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What are your thoughts on a 15.4" MacBook Air?

Hieveryone

Hieveryone

macrumors 603
Original poster
Apr 11, 2014
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USA
I really like the new 13.6" MacBook Air. I think it looks really nice and I love the dark color. It really is the perfect machine IMHO. I am currently using a 2019 MacBook Pro 15". I would like to get the new MacBook Air but don't think I would be happy with the smaller screen size.
 
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jav6454 said:
It is not an MacBook Air. It defeats the purpose of it.
Click to expand...

I see your point. The "Air" is meant to be an adjective in a sense. Light, thin, portable. A larger model would certainly take away from that.

BUT here me out...

The new MacBook Pro models are pretty heavy. They're thick. It's not like the last generation MacBook Pro.

So I think there could be a space for a 15.4" model and possibly a demand. I can't be the only one wanting one, no?
 
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It's supposed to be a 15.2" releasing towards the end of next year, and for me, pretty much the single Apple device I'd say I'm genuinely excited about the prospect of owning!
 
Hieveryone said:
I see your point. The "Air" is meant to be an adjective in a sense. Light, thin, portable. A larger model would certainly take away from that.

BUT here me out...

The new MacBook Pro models are pretty heavy. They're thick. It's not like the last generation MacBook Pro.

So I think there could be a space for a 15.4" model and possibly a demand. I can't be the only one wanting one, no?
Click to expand...
Several here want one of those, but the price point would make it comparable to buying the 14" or 16". Do you see how even financially it would make no sense?

Also, with the Air now sharing the same horrible design as the new MBPs, it would mean a 15" Air is heavier and not at all as portable.
 
2017 MBP 15” owner here. It’s thinner and lighter than the current 16” by quite a bit and has 4 USB-C ports. If I could get this exact computer with an M1/M2 chip and an updated keyboard I would be completely satisfied. It is the Goldilocks size of larger-screened laptops in my opinion.
 
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Hieveryone said:
I see your point. The "Air" is meant to be an adjective in a sense. Light, thin, portable. A larger model would certainly take away from that.

BUT here me out...

The new MacBook Pro models are pretty heavy. They're thick. It's not like the last generation MacBook Pro.

So I think there could be a space for a 15.4" model and possibly a demand. I can't be the only one wanting one, no?
Click to expand...
You aren't; I nursed my original MBA along for 3 years longer than my usual 8-year refresh point, hoping for a 15" or 16" replacement. I finally gave up and bought a 16" MBP last winter, which was overkill for what I use a laptop for, but the 13" never sat ON my lap, but always slid into it; I wanted to avoid that without resorting to a tray.
The cost is forgotten, it fits my lap, and I love the mini-LED screen on this thing. Even if a 15" MBA is released next year, I'm keeping what I've got.
 
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Would buy MBA 15". Why? Probably because it's enough for mobile use. I'd use it with a Mac Studio or a future Mac Pro as a desktop. Right now, the MBP16 serves both, mobile and desktop needs. I still have a bunch of old Intel machines I'm not using anymore, including a Mac Pro, and a few macOS VMs running on other hardware, so a MBP16 as a all-in-one machine was the logical choice as it's just as powerful as the M1 Max in the Studio and the Ultra really doesn't do anything for me. I just like the new MBA design, it's small not heavy and more than enough for daily tasks. But 13" is just not big enough for my eyes anymore, especially when working mobile or travelling and not having a display to dock.
 
13" is basically a tablet screen nowadays. Impossible to do any kind of honest multitasking on it.
I switched from a 13" M1 to a 16" for the screen size only, having a 15"/16" Air makes all the sense in the world for me. Bring it.
 
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it would make waaaay more sense if they'd made the base m1/m2 mbp based off the 15" body rather than 13". then its actually got some meaningful differentiation from the air. no new engineering work would be necessary to service people who want a larger screen but don't need beefier internals or fancy display tech like an M1 Pro/Max. then you've got 13-15" options for people with lighter computing needs, and 14-16" options for more demanding users. seems like a pretty clean product lineup to me.
 
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jav6454 said:
Several here want one of those, but the price point would make it comparable to buying the 14" or 16". Do you see how even financially it would make no sense?

Also, with the Air now sharing the same horrible design as the new MBPs, it would mean a 15" Air is heavier and not at all as portable.
Click to expand...
Most who want a 15 inch Air do not need the extra power of the M1 Pro/Max and can do fine with the M1/M2. Sure the price might come close to the base 14 inch, but it financially makes sense because each of the two serves a different purpose. The 14 inch is for those who want the extra horsepower and ports in a compact size, while the 15 inch Air is for those who just want a pretty looking laptop with a large screen.

The base Pro starts at $2,500 and that costs too much for someone who just wants a larger screen. A 15 inch Air that cost around $1400-1500 would be reasonable.

In my opinion, having a 15 inch version of the Air wouldn't contradict the purpose and meaning of the Air brand. Sure it's heavier than a 13 inch, but its very light for a 15 inch.
 
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jav6454 said:
It is not an MacBook Air. It defeats the purpose of it.
Click to expand...

Screen Size has nothing to do with the 'Air' branding. The Air represents it's weight and form factor, it's lightness and thins. A 15" MBA would be a beast of an upgrade. I purchased the 16" simply for the bigger display, don't need all the power.

