Macbook Air 15 vs Macbook pro 14: The inch dilemma - Exploring screen size and quality trade-offs
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 มิ.ย. 2023
- In this review, we dive into the world of MacBook laptops to explore whether the new MacBook Air 15 inch is a worthy upgrade from its counterpart, the 14 inch MacBook Pro. Join us as we compare these two powerful machines, dissecting their features, performance, and overall value.
Throughout the video, we analyze the key differences and similarities between the MacBook Air 15 inch and the 14 inch MacBook Pro from 2021, with a particular emphasis on the implications of upgrading from the Pro model to the Air's larger screen size. We evaluate factors such as design, portability, processing power, display quality, and more to help you make a decision.
Join us on this exciting journey of discovery as we navigate the world of MacBook laptops and help you unravel the question: Is the MacBook Air 15 inch truly an upgrade from the 14 inch MacBook Pro? Tune in now and embark on this comprehensive comparison and review of Apple's latest MacBook offerings. - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
I need and outside opinion. I planning on getting my first MacBook ever. First laptop ever. I have and iPad and iPhone (iPad Pro and 14 pro max). I’m debating the 14 va 15 and I can’t decide. The only thing that worries me if I get the 15 is I’ll regret the screen of the 14? I’m a university student studying physics and I’ll be web browsing email coding and TH-cam that’s pretty much it. The screen is the only thing pretty much holding me back.
Hey Akash, thanks for stopping by! This is a tough question, but I’ll try to sort it out with you. For me, if the main use of the computer is work, I personally would go 15 as I find the typing experience to be much more comfortable, not to mention the larger trackpad and your ability to scroll more without constantly resetting your finger. Another thing to consider is the weight- on paper, it doesn't seem like much of a difference, but I can tell you right now it is much more comfortable sitting on your lap. The lighter weight is also distributed to a wider area of your lap, giving it a feeling of almost not even being there. On the other hand, if the purpose of your new machine is primarily a media consumption device, there is no denying that the screen is noticeably better on the 14, especially if watching in a dimly lit environment. This mini LED display is capable of portraying deep blacks at a level that would give OLED a run for its money. Another great thing about the 14 would be the audio quality- which quickly becomes unimportant if you are someone who is using headphones most of the time. Just something to keep in mind. At the end of the day, I honestly think that your decision comes down to what your primary purpose is. Both are such great machines that regardless of which one you land on, you could always make an argument for why you should've gone with the other. 🤣 Those are my two cents, Akash! Hope that helps! Feel free to ask more questions- I’m here for ya! ✌🏼
@@NigelWorkman Thank you Nigel!!! I greatly appreciate the insight I’m gonna sit on that advice for a couple days I’ll let you know what I decide on!!
@@Amoney7382 You are very welcome! Definitely let me know where you end up! I’m excited for you 🥳
@@Amoney7382commenting to see the update on what ya get cause I’m in the same boat
@@jameshumphrey3425 I’ll let you know forsure bro! What are you leaning toward??
Nailed it. I would add the 15 is more comfortable to use. It feels more luxurious to have a little bit more room. It’s like my whole body feels like it has to be in a T-Rex position to type on the 13 and 14. 🦖 The palm rest, the sleekness, and light weight make it a nicer experience, especially if your moving around with it. 🔥
It’s funny, you should mention the palm rest situation, because I had actually mentioned that in the video and that It was so much more comfortable to type on the 15 inch air. For whatever reason I edited that section out because I wanted to keep the video under 10 minutes lol.
Thanks for the comment brother! As usual, you have great insight into all things ✌🏼
i was sold as soon as the little ball of energy came in and told me to subscribe, love it!
😂 thanks so much, Honeysal- sometimes the best things happen by accident! Appreciate you taking the time to comment as well! Take care ✌🏼
Thank you! Very informative. I was on the fence.
Thank you! You gave me back some of my sanity. I’ve been straining my brain all day watching YT videos and reading tech reviews wondering if i should return my two-day old Macbook Air 15” (16/512) and repurchase the M1 14” Pro. I’m a hobbyist photographer and since I’m hoping to get into more photo editing down the line when and if have the time ( I’m also a busy dad like you) i’m wondering if the MBA will be good enough. I originally bought the pro 14” but felt like the screen was just a little too small. I’m so happy with the 15” screen now but i have this nagging thought that maybe i’ll need the power of the pro model some day, but tbh i doubt that that day will ever come so i’ll just stick with the MBA. You’re the voice of reason i’ve been looking for on youtube. Subscribed.
Thanks so much for this, KingElvis! Comments like this really keep me motivated to keep pushing forward with this quest to make a successful TH-cam channel. To hear that the video actually helped you regain some sanity during your MacBook decision-making, brings a smile to my face. I totally understand the struggle of choosing between the Macbook Air and Pro, especially with your photography interests. At the end of the day, I believe you made a wise choice going with the MacBook Air 15. I also really enjoy photography and I know the importance of having the right tool for the job. Don’t worry about the “what ifs” - you’ve got a great machine, and it’ll handle your photo editing needs just fine. Thanks for again for subscribing! If you ever need more advice or just want to chat, I’m here for you. Happy editing and dad life! ✌🏼
@@NigelWorkman Thank you man. For you to take the time to write such a thoughtful reply makes you that rare kind of TH-camr. Blessings to you and your fam on your creative journey.
Thanks. Like your casual and real style.
Thanks so much, Sillystuff- I really appreciate that! Being able to help people is my goal. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Very useful review. Thanks
My pleasure, brachiator! Thanks for taking the time to comment- I appreciate you ✌🏼
Great video Nigel!
Glad you enjoyed it, Chris! Thanks for commenting!
Thank you, Nigel. For great video. Your music is also nice!
Mammad, thanks so much for the kind words and a HUGE thanks for listening to my music! I try to do a subtle promotion in my videos, but I’m never certain if it actually works LOL. Again, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Please spread the word about my channel and music if you please. ✌🏼brother
I really liked and keep listening to it, Nigel. I really appreciate how sincerely you shared your experience of using Macs
@@MammadAliyev I’m glad you feel that way, Mammad. My goal is to help people as best as I can and I think the only way to do that properly is by sharing a honest impression with my viewers.
Great Video!
