HACKER Q&A
📣 ShahinSorkh

Is 13" MacBook good enough without an external monitor?


I want to buy a 13" MacBook Air, but I'm not sure if I can have a comfortable development setup on its small screen without an external bigger display. I don't need to have multiple applications side by side I open everything maximized. It would be nice to be able to play some games (e.g Factorio, DF, LoL) as well.

I'm targeting 13" mostly because of its mobility as I'm planning to work on the go. As a side note: I never owned a MacBook. I appreciate any notes or tricks.

Any thoughts or advice?

  👤 AlexeyBrin Accepted Answer ✓
It really depends. Personally I find my 13" MacBook Pro to be good enough for when I'm on the go, but at home I connect it to an external display for programming. (It also depends on how good is your eyesight.)

I would have preferred the 16" MacBook Pro and I will buy a 16" when my current laptop becomes unusable (still going strong for now).

👤 jsk2600
I worked on the same setup for 2 years while travelling a lot. You can get used to it, as long as you don't start connecting it to an external screen, then you'll find 13'' just small.

Consider purchasing an external portable screen to attach to the MacBook while on the go.

👤 robthebrew
sure, but investigate Mission Control