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Who else prefers the 13" M2 MBA?

Which size M2 MBA do you prefer, and why?

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    145
The Cockney Rebel

The Cockney Rebel

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Jul 17, 2010
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I've been contemplating ordering a 15" MBA, mostly down to FOMO if I'm going to be honest.

But I just love this little 13" M2 MBA.

I have the 16" M2 MBP, but that's at my place and I'm spending more time at my nan's (where my Air is.)

I have my apps fill the screen (not full screen) and it's just perfect (for me.) Adjust a few font sizes, here and there, and it's all good.

Anyone else prefer the 13" form factor?
 
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Yes, I was considering to replace my Air M1 with the new 15” but, after a visit to an Apple Store, I finally decided to wait (how long…?) for the M3 13” Air. The 15” for my needs is just too big to carry around.
 
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Jamacfer said:
Yes, I was considering to replace my Air M1 with the new 15” but, after a visit to an Apple Store, I finally decided to wait (how long…?) for the M3 13” Air. The 15” for my needs is just too big to carry around.
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I haven't seen it in the flesh.

I've watched YouTube videos and it looks considerably bigger.

Does it look/feel that much bigger?
 
I want the largest screen in the lightest form factor for my portable computing… I have the 16” MBPro at the moment but it’s doing double duty. Once I get a desktop again, the 15” MBAir is on my radar…
 
My main purpose for a laptop is portability. The smaller the better. It just needs to be large enough so that the keyboard keys aren't too small and cramped or a wonky layout. I can make use of full screen mode and Spaces with gestures to efficiently move between multiple windows and programs.

Not that I frequently have a lot of stuff open on my laptop. Most of what I do is on a desktop remotely. That's where I have my screen real estate. The laptop is mostly for diagnostics on a job site and occasional use around the house. Can't think of the last time I've sat at a desk and used it while plugged into power. It's usage is nearly 100% portable on battery power.

Heck, I hardly even use it for work on site anymore. As most stuff is controlled by some app on a person's phone or I just use one of their computers. It's mostly something I lug around. Just in case I need it.

Personally I'd be content with an 11" MBA using an iPhone CPU with 8GB RAM and 120GB storage. Especially if it knocked the price down several hundred dollars. As long as it still ran macOS.
 
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I have this issue too. I'm actually v happy with a 13 inch laptop but now every video makes it seem like you're missing out on a key part of your life if you don't get the extra 2 inches. I went to the store as well and looked at the differences. For sure that extra screen real estate made a difference. i'd be lying if i said it didn't. Multi tasking seemed more comfy, and videos were so so immersive. However, I generally just watch youtube videos and a few netflix shows from time to time if the big tv is occupied. Sometimes i just want to have my "me time" and watch a video. so for those situations it's great to have a big screen.

However, most of the time, I just want to pick up my laptop for a few minutes - or 20 and just scroll on websites, watch a few videos and get back to normal life. A 13 inch is way better for that. I also live in a very skinny but tall house. So i go up and down. I love my 13 inch for that.

So i'm sticking with this size and for me it's the best. I just have to stop watching the videos.
 
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I had been a 15" MBP user for years and years and switched the 13" M2 MBA when it came out for the thinner device and portability in a travel bag. I love the 13" but I had a really hard time adjusting to the 13" screen - which still feels a little cramped to me sometimes. 15" really seem best of both worlds for myself. Can't deny the 13" is the perfect device for some though!
 
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I've had a 16 inch M1Pro MBP since the day they came out (approx 18 months) and had used it primarily in clamshell mode with my Studio Display. Then last summer I got a Mac Studio and use that with the Studio Display. Since then, I've been finding that, instead of using my MBP with it's wonderful screen when sitting on the couch or in an armchair, I'm simply using my iPad mini because the MBP is simply to bulky and heavy to use on my lap.

I had been toying with an M2 iPad Pro but thinking about how I would use it (I HATE using a mouse with that thumbprint cursor), ended up deciding that for a little less money I could get a 13 inch M2 MBP (in Midnight, of course!) which would be more suited to my use case on the couch or in a chair in the great room.

I waited until after WWDC to see what new Macs were released and just pulled the pin on a 13 inch M2 MBP 16/1TB. The 15 inch model is just too big and comparatively heavy, too; it wouldn't really make a good choice to replace a 12.9 inch iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard but the 13 inch model definitely will.
 
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mpetrides said:
I had been toying with an M2 iPad Pro but thinking about how I would use it (I HATE using a mouse with that thumbprint cursor), ended up deciding that for a little less money I could get a 13 inch M2 MBP (in Midnight, of course!) which would be more suited to my use case on the couch or in a chair in the great room.
Click to expand...