Hey there! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to say that, planet- I really appreciate it! Take care ✌🏼
Thanks for being “real.” It’s refreshing to get what seems like a conversation with you about what these feel like in every day use. Very helpful.
Thank you so much, Nate! Honestly, that is the best compliment I have had on any of these videos. That is EXACTLY what I am trying to do here and I’m happy to know that people are finding value in that. that was a very thoughtful comment and I appreciate it greatly! ✌🏼
Excellent video! Coming from a Samsung Galaxy book 2 pro 360 laptop, the backlight bleed (when watching dark content) on the 15 inch air drove me crazy. I hated the lcd panel so much that I had to return it today.
I’m with ya Rbasi25- that is exactly why I stressed the screen difference to the degree that I did. This is NOT a good screen for viewing content (especially at night). It’s great for everything else though. Thanks for taking the time
To comment and share your experience! I appreciate it ✌🏼
Hey nigel. Thanks for the amazing content you always provide. I am about to finally upgrade my laptop. From a 2017 macbook air to a new 1. I had been saving up my money to purchase a 15 inch air. But now with the announcment of macbook pro m3 costing the same price, it has left me in splits. Do i go for a bigger screen and portability or should i compromise on the bigger screen and portability for better display and speakers.
Thanks so much for the kind words, Shiva! It just so happens I will have a M3 MacBook Pro as well as a M3 iMac delivered tomorrow afternoon. Be on the lookout for that- hoping I will be able to get it done by Sunday 🤞
Nice work 👏👏👏
Hello, Codecaine- Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! I really appreciate it! ✌🏼🤟🏼
Love your video. I just subscribed. I also purchased a 15" M2 MacBook Air. I love it. Awesome laptop and great for what I use it for. Also have an M1 13" MacBook Air. Love it too. The Pros are beyond my budget and what I use the laptop for. Perfectly happy with the Air. Again, great video! Thanks!!!
Hello Carlos! Thanks so much for the kind words. It’s never gets old hearing that someone found value in my video. Thanks again, and thank you for taking the time to comment! Much appreciated ✌🏼
Great vid Nigel!! Was this the base 15? I was looking at a spec’d up 15, but the price turned out to be more or less the same as the 14 so I’m kinda torn :/ If yours was the base, how did it hold up with multitasking + your audio workflow?
Hey Z, yes this was the base 15. I totally know what you mean about specking it out and by the time you see the price, the temptation to jump on it sort of vanishes lol. As far as multitasking goes- I have never had an issue with any of the M chips. Example: I will have a big project open in Final Cut Pro as well as a big project open in abelton and never have a single feeling of diminishing performance.
I honestly don’t think with the type of work that most of us do will ever stress these computers to the point of seeing them slow down. There are people who will get it to that point I’m sure, but the average Joe that’s looking at a 15 inch air probably isn’t doing that type of work you know. Take care man! Hope this helped ✌🏼
I'm in the same position as you; upgrading from a 2014 MacBook Pro 13.3 and picked up a new MacBook Pro 14" M1 Pro from Costco for 1549 (16gb/512ssd) and also ordered the new MacBook Air 15" (16gb/512ssd) which came out for about the same price. I'm no photographer or video editor but using it mainly for multitasking for miscellaneous work items and browsing. Still deciding which one to keep; such a hard decision as I prefer the screen real estate for my aging eyes vs. the power I know I will never use but better for future proofing? Videos like these really help!
@@mithai3 To be honest with you, I STILL have the return box for the 14 sitting on my desk. What I’m considering at this point is just keeping both and having the extra one around for my kids to use when one is already on the iMac. If I absolutely HAD to pick one, it would have to be the 15, but it’s by the slimmest of margins. My one piece of advice for you in your situation would be to forget about the processor all together as I whole heartedly believe you will NEVER notice a difference either way. Consider the other factors such as screen size, weight, storage, and base you choice off that. Power will NOT be an issue, I promise!!
@@NigelWorkman has going from the promotion on the 14 to the regular panel in the 15 been a huge pain? Or has the extra inch kind of made up for it?
@@zwoods it is definitely noticeable, but I don’t think it has any actual affect on how well my interactions translate on the computer. If you were someone who dabbles in the occasional game from Apple arcade that support 120hz, it would absolutely be noticeable to drop back to 60hz, but outside of that scenario, I hardly matters- to me anyway. The much bigger difference would be the fact that you have HDR with the 14. As I mentioned in the vid- if you consume much content on your Mac, the screen on the 14 is MUCH better for this.
I wish the 15" Air had a pro screen, that'd solve a lot of my issue. As much as I want that nice light machine with a bigger screen I know if I start editing or watching a dark movie from someone like Fincher or Villeneuve it's gonna tilt me to no end seeing those grayish black levels. Also altho I think I'd get used to it, I do feel more comfortable with a 13/14" keyboard. As soon as you get into 15/16" territory my smaller hands start to feel less than adequate for typing quickly on it.
For just casual work or basic TH-cam viewing habits tho, 15" Air all the way.
I’m 100% with you, Jordan. If they put the pro screen on this 15 air, it would literally be the PERFECT computer for everyday use. I know In the video I said I would either return the 15, or trade the 14, but I’m actually considering keeping both! I sat down with them side by side yesterday and kept going back and forth with the same Ableton session open- I can honestly say, I prefer the 15, BUT, I don’t think I can let the 14 go either. There will be a time that I need that inky black screen for something and the “grayish black” on that 15 air won’t get the job done. Also, I just checked the keyboard for you and they are the same size. I held an Apple keyboard over them both and they are all identical! Take care, Jordan and thank you for the great comment!! ✌🏼
I went for the 16” 38 core with 64GB RAM and 2TB SSD. But I like the HDR screen and they look fantastic in the dark and it looks like a OLED or very close to one.
Holy smokes, Sean- You have one heck of a beast on your hands there! I have compared the black levels on my 14 to my G2 oled and they are almost exactly the same. Enjoy your new machine!! ✌🏼
Great review! I agree that we don’t push these machines anywhere close to their full capabilities so it really comes down to preference.