About time Apple caught onto the fact that people want larger screens.
 
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Funny Apple Man said:
Most who want a 15 inch Air do not need the extra power of the M1 Pro/Max and can do fine with the M1/M2. Sure the price might come close to the base 14 inch, but it financially makes sense because each of the two serves a different purpose. The 14 inch is for those who want the extra horsepower and ports in a compact size, while the 15 inch Air is for those who just want a pretty looking laptop with a large screen.

The base Pro starts at $2,500 and that costs too much for someone who just wants a larger screen. A 15 inch Air that cost around $1400-1500 would be reasonable.

In my opinion, having a 15 inch version of the Air wouldn't contradict the purpose and meaning of the Air brand. Sure it's heavier than a 13 inch, but its very light for a 15 inch.
Click to expand...
The numbers dont make much sense and 1400/1500 is not realistic. Let’s say the starting price is closer to 1600/1700 knowing Apple. That for an 8GB 256SSD machines. You want your machine to last a long time so lets say you get 16GB of ram. Now you are at 1800/1900 dollars. Pretty sure you will want more storage so thats another 200. Now you are at 2000/2100. This is for a non pro, non motion plus, inferior chip, no HDR etc 15 inch MacBook Air.

The 14 inch pro is 2000 but has been on sale for 1800 not too long ago. You get pro motion, HDR screen etc more ports, a better chip etc. The 16 has gone on sale for 2250.

The math doesn’t really add up. If you need more screen space just get an ipad and use sidecar or universal control. That will only add 400 dollars or less and give you more screen space and an ipad.

Heck if it’s just size you want, get an external portable display, you can get a 15.6 monitor on the go for under 300. Thats for someone who just wants screen size. You spend a fraction and problem solved.

With the current Apple line up it is very difficult to see a need or fit for an Apple 15 inch air. Sure it sounds nice until you think about it and start thing about actual prices.
 
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shenfrey said:
Screen Size has nothing to do with the 'Air' branding. The Air represents it's weight and form factor, it's lightness and thins. A 15" MBA would be a beast of an upgrade. I purchased the 16" simply for the bigger display, don't need all the power.

About time Apple caught onto the fact that people want larger screens.
Click to expand...
Lightness goes away as soon as you add bulk and weight to make a bigger Mac. Hence, by your own argument, it's not an Air.
 
jav6454 said:
Lightness goes away as soon as you add bulk and weight to make a bigger Mac. Hence, by your own argument, it's not an Air.
Click to expand...

Except there are reports of Apple creating a 15” MBA. So by both our own arguments, it doesn’t matter. Apple thinks it’s an Air.
 
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shenfrey said:
www.macrumors.com

Larger 15-Inch MacBook Air Expected in 2023

Apple is developing a larger 15-inch MacBook Air that could come out in 2023, according to research shared today by Display Supply Chain Consultants...
www.macrumors.com www.macrumors.com
Click to expand...
That report came true with the 13.6" MBA we just got. It is "slightly" bigger than a 13". So therefore the 15" wasn't an option.

Apple might have considered it, but in the end history shows they stuck with 13" and 11" for the Air.
 
jav6454 said:
That report came true with the 13.6" MBA we just got. It is "slightly" bigger than a 13". So therefore the 15" wasn't an option.

Apple might have considered it, but in the end history shows they stuck with 13" and 11" for the Air.
Click to expand...
www.macrumors.com

Apple Working on 15-Inch MacBook Air and 12-Inch MacBook for 2023

Apple is working on a 15-inch MacBook Air that could be released as early as next spring, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The 15-inch...
www.macrumors.com www.macrumors.com
 
jav6454 said:
Apple usually tests several devices for the following reasons:
  • To test but never release to public
  • To test for evaluation
  • To snuff out leakers.
Click to expand...

You really don’t want a 15” MBA do you? It’s as if you hate options. I think you just need to relax and let what will be will be. You’ll still get to use your delicate 13” display if Apple does release the rumoured 15”. And your laptop will still be a MacBook Air. Let everyone be happy man, it’ll feel good.
 
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I think people are getting overly excited with it. History has shown Apple would rather have you buy an 11 or 13" MBA and upsell you a MBP at higher margins for anything more than 13".
 
dude ,im so excited for it ,you've no idea

now ,i dont fool myself,as i believe it'll be very close to a mbp 14...whilst having less power,a lcd screen with infinitely worse contrast ratio and brightness, 60hz ,less and worse speakers....basically everything that would make it a joy for entertainement ,such as watching movies ,listening to music,or just scrolling through the web at 120hz like a G-od wannabe .
and also the ports,and the fans,and the keyboard ,and the multi screen support,and the tb4,and the ssd speeds...

but then,you get a bigger screen (perhaps not by a damn lot tho),a lighter and thinner machine,a fanless body,a bigger trackpad,a much cooler chip (m1 is way cooler than m1 pro just so you know ) ,a smaller notch -apparently lmao- and that's pretty much it ig .oh yes and battery ,it's most likely gonna have a more efficient chip whilst getting a bigger battery...i suppose .

yeah i'm super excited but overall ,perhaps is the mbp 14 more worth it
 
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