Weight can be a disadvantage at times. Sometimes these smokers can be too well insulated. There is a happy medium somewhere (I’m not smart enough to know where that is). More steel and insulation doesn’t automatically mean it performs better. Also, moving a heavier smoker can be more difficult, sometimes much more difficult.
I’ve heard nothing but good things on both of these units though. Wouldn’t hesitate to have either, so pick your fancy regarding the IVC.
Now back to MAK vs charcoal smoker, I kind of look at them like this analogy (and if you don’t agree, thats fine, this is just how I kind of view these):
Pellet smokers are like modern day cars. Built really well, and is what most people should buy. Daily drivers. The Camrys and Accords of smokers are pellet smokers. Think of MAK as a Lexus of the Smoker world.
Charcoal Smokers are kind of like Classic cars. A little cruder all around. But the 68 Mustang, 67 Camaro, 58 corvette of the smoking world are in this group. IVC are kind of like old muscle cars. Then you have the Weber Smokey Mountain which is like an old VW Bug.
Offsets are the trucks and off-roaders. Jeeps, old Broncos ( and maybe the new Bronco), F150 etc are the offsets. Shirley’s are like a one ton truck with a flat bed mounted on it and lots of tool on the flatbed, and a heavy brush guard on the front.