I knew someone out there would know what I was talking about! Since purchasing my first machine with Apple silicon, I haven’t really had to think about performance at all- It just works! Thanks for commenting iali00! Appreciate you ✌🏼
I had ordered base 15 space grey. Perfect computing laptop for home usage. The screen is more immersive than 13 or 14 inch size MacBooks especially with watching videos. The keyboard feels great with huge palmrest. 13 M2 air speakers have no bass compared to 15. I was also looking at 14 Pro but didnt feel worth just to get those deeper blacks heh. I don't need 512 or 16gb ram either.
Hey Vivek, I totally agree with that. The way Apple manages space on the hard drive through iCloud, has made smaller storage on a Mac very useable. As far as memory goes, I have had zero issues multitasking on this M2 machine with the included 8gb. That is why I stressed in the video how similar “feeling” these machines are. Clearly, one is more capable than the other, but will any of us ever push it to the point where we will feel the difference? In my experience, no. Especially when as you mentioned, this is for “home usage”. Thanks so much for you comment, Vivek! These are all really good points for the comment browsers to see/consider. ✌🏼
@@NigelWorkman yeah. I could have upgraded, got better specs or pro instead but with hyper speed-to-market in tech, we can buy whenever its needed. I would try to learn some video edits with m2 15.
Massively improved best in class display: 120 Hz mini LED, HDR, better color accuracy, dual pixel native resolution. Significantly faster SoC offering better performance and similar battery life. Better speakers, a better microphone array, a better webcam, the ability to drive multiple displays, it’s better at literally everything. It is marginally heavier but in a backpack I can’t tell the difference.
@@zoltanzana you’ll get no argument from me!! The video was not meant to simply compare specs, rather, to decide weather or not a person NEEDS those specs for their particular use case and if it worth dropping an additional 700 to do so. Thanks for taking the time to comment, Zoltan! I appreciate ya! ✌🏼
@@NigelWorkman yeah. Sometimes the best thing is not just the best specs. You get to make out best thing with your decision as per your needs and dollars invested.
So just sharing, I have it! it's better than I expected so far. The screen differences I don't even see, however again I don't watch much HDR on my computer, haven't tried yet. The weight and size are perfect. The keyboard is nice to the touch. The speakers, i can automatically hear the diff re loss of depth of sound and speakers not front facing, however if I am listening for sound, such as music, I always preferred bluetooth speakers or headphones even with my MBP. I'll be pressure testing this with my DJ gear, which I already know from the specs won't be a problem, however curious to know if I use outside in the summer will the lack of fan matter. From most reviews, I am thinking not.
Thus far, good decision. I have two weeks to trade in my MBP, or not or return. Of course I did get the midnight and see the finger prints and am ok w that because this color is also nice to have.
That is awesome dude! I’m so happy to hear that you are enjoying it! I also have zero concerns that this new 15 air will have issues running whatever gear you throw at it. I love the color, but I did end up putting on full skin from Dbrand (which I love). Robot camo was on 14pro, and now on the 15air! Check out their skins if you haven’t already- I think you’ll dig them! ✌🏼
@@NigelWorkman Good one. I will check out for sure!
Sat in the best buy parking lot last night with this exact dilemma.... ended up driving away with my 15inch MacBook air I had purchased a week ago but was considering exchanging it for the MacBook pro 14. Still might swap it. My biggest hang up is the missing SD plug.
Hey Channy! It is a heck of a decision isn’t it? It’s never a good feeling having to break out the dongle in order to transfer your media over. The only way I’m able to make it work is the fact that I usually put together all my projects on the Mac mini, which then saves everything to a portable SSD I transfer between hardware as needed. Not really a fix that would work for most but It flows pretty well for me. My point is, there is always a workaround to these I/o issues- just depends on whether or not you like the 15 enough to find one and then deal with it regularly. I personally stuck with the 15 because most of the work that I do with it takes great advantage of the extra screen size and the additional comfort of interacting with it. This is just my experience though, so take it with a grain of salt.
With all that said, I wish you the best, Channy and I’m sure that if you go with your gut, you will land on the right device!
Take care and thanks for taking the time to comment!! ✌🏼🤟🏼
Really appreciate the detailed response . I'm stuck on the larger screen size as well, so probably will keep it. I went back and forth and have spent so much time but your video really hit on the points that mattered. thanks again. @@NigelWorkman
It is my pleasure, Channy! I'm always happy to hear that one of my videos was able to help someone- That IS why I make them after all!!
Take care and enjoy that 15. Soon enough, you will forget that 14 ever existed! ✌🏼🤟🏼
Thanks for putting these videos together! I’ve Been going through a similar dilemma. I got a great deal on a m3 base MacBook Pro (8/512) for $1190 should I keep it or buy a m2 MacBook Air 15 8/512 for 1150 as they are on clearance? Would love to know your thoughts.
Hello, Singh! You know, you really landed in a great place, price-wise, with that pro. I really do think that the pro offers some huge advantages over the air, with the biggest being screen quality and sound. For me, it came down to comfort, and I find the form factor of the 15 to be MUCH more comfortable to me. The 14 is the better computer at the end of the day- So if you find yourself being comfortable interacting with it, I would absolutely stick with it! On the other hand, if you find yourself yearning for a little more screen real estate and a more comfortable palm rest area, you just might want to consider the 15. If you have an Apple Store or a Best Buy near you, that’s a great opportunity to mess with the 15 before you decide.
Best of luck to you, Singh! Let me know what you end up doing!
✌🏼🤟🏼
@@NigelWorkman Hi Nigel, thank you for your advice! I ended up going a different direction. I got a new M1 Pro 16 with 32gb of ram 512 ssd for 1200+ tax new. The ram is what I wanted and I will more then likely never tax the machine to its full extent. I wanted a bigger screen but will have to manage the weight.
@@ssingh0209 That machine is an absolute beast, Singh! I don't blame you at for going in this route- that is an amazing device and at a even better price. I dont think a person could find a better machine for anywhere near that price. Thanks for the update, Singh! ✌🏼
Biggest thing for me is the 120hz I don’t see many mentioning. I just got the 15 air in midnight and I think it’s screen size is great but I’ve had and iPad Pro 12.9 and a 15 pro max so I’m pretty used to those higher refresh rates which after having 120hz, the 60hz on the air is pretty noticeable, much more than the resolution/text. At least to me. That being said I bought this to be more efficient on a trading platform vs my iPad, so I’m not sure how I feel about spending ~$500 more for that. 8GB of Ram is plenty for me as 255GB SSD (I use iCloud for everything) I also think the Midnight is the BEST color they have come up with.
