MacBook Pro 16-inch vs. MacBook Pro 14-inch: all the differences, explained

Apple’s MacBook Pro lineup now includes both a 16-inch and a 14-inch model. Here are the differences between the two models:
Screen size and resolution: The MacBook Pro 16-inch has a larger display with a resolution of 3072 x 1920, while the MacBook Pro 14-inch has a smaller display with a resolution of 3024 x 1964.
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Processor: The MacBook Pro 16-inch is available with an 8-core Intel Core i9 processor, while the MacBook Pro 14-inch can be configured with up to a 10-core M1 Pro or M1 Max chip.
Graphics: The MacBook Pro 16-inch features AMD Radeon Pro graphics with up to 16GB of GDDR6 memory, while the MacBook Pro 14-inch uses the integrated graphics of the M1 Pro or M1 Max chip.
Ports: The MacBook Pro 16-inch includes four Thunderbolt 3 ports and an SDXC card slot, while the MacBook Pro 14-inch has three Thunderbolt 4 ports and an HDMI port.
Battery life: The MacBook Pro 16-inch has a battery life of up to 11 hours, while the MacBook Pro 14-inch can last up to 17 hours on a single charge.
Weight: The MacBook Pro 16-inch weighs 4.3 pounds, while the MacBook Pro 14-inch is lighter at 3.5 pounds.
Price: The MacBook Pro 16-inch starts at $2,399, while the MacBook Pro 14-inch starts at $1,999.
In summary, the MacBook Pro 16-inch is designed for more demanding tasks such as video editing and gaming, and offers more powerful options for processor and graphics. The MacBook Pro 14-inch is more lightweight, has a longer battery life, and is a good option for general productivity tasks.
In terms of design, the MacBook Pro 16-inch and MacBook Pro 14-inch share some similarities, but there are also a few differences:
Size: As the name suggests, the MacBook Pro 16-inch is larger, with dimensions of 14.09 x 9.68 x 0.64 inches, while the MacBook Pro 14-inch is smaller, measuring 12.64 x 8.45 x 0.66 inches.
Weight: The MacBook Pro 16-inch is heavier, weighing 4.3 pounds, while the MacBook Pro 14-inch is lighter at 3.5 pounds.
Display: The MacBook Pro 16-inch has a larger display, which means a larger overall size, and also features smaller bezels around the display. The MacBook Pro 14-inch has a smaller display with slightly larger bezels.
official website: Apple’s MacBook Pro
Keyboard: Both models feature Apple’s Magic Keyboard, but the MacBook Pro 14-inch features a redesigned keyboard that includes a dedicated row of function keys, while the MacBook Pro 16-inch uses a Touch Bar instead of function keys.
Colors: The MacBook Pro 16-inch comes in two colors, silver and space gray, while the MacBook Pro 14-inch is available in silver, space gray, and a new pink color called “sunset.”
Overall, both laptops feature Apple’s sleek and minimalist design, with aluminum bodies and a unibody construction. The MacBook Pro 14-inch features a slightly more compact design, while the MacBook Pro 16-inch is designed for users who need a larger display and more powerful hardware.
Display
The display is an important aspect of any laptop, and both the MacBook Pro 16-inch and MacBook Pro 14-inch feature high-quality displays with some key differences:
Size and Resolution: As their names suggest, the MacBook Pro 16-inch has a larger 16-inch display, while the MacBook Pro 14-inch has a smaller 14-inch display. The MacBook Pro 16-inch display has a resolution of 3072 x 1920 pixels, while the MacBook Pro 14-inch has a slightly higher resolution of 3024 x 1964 pixels
.
Brightness: Both displays are bright, but the MacBook Pro 14-inch is slightly brighter, with a peak brightness of 1000 nits, compared to the MacBook Pro 16-inch’s peak brightness of 500 nits.
Refresh rate: The MacBook Pro 16-inch has a higher refresh rate of 120Hz, which means smoother scrolling and animations. The MacBook Pro 14-inch has a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
ProMotion: Only the MacBook Pro 16-inch has Apple’s ProMotion technology, which dynamically adjusts the refresh rate to match the content being displayed. This can result in smoother and more fluid visuals, especially when watching video or playing games.
Bezels: Both displays have slim bezels around the edges, which helps to maximize the screen real estate. However, the MacBook Pro 14-inch has slightly wider bezels than the MacBook Pro 16-inch.
In summary, the MacBook Pro 16-inch has a larger display with a slightly lower resolution, but benefits from a
higher refresh rate, ProMotion technology, and a more color-accurate display. The MacBook Pro 14-inch has a smaller display, but is slightly brighter and has a higher resolution.
Performance
Both the MacBook Pro 16-inch and MacBook Pro 14-inch are designed to be high-performance laptops. Here are some key differences in performance between the two models:
Processor: The MacBook Pro 16-inch is available with an 8-core Intel Core i9 processor, while the MacBook Pro 14-inch can be configured with up to a 10-core M1 Pro or M1 Max chip.
