At its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) last June, Apple announced updates to its operating systems, focusing on its version of AI, dubbed Apple Intelligence. MacBooks will receive macOS 15, also known as Sequoia, which will support Image Playground, Apple’s image generation tool, and AI composition features that can rewrite, proofread, and summarize text in Mail, Notes, Pages, and more. However, these AI features will only be available on Apple laptops with an M1 chip or newer.

If you have an older model (pre-2020) or want the latest chips to get the most out of macOS 15, you may want to consider purchasing a new MacBook. This guide will help you choose the best MacBook for your needs.

After testing every model Apple makes, we recommend the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M3 chip and 16GB of RAM as the best choice for most people. However, there are reasons to consider the cheaper M2 Air and the fully featured Pro laptops. We have broken down all the options to help you decide which MacBook is best for you.

Editor’s Note (3/6/25): Apple recently unveiled the new M4 MacBook Air, featuring the new M4 processor, a base 16GB of RAM, and a price cut to $999 for the entry-level model. Our current top picks remain the same, but we will update this guide once we have thoroughly tested the new MacBook Air.

Factors to Consider When Buying a MacBook

Compared to PCs, Apple computers tend to have more streamlined specifications. The company is known for its simplicity, and the M-series "system-on-a-chip" design condenses things further. The M2 and M3 chips are currently used in MacBooks, while the latest Apple silicon, the M4 chip, is only available in the new iPad Pro. All M-series chips combine technologies such as the CPU, graphics card, and unified memory (RAM), including Apple’s Neural Engine, which handles machine learning tasks like image analysis and voice recognition.

While a unified chip means fewer decisions to make when picking a MacBook, there are still factors to consider, including:

• CPU cores: The number of cores affects the computer’s ability to run multiple programs and applications simultaneously. More cores translate to better performance, but may not be necessary for casual users.
• RAM: The amount of RAM (unified memory) varies depending on the chip, with options ranging from 8GB to 128GB. More RAM is ideal for multitasking and demanding programs.
• Storage capacity (SSD): Storage options range from 256GB to 8TB, depending on the model and chip. Consider your needs for storing files, games, and programs.
• Screen size: MacBooks come in 13-, 14-, 15-, and 16-inch sizes, which affects portability, weight, and viewing experience.
• Price: The final price is influenced by chip type, screen size, memory, and storage capacity.

Best MacBooks

We recommend the MacBook Air M3 for most people, the MacBook Air M2 for students and those on a budget, and the 14- or 16-inch MacBook Pros for professionals. If you have extra money, consider upgrading to at least 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage to make your machine as future-proof as possible.

Best Overall: Apple MacBook Air (M3, 2024)

• Screen size: 13"
• Processor: M3 chip, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
• Storage capacity (SSD): 256GB
• Memory: 8GB
• Battery life: Up to 18 hours
• Ports: MagSafe 3 charging, 3.5mm jack, 2 x Thunderbolt/USB4
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3

Our former top pick, the Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022), is now an excellent budget option starting at $999.

• Processor: M2 chip, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
• Storage capacity (SSD): 256GB
• Memory: 8GB
• Battery life: Up to 18 hours
• Ports: MagSafe 3 charging, 3.5mm jack, 2 x Thunderbolt/USB 4
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3

Best for Professionals: Apple MacBook Pro (M4, 2024)

• Processor: M4 chip
• Storage capacity (SSD): Up to 8TB
• Memory: Up to 128GB
• Battery life: Up to 24 hours
• Ports: HDMI, 3.5mm headphone jack, MagSafe 3, 3x Thunderbolt 5, SDXC card slot
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3

MacBook FAQs

• What’s the difference between MacBook Air and Pro? The MacBook Air comes with a standard M3 or M2 chip, while MacBook Pro models have more powerful M3 Pro or M3 Max chips. The Pro has a higher resolution screen, longer battery life, and more ports.
• What’s the difference between macOS and Windows? macOS is Apple’s operating system, exclusive to Apple hardware, while Windows is Microsoft’s operating system, available on a wide range of manufacturers’ devices.