The Hard Truth About the 16-Inch MacBook Pro

Let’s be honest, folks.

Whenever I mention how hefty Apple’s larger laptop is, I often get responses suggesting I "hit the gym" or "get over it, mate, it’s not that heavy." I’ve learned to overlook those who don’t quite catch my dry British humor (I don’t genuinely believe it weighs as much as a planet, everyone), but I remain steadfast in my belief that the 16-inch MacBook Pro may not be the best choice for many users.

That said, I’m aware that the larger MacBook Pro does serve its purpose well for some. Today, I’m here to share my insights on which MacBook Pro might suit your needs better. What’s changed on my end?

Currently, I have access to a 14-inch MacBook Pro, equipped with the top-of-the-line M2 Max chip, 96GB of unified memory, and a 4TB SSD.

The M2 Pro vs M2 Max Showdown

Which one suits you better?

This 14-inch model is truly impressive. Each time I use it, I find myself regretting my choice of the larger model. It’s lighter, delivers comparable performance in daily tasks, and aligns beautifully with the classic MacBook Pro design.

Having spent extended time with this particular machine, I’ve come to appreciate it even more. This morning’s walk to the studio was free of the cumbersome weight of the 16-inch laptop. Heading to the gym for some last-minute video editing no longer requires me to carefully consider what to leave behind in my backpack. When I decide to use the MacBook for some production work on the couch, this 14-inch model doesn’t force my girlfriend to sit across the room.

Nonetheless, my primary workhorse for production tasks remains the 16-inch M1 Max MacBook Pro, which puts me in a unique position to offer practical buying advice for you.

How I Utilize My 16-Inch MacBook Pro for Professional Tasks

Is it a waste or a wise investment?

Comparing the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros: Power

We could get bogged down in technical details, so I’ll spare you the intricate benchmarks and statistics. Quite frankly, all modern MacBook Pros boast remarkable power.

Previous tests I conducted merely confirmed that the 14-inch model is slightly slower than its larger counterpart. Though Apple hasn’t explicitly confirmed it, the smaller chassis likely results in some throttling of the M-series chip during intense tasks.

Nevertheless, you’d only notice this difference under heavy workloads or if you were meticulously timing exports, renders, or compiles—something that typically only reviewers do.

A quick test involving a 10-minute piece of 4K footage from my Sony FX3 camera between the M1 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro and M2 Max 14-inch MacBook Pro illustrates the differences clearly:

• 16-inch M1 Max MacBook Pro (32GB)
  • Render: 01:02
  • Export: 02:41
• 14-inch M2 Max MacBook Pro (96GB)
  • Render: 01:10
  • Export: 02:47

Every time I’ve compared an M2 Mac to the previous generation, it has emerged victorious in rendering speed. This is crucial for video editors since faster rendering gets you to the end result quicker. While the export time is a few seconds slower on the M2 14-inch MacBook Pro, we know the cause.

We aren’t comparing identical setups here; the cooling capabilities of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros vary significantly, and the latter is less prone to throttling during demanding tasks. Plus, my tests are rather unscientific; there are far more rigorous methods to assess performance.

Ultimately, we’re talking about mere seconds here, and in real-world scenarios—even during heavy production work—you’re unlikely to notice any significant difference between the two. They’re both incredibly fast laptops.

Comparing Battery Life: 14-inch vs 16-inch MacBook Pro

The 16-inch MacBook Pro undeniably outshines the 14-inch model in battery longevity.

This is one area of tech comparisons I’ve never attempted to quantify scientifically—two reasons: numerous variables complicate battery testing (I’m not a scientist), and honestly, I just don’t have the energy for it.

However, based on my real-world experience with both devices, the 16-inch MacBook Pro is an outstanding performer in terms of battery life—possibly the best I’ve encountered. There are times when I completely forget it hasn’t been plugged in after hours of creative use.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro is also impressive, but it does drain its battery faster, prompting more frequent thoughts about available power outlets during intensive tasks. Yet, it still performs admirably in this regard; it’s just the nature of physics.

Pricing the 14-inch vs 16-inch MacBook Pro

The entry-level price for the 14-inch M2 MacBook Pro is £2,149. If you opt for the 16-inch version, you’ll need to fork out an additional £550, although you do gain extra CPU and GPU cores.

At the high end, you’re looking at £6,549 for the 14-inch model and £6,749 for the 16-inch, a mere £200 difference.

When spending this amount on a laptop, the price differences often seem negligible. Typically, these top-tier MacBooks are purchased by businesses, creatives, or individuals seeking the best performance and have the budget to support it.

Thus, the price is, surprisingly, a non-issue. You know your finances better than I do, so you can determine if price is a significant factor in your decision-making process.

Size Considerations: 14-inch vs 16-inch MacBook Pro

I won’t dwell on this point too much; your desire for power, screen size, and the all-important "want" factor should guide your choice. These laptops are quite different in terms of size.

If you’ve never encountered a 16-inch MacBook Pro in person but are contemplating a purchase, I strongly recommend visiting an Apple Store. They’re larger than you might expect.

By contrast, the 14-inch model really hits the sweet spot for most users. You do sacrifice some screen space (more than you might think), and it won’t last quite as long between charges, but it’s nearly perfect for everything else, making any perceived power deficiencies largely irrelevant.

The Want Factor in Your MacBook Purchase

Don’t worry; you’re in a safe space. You can admit it—honestly. In fact, I’ll say it for you: Mac purchases are heavily influenced by how much you want that specific laptop.

There doesn’t need to be a logical explanation for it. It’s also nearly impossible to articulate the feeling of needing a particular MacBook Pro.

That’s perfectly fine. Apple excels at creating desire for products without any clear rationale, and if your budget allows, why not indulge? Just keep in mind that this aspect of the decision-making process is entirely personal.

My Future MacBook Pro Decisions

I’m facing a dilemma. This 14-inch M2 MacBook Pro will need to be returned in a month, and I’m going to miss it tremendously.

Previously, I mentioned envisioning a 14-inch MacBook Pro in my future. The marginal gains from the M2 chip and my need to allocate resources elsewhere in my business have delayed that plan.

I firmly believe that most users will benefit from the 14-inch MacBook Pro. The 16-inch model is simply too large unless it’s primarily stationed in one location or if the larger display, slightly enhanced battery life, and performance improvements are essential.

Which model are you leaning towards? I’d love to hear your reasons in the comments!

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This video discusses the differences between the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, helping you decide which size might be the right fit for you.

In this video, you'll find a detailed comparison of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, emphasizing which one to buy based on your needs.