Hi Guillermo! I totally get your predicament. I came from the 14-inch Pro, which also has "promotion," and the idea of losing that when moving to this 15 really did seem like a big deal. I too am surrounded by 120Hz screens, and the one and only exception being this 15 Air. to be honest, I hadn't thought about the fact that 120hz is missing, for months. It's funny because in the case of my previous 13-inch Air, it would drive me nuts when I would use it after using my 14-inch Pro. But for some reason, when I use this 15, the thought never even occurs to me. The overall improvement in the 15 screen probably has a lot to do with that, and maybe I'm just not doing a lot of the things that expose the lack of 120Hz, like excessive swiping and scrolling or bouncing between multiple windows, etc. I'm typically just working on one application at a time, and the difference is negligible. What is a major difference is the added screen real estate! Not only that, the comfort of using this 15 chassis for me is night and day, but that would be a bit subjective as we are all different shapes and sizes, so... Bottom line, I think the added screen size FAR outweighs the refresh rate and provides a tangible benefit vs the smoother motion of the screen, which looks cool but doesn't actually improve your ability to work. As far as the system performance; you have absolutely NOTHING to worry about! The base spec with chew through the workloads you mentioned like butter.
Hope this helps you make a decision, Guillermo! I know its all a bit subjective, but maybe a little added perspective may help? Thanks agin for stopping by and commenting!
Have a happy new year!! ✌🏼🤟🏼
I returned my M2 15 Air because it has given my horrible eye strain. All M-Series Macs since 12.5 Mavericks and all iPhones since A12 Bionic (iPhone 11) seem to be using TEMPORAL DITHERING. You cannot switch it off. It even makes external monitors dither. I've read a lot of comments from frustrated users on Reddit, etc. I am forced to switch to Windows and Android until the issue is addressed.
I’ll have to look into this. I’ve never experienced eye strain on any of my Apple screens- but this is definitely an interesting conversation and I would like to be more informed on the subject. Thank you for bringing this up, nobeerlion. I appreciate you and you comment! ✌🏼
The intro with your daughter was amazingly cute 😅
Thank you, Imran! It was a total accident, but I just decided to go with it! 😂
I am in the same dilemma right now. I sure like bigger screen but I am getting Macbook pro M3 Pro 14'' 18/512 for 200$ difference vs Macbook air 15'' 16/512.
I am really torn which model to go for. As I feel macbook M3 pro will be more future proof, and a better resell value in later years too.
I am not sure if that 1 inch difference will be a lot. I am software developer. Mostly work on a VDI as of now. But can use some advice on this. Which one should I finally go for?
Hello, Sam - Thanks for stopping by! At this point, if you are able to secure the M3 Pro for only $200 more than the Air, I would have to say go for that. I personally really do enjoy the larger screen, but at the end of the day, if you are the type of person who wants the most longevity out of their hardware, there is no choice but to get the M3. These deals were not available as I was making this video, and if they had been, that would have been a major consideration. I think you will very much enjoy the 14 Pro and its amazing screen. Just do yourself a favor and don't even touch the 15 Air - it will make the decision so much easier, LOL.
Hope that helps, Sam! Best of luck to you, and please stop by and let me know what you ended up getting if you get a chance!!
Take care!
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I have decided to buy MBA 15 but confused on how much ram and ssd should I go for to make my laptop future proof. I want to use it for longer duration. Confused between 16/512, 16/1tb, or any other variant that you would suggest.
Hello, Yadav! If longevity is the goal, one might jump right into suggesting the full 1TB, but I think there are some other considerations to be made first. The price you pay for this upgrade to 1TB is substantial, and depending on what you are doing from day to day, that might not be a worthwhile investment. For instance, if you are someone who creates content of any kind, you will blow through that 1TB quickly and will require additional external storage regardless. So, instead of spending $400 on the internal storage upgrade, you can go straight to an extremely compact external SSD that is double that size for a fraction of the price. On the other hand, if you are someone who is not dealing with large media files and you are just doing typical day-to-day interactions like web browsing, document creation, work meetings, etc., the 512GB should be more than enough. Another thing to keep in mind is that iCloud does a really good job of offloading unnecessary data from your internal storage, such as old documents, older photos, and videos, making a smaller amount of storage more usable than you would expect. These are just a couple of scenarios off the top of my head and may not relate to your own situation, but I think at the price Apple charges for upgraded storage, I have a hard time recommending that when there are lots of other options. Just my 2 cents, though, Yadav!
I hope this helps you in any way! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment- I appreciate you!! ✌🏼🤟🏼
@@NigelWorkman thanks a lot for such a detailed description. Now I am crystal clear about getting 16/512 variant, but needed an expert advice.
Does not mbp 14 have more pixels total than mba 15? Screen might be smaller but if you adjust scaling you should be able too see more on mbp 14 even if the screen is smaller.
If you are someone who has good vision then yes, this is a great option. For someone like me who wears glasses and actually needs the larger size text etc. the extra inch makes it quite a bit easier to see as you are visualizing more on screen while also being larger overall. Hopefully that makes sense! Thanks for sharing either way- this is a really good thing to consider for those who don’t require visual aids. ✌🏼
Yes 220PPI vs 254PPI. But honestly, it is not real difference. I replaced 14" 2,8k OLED Windows machine with 240PPI for 14"MBP with 254 PPI, no difference in clarity and sharpnes... But due to resolution MBP will fit little bit more pixels with same scaling ration. Default MBP scaling is 200% so it is like 1512 pixels of native content. That Windows machine was 1440pixels wide. 52pixels difference. Not huge deal.
@@jirikocman thanks for adding this, Jiri. Well said.
I’m torn between the 15” Air M2 and MBP M3 Pro at the moment, the one thing that’s putting me off the Air is the 8GB of RAM and the older chipset and upgrading it essentially puts you into MBP territory by which time you may as well get the MBP, however, I don’t need the IO or the performance of the M3 Pro chip, I’m not too bothered by the speakers and although the screen is amazing I don’t really notice promotion and I find the border shading on the miniLED screen quite annoying.
I will mainly be using it for surfing the web, word processing, emails, watching videos, occasional music/video editing using GarageBand/iMovie and very little multitasking.