I was in pretty much the same position but decided to get the M1 IPP 12.9 on the refurb store otherwise it made no sense to buy a new M2 IPP whilst the MBA was a cheaper option.
 
Had an older 2012 MacBook Pro for many years. Now with the M2 Air I am happy every time I pick it up, so light and yet so powerful. The new 15 Air looks great and is light but I still prefer the smaller footprint.
 
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The Cockney Rebel said:
I've been contemplating ordering a 15" MBA, mostly down to FOMO if I'm going to be honest.

But I just love this little 13" M2 MBA.

I have the 16" M2 MBP, but that's at my place and I'm spending more time at my nan's (where my Air is.)

I have my apps fill the screen (not full screen) and it's just perfect (for me.) Adjust a few font sizes, here and there, and it's all good.

Anyone else prefer the 13" form factor?
Click to expand...

This is me. FOMO.

My aging eyesight means that I only use the laptop display as my main display when I travel. And, I have a 14" MBP for that. My M2 Air is a couch computer (and has none of my work stuff on it) so I really just do light computing related tasks on it. BUT - to my surprise the form factor is pleasingly compact and the power of the M2 (in base 8GB/256GB spec) means that I could easily have it as my main machine.

So - with the announcement of the 15" my "shiny/new" FOMO has been triggered. I could trade/sell the 13" for 15" for an acceptable trade-up. I"ll try and take a look at the 15" in the store this weekend and make a decision. High class problems indeed..!
 
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No, I've tried the 13" multiple times and I hate it. It's too narrow to type on in my lap and I hate the small screen. I've been using the 16" MBP for a while just because of that. I'm now on the 15" MBA and I think it's the best laptop Apple has ever built.
 
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13" for me after trying out the 15" for a couple of days. The 15" just feels a bit too bulky and, although not greatly heavier in actual weight, the difference is notable for me. For my usage the 13" is the perfect size for me and if I do need a larger screen I can just hook it up to my Studio Display. For me, the portability of the 13" makes it ideal for travelling and I actually prefer the smaller machine as I find it much more "usable" in terms of being able to quickly grab it and start using it
 
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DMG35 said:
No, I've tried the 13" multiple times and I hate it. It's too narrow to type on in my lap and I hate the small screen. I've been using the 16" MBP for a while just because of that. I'm now on the 15" MBA and I think it's the best laptop Apple has ever built.
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I’m curious. What’s your physical size? I’m 5’ 1” with very small hands and an equally small lap. Haven’t gotten my 13 inch M2 MBA yet but I’m thinking it will be just the right size for me. But I did comment when ordering it that the calculus might be different for someone a lot larger than I am.

The above postulate about my size is informed by having used a 12.9 inch iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard in just the same setting. Aside from the limited screen position options inherent to the MK, that arrangement worked well for me. YMMV
 
People aren't talking much about the M2 13" Air right now, since it's not the "new thing". But it did just get a price drop. Now's a great time to buy. And since the 15" is effectively identical, the 1-year older 13" will probably get the exactly same length of software and hardware support.
 
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I have a third-gen 12.9” iPad Pro that I’m getting ready to trade in for an M2 MacBook Air. The 15” is lovely, but it’s “portable” and not “ultra portable” like the iPad Pro (yet still shockingly thinner than it when paired with the Magic Keyboard).

I suspect in the near term I’ll go with a 13” MacBook Air and keep my 16” M1 Max MacBook Pro, but longer term I’ll transition to a 15“ MacBook Air and Mn Ultra Mac Studio. Of course, if I’m getting a 15” eventually, maybe I should just go ahead and get one now... 😁

I do wish they came with 32GB and I suspect the M3 will offer that, but my iPad Pro begs to be replaced sooner rather than later.
 
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I'm using both right now. It's a tough decision. The 15" is great and I want to keep it but the 13.6 is also perfectly fine and as I goto coffee shops etc it's size feels more appropriate. When I use the 13.6 I know it fits my usage but having a spacious screen feels nice. I'm using each one for half a day pd to see which one I keep.
 
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Surfsalot said:
What does how big you are got to do with what size macbook you buy lol
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For one thing, it has to do with the question of whether a smaller keyboard feels cramped, as it might for a large person with large hands. It also relates to how bulky/heavy/unwieldy a laptop might feel to someone (like me) at the extreme small end.

For me, my 16 inch MBP is “luggable” but not particularly comfortable when used on my lap or when carried in a backpack for a protracted period of time. A smaller, lighter laptop seems better suited for me in those settings, while my gorgeous 16 inch MBP largely sits on the desk, being used more as a “luggable” desktop machine than as a *lap*top computer.
 
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