The MBA 13 and MBP 14 have very similar working real estate on their displays. See their default scaled resolutions for better understanding.

The MBA 15 and MBP 16 have very similar working real estate on their displays. Again, see their default scaled resolutions for better understanding.

If someone is okay with a smaller working real estate on their display, they should consider a MBA 13 or MBP 14. If they want or need MORE working real estate, they shoud consider a MBA 15 or MBP 16.

It's a pet-peeve of mine when people look at the price of the MBA 15 and recommend that someone get the MBP 14 instead. They are very different experiences and some people won't be happy with the smaller working space

top 50 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

ITT: a bunch of irrationally irate MBP 14 owners taking offense to being called out for circle jerking over there laptops and suggesting it for every single use case

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    At work I went from a 15 to a 13 and it annoys me how small the screen is. Thankfully 99% of the time it’s plugged into my 38” ultrawide but when it’s not it feels so tiny and I lose so much space to the sidebars in figma

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    The screen itself is better, brighter and the MBA has no cooling, so

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    You speak like a man that never experienced the mbp 14 screen. Get out of here. This is not for you.

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    Having purchased the MBA15, I think that I'd have been happier with the size smaller MBA. I've found myself needing to pan my head/neck more than I'd like, and hold the laptop closer that I'm accostomed to focussing. Power and speed -wise, the M2 chip is plenty fast, and the battery lasts forever. Also, the laptop never heats up like my old MacBook Pro did.

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    I recommend the Macbook Pro 14.

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    In general, I agree. The 14 is significantly smaller than the 15 at default resolution. There is much ,ore viewable resale estate on the 15. The best screen comparison is the Pro 16. The 14 is much closer in size and scale to the 13 Air.

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    But the MacBook Pro has promotion which makes for a much better screen experience. I’d trade one diagonal inch of screen real estate for that.

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago (1 child)

    Please excuse my ignorance but what does real estate have to do with laptops?

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    Please excuse my ignorance but what does real estate have to do with laptops?

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    But it’s better….

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago (1 child)

    How are you this emotionally invested in what MacBook someone chooses to purchase

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    Most of the times the MBP is closely priced to the MBA with similar specs and in that case MBP 14 is a MUCH better deal.

    MiniLED display is just out of this world and nobody would want to go back to LCD after using it. The speakers are just too fantastic.

    People who do any heavy task for prolonged periods will definitely need a cooling system like a proper heat sink and Fan

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    Most of the times the MBP is closely priced to the MBA with similar specs and in that case MBP 14 is a MUCH better deal.

    MiniLED display is just out of this world and nobody would want to go back to LCD after using it. The speakers are just too fantastic.

    People who do any heavy task for prolonged periods will definitely need a cooling system like a proper heat sink and Fan

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago
    [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    I recommend the Macbook Pro 14.

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    In general, I agree. The 14 is significantly smaller than the 15 at default resolution. There is much ,ore viewable resale estate on the 15. The best screen comparison is the Pro 16. The 14 is much closer in size and scale to the 13 Air.

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    But it’s better….

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago (2 children)

    Having purchased the MBA15, I think that I'd have been happier with the size smaller MBA. I've found myself needing to pan my head/neck more than I'd like, and hold the laptop closer that I'm accostomed to focussing. Power and speed -wise, the M2 chip is plenty fast, and the battery lasts forever. Also, the laptop never heats up like my old MacBook Pro did.

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    How are you this emotionally invested in what MacBook someone chooses to purchase

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    But the MacBook Pro has promotion which makes for a much better screen experience. I’d trade one diagonal inch of screen real estate for that.

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    The 14 and 16 has a much better screen.

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    The 14 and 16 has a much better screen.

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    The screen itself is better, brighter and the MBA has no cooling, so

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    You speak like a man that never experienced the mbp 14 screen. Get out of here. This is not for you.

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    "some people won't be happy with the smaller working space."

    " I would be not be happy with the MBP 14 display"

    True but that is only one aspect to deciding. And agree that recommends are biased due to this or that model that works great for them. But to be fair the OP's are usually very vague of what their actual needs are.

    Others will have less issue with screen size 14" vs. 15" and less of a concern and more concerns in performance and ports having a higher priority.

