Who is keeping 15" Air?

[CloudsNeverDie]

There's no doubt the M2 Air 15" is underpowered for some types of task. For example, as part of my data science workflow I need to decompress a few thousand text files. It takes ~2x as long on an M2 Air compared to a 12-core M2 Pro MBP 14". The M2 Pro is very fast, but my desktop 7950X is 2x faster still on the same task, a whopping 4x faster than the M2 Air.

For anything that needs just a few cores, the M2 Air is definitely more than enough and just as fast as the Pro and Max chips, which is to say, very fast indeed. But for multicore workloads it really can throttle, often quickly, and you end up with the equivalent of maybe 6 cores.

The better power efficiency of the M3 chip will likely solve this issue for the M3 Air (assuming it still has 8 cores).

 

[jeffg819]

Absolutely keeping the MBAir 15". My favorite Mac of all time (starting with a Mac laptop in 2004).

 

[Surfsalot]

My guess would be those that have gone past the 14 day return window love it lol.

 

[jeffg819]

My guess would be those that have gone past the 14 day return window love it lol.

Exactly. That's why they kept it after 14 days.

 

[DiscordUser]

I just got mine delivered. Shall I return it ASAP?

 

[Resident Guru]

Keeping mine! My wife was just given a new MBP 14" from her job and the 15" air is more enjoyable for me to use. The screen is sharper on the Pro no doubt but the air wins out in portability, screen size, and typing comfort.

 

[kp98077]

Keeping mine! My wife was just given a new MBP 14" from her job and the 15" air is more enjoyable for me to use. The screen is sharper on the Pro no doubt but the air wins out in portability, screen size, and typing comfort.

that's a good summation! I do like the keyboard, it's funny at first I wasn't a huge fan but it's grown on me.

 

[kp98077]

Keeping mine! My wife was just given a new MBP 14" from her job and the 15" air is more enjoyable for me to use. The screen is sharper on the Pro no doubt but the air wins out in portability, screen size, and typing comfort.

which one does your wife prefer? Wow, lucky to get a 14" for work!

 

[TechnoMonk]

i have given up on trying to debate which ones are better, and decided to just buy them all and enjoy this season of late 30s lol

we have m1 13, m2 15 air, m1 pro 14, m1 max 16, and iPad pro lol

we don't have kids so I guess this is how we are spending our money lol

No pets?

 

[Surfsalot]

No pets?

Would still be 100 times cheaper than kids😀

 

[TechnoMonk]

Would still be 100 times cheaper than kids😀

Not if you live in Hollywood. Lol.

 

[erkanasu]

No pets?

19-year old cat my trusted companion

 

[Mr. Dee]

I was at the mall last week and decided to stop by the Apple Store as usual. Since the launch euphoria has faded, for my personal observations, I have to say the bezels are too thick on the 15 inch Air. Apple could have easily eked out an extra two inch. But yeah, no competing with the 16 inch there. The screen quality honestly doesn't matter, as someone who still uses as Early 2015 and a 2020 M1 MBP, those premium qualities are not detrimental must haves, yes, they are nice to have, but not deal breakers.

 

[Surfsalot]

The screen quality honestly doesn't matter,

lol, that's what you stare at all the time

 

[Miicat_47]

I love my MBA 15” 16GB/1TB (also my first Mac)

 

[bible_student]

TRUE, but that's quiet the wait?!

My m1 MBA and Mini will be fine. They’ve got plenty of power. I may wait even longer too. We will see.

 

[dusk007]

I still think the MBA 15 is a great laptop but it can't serve as my only machine like the more powerful MBP 16 can.

I think that is the primary and best argument for the 16". In is the one which can be your only device for almost every situation. As a student or someone who often works not on a desk or just needs to cover both multimedia and office work the 16" beats out the rest.
14" is better if you have to work more often in cramped places like trains or planes, but in the office usually attach it to a display anyway.
15" is just best balance in ergonomics between botha and due to ist slimmness better than both. Also because it is not so fast, it stays cooler and lasts longer at "normal" (not super light or super heavy) workloads. The M2 really sips power, it is amazing.

 

[DHagan4755]

It would be great if Apple put its regular M series SoCs into the 14" & 16" MacBook Pro.

 

[kp98077]

A lot of folks love the 16 here, but it is just so not portable IMO.. beautiful machine of course, I could just never get over the thickness, heaviness and general form factor...

 

[Jared G.K.]

