Choosing Between the 15-Inch MacBook Air and 14-Inch MacBook Pro
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The latest debate in the MacBook lineup pits the 15-inch MacBook Air against the 14-inch MacBook Pro, a discussion that has become increasingly complex. With the new 15-inch MacBook Air now available, the question arises: which one should you choose?
When reviewing a new MacBook, one consistent refrain arises in comments: “If you’re spending that much, why not get the next model up?” This line of thinking overlooks an essential aspect of Mac ownership: personal preference. Some users simply prefer a particular model, regardless of specifications or cost.
Now that we have the 15-inch MacBook Air, which is slightly larger than the smallest MacBook Pro, comparisons are inevitable.
Has Apple Redefined the Most Popular Laptop Category?
Welcome to my review of the 15-inch MacBook Air!
Pricing for 15" MacBook Air vs 14" MacBook Pro
The starting price for the 15-inch MacBook Air is £1,399/$1,299, featuring the basic M2 chip with an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB of unified memory, and 256GB of storage. Conversely, the 14-inch MacBook Pro begins at £2,149/$1,999 and includes the M2 Pro chip, which boasts a 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16GB of unified memory, and 512GB of storage.
If you fully upgrade the 15-inch MacBook Air, it will cost £2,599/$2,499 for the same M2 chip, but with 24GB of memory and a 2TB SSD. In contrast, fully upgrading the 14-inch MacBook Pro can escalate costs to £6,549/$6,299, equipping it with an M2 Max chip, a 12-core CPU, a 38-core GPU, 96GB of memory, and an 8TB SSD.
Go Big or Go Home? My MacBook Air Dilemma
While the top-tier 15-inch MacBook Air is pricier than the base 14-inch MacBook Pro, to equate specifications, you would need to upgrade the Pro's storage to 2TB, raising the price to £2,749/$2,599, and increase the memory to 32GB, bringing it to £3,149/$2,999.
To get the 15-inch MacBook Air close to the base 14-inch MacBook Pro, you would need to upgrade the memory to 16GB and storage to 512GB, totaling £1,799/$1,699, still significantly less than the Pro.
Spec Differences: 15" MacBook Air vs 14" MacBook Pro
The displays of these two models show significant differences. The 15.3-inch MacBook Air offers more screen real estate compared to the 14.2-inch MacBook Pro. Both feature a notch, which may not be a deciding factor.
However, the display technology diverges; the 15-inch MacBook Air has a Liquid Retina display, while the MacBook Pro features a mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR display, offering greater brightness (1,000 nits vs. 500), higher resolution, and ProMotion with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz.
The internal chips are also distinct, with the 14-inch MacBook Pro lacking a standard M2 option and instead offering either the M2 Pro or M2 Max, each with significantly more CPU and GPU cores than the base M2 chip found in the 15-inch MacBook Air.
Moreover, the Pro offers greater memory and storage options, and with the M2 Max, you gain two ProRes encode engines for video tasks, compared to a single engine in the Air.
Port Differences
The differences in ports are notable as well. The 15-inch MacBook Air provides two Thunderbolt 4 ports, while the 14-inch MacBook Pro includes three, plus an HDMI port and an SD card slot. The Pro can support up to four external displays (with the M2 Max), while the Air is limited to one.
The MacBook Pro is also slightly heavier, weighing 0.2 pounds more and being taller.
Who Should Consider the 14-inch MacBook Pro?
With the specifications laid out, who is the ideal user for the 14-inch MacBook Pro? One key advantage is its active cooling system, which allows the M2 chip to perform under high loads without throttling. This is particularly beneficial for users engaged in intensive tasks like 4K video editing or music production.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro is designed for professionals who demand top-tier performance and connectivity without compromise, justifying its higher price when fully customized.
Who Should Consider the 15-inch MacBook Air?
A recent comment suggested that the 15-inch MacBook Air is not a professional machine. I respectfully disagree. I have utilized MacBook Airs for various business tasks, excluding production work. The choice between the two models ultimately comes down to individual needs and preferences.
The 15-inch MacBook Air lacks active cooling, meaning its performance may throttle during intense tasks, making the Pro a better choice for power users. However, it will appeal to those seeking portability, a well-sized display, and excellent battery life.
Conclusion
In closing, your decision may simply boil down to personal desire for a MacBook Pro or the 15-inch MacBook Air. The lines between need and preference can be blurred in the current Apple silicon era, allowing for capable performance from both models.
Ultimately, it's about choosing the MacBook that resonates with you—whether it’s the one that makes the most sense or the one you genuinely desire. That’s perfectly acceptable!
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Originally published at https://markellisreviews.com on June 27, 2023.