Over a month has passed since the Apple Special October Event, but it’s still causing waves in the Apple enthusiast world. From the excitement of the advanced M1 Pro but M1 Max chips, to the fresh and superior devices on the scene, there’s a lot to unpack.
In this blog we’re going to focus on the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, and discuss whether or not you should go for the ‘better’ device.
Display and size
The 14-inch and 16-inch machines have much in common: webcam quality, touch ID, ports, displays with mini-LED technology, and up to 1600 nits of brightness. That being said, their displays do differ. The 16-inch model has a 3.5k resolution, whereas the 14 inch has 3k. Whilst this means the former has 30% more pixels, and is more immersive when considering games and videos etc., the actual sharpness is the same (254).
A key and very obvious distinction is their size. The 14-inch MacBook Pro is almost as thin and light as the 13-inch device, benefiting the user through better portability. You’ll find the 16-inch model is larger, thicker, and heavier (in part due to its bigger and better battery), which isn’t ideal if you move your device around a lot.
Video and sound
Surprisingly, when it comes to video editing, the performance is no different between the two – though it’s likely that the 16-inch model will prove more favourable. For one, it has a larger display which could be advantageous. Also, it’s ideal for editing due to its longer battery life. It really depends on the amount of time you spend on the task, and whether you’re close to a plug socket or not.
What’s more, the 16 inch has better speakers. Whilst Apple revealed that each model has the same six-speaker system, the 16-inch MacBook Pro has bigger subwoofers, giving it a louder and deeper bass.
Fans and thermal throttling
Perhaps the biggest difference between the two machines is the fans. Those on the 14-inch device are hotter and louder, causing thermal throttling which negatively impacts performance. When the fans are pushed very hard, it sacrifices the graphics to save battery life.
On the 16-inch MacBook Pro, the fans are a lot bigger, with a thicker heat pipe running through. This makes a huge and positive difference to the cooling system’s performance. The fans are significantly quieter on this model. There’s even an option for High Power mode, which boosts performance for intensive, sustained workloads.
If you conduct a task that maxes out the CPU or GPU on the 16 inch, then it has sufficient thermal headroom not to throttle. Whereas with the 14 inch, you have a higher chance of throttling – making it easy to see why High Power mode isn’t available.
Which device should you choose?
It’s clear that the 16-inch Mac trumps the 14 inch in numerous ways, yet these differences aren’t extreme. Whilst the larger device is the better choice in terms of overall features, it may not be the right one for you.
Ultimately, it depends on your business requirements, and whether you think the additional features on the 16-inch model are worth the higher price tag. Fortunately, Lease Loop can make your decision easier. We’ll even select a leasing solution that protects your cash flow whilst giving you all the benefits of the Mac.
For us, it’s about helping you reach your goals – that’s why we’ll be with you every step of the way. Want to know more? Speak to our friendly team today.
