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Wondering which type of MacBook to buy? This buying guide will help you decide which Apple laptop is best for you.
Apple makes two types of laptops, the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro. Within those two categories of Mac is a wide range of capabilities, the gap between the entry-level MacBook Air and the high-end 16-inch MacBook Pro is vast, but even within the MacBook Pro category you will find huge differences. We have more information on the differences between the MacBook Air and Pro in another article.
While there are seven MacBook Air models and ten MacBook Pro models sold as standard configurations, in reality, there are multiple combinations if you factor in all the build-to-order options that you can add such as extra RAM, more storage, or a faster processor, with which you can build an even more powerful Mac, should you need to. Choosing which MacBook to buy can be a tough decision, fortunately, we are here to help.
If you’re not sure yet if you want a laptop or desktop Mac, you should also read our Mac buying guide, which covers both MacBooks and Apple’s desktop Macs. We also compare all the MacBook Pro models here: Which MacBook Pro? We also offer advice about how much storage, RAM and cores in How much MacBook do you really need?
There are various sections in this article. If you aren’t sure which Mac laptop you want then read on, if you have a vague idea but are choosing between two similar models, or if your needs are more professional than personal, then you might find the models further down this article more relevant. In that case, we suggest that you jump to the section about the MacBook that is most relevant to your needs. See the Table of Contents above.
MacBook release dates
One consideration to make when shopping for a MacBook is how recently Apple updated the laptop and whether it is likely to be updating it again. Here is a quick look at when the laptops Apple sells were released.
13-inch MacBook Air (M2): July 2022
14-inch MacBook Pro (M4, M4 Pro & M4 Max): November 2024
16-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Pro & M4 Max): November 2024
13-inch MacBook Air (M3): March 2024
15-inch MacBook Air (M3): March 2024
MacBook Air RAM upgrade
One thing we should call out about the MacBook Air is that in October 2024, Apple upgraded the MacBook Air to come standard with 16GB of RAM, like the new M4 MacBook Pros. The company didn’t raise the prices, they added more RAM and kept the prices the same. This includes the $999/£999 M2 MacBook Air. The additional RAM will help the Air run more efficiently and probably improve performance for Apple Intelligence features.
MacBook buyers guide
We’ll start by running through the different MacBooks Apple sells, giving an overview of the pros and cons of each model, and reasons why each might be ideally suited to your needs. You’ll also be able to see the best prices right now, so that you don’t spend more than you need to.
We will also look at different components and features for each model, so you can make an informed decision about how much RAM, which chip, how big the SSD should be and the best price, so you don’t spend more than necessary.
Apple 13-inch MacBook Air (M3, 2024)
Price When Reviewed:
$1,099
The MacBook Air is the cheapest way to get a Mac laptop. Starting at $999/£999 for the M2 model, there are seven standard MacBook Air models to consider: one 13-inch model with an M2 chip, three 13-inch models with an M3 chip, and three 15-inch MacBook Airs with an M3 chip. As of October 28, 2024, all MacBook Air models have 16GB of unified memory, just like the M4 MacBook Pro.
It’s easy to think that the cheapest Mac laptop will be the one that has the best value, but that’s not necessarily the case. The M2 MacBook Air (see our M2 MacBook Air review) is the cheapest Mac laptop you can buy right now, but for another $100/£100 you can get the newest machine with an M3 chip. Both models offer the same 16GB RAM as standard (since the end of October 2024, prior to that 8GB RAM was offered as standard).
With both models, you get Apple’s newest Air design and the 13.6-inch screen, 500 nits, and Midnight, Starlight, Space Gray, and Silver color choices. One difference is in the storage: in the newer M3 MacBook Air, the 256GB SSD is made up of two 128GB NAND chips, rather than a single 256GB chip as in the M2 and older models. This means the storage in the M3 can be faster because the two drives can process data simultaneously.
There are several performance differences between the M3 Air and the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro. Besides the Pro having a faster CPU, the Pro’s chip has a 10-core GPU standard compared to 8-core GPU in the Air, but the lack of a fan in the MacBook Air may mean it slows down to avoid overheating when performing more strenuous tasks. The 14-inch MacBook Pro, on the other hand, has active cooling, so it doesn’t need to slow down to stop overheating in processor-intensive applications. It’s probably the key difference between these Mac laptops and the reason why the Pro is better suited to more demanding applications.
Another benefit of the 14-inch MacBook Pro over the Air is longer battery life. The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 offers up to 22 hours compared to 18 hours for the 13-inch MacBook Air.
