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Why Pick a MBA over a MBP?
- Thread starter Rodneyp
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Which is again stumbles upon higher cost - not everyone in US have access to fios and paying hundreds for gigabit speeds + wifi6e routers.
It really boils down to personal preference. Some people it is all about specs and cost and nothing to do with how they actually use the mac. They will make it work because the specs are better for a proportionally more expensive device. For example a M2 MBP vs M2 MBA base model of each device is never compared or what both is on sale for. I can get a M2 MBA base model or $1099 and a M2 MBP base model for $1799. Seems like a big price difference to me. Instead they compare a BTO vs a base model and say there is no price difference? Some people like a machine that doesn't need a fan and don't need the extra horsepower. Some people prefer light weight. Specs and price can be twisted for any argument but it is all down to personal opinion.
If you need a MacBook Pro then it is an easy choice. If you don't need a MacBook Pro then why spend the extra money for nice to haves that you may never need or use?
I love the value argument. It has XDR and better speakers so spending more is always a better value and better choice.
If I want value I will get a Windows PC. I can get a Windows laptop for under $800 with a 120hz Pantone certified OLED screen that has touch and gorilla glass that will beat mini led, with a Intel 13700h processor, 512gb pci 4 ssd, 16gb ddr5 ram in an all aluminum mil spec shell. Apple doesn't even offer an OLED screen yet. The Intel i7 13700h is close in single core to M2 and as fast as M1 Pro in multi core. You are getting pretty much the best value and specs you can get for the money. Oh and it has a 70whr battery too.
Mac's can offer decent value but you are buying more than just specs. You are buying an experience, an ecosystem and a premium device. If value was the most important thing to a MacBook buyer then they would all be buying Mac Mini's with M2 Pro, not laptops.
So the entire argument based on what specs you can get for what price is a rather redundant and useless argument. Buy a Mac because you love it and it fits your needs. If you want the fastest and most powerful Mac in a 14" form factor you can do it. If you want a Mac that is fast and looks great yet is light and you can take it anywhere and use it for hours then get a 13.6" air. If you want the biggest and baddest MacBook get the 16" and if you just want a big screen but don't need all the extras and weight of the 16" now you can get a 15".
If you buy a Mac based on what the best value or specs for money you are making the wrong decision.
If you need a MacBook Pro then it is an easy choice. If you don't need a MacBook Pro then why spend the extra money for nice to haves that you may never need or use?
I love the value argument. It has XDR and better speakers so spending more is always a better value and better choice.
If I want value I will get a Windows PC. I can get a Windows laptop for under $800 with a 120hz Pantone certified OLED screen that has touch and gorilla glass that will beat mini led, with a Intel 13700h processor, 512gb pci 4 ssd, 16gb ddr5 ram in an all aluminum mil spec shell. Apple doesn't even offer an OLED screen yet. The Intel i7 13700h is close in single core to M2 and as fast as M1 Pro in multi core. You are getting pretty much the best value and specs you can get for the money. Oh and it has a 70whr battery too.
Mac's can offer decent value but you are buying more than just specs. You are buying an experience, an ecosystem and a premium device. If value was the most important thing to a MacBook buyer then they would all be buying Mac Mini's with M2 Pro, not laptops.
So the entire argument based on what specs you can get for what price is a rather redundant and useless argument. Buy a Mac because you love it and it fits your needs. If you want the fastest and most powerful Mac in a 14" form factor you can do it. If you want a Mac that is fast and looks great yet is light and you can take it anywhere and use it for hours then get a 13.6" air. If you want the biggest and baddest MacBook get the 16" and if you just want a big screen but don't need all the extras and weight of the 16" now you can get a 15".
If you buy a Mac based on what the best value or specs for money you are making the wrong decision.
Sure it is! That's why both are available. It's funny how some folks are getting it wrong.
I found the screen of the Air 15" quite good and I cannot tell the difference between 60Hz and ProMotion. I don't need the power of M2 Pro nor M2 Max but I would prefer a large screen and screen estate. Are the size and resolutions of the MacBook Pro 16" noticeably larger than the Air 15" in practice?
To me it is noticeably larger when compared. However the size feels adequate when I tried the Air 15. Didn't miss the additional screen size (and bulk) of the 16. That said if big screen is all you care about then M1 16 is probably your best bet.