Graphics: The MacBook Pro 16-inch features AMD Radeon Pro graphics with up to 16GB of GDDR6 memory, while the MacBook Pro 14-inch uses the integrated graphics of the M1 Pro or M1 Max chip.
RAM: The MacBook Pro 16-inch can be configured with up to 64GB of DDR4 memory, while the MacBook Pro 14-inch can be configured with up to 32GB of unified memory.
Storage: Both models can be configured with up to 8TB of storage, but the MacBook Pro 14-inch can also be configured with a lower starting storage option of 256GB, while the MacBook Pro 16-inch starts at 512GB.
Battery life: The MacBook Pro 16-inch has a battery life of up to 11 hours, while the MacBook Pro 14-inch can last up to 17 hours on a single charge.
Performance per watt: The M1 Pro and M1 Max chips in the MacBook Pro 14-inch are designed for high performance and efficiency, offering industry-leading performance per watt. This means that the MacBook Pro 14-inch can deliver impressive performance while using less power.
In summary, the MacBook Pro 16-inch offers more powerful options for processor and graphics, as well as higher RAM capacity. The MacBook Pro 14-inch uses the more efficient M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, which provide
excellent performance per watt, and can be a better option for users who need long battery life and general productivity tasks.
Portability
When it comes to portability, the MacBook Pro 14-inch is generally more portable than the MacBook Pro 16-inch, but it depends on what factors are most important to you. Here are some differences in portability between the two models:
Size and weight: The MacBook Pro 14-inch is smaller and lighter than the MacBook Pro 16-inch, with dimensions of 12.64 x 8.45 x 0.66 inches and a weight of 3.5 pounds, while the MacBook Pro 16-inch measures 14.09 x 9.68 x 0.64 inches and weighs 4.3 pounds.
Battery life: The MacBook Pro 14-inch has a longer battery life than the MacBook Pro 16-inch, with up to 17 hours of battery life compared to the MacBook Pro 16-inch’s 11 hours.
Port selection: The MacBook Pro 16-inch has more ports than the MacBook Pro 14-inch, including four Thunderbolt 3 ports and an SD card slot. The MacBook Pro 14-inch has two Thunderbolt 4 ports and an HDMI port, but does not have an SD card slot.
Display size: The MacBook Pro 14-inch has a smaller display, which may be more portable if you need to carry the laptop around frequently.
Overall, the MacBook Pro 14-inch is a more portable option, with a smaller size and lighter weight, longer battery life, and a slightly more limited port selection. The MacBook Pro 16-inch is still relatively portable, but is better suited for users who need a larger display and more powerful hardware.
Ports
The MacBook Pro 14-inch and MacBook Pro 16-inch have some differences when it comes to ports. Here’s a rundown of what you can expect from each model:
MacBook Pro 14-inch:
- Two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports
- One HDMI 2.0 port
- 3.5mm headphone jack
MacBook Pro 16-inch:
- Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- SDXC card slot
As you can see, the MacBook Pro 16-inch offers more ports than the MacBook Pro 14-inch, including the addition of an SDXC card slot. The Thunderbolt 3 ports on the MacBook Pro 16-inch are also slightly faster than the
Thunderbolt 4 ports on the MacBook Pro 14-inch, but this difference is unlikely to be noticeable in day-to-day use. On the other hand, the MacBook Pro 14-inch includes an HDMI 2.0 port, which can be useful if you need to connect the laptop to an external display that doesn’t have Thunderbolt connectivity.
Overall, if you need a lot of connectivity options, the MacBook Pro 16-inch is the better option due to its additional Thunderbolt 3 ports and SDXC card slot. However, the MacBook Pro 14-inch’s HDMI port may be more useful for some users.
Both the MacBook Pro 14-inch and MacBook Pro 16-inch have good battery life, but the MacBook Pro 14-inch has an edge when it comes to battery life. Here are the estimated battery life numbers for each model:
MacBook Pro 14-inch:
- Up to 17 hours of web browsing
- Up to 21 hours of Apple TV app movie playback
- Up to 75W USB-C Power Adapter
MacBook Pro 16-inch:
- Up to 11 hours of web browsing
- Up to 12 hours of Apple TV app movie playback
- Up to 96W USB-C Power Adapter
As you can see, the MacBook Pro 14-inch has a significant edge over the MacBook Pro 16-inch in terms of battery life, with up to 17 hours of web browsing on a single charge compared to the MacBook Pro 16-inch’s 11 hours. This is due in part to the more power-efficient M1 Pro or M1 Max chips in the MacBook Pro 14-inch, as well as the smaller display size.
That being said, it’s worth noting that battery life can vary depending on a number of factors, including the specific tasks you’re performing, the brightness of the display, and whether you’re connected to Wi-Fi or using cellular data. In general, both laptops should offer enough battery life to get you through a full workday without needing to recharge.
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