Hey. I’m going to buy the new 14” or 16” MBP but unable to see them in a store at the moment and I was wondering if you could recommend either the Silver or Space Grey? Do you find the Space Grey discolours at all and is the Silver too bright and distracting? Thanks
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Would you recommend Silver or Space Grey?
- Thread starter mattlukea
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
It's a matter of personal preference. Haven't noticed any discoloration. Personally I like Space Grey but had several older silver ones like MBP15 retina. I would say, with no real scientific basis 
, that the darker SG probably makes it harder to see dirt on it.
, that the darker SG probably makes it harder to see dirt on it.
Last edited:
I have been partial to space grey since they introduced the option. For some reason this time around I find the silver incredibly striking with the black contrasting keyboard and black logo.
This is completely subjective, so I am not sure why you are seeking the opinions of strangers! Pick the one you like. If forum posts are to be believed Space Gray is more prone to cosmetic issues such as scratches or wearing over time, but that has not been my experience. My SG computers have worn well over the years - I don't baby them, but I am careful.
Both look amazing!
Both look amazing!
SG works better outside or with an overhead light due to reflecting less light. Some reviewer even commented about the glare on the silver when watching HDR content.
I personally prefer the look of the silver w/ these new laptops though and would absolutely go that way if it wasn't for this.
I personally prefer the look of the silver w/ these new laptops though and would absolutely go that way if it wasn't for this.
Last edited:
I’ve had Space Grey MacBooks since 2016 and my 16” M1 Max also is a Space Grey. I remember having Silver since 2010 or so. I have everything Space Grey/Graphite.
Both look good in my opinion - HOWEVER - the space gray finish on my 2019 16" MacBook Pro faded around the trackpad. It was my first experience with a space grey MacBook Pro. Not sure whether it was caused specifically by me or a combination of my skin/sweat & the heat this model put out. Needless to say it persuaded me to choose silver for the 2021 MacBook Pro.
It seems like such a peculiar problem though. Has anyone else run into this issue? Or had it with space grey iPads or gold MacBook Airs?
Would my preference have been to get space grey had this not happened? Hard to say. But silver is classic nonetheless!
Would my preference have been to get space grey had this not happened? Hard to say. But silver is classic nonetheless!
I'm going through the process myself of deciding what MacBook color and configuration to order. Probably a 14" MacBook Pro 10/16/16GB/1TB model.
Closest Apple Store has them in stock intermittently. Sometimes Space Gray, sometimes Silver. I'll get whatever they happen to have in stock, and if they have both colors then I'll probably get the Space Gray.
Either way I think it's going to look great and perform even better!
Closest Apple Store has them in stock intermittently. Sometimes Space Gray, sometimes Silver. I'll get whatever they happen to have in stock, and if they have both colors then I'll probably get the Space Gray.
Either way I think it's going to look great and perform even better!
Here’s my 14” Space Grey next to my silver 15”
They both look so good. The silver picks up quite a warm tone. Which do you prefer?
In the past, I preferred silver MBPs, but this time I got a Silver Gray 16'' M1 Max because it looks better with the black keyboard, YMMV.
Considering that Apple tends to pay attention to detail, I was surprised that the MagSafe button is silver for both models.
I also have a work-issued 2017 silver gray MBP, there are no issues with discoloration at all.
Considering that Apple tends to pay attention to detail, I was surprised that the MagSafe button is silver for both models.
I also have a work-issued 2017 silver gray MBP, there are no issues with discoloration at all.
Last edited:
I was really conflicted with the colors as well and I was having second thoughts about going with silver but silver looks so much better in person. I really like the contrast with the keyboard and the body this time around. Also as someone with sweaty hands/oily naturally (even though I wash them multiple times a day and clean my laptop), I've heard the space grey is likely to get discoloured easily. I didn't want to deal with that hassle as well. I had a m1 air in space grey and loved how that looked as well, you really can't go wrong either way.
I have always bought silver MBPs and iPads and enjoyed them. This time I went with a SG and to me its an attractive change--purely for something different. I think the SG looks a little more sleek somehow with the 14 but you can't go wrong with either color.
If Apple ever releases a black MBP--I just might have to spring for an early upgrade.
If Apple ever releases a black MBP--I just might have to spring for an early upgrade.
Purely up to you I prefer the silver. My first MacBook back in 2007 was a white one, then a silver MBP back in 2012. I almost bought a space grey MBP back in 2019 - Beautiful looking color but that Touch Bar.. big no for me. This time, the new MBP 14/16 looks really good in silver and I like it. Mag safe is in silver too.
I prefer the silver. My first MacBook back in 2007 was a white one, then a silver MBP back in 2012. I almost bought a space grey MBP back in 2019 - Beautiful looking color but that Touch Bar.. big no for me. This time, the new MBP 14/16 looks really good in silver and I like it. Mag safe is in silver too.
i got the space grey but now that i look back i wish i would have went with silver to give it a retro look since our new MacBooks are more squared and have the old school macbook style.
I was at a Apple store again Thurs, can’t say I more attracted to space grey over silver. Neither color lessened the quality of the display. Wednesday I saw both shadow grey and silver 16” M1 Max MBPs online locally at same Apple store for pickup and because silver seems even rarer while watching online availability over the last few days I went with silver.