I'll keep the 15, as it is the one that comes closest to the 16 Pro's screen size, while still being reasonably portable, unlike the monstrous 16 Pro.
I don't need the pro features of a MBP, the MBA ist perfectly fine for my types of workloads. I'm also totally OK with the screen of the MBA, and notice the differences to pro screens only if both machines sit next each other, displaying the same or similar things.

 

[NeonNights]

A lot of folks love the 16 here, but it is just so not portable IMO.. beautiful machine of course, I could just never get over the thickness, heaviness and general form factor...

The 16" feels like a brick coming from an M1 MBA and recent MBA 15. If I was still commuting between my work office and my wife's dental practice then I probably would've stayed with a MBA 15 or MBP 14. Hmm... or would I?

It really is a tough decision. After a few days I'm quite accustomed to the heft of the 16" now, and the thickness and weight doesn't stand out anymore. I'm typing this while on the couch with the 16" on my lap and it feels perfectly comfortable. I definitely appreciate the larger display as everything is still easily readable at the "more space" setting.

I don't frequent coffee shops so in the past the MBP 13 or M1 MBA would just follow me to office spaces, but I work from home now. I don't take a laptop/tablet on planes or trips anymore either, instead opting to rely solely on my phone. My daily use case has changed drastically since the pandemic so it's easier to accommodate a 16". If portability was still high on my list it would indeed be a very difficult decision between a MBP 14 and MBA 15...if it was between just those two, I think I would ultimately choose...the MBP 14. I do love the MBA 15 form factor and prefer the larger display, but a 16GB or 24GB and 1TB config makes it a questionable value and the MBP 14 technically has a higher resolution, better display, and more performance. Hope you find clarity with your decision.

 

[kp98077]

The 16" feels like a brick coming from an M1 MBA and recent MBA 15. If I was still commuting between my work office and my wife's dental practice then I probably would've stayed with a MBA 15 or MBP 14. Hmm... or would I?

It really is a tough decision. After a few days I'm quite accustomed to the heft of the 16" now, and the thickness and weight doesn't stand out anymore. I'm typing this while on the couch with the 16" on my lap and it feels perfectly comfortable. I definitely appreciate the larger display as everything is still easily readable at the "more space" setting.

I don't frequent coffee shops so in the past the MBP 13 or M1 MBA would just follow me to office spaces, but I work from home now. I don't take a laptop/tablet on planes or trips anymore either, instead opting to rely solely on my phone. My daily use case has changed drastically since the pandemic so it's easier to accommodate a 16". If portability was still high on my list it would indeed be a very difficult decision between a MBP 14 and MBA 15...if it was between just those two, I think I would ultimately choose...the MBP 14. I do love the MBA 15 form factor and prefer the larger display, but a 16GB or 24GB and 1TB config makes it a questionable value and the MBP 14 technically has a higher resolution, better display, and more performance. Hope you find clarity with your decision.

Traveling with a phone only. Wow wish I could do that. Max?
16 is a beauty. For lap I found it very difficult. Due to weight. The screen is crazy amazing.

 

[NeonNights]

Traveling with a phone only. Wow wish I could do that. Max?
16 is a beauty. For lap I found it very difficult. Due to weight. The screen is crazy amazing.

Z Fold 4.

Came from an iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro. My iPad Pro 12.9 has been collecting dust since I got the Fold 4.

There are multiple threads for and against foldables so I won't delve into that. As an Apple enthusiast myself, the Fold 4 is easily my favorite phone ever and I hope Apple releases a foldable in the future.

 

[kp98077]

Z Fold 4.

Came from an iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro. My iPad Pro 12.9 has been collecting dust since I got the Fold 4.

There are multiple threads for and against foldables so I won't delve into that. As an Apple enthusiast myself, the Fold 4 is easily my favorite phone ever and I hope Apple releases a foldable in the future.

Fold is great!!

 

[Corefile]

My personal (admittedly anecdotal) experience and preference (again personal) having owned a 16" MBP (M1 Max), a 13" M1 MBA, a 13" M2 MBA, and now a 15" M2 MBA is that the 15" M2 MBA is by FAR my favorite. I like the form factor over the original M1, MUCH prefer the screen size as compared to the 13" M2 MBA, and MUCH prefer the weight and ease of slipping it in my bag over the 16" MBP. All in all it hits the sweet spot of my 'good enough' expectations and I don't feel the need to rationalize on the price over something being a better 'value.'

Curious why you buy so many laptops in a short space of time? It's probably none of my business so I won't be offended if told so!