Would 8GB RAM suffice, and would the 15” Air be good for a good few years would you say?
My friend- I am making this EXACT video as we speak! I’m hoping to have it finished and uploaded Sunday, but I can’t guarantee I will. Little spoiler special for you though….im still leaning towards my 15. Haven’t made up my mind 100% as I still have other testing to do (Final Cut/Ableton performance) these next few days. If there are any specific programs you would like me to compare for you as I’m doing my testing, let me know! ✌🏼
@@NigelWorkman to be honest I never really install or use anything other than apples pre-installed applications, probably the most intensive I would use is iMovie ha!! In your experience do you feel that 8GB of RAM is a bottle neck… I just love the 15” as it’s so much more sleek, nicer to type on and has a larger screen which will definitely help with my Uni work etc… (better for 2 windows side by side)… it’s just that future proofing upgrade of 16GB of RAM that is holding me back at the moment, if 8GB was to do me well I would pull the trigger, just don’t want buyers remorse.
My partner has the 13” 512GB M2 Air, and yesterday I gave it a go… opened 3 TH-cam videos all playigg at the same time, whilst also playing a movie on Apple TV, also opened pages, numbers, keynote, email, and had an additional 2 tabs open in Safari and literally there was no swap and still 1.5gb of RAM still available, so I am thinking 8GB would be perfectly fine… it’s just always that niggling feeling that you should go with 16GB RAM that puts me off
@@NigelWorkman to also add on the most recent Max Tech video, he noticed that the M3 runs even hotter than M2, so although waiting for the 15” with M3 is a possible option I can literally see it running into thermal limitations quicker than that of M2
I don’t blame you for one second, James- these are large purchases that require some careful thought. Buyers remorse on any product stinks, but when you’re talking 1500+ dollars, that’s rough! With that being said, I can say that as of today and the current ram “needs” my go to programs require (FCP/Ableton/lightroom) I have had zero issues with memory, or lack there of. I also haven’t regretted my switch from the 14 for even one second. To be honest, I haven’t thought about it once. If I were you, the main scenario I would consider is- how frequently do you find yourself upgrading hardware? My recommendation would be completely different for a person that wanted to hang onto it for 5+ years compared to the person, such as myself, which will certainly be upgrading after no more than 2. The type of programs you are currently using today might work great with 8gb for the next couple years, but then work terribly beyond that. To those that have aspirations to get every last minute out of their hardware before upgrading- I will ALWAYS recommend getting the product with the more advanced brains- in this case the M3. But if you are like me and plan on upgrading with a couple of years, I would take the 15 all day long. Here’s another lens to see it through- I have the brand new 14 sitting right here next to me, and I have had basically zero desire to even mess with it. Lol. I’m not even certain that I’ve moved it all the way through the set up process. 😂 I will, of course finish all of that because I want to make this video, but when it comes to any of the work that I have on my agenda, I have been reaching for my 15 without even considering anything else. I honestly love it and I think it’s the perfect balance of everything. It’s my favorite product. Apple is made in a long time by far.
@@NigelWorkman thank you for your insight, I am definitely a frequent upgrader 😂 call me an apple sheep. Can I confirm you are using 8GB of Ram on the 15”? I also feel that the less chonky MBA would make me reach for it far more than the MBP which even with the 14” it does feel quite clunky of a machine IMO.
Great review! I am the opposite of you. I went for the M1 16" 3 years ago. Amazing computer, however struggling with portability. I travel with my personal and work laptop, making the 16" that much more inconvenience in weight and space. I am not taxing over 50% (if that) of the capacity. DJ Software and basics such as podcasting and TH-cam editing. I don't use my computer much to watch streaming or movies as well I am usually either with wired or wireless headphones, so the sound diff doesn't mean much to me. The review helped process this trade in lol!
LOL Glen 😂
Glad you were able to reverse engineer the review 😆
I find myself goin back and forth on what I want multiple times a week lol. If I had to think about one thing that meant more to me than any of the others, and was the metric by which I measured my next purchase off of Solely, it would be portability/screen size ratio. I think this 15 inch air hits the mark for me in both of those categories. I know I said I would’ve loved to have been able to purchase that same 16 that you have, but the other side of me is also well aware of the fact that I would’ve been super upset at all that additional weight I would have been toting around. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment, Glen! Whatever you choose, I hope it works out at the end of the day! ✌🏼
Ps: it’s the Fourth of July, and I’m a little buzzed right now, so forgive me if any of that comes across as nonsensical 😂😂
@@NigelWorkman made total sense even w a 4th buzz lol. It’s good to know I’m not the only one obsessing about this decision lol. The 15 arrives July 10th. I’m actually off today and may one last time go to the Apple Store and compare screens. I’ve done before one]ce and couldn’t see any significant difference watchung an animated TH-cam video. Portability
@@glenmontpiankhi ya dude- portability! There are all sorts of different use cases, and I hope that people realize that we are not suggesting that the 15 is the winner in all regards- but there is a place for both machines. Just depends on what you need it for! 4 more days buddy!! Whoohoo
I think air 15 is well able to get carried
Thanks for sharing! I have the MacBook Pro 14 and I feel that moving to the MacBook Air 15 is a huge downgrade in each and every aspect, besides 1 inch of bigger screen size - screen resolution and quality, ports, ram and ssd storage, speakers, cpu, etc. I feel that I can’t do it
When comparing the specs, it is absolutely a downgrade. 16gb down to 8gb, 512gb down to 256gb, M1pro to M2 (or if you have the newer M2pro 14 inch- even bigger downgrade) and then the screen, which is the biggest issue for me personally. I really think for most people it will boil down to use case- many people won’t need the storage or the additional memory. Lots of people will care about the screen especially those that tend to consume content on their laptop regularly.
If you already own the 14 as you and I do, it’s a MUCH more difficult choice. For those that don’t already own the 14, Its worth considering the 15. If you happen to be part of the incredibly small percentage of folks who actually require a pro level Mac, the choice is easy- but anyone outside of that demo would be silly to not consider the 15 as it has incredible performance, a great screen, a light weight/portable footprint, not to mention 800 DOLLARS CHEAPER!! 😂
Thank you for you comment, Cohen. It’s nice to have differing perspectives for people to consider. ✌🏼
Battery life on the 15 is way better than the 14”
@@colnn I haven’t pushed it through it’s paces in the battery department, but it’s interesting that you say the 15 is way better as the 14 is actually rated at a bit more time! Or maybe I’m totally wrong about that 🤔
Screen resolution is not that big difference. I was using 2,8k OLED on Windows machine with 240PPI, replaced with 14"MBP week ago and I dont really see much difference with 254PPI 3k macbook's screen in terms of sharpnes and clarity.
