MacBook Air (15inch) vs MacBook Pro (14inch vs 16inch)

Hi everyone, I'm currently in the market for a new MacBook and I'm torn between the MacBook Air (15-inch) and the MacBook Pro (14-inch or 16-inch). I would greatly appreciate some guidance and advice in making this decision. My primary use for the MacBook will be web development, and I may also use Xcode occasionally. From what I've gathered, the MacBook Air seems like a solid option, but I'm also considering upgrading it to 512 GB of storage and 16 GB of memory, which brings it closer in price to the 14-inch MacBook Pro. and when im already spending so much money why not upgrade to the 16inch....... Which one should I be picking? theoScaredZoom(update to keep topic uptodate) but for example when i go for the upgraded Air (because i think ill need at least the 16gb of ram an 512gb storage) which will result in a price near the 14inch pro, is it worth price to upgrade to the pro (considering the M2 Pro and the better display?) In my area i can get the following prices € 1886,00 Macbook Air 16gb/512gb € 2179,00 Macbook Pro 16gb/512gb (€ 2079,00 Refurbished from Apple) will the 300 euros be worth the upgrade? thinkies 200 (refurbished) (im kinda sketched out by refurbished models, or shouldnt i be?)
19 Replies
barry
barry17mo ago
I always go like this: Portability matters? 14 inch Not so much? 16 inch Also, you can purchase the normal, cheapest option you are willing to go for, try it out for 2 days and return it if it's not fast enough or needs more ram. Apple's return policy is like 14 days
pilatos
pilatos17mo ago
True…. Although, I might want to purchase it from a more local store because I can save some money that way. They usually have a 30-day return policy 😂 Why shouldn't i just go for the MacBook Air (15 inch) and save just the 300 euros or is the downgrade from the 14inch pro model so large?
barry
barry17mo ago
Idk I never go with 15 inch, mostly because I didn't like the touchbar but it's gone now so 🤷 But afaik the pro base model is phenomenal If you got the bucks it's probably worth compared to the air I just do web dev stuff, some docker, didn't feel like I needed the pro model, so got the 14 inch m2 air, works perfectly fine for my usecase But from what I hear about XCode, im not sure lol i dont use it myself
andreas
andreas17mo ago
I don’t see any point in getting the Pro if you’re gonna get similar specs to the Air. The only thing I would look at in this case is if I want a slightly chunkier laptop with extra ports or not
pilatos
pilatos17mo ago
don't you think the M2 to the M2 Pro is a large enough of a difference? The pro model also comes with things like a better display and although im not planning on using a external display the HDMI port may come in usefull some day instead of using a dock (which are expensive af).
barry
barry17mo ago
There’s quite a difference between the pro chip and regular It’s not just about ram
Aguilar
Aguilar17mo ago
sometimes i buy laptop thinking when you can breakeven, cuz as a software developer, you are buying laptop to work or do business, essentially you are trying to earn money through it, so I would think if i were to buy an expensive laptop, how much can i earn? how long will it take me to profit from it? If i think buying a m2 max pro is going to make me earn lots, then its definitely worth it, but if its going to take me a long time to even break even, then its not worth it, at least not now. just my two cents
andreas
andreas17mo ago
yea true if you're looking for more power (excluding the ram & storage) then the pro's the clear winner other than that i'd still get an air if power isn't much of a concern to you
jannis.gg
jannis.gg17mo ago
one year ago i had to choose between the m2 macbook air and the m1 pro 14. choose the 14 model and never looked back. great device!
barry
barry17mo ago
same but 6 months ago for me, chose m2, works great too, chose it for design reasons i just love the new design
cje
cje17mo ago
At retail, probably the 15” Air. If you can get a 14” pro refurb for a good price, it becomes more difficult to say. I bought an M1 14” pro at a huge discount 2 months ago and it’s been great
pilatos
pilatos17mo ago
hmm... all good suggestions 🙃 but for example when i go for the upgraded Air (because i think ill need at least the 16gb of ram an 512gb storage) which will result in a price near the 14inch pro, is it worth price to upgrade to the pro (considering the M2 Pro and the better display?) In my area i can get the following prices € 1886,00 Macbook Air 16gb/512gb € 2179,00 Macbook Pro 16gb/512gb (€ 2079,00 Refurbished from Apple) will the 300 euros be worth the upgrade? thinkies 200 (refurbished) (im kinda sketched out by refurbished models, or shouldnt i be?)
vibbin
vibbin17mo ago
I had this exact same contemplation 2 weeks ago. Ended up getting the MBP 16inch refurbished (saving £400). V happy with my choice, the 16inch weight doesn't bother me at all.
barry
barry17mo ago
Apple refurbished seems to have good rep
choco
choco17mo ago
no mackbook at deranged
pilatos
pilatos17mo ago
😂
andreas
andreas17mo ago
Just rice a ubuntu install to look like macos Lol trol
pilatos
pilatos17mo ago
although ubuntu and other types of laptops prob give me better bang for my buck im kinda forced towards apple because of Xcode theowat
HonestCode
HonestCode17mo ago
14inch is amazing I bring it everywhere with myself, because i need my soy latte as a soy ts deranged
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