MacBooks have been among the best laptops on the market for years, and now that Apple has been making its own chips for a while (most recently the M4 in the new iPad Pro), these devices are a dream come true when it comes to compatibility, especially if you have other Apple devices. When you’re looking for a MacBook, you need to figure out exactly what you’re looking for. Because while the MacBook Pro with the M3 Max is going to be more powerful than any other Apple laptop, it’s going to be mostly wasted if you’re not using it for creative work like video editing.
TL;DR Best MacBooks to Buy Right Now
There are plenty of MacBook alternatives, of course, but if you need macOS for your work, you’d be hard pressed to get anything done consistently on any other device. Luckily, Apple is constantly updating its Mac operating system to keep it competitive with Windows 11 and Linux, and we’ll even get a sneak peek at macOS 15 at WWDC 2024 on June 10. And once we know what macOS 15 will look like, we’ll get a pretty good idea of what the next MacBooks will be able to do.
Looking for discounts? Check out the best MacBook deals.
The Best MacBooks
1. Apple MacBook Air (2024)
Best Overall
Apple MacBook Air (2024)
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The latest MacBook Air is the same as the 2022 model, only with a much faster processor in the Apple M3 chip.
Best value in a new MacBook
Can get expensive at the high-end
If you’re looking for a MacBook for casual everyday use, then the Apple MacBook Air (2024) is one of the best laptops from Apple for web browsing, watching YouTube and Netflix, office productivity, and more. This is all thanks to its fast M2 processor, sleek and lightweight design at 2.7 pounds, vivid 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, and long battery life of up to 18 hours per charge. It also comes with two USB-C ports (Thunderbolt 3), a dedicated MagSafe 3 charging port, a headphone jack, and a 1080p HD webcam for pristine video calls.
The laptop starts at $1,199—which is a bit hefty compared to previous models of the MacBook Air—but its worth it. This model comes with the latest and greatest Apple M3 chip, and starts off with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, which should be enough for most people. Though, of course if you want a little more juice, you can get it configured with up to 24GB RAM and a giant 2TB SSD.
Just like the 2022 model, Apple also launched a 15-inch MacBook Air, which is basically the same exact laptop, only with a larger screen and more luxe high-end configuration.
2. Apple MacBook Air (2022)
Best Budget
Apple MacBook Air M2
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Apple’s ultrathin, light laptop runs on a powerful and efficient M2 chip with quality-of-life features like long battery life, MagSafe charging, and a sharp, bright screen.
The cheapest MacBook you can get new
Gorgeous display, even today
You don’t get the latest M3 chip.
Looking for a wallet-friendly laptop? Starting at $999 (sometimes as low as $799 when it’s on sale), the MacBook Air (2022) is Apple’s previous model that’s still snappy with the M2 processor built inside.
Don’t let its low price fool you, this laptop is a speedy machine. In fact, it’s the primary laptop for the writer of this article! It features a 13.3-inch Retina display, a thin design, two USB-C ports (used both for charging and peripherals), along with a MagSafe port, which is also used for charging. This model starts with 8GB of memory with 256GB of SSD storage, and a long up to 18-hour battery life. The laptop also comes in three colors: Space Gray, Gold, and Silver.
If you’re looking for an Apple MacBook for less than $1,000, it’s right here.
3. Apple MacBook Pro 14 M3 (2023)
Best for Multitasking
14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (2023) with M3
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Combining power and portability, this laptop is ideal for multitasking, especially thanks to its M3 processor, stunning display, and long battery life.
No reason to get it over the MacBook Air
If you do a lot of multitasking and swapping between apps, you want a MacBook that can keep up, and the 14-inch MacBook Pro M3 is ready. With it, you get the latest M3 processor that features Dynamic Caching, which uses only the exact amount of memory needed for a task to help increase performance in demanding programs. That’s just the start, as you’ll enjoy a stunning 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display for a crystal clear view of all your workflows while a long-lasting battery—we’re talking up to 22 hours—ensures you can work from anywhere.
You will be adding to the price and weight when going with this Pro model over an Air, but it’s hard not to appreciate the extra power it brings. This option also comes in two colors: Space Gray and Silver.
4. Apple MacBook Pro 14 M3 Pro (2023)
Best for Creative Pros
14-inch MacBook Pro (2023) with M3 Pro
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A MacBook ready for creatives thanks to a powerful M3 Pro processor and stunning Liquid Retina XDR display.