Sadly there is huge boom of high DPI OLED screens in Windows laptop market. You can even buy 15" windows low end laptop in sub 500 USD with 10bit 100% DCI-P3, TrueBlack, PantoneValidated OLED. So Apple have to catch up WIndows machines with OLED screen offerings as IPS display on MBA is only one weakspot I see.
@@colnn I had M1 MBA and it lasts me 10hrs of general office use and about 13hrs of video playback. With 14" MBP, base M1, I have 10hrs of general office too and 10-12hrs of 4k video playback. Yes, difference is noticable, but not that huge. I was yousing WIndows laptop with 14" 2,8 OLED screen and battery was about 6,5hrs of video playback, it is huge difference
is it worth getting the m2 air 15 for $1600 or should i go for the m2 pro 14 for $1800 both having same specs: 16gb ram and 512gb ssd? thanks in advance:)
Hey Collin, I think if you read through the pinned comment and the response I gave him, it would actually be valid for you as well. Let me know if you have any additional questions I didn’t cover in there- I’m happy to help!!
Good review! I'm an animator that use Toonboom Harmony. It's a lot of windows to manage so I'm torn between air 15 vs pro 16 but tbh when I go see it in the store, the pro is a little bigger but the weight is much more noticeable. I've been thinking about the io but the usb hub solve all of the problem. Sadly the air can output only one monitor, don't know if it'd be a problem in the future for me. I need is 16 gb of ram because I'm currently using m1 mac mini with 16 gb of ram and it's plenty for me with everything I throw at it. Also, air 15 with 16 gb ram is much more cheaper than a pro 16 base. I'd love to get that screen, speaker, two monitor support from the pro though, but the cost doesn't justify enough for me. I could buy a speaker with much more fidelity + save up to buy xencelabs 24" drawing tablet that would suit me better. Thanks for the video! Cheers!
Hello Naaiin- I have to say, I usually end up needing a little time to answer this type of question, but as I was reading it, I was almost instinctually leading myself towards the 16 without even getting too deep into the details. The reason I say this is, you are doing professional level work, and from what it sounds like there are lots of different assets and resources loaded up at any given time. I think the pro chipset handles these type of loads considerably better not to mention it comes with more ram to begin with. Besides that, I think that you would be someone who would benefit from having that mini LED screen. You may or may not be working with HDR content but I think in this case that’s not the make or break on why you would want this screen. I can only imagine how huge of an advantage it would be to have a 120 Hz screen which would make all of those interactions with your creation much faster/smoother feeling. I’m not an animator obviously, so I could be wrong in this assumption, but it just makes sense to me that you would want to be able to interact with your creations as smoothly as possible. I’ve had similar conversations with other folks and it seems as though the route could even possibly be to purchase a used/refurbished 16 inch MacBook from Apple. Just out of curiosity, why is it that you are wanting to switch from a desktop workspace over to a laptop? Are you just wanting something that has the ability to go mobile if necessary?
@@NigelWorkman Tbh the best setup (for me at least) I can get out of my workflow is in fact, a station one. With all the pen display tablet and monitors that I could get my hands to. I'm currently working from home, most of the time. Other times, I have to move between my home, my condo and my work studio. There are no desktop that can match the performance of my m1 mac mini. If I can have a laptop that's the same performance or better, it can make me do lots of work faster anywhere cause I don't have to sit all day waiting for the program to load assets and view timeline with stutter issues. Also, for having to be at many places. I don't want to have to wait until I get back to my condo if I want to get my work done. So, my plan is to setup monitors/pen display tablet setup at different places, but still have the same power workstation that I can rely on anywhere. I could work and travel more, other than my usual places. Wanted to see more places and people, also good for your health too! I have an Ipad and remarkable 2 for my sketching and note-taking but they couldn't fit my work environment. No Harmony, Krita, Blender :(. Also, the screen is too small for me to draw on and you get bad posture + eye sight problem too. Not to say that's not happening with big monitor but small screens had more effect on me. This new generation of macs keeps my hopes up about working anywhere I want and get the job done as fast as possible. Need to spend time with people that I care more than waiting a program to finished load. Tested with m1 mac mini so I'm sure I could get all my work done. But I wonder, if I can anything done with my m1 mac, maybe m2 macbook air might be enough for me, I thought to myself. Less weight, less money to spend. But bonus for me if I chose the pro cause man, those screen, speakers and build quality are on another level. Might make everything I owned feel worse lol. (Saw some sale on m1 pro macbook pro 16" on facebook, might check that out). Hope this answers your question. :D
Hi Nigel,
Of Brand new M2 MBA 15" and secondhand M1 MBP 14" at the same price, what do you recommend for coding and editing video ?
Wow- you really got me here, AY 🤔
I suppose it would boil down to the same couple of scenarios that i detail in the vid- if you plan on consuming any HDR content, OR if you are creating/Editing HDR content, I think the screen on the 14 would be a huge benefit to your workflow. If however you will NOT be using it in that way, the extra screen real estate (IMO) makes interactions with the computer much more enjoyable. Other things to consider- the way the 15 inch distributes the weight across your lap makes if feel much lighter even though it is just slightly so. Also, the larger palm rest area helps to create a more comfortable resting position when using from your lap. Honestly, It’s just a great everyday productivity computer…MINUS HDR! Hope that helps! Also, thanks so much for commenting…I appreciate you!! ✌🏼
@@NigelWorkman thanks for your quick answer. Actually, for consuming video, I've got my phone. A bit weird, but got everything in my phone. So I can consume everything everywhere. But for working and production, I use laptop. Think the 14" will be better for me because of performance which matters a lot for me.
