I want to eventually develop apps but I wonder if I could do just as well with an Air and just maxx out the specs.
Under what circumstances should a Pro overrule the Air for my use case?
(Can linux also be dual-installed to be able to run some flavor of linux alternatively/parallel to MacOS? Might get a Framework one eventually as well
Most people can get by just fine with an Air. Actually, most people can get by with the new Neo. I can certainly do well with the Air, but I went with the Pro with nano texture screen because the screen and audio are just better. Like getting a luxury car.
Honestly, you should at least consider the Neo. Air if you think you need the RAM. But what you’re describing definitely doesn’t need the Pro.
Is that true about audio? Are they actually not only better but objectively like “good” enough to justify the extra cost?
Audio, screen, and performance are all objectively better than the Air, and the Air is already pretty good.
Any one of those metrics good enough to justify the extra cost? Probably not (especially if you don’t need the horsepower), but taken together it did justify the additional cost for me.
Whats the weight difference qualitatively?
Good question. Answer is, significant.
13” Air: 2.7 lbs.
14” Pro: 3.4 lbs.
15” Air: 3.3 lbs.
16” Pro: 4.7 lbs.
I have the 16”, again, for luxury. The 13” Air is probably the best value overall while being very nice, but the 14” Pro is a nice upgrade while still being very portable.