Upgrading to 2016 MacBook Pro from 13" MacBook Air - Get a 13" or 15"?

[mrtemp]

I currently have a 13" MacBook Air and want to upgrade to the new 2016 MacBook Pro. I can't decide if I want the 13" or 15" model. I am a web developer and also do some app development in Xcode. The price difference isn't a concern but the size and weight of the 15" model is. I could really use a higher resolution screen and the extra power of the CPU and graphics in the 15" model.

Has anyone made the upgrade to a 15" MacBook Pro from a MacBook Air? If so are you glad you did or is the extra size and weight noticeable? I primarily do my work at a desk, on the couch, and in bed. I don't take the laptop with me to meetings.

 

[WannaApple?]

I just upgraded from a 13" 2012 Air to a 15" MB Pro Touch Bar yesterday. Love it so far.

The main reasons for me were simple....I was having a harder time seeing the 13" screen any longer, particularly with the non-retina display. I was regularly having to zoom in to read anything.

Also, I usually have a lot of browser windows open so its nice to have the extra screen real estate as well.

I'm sure as a web developer you would benefit from the extra space.

The size and weight actually isn't that big of a factor since its really not much heavier albeit I don't really care mine around too much either. I do occasionally sit with it on my lap as opposed to the table or desk but haven't noticed any major differences there in weight either. I think one of the biggest things for me to get used to was the non-tapered edge as I tend to rest my wrist at the edge when using the trackpad and the edge of the Pro can get a bit uncomfy at times.

 

[NickPhamUK]

The price difference is $900, if you have the means for it, then go for it. I see no issue here.

As for me, I planned to get the 15" at first - if I waited for 3 years to buy a Mac, why don't I just go all the way in? But then, after thorough consideration, I think I don't make use of the quad core, 16GB RAM and the dGPU - so I'm happy with my nTB purchase.

 

[jimbobiii]

I went from Air to 13 touch at to 15 touch bar.

Love the 15. It's a little heavier but not really that much more awkward than an air in size.

The screen real estate is lovely though and the resolution and quality is insane.

 

[emir]

Having the same dilemma in reverse.

I'm currently on 2010 15" base MBP and been waiting for this SkyLake Mac the past 2 years. I always carry around my laptop, every day from home to work and it is my only machine. At work I use it for heavy excel and data work, some occasional photoshop but 90% big spreadsheet analysis. For personal use I have a website/community for electric vehicle drivers and I will start editing videos soon for youtube and my website.

Since I carry it around everywhere the 13" is attractive with portability and price. However I find the touch bar 13" to be expensive for its specs. Seems like less value for money. So looking at the non touch bar 13" I feel that's too much of a sacrifice after a long wait and the tendency of mine to use laptops for a long time.

15" is the best of all but VERY expensive and is still less portable. For all that money I might never use the fulll performance. So I'm still very undecided. Could use a fresh outlook from you guys for my case.

 

[Precursor]

However I find the touch bar 13" to be expensive for its specs. Seems like less value for money.

There are many differences between the TB and NTB 13". Other than the touchbar difference one has 15W (with one fan) other has 28W processor (with dual fan), one has 1866MHz ram other has 2133MHz, one has Intel graphics 540 other one has 550, one has 2 ports other one has 4, one doesn't have fingerprint reader other one has.

I do believe these differences are worth the $300 price difference