However, the MacBook Air is a good choice, especially now that the entry-level MacBook Pro costs $1,599/£1,599. For $999/£999, the M2 Air is a fantastic budget option with many of the same features as the M3 model. And for just $100/£100 more, the M3 models bring even more performance.
Apple 15-inch MacBook Air (M3, 2024)
Price When Reviewed:
$1,299
When Apple first introduced the 15-inch MacBook Air in July 2023 it answered a need for anyone who wanted a larger screen without having to pay hundreds more for a 14-inch MacBook Pro. The 15-inch M3 MacBook Air starts at $1,299/£1,299. The 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,599/£1,599, which is still much more expensive than the Air. But even compared to a cheaper Pro, the 15-inch Air is still a fantastic option for buyers looking for a large-screen laptop for less. As of October 28, 2024, all MacBook Air models have 16GB of unified memory, just like the MacBook Pro.
If the choice is between the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air, other than the bigger screen there are a few other differences to consider. Most notably, the larger model has better audio with a six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers. Also, the entry-level 13-inch M3 MacBook Air for $1,099/£1,099 offers an eight-core GPU, while the entry-level 15-inch Air, which is $200/£200 more at $1,299/£1,299, offers a 10-core GPU. To get the same GPU option in the 13-inch Air you’d need to pay an extra $100/£100. The price gap is so small that we think it’s worth getting the 15-inch model unless you really want a smaller screen.
Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M4, 2024)
Price When Reviewed:
$1,599 | $1,799 | $1,999
Apple discontinued the 13-inch MacBook Pro and replaced it in the lineup with a base M-series version of the 14-inch MacBook Pro (you can’t get the base M-series chip in the 16-inch MacBook Pro). This move brings many benefits: the 14-inch MacBook’s HDR ProMotion display is significantly better than the 13-inch model’s was. It also offers twice the storage, HDMI, SDXC slot, better battery life, and a newer design. Mind you, the 14-inch model, while starting at the lower price of $1,599/£1,699 is quite a bit higher than the $1,299/£1,349 price that the 13-inch model sold for.
The higher starting price for the M4 MacBook Pro also means the difference between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro is wider than it was. Apple did sell two almost identically spec’d machines for a very similar price, but now the 14-inch MacBook Pro ($1,599/£1,599) costs an astonishing $600/£600 more than the entry-level 13-inch M2 MacBook Air ($999/£999) and $500/£500 more than the M3 MacBook Air ($1,099/£1,099). So if budget is what is important to you, save your money and buy a MacBook Air.
If the choice is between a 15-inch MacBook Air with 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD and 10-core GPU ($1,699/£1,699) and the 14-inch MacBook Pro with 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD and 10-core GPU ($1,599/£1,599), it looks like the MacBook Air could be the best option in terms of price, but the Air uses an older M3, while the Pro has the new M4 and better performance.
Read our full
Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M4) review
Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Pro, 2024)
Price When Reviewed:
$1,999 | $2,399
At the same time that it introduced the M4 14-inch MacBook Pro, Apple also introduced the M4 Pro and M4 Max. Both the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro can be bought with various configurations of those two chips.
For those deciding between the 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch model the best place to start is to compare like-for-like. The 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU M4 Pro with 24GB unified memory and 1TB SSD 14-inch MacBook Pro costs $2,399/£2,399 compared to the almost identically spec’d 16-inch model with 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU M4 Pro with 24GB unified memory and 512GB SSD for $2,499/£2,499. So you are paying $100/£100 more to get a larger screen, but also forfeiting half the SSD. If you want an equivalent 1TB SSD in the 16-inch that’s an extra $200/£200.
On the other hand, if you are considering spending more to get the M4 Pro rather than the M4 in a MacBook Pro, the price difference is much greater. The 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, 16GB unified memory, and 512GB SSD costs $1,599/£1,699, while the 14-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro with 12-core CPU and 16-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, and 512GB SSD costs $400/£400 more at $1,999/£1,999. The jump from M4 to M4 Pro is an expensive one, but you are getting a lot for your money: more memory, more cores, essentially a more powerful machine in every way.
Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Pro)
Price When Reviewed:
$2,499 | $2,899
The entry-level 16-inch MacBook Pro essentially offers the same specs (14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB memory) as the top-of-the-range 14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro for just £100/$100 more, $2,399/£2,499 vs $2,499/£2,599 which to be fair doesn’t seem like a bad deal given the larger screen and increased battery life.
