without the added weight. Definitely get the 16gb of RAM.

 

[whizkid11]

After a number of Pros, the last being the dreaded 2017 model with the lousy keyboard, I bought the M2 and haven't regretted it for a moment. The battery life is incredible (I had to plug in the Pro after a few hours of work a few times a day; now I only charge my M2 overnight), the keyboard a huge improvement, and the screen (and camera) is excellent. It's also a lot lighter than the Pro.

This ^^