    This would mostly be a mute point if posters would stop being vague and lazy in asking. By giving a deeper more meaningful needs and wants when posting.

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    You’re talking about subjectivity, and simultaneously dismissing subjectivity.

    YOU may find the “real estate” on the MBA 15 to be most important, but another person may value the 120hz display and higher brightness on the MBP 14 to be most important. Not to mention better internals.

    Your argument here is insanely naive…

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    "some people won't be happy with the smaller working space."

    " I would be not be happy with the MBP 14 display"

    True but that is only one aspect to deciding. And agree that recommends are biased due to this or that model that works great for them. But to be fair the OP's are usually very vague of what their actual needs are.

    Others will have less issue with screen size 14" vs. 15" and less of a concern and more concerns in performance and ports having a higher priority.

    This would mostly be a mute point if posters would stop being vague and lazy in asking. By giving a deeper more meaningful needs and wants when posting.

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    You’re talking about subjectivity, and simultaneously dismissing subjectivity.

    YOU may find the “real estate” on the MBA 15 to be most important, but another person may value the 120hz display and higher brightness on the MBP 14 to be most important. Not to mention better internals.

    Your argument here is insanely naive…

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    At work I went from a 15 to a 13 and it annoys me how small the screen is. Thankfully 99% of the time it’s plugged into my 38” ultrawide but when it’s not it feels so tiny and I lose so much space to the sidebars in figma

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    ITT: a bunch of irrationally irate MBP 14 owners taking offense to being called out for circle jerking over there laptops and suggesting it for every single use case

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    You must shop based on top reviews and front page articles... A lot of us make recommendations so people avoid making your mistake. If you feel like you waste time educating yourself about the technology rather than why you should have the latest device, then you wouldn't be making such statements. The Air has always been designed to have "less Bezel"= "more screen" to the common eye. 9/10 MacBook owners have or will have an external display. Whether its Apple Studio, an iPad, or a cheap aftermarket foldable monitor... This sounds like a very personal concern and not a community concern lol

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago (2 children)

    You must shop based on top reviews and front page articles... A lot of us make recommendations so people avoid making your mistake. If you feel like you waste time educating yourself about the technology rather than why you should have the latest device, then you wouldn't be making such statements. The Air has always been designed to have "less Bezel"= "more screen" to the common eye. 9/10 MacBook owners have or will have an external display. Whether its Apple Studio, an iPad, or a cheap aftermarket foldable monitor... This sounds like a very personal concern and not a community concern lol

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago
    [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    Sounds like a real case of “I BOUGHT 15 INCH AIR AND NEED TO COPE COPE COPE COPE JUSITFY MY PURCHASE WAAAAAAA”

    I’d recommend a prescription of just enjoy what you need/enjoy using.

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago
    [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago (1 child)

    Sounds like a real case of “I BOUGHT 15 INCH AIR AND NEED TO COPE COPE COPE COPE JUSITFY MY PURCHASE WAAAAAAA”

    I’d recommend a prescription of just enjoy what you need/enjoy using.

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago (1 child)

    Please google or compare resolutions prior to making false claims. The 14” has more pixels: 3024 x 1964 vs 15” air at 2888 x 1864.

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    Also, the MacBook Pro 14 blows noticeable heat out on to your legs when on your lap. The Air series does not cause this. And the weight difference is noticeable to some people, including me

    I still prefer my iPad Pro 12.9” but am always tempted by the 15” Air. Lighter than both, no fans and miniLED.

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    I recommend mba 13 for those looking for 16 and ask them to use external display instead. The external display has to be minimum 144hz and OLED

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    I’m with you 100% OP

  • source
  • [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago (1 child)

    But you can just increase the scaled resolution on the MBP 14, and get similar working space anyway. And going for the 14" MBP gets you a screen that's better in every way, along with more battery (esp. on the M3 model), and much more I/O.

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • load more comments (1 reply)
    [–] [B] 1 point 2 years ago

    I understand you dude. In my mind it's 15air or 16pro and 13-14 whatever.

    For my usage even 16pro isn't enough for demanding tasks and i knew it. But as a laptop to work, test, enjoy almost best laptop in the market yet. YES!!! Finally i found it!

    I switched from 17in laptop so what is less than mba 15in is almost useless for me.

  • source
  • load more comments
    view more: next ›