Apple’s MacBooks have a track record for being the best laptops out there. With their consistently reliable performance, sleek designs, and top-notch software, you know you’re getting a quality product that’ll last for years. And if you’re already deeply entrenched in Apple’s ecosystem, with your iPhone and iPad, grabbing a MacBook over a MacBook alternative just makes the most sense. But figuring out exactly what you need from your device has its challenges, so we're here to help.
TL;DR Best MacBooks to Buy Right Now
- MacBook Air (2024) with 13.6-inch display and M3 processor – Best Overall
- MacBook Air (2022) with 13.6-inch display and M2 processor – Best Budget
- MacBook Pro (2023) with 14.2-inch display and M3 processor – Best for Multitasking
- MacBook Pro (2023) with 14.2-inch display and M3 Pro processor – Best for Creative Pros
- MacBook Pro (2023) with 16.2-inch display and M3 Max processor – Best Powerhouse
All of Apple’s latest MacBooks run on the tech giant’s own powerful processors. However, most won’t need the monstrous capabilities of the M3 Max chip unless you’re doing 3D rendering or advanced workflows. Luckily, you can go with something better suited to everyday usage, like the M3 chip on the lightweight MacBook Air. Want to get a bit more creative? The MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro processor may be right up your alley.
No matter what MacBook you go with, you can take full advantage of macOS, which remains competitive with Windows 11 and Linux. Plus, all these MacBooks will support macOS 15 Sequoia, recently announced at WWDC 2024 – a big software update with AI at the forefront.
Looking for discounts? Check out the best MacBook deals.
1. Apple MacBook Air (2024)
Best Overall
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 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 $1,099—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
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
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
Starting at $1,999 but often on sale for $1,699 or less, 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
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 didn't get a new MacBook at WWDC 2024, which means we're still waiting for some Apple laptop to use the M4 chip that's currently only found in the latest iPad Pro. However, Apple did reveal macOS 15 Sequoia at WWDC 2024, which is going to introduce massive improvements to the OS, mainly through AI integrations in pretty much every Mac app. Apple has also introduced a new game porting API, which should make gaming on Mac much better.
So while we still don't know what the next generation of MacBooks is going to look like, we know Apple is going to continue to double down on AI, powered by the NPUs (neural processing unit) found in every MacBook since the M1 debuted in 2020.
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 (2024) for its speed and portability. If you’re on a budget, then go with the MacBook Air (2022) 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. There's even an M4 chip now, but it's only found in the iPad Pro models at the moment.
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 M2 MacBook Air (2022) 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 (2024) is the best choice because it features a modern and lightweight design, an M3 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.