@@AY-gf3jq You are very welcome! I’m happy to help, or just help you sort through the details 👍 Regarding the machine- I’m not very familiar with how taxing the coding aspect of your work would be on the processor- but I can say that editing 4k video in FCP is an absolute breeze on the M2. Feels no different than my m1pro machine tbh. Then Again, you might be editing 8k ProRes files 🤷🏻 At that point, the pro might start to become much more necessary. Whatever you end up with, I’m sure it will work out great! Take care! ✌🏼
@@NigelWorkman what bugs me about M2 15 is the 8 GB of Ram. Need at least 16 GB. For the same price, think 16 GB + 512 GB of storage + faster proc and GPU are the way to go.
@@AY-gf3jq For me it’s one of those things where, if I’m sitting down comparing specs, I am with you and your logic all day long- BUT THEN, I actually get my hands on the product (in this case the 15) and all logic falls out the window. There is no perceivable difference in performance AT ALL! Mind you, I will submit that that boils down to my type of work, which may be far less taxing than yours. What I am left with at point is just my honest thoughts about how it feels to use the machine. At the end of the day, I absolutely would never blame you for feeling the way that you do, And we all have to go with our gut and what we think will work best for our hard earned money.
Thank you for taking the time to have this discussion with me! These are all really important things for the comment browsers to read and consider. 😊
I have seen a lot of people push the 14" b/c of the price range, but for me, I do more than email and web browser stuff but even with that its hard to push even the M1 to its limits. Even at the same price I would prefer the 15". It has better battery, quieter, lighter, etc. and yes it is less powerful but less powerful compared to what?
Not sure if you are agreeing or disagreeing with me, Tom. Lol. My general point here was as follows: All Apple silicon feel the same to me as they are all so capable that in 90% of use case, we are not getting anywhere near their max capability. The 14 has a much higher quality screen, but there are few scenarios where that actually matters. One example would be the viewing of high-quality HDR content. Or perhaps editing extremely high quality video/photo Content. The only other things that it comes down to would be the I/O, memory, and storage capacity, which, given the intelligence of iCloud and its ability to offload data that is not being used frequently, or with regards to the system memory and the ability to multitask without any kind of hiccups or hesitation with only 8gb, I just don’t see the purpose of getting the pro unless you are a Actual “pro level” user. Hopefully that all makes sense lol. I’ve been baking in the sun all day with my kids, so I’m not sure if my brain is firing on all cylinders. I appreciate your comment either way and thank you for taking the time to post them. Take care!! ✌🏼
I have a m1 pro 16 macbook and a 13 inch macbook air. I am always computer programming. For CPU task I can over million iterations on the macbook air under. a second. I been programming for 2 decades now. With these ARM computers if the low in models are monsters.
I just ordered a refurbished MacBook Pro M3 with 18 ram and 512 storage versus 15 inch MacBook Air for the same price which I’m returning. 🎉. My M1 MacBook Pro suddenly died on me. The extended warranty had just run out and they wanted $700 ship it off to a facility to check it out. I have also had trouble with the M1 iPad Pro dying on me. I’ve had to replace it twice with the extended warranty. So I don’t know if anyone else has had trouble with M1 or I just got unlucky to have lemons. I really wanna just unscrew my M1 and see if I can put a new battery in myself or find someone that will do it for me. I really wanna know why that computer died.
The main reason that I am switching to the pro is because as I get older colors seem to dim and fade on me and it’s hard to see them clearly. So I’m hoping that the pro will be clear and sharper for me. What do you think about that? it’s a big decision and a lot of money to drop especially since I just bought that M1 two years ago.
Hello, Laura- Apologies for the late response! Sorry to hear about the troubles you've had with your M1 MacBook Pro and iPad Pro. It's definitely frustrating when devices fail unexpectedly, especially right after the warranty expires. It sounds like you've had some bad luck with those units.
Switching to a refurbished MacBook Pro M3 with more RAM and storage sounds like a good move, especially if you're looking for a sharper display. The Pro models typically offer better color accuracy and brightness, which can be beneficial if you're experiencing visual changes with age.
As for repairing the M1 MacBook Pro yourself, I'd advise caution. Apple's devices are notoriously tricky to repair, with components often soldered onto the logic board and tightly integrated. Opening up the machine yourself could risk further damage, and finding a reputable repair service might be a better route if you're determined to investigate the issue.
Ultimately, it's important to invest in a device that meets your needs and provides the best experience for you. Hopefully, the refurbished MacBook Pro will serve you well and offer the clarity and sharpness you're seeking. Good luck with your new setup!
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting, Laura- I appreciate it!! ✌🏼🤟🏼
@@NigelWorkman haha! I watched a video on the self repair kit that you get from Apple. That’s a hard no for me. Except that I just really wanna know what caused session expensive MacBook Pro with massive upgrades to fail so miserably I don’t know if it’s the M1 chip that was in all my devices. That can be the only thing that I can think of that would be the lemon?but thanks for getting back to me. I’m loving my new device with the three year extended warranty already paid for with Apple these days. I feel like I’m gonna unfortunately need it. I just feel like the company is steep with Tim Cook.
Damn, this is exactly the dliemma that I am going through right now 😀
And it’s become an even more difficult situation since I made this video because of the similarity price between the two. in a lot of cases, I think you can actually get the pro for the exact same price and I think that forces a lot of people to go in that direction as we feel like it is the better product. In a lot of ways it is clearly superior, but I will still stand by my opinion, which is I prefer using the 15. Maybe order both and see which one you prefer? You have 14 days to figure it out so as long as you keep that in mind, you could give them both a spin! Let me know what you end up doing. I’m curious to know what your opinion is.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
Bring back the MacBook 12”
It certainly was a good option, and the portability was second to none! The performance on the other hand left much to be desired. If only they had released this during the apple silicon era- would have been a completely different animal.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, Mr. Pecky- I appreciate it!
✌🏼🤟🏼
The $1700 price for the Air 15 would be justifiable if it had an LED display, even without the XDR and ProMotion technology.
I don’t disagree with you on that, Emad. Thanks for taking the time to comment! I appreciate it ✌🏼
Hard to recommend the 14-inch Pro for an average user. But damn, that screen is too fkin good! For me, the screen is the most important piece. So 14 Pro it is.
