The new 14-inch and 16-inch Pro models are more powerful, but in a way that only people who need heavy GPU support will need. What is the best MacBook for your needs? For most people, the 13-inch Air remains the default choice and rightly so. The key question is how to make sure you're not buying too little MacBook - or too much. Based on our testing so far, the Apple M1 line has, across the board, delivered on Apple's promises of better battery life and faster performance. Since then, the MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, 24-inch iMac, 16-inch MacBook Pro and a new 14-inch MacBook Pro all run either M1, M1 Pro or M1 Max chips, which include both CPU and GPU cores. If you need a bigger display and high-end components, the 2020 27-inch iMac is also available, making it one of the last Intel-powered Macs available.Īlmost all Macs have transitioned to Apple's own M1 chips: It was the big news at Apple's WWDC show in 2020. If you need something bigger and don't mind it being less than portable: Apple just updated its smaller iMac (formerly 21.5 inches, now 24 inches) that comes in seven color options and runs on the company's M1 processor. Here are some tips on making the 720-resolution cameras in those other Macs look better. Yes, it took Apple half a decade to backtrack, but the good news is that Mac laptop keyboards are finally good again.ġ4-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, great webcam 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, meh webcam: The jump to a 1080-resolution camera in the newest MacBooks, and similar to the one found in the 24-inch iMac, is a game-changer for those of us sitting in video meetings all day.

The result is a far more comfortable and reliable keyboard than the 'butterfly' design that many MacBooks had been burdened with since 2015.

On the other hand, we've also found Apple laptop deals through Best Buy's Student Deals page.Īll current MacBooks have the improved Magic Keyboard: It started in 2019, but Apple has since added the Magic Keyboard to all of its current MacBook Pro models. If you're a student or teacher, that can mean $100 off a MacBook Air and a free pair of AirPods, plus a 20% discount on the AppleCare Plus extended warranty (which I have mixed feelings about).

The big exception to the rule is Apple's education sales, which usually include MacBook deals.

Apple is still offering education deals on MacBooks: Normally, the Apple Store is (ironically) not the best place to buy an Apple laptop (really, almost any Apple product) because sales are all but nonexistent.

Best mac for your money