Excellent performance in the M3 Pro
Starting at $1,999, the Apple MacBook Pro M3 Pro is ideal for multitasking and heavy workloads. It features a brilliant 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, the latest M3 Pro processor for fast-switching between loads of different apps, and various ports—including three USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) ports, one HDMI port, one SDXC card reader, one MagSafe port for charging, and a headphone jack. That means you can use it with all sorts of peripherals like external hard drives and 4K monitors, which is especially handy for creatives.
From editing photos and transcoding videos, this MacBook Pro—which comes in two colors: Silver and Space Black—is a workhorse and fantastic for creative professionals. It just quickly gets the job done again and again with virtually no hiccups.
5. Apple MacBook Pro 16 M3 Max (2023)
Best Powerhouse
16-inch Apple MacBook Pro (2023) with M3 Max
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Running on an M3 Max processor, this beefy machine can handle just about anything you can throw at it but be prepared for a high price tag.
Best performance you can get in a MacBook
Excellent for creators with its beautiful display
Want the ultimate MacBook? The Apple MacBook Pro M3 Max—with its massive 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, insanely powerful M3 Max processor with hardware accelerated ray tracing, and 36GB of memory and 1TB of SSD storage—can handle just about anything you can throw at it. In fact, it’s so powerful that it can support multiple external displays and is ready to take on 3D rendering and other advanced workflows.
However, this beast of a laptop doesn’t come cheap. It starts at $3,499, but for Apple’s most high-octane and fastest MacBook, it could be something to consider for just the sheer power of it. This MacBook Pro comes in two colors: Silver and Space Black.
Upcoming MacBooks
We’re kind of in uncharted territory right now when it comes to upcoming MacBooks. You see, Apple launched the new MacBook Air back in March, strapping it with the then-current M3 chip. However, back in May, Apple launched a line of new iPad Pros with a brand-new M4 chip, making the iPad Pro the first device in Apple’s lineup with the new processor. With that new chip out in the wild, it won’t be long until we see a new MacBook Pro, and we might even see it show its face during WWDC 2024 on June 10.
What to Look for in an Apple MacBook
Although it’s a bit overwhelming to pick the best Apple MacBook, using one is pretty much the same across models. One of the best things about the laptop is that they all run the most current version of macOS (right now, it’s macOS Ventura). This means each model will run as smoothly and elegantly as possible with the latest security updates. However, there are certain key differences that make selecting the best MacBook for you a little tough to figure out. Here’s what to look for in a MacBook in 2024.
First and foremost, you should really think about what you’re going to use the MacBook for. If you want a MacBook for video editing or photo editing, then go with the MacBook Pro (2023) for its power and larger display. If you’re a writer, then go with the MacBook Air (2022) for its speed and portability. If you’re on a budget, then go with the MacBook Air (2020) for its low price.
Processing Power
You really get into the weeds when it comes to processing power. Apple offers multiple chipsets in their MacBooks: M1, M2, M2 Pro, M2 Max, M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max. Released in 2020, the M1 chip is the tech company’s first chipset that’s designed in-house. It’s speedy and efficient, but it’s still a few years old. The next generation chip is the M2, which is faster and zippier, and the M3 only adds perfromance from there. If you want a step up in power, the tech company also has the M3 Pro and M3 Max chipsets, which are reserved for the 2023 MacBook Pro models. These chips are insanely powerful.
Size
Additionally, size matters when it comes to the MacBook. Apple offers two sizes for the MacBook Air—a 13.3-inch display for the older MacBook Air and a slightly larger 13.6-inch “notch-style” display (which is similar to the Apple iPhone 14) for the newer Air model. As for the MacBook Pros, there are three options: 13.3-inch, 14.2-inch, and 16.2-inch displays—the latter two are also “notch-style.”
Price
In terms of pricing, MacBooks start at $999 (sometimes as low as $799, if it’s on sale) with the M1 MacBook Air (2020) and can go all the way up to a whopping $6,499 with the M3 Max MacBook Pro (2023) for a model with a 16.2-inch display, 96GB of memory, and 8TB of SSD storage.
The most important thing to look out for when picking a MacBook is how you’re going to use it. For most people, the MacBook Air (2022) is the best choice because it features a modern and lightweight design, an M2 processor, a webcam with sharp and crisp picture quality, and a long battery life. If you want more power, then step up to the MacBook Pro (2023). But whichever MacBook you pick up, you’ll have a great user experience—thanks to the latest macOS Sonoma software.
Are MacBooks Good for Gaming?
The main draw of a MacBook is that they are excellent laptops for work and productivity. So while you can play some games on a Mac, that doesn’t mean that they were built for gaming. Despite the raw power many of these laptops possess, they are not yet the best options for gaming. Check out our guide to the best gaming laptop for better options.