I have hyped that screen up to so many people In the 2 years I have owned it, it’s not even funny. It really is the best screen I’ve ever owned (maybe tied with the c2?) If my use case for the machine hadn’t changed so dramatically, I would have kept the 14 for sure. I’m happy that you know what is important to you, Lucky. Have fun with your new 14! Also, thanks so much for commenting! ✌🏼
@@NigelWorkman cheers brother!
I had the air for a little over a week and ended up exchanging it for the Pro. I had far too many issues with charging.
Thanks for bringing this up, Jo. I hadn’t heard of this issue. I haven’t had any problems myself with charging- but this is definitely something worth noting to those who are considering the air. Thanks for your comment! ✌🏼
@@NigelWorkman I would plug it in, it would charge for 15-20 seconds, then stop... then the process would repeat. I even went as far as going and buying a 2nd charger to make sure that it wasn't the charger. I also have a 2021 16 inch pro for work and it's never had the issues. It might have been a fluke for me but that was enough to just walk away because it's just not worth having a paper weight laptop. So far the new pro has been pretty rock solid minus I've noticed my airpods don't get very loud where they were fine on the air as well as my old M1 MBP. I also only did basic things like youtube watching with the air and it did not get anywhere close to 18 hours battery life and I never turn the brightness above half way at most. I do miss the thinness of the air though. That was impressive for sure.
@@97JoMiller I’m sorry you had such a bad experience with it, Jo. I think it is sounding more like a fluke than anything. One of my recent comments on this video was about how much better the 15 batter had been for him compared to the 14. go figure 🤷🏻 Regardless of all that- fluke or not, you landed right where you should be with the 14! Enjoy! ✌🏼
@@NigelWorkman no worries, I'm just trying to make sure to bring awareness as well as see if anyone else has the issue. Have a good one!
What is the spec of your MBA 15?
I have the base spec. M2/8gb/256gb
For me, there would be no sense in upgrading as this is mostly a secondary machine. If I want to edit footage or make a beat at work, I’ll jump on the 15. Otherwise I’m using my m2 pro Mac mini.
@@NigelWorkman Thank you for the reply..Regards from Indonesia🙏🏼🙏🏼
@@phaphiphut My pleasure 😊
I have struggled with deciding 14 vs 16 inch Macbook Pro. The 15 inch Macbook Air is the perfect size but I ruled out the air as an option for me. I currently have an old 2014 15 inch Macbook Pro and I am sad to move on after 9 years with it! Even though the size specs of the 16 inch is the same as my 15 inch, it feels a lot chunkier. But the 14 inch looks small. I could only afford a refurbished M1 16 inch though so that compared to a new M2 14 inch.. hmm...
Just my humble opinion- refurb 16 M1 Pro all day! I don’t know what sort of work you will be doing, but I can’t imagine the M1 Pro not being more than capable of handling whatever you throw at it. I have a M2 pro Mac mini and I do not notice any difference in performance compared to my M1 Pro. Screen size on the other hand….now THAT is major quality of life upgrade. You also get some amazing audio quality from the 16- it kinda crazy how good it is, actually. Anyway, thank you for dropping a comment, Helena and I hope that any of that was helpful to you! Take care ✌🏼
@@NigelWorkman Thanks for the tips. I'm feeling like maybe I should get the smaller 14 inch for portability though. Do you think there is much difference between a new M2 Pro and a refurbished M1 Pro base stats. I know M2 performance is better, but I'm assuming for myself it won't make much difference since I currently use an Intel and there's good savings with a refurb. Honestly never found deciding on a Macbook so difficult before!
@@HelenaWhitehead the 16 is definitely a bulky unit, Helena. If portability is a priority, I would definitely consider the 14. Best thing I can recommend would be to go and see both of them for yourself. The weight of them both, how it feels to type on it, etc. going back to the processor- I promise you, you DO NOT need a m2 pro! It’s only slightly more powerful than the M1 Pro, but even then- it’s only going noticeable in certain types of processes. And here’s a little secret tip- the storage Apple used on the m1pro machine is actually quite a bit faster than what is now used on the m2 based machines.
If you don’t mind me asking, why did you decide against the 15air?
@@NigelWorkman The lack of the SD slot and HDMI port etc. The Pro is overall better it seems. I watch a lot of stuff on the Macbook and the display and speaker is better. Also, when I was thinking to go with the Air, I wanted to upgrade to 16GB and 512GB and the price difference to a Pro just made me think I might as well get a Pro. I was originally bias for a Pro anyway since I've been using my 2014 Pro for 9 years.
That makes sense to me, Helena. It sounds like you are able to get many years of use out of a laptop, so getting the one with the features you want is definitely the way to go. I don’t worry about the specs of the 15 inch air as much because I know that I will probably end up upgrading within one or two years. Much sooner than I will start to feel the effects of an older gen processor. I think the 16 is still the way to go, but you definitely need to hold one in your hands first to assess the portability of it since it sounds like that is something that’s at least somewhat important to your bottom line. Let me know what you end up going with and what you think about it!
I was about to buy MBA 15", base model here is for 38k CZK and ideal config for me with 16/512 is 50k CZK. But before I release trigger new 14" MBP M1 comes from nowhere back to stock at one of Premium Resellers. There is no first party Apple store in country. 2021 base 14" Pro model was for 40k CZK, so just 5% more than base 15". As I was using 14" Windows laptop with 2,8k OLED screen and I really like HDR content, that 14" MBP was no brainer. But 14" MBP M2 base config is 53k so little bit over upgraded 15" Air, at that case I can sacrifice screen quality for HDR for bigger screen and longer battery life.
Sounds like the m1pro 14inch was the way to go. The difference you would feel in performance if you would have gone with M2 relative to the additional cost you would have paid would not have been worth it at all. To have only paid 5% more over the 15 is a great deal as well! Enjoy it my friend! Also, thanks so much for commenting- my ch appreciated!
@@NigelWorkman Yes, for that price it was no brainer for me. From perfromance point of view, even M1 Air is overkill for all my tasks
The air is it’s best in 13 fully specked
As far as the ultimate grab and go computer is concerned, I would 100% agree! But for those who are willing to sacrifice a smidge of portability for screen size, (especially those of us who might be visually impaired) the 15 is still very much a grab and go, and the extra 2 inches is clutch!! Just my opinion of course, and I am thankful for yours as well! Thanks for taking the time to comment!! I appreciate it greatly✌🏼