The other big difference though is that the 14-inch MacBook in question comes with a 1TB SSD, while the 16-inch model only offers 512GB. If you really want that 1TB SSD in the 16-inch MacBook Pro it will cost you an extra £200/$200. So that’s really a difference of £300/$300 if you want the bigger screen and battery.
Read our full
Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Pro) review
Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Max, 2024)
Price When Reviewed:
$3,199
Back to the 14-inch model–what if you want an even more powerful machine? The M3 Max chip will offer that and more to you, but there is a high price to pay with the difference between the standard M4 Pro and M4 Max models being $800/£800.
If you want more memory then the M4 Max is the way to go though. This is not just because the M4 Max can support 36GB, 48GB, 64GB and 128GB unified memory, while the M4 Pro only offers 24GB or 48GB. However, the M4 Max with a 14-core CPU and 32-core GPU is available only with 36GB of unified memory and has no memory upgrade options. You have to get the M4 Max with a 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, and standard 48GB unified memory (an additional $300/£300) in order to upgrade to 64GB or 128GB of memory.
Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Max, 2024)
Price When Reviewed:
$3,499 | $3,999
The story is much the same if you are considering the 16-inch MacBook Pro. The leap from M4 Pro to M4 Max if you look at the standard options is $600/£600, If you need the M4 Max Apple is making the upgrade worthwhile, but it’s still a high price to pay. The high-end 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro comes with 48GB of RAM and has not RAM upgrades available. YOu have to upgrade to an M4 MAx to get more RAM.
Best MacBook 2024: Verdict
The choice is pretty clear in terms of what you get for your money:
Buying an entry-level M2 MacBook Air for $999/£999 will get you an excellent Mac laptop for less than a grand, but it only costs $100/£100 more to get an M3 MacBook Air with a newer chip.
The 15-inch MacBook Air shook up the range when it arrived in July 2023. With it, Apple lowered the price of getting a larger screen on a Mac laptop. Even with the 14-inch MacBook Pro, the 15-inch MacBook Air is still an attractive proposition, but remember that the 14-inch MacBook Pro has a newer M4 chip.
The price of the M4 Pro and Max MacBook Pro models is high, but these models offer the kind of specs professional users, especially creatives, need, including support for more RAM, and more CPU and GPU cores. If you can afford to stretch to the M4 Max you will get the ultimate Mac without a doubt, but you need to be willing to make a significant investment.
The choice between the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro is all down to the screen size. The 16-inch models are more expensive, but once you spec them out in such a way to be comparable the price difference is minor. The bigger difference is between the Pro and Max processors. Other than speed, MacBooks with Max processors can connect up to four external displays (three over Thunderbolt and one over HDMI), while the Pro models allow two displays. The M3 MacBook Air models allow two external displays when the lid is closed and a single display when it’s open. The MacBook Pro M3 supports just a single external display, but there is a software update coming that will fix that, and there are workarounds.
For the latest MacBook Pro discounts, including discontinued models, check out our round-up of the Best MacBook Pro deals.
What happened to the 13-inch MacBook Pro?
Let’s address one model you might be wondering about. The 13-inch MacBook Pro is no longer sold by Apple, but it will no doubt be available from resellers and Apple’s refurbished store for a while. There were two standard 13-inch MacBook Pro to consider. The only real difference is storage:
M2, 8-Core CPU, 10-Core GPU, 8GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage: Was $1,299 / £1,349
M2, 8-Core CPU, 10-Core GPU, 8GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage: Was $1,499 / £1,549
The 13-inch MacBook Pro was replaced by the base M-series 14-inch MacBook Pro, which is the cheapest MacBook Pro but costs more than the 13-inch model. It does have a far superior screen, better battery life and many other benefits that we will discuss below.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro had a few advantages over the MacBook Air. For one it had a fan for cooling for anyone who would be pushing the machine to any extent. The other advantage of the 13-inch MacBook Pro is the Touch Bar, which is something that some people enjoyed, while others didn’t.
Author: Karen Haslam, Managing Editor, Macworld
Karen has worked on both sides of the Apple divide, clocking up a number of years at Apple’s PR agency prior to joining Macworld more than two decades ago. Karen’s career highlights include interviewing Apple’s Steve Wozniak and discussing Steve Jobs’ legacy on the BBC. Having edited the U.K. print and online editions of Macworld for many years, more recently her focus has been on SEO and evergreen content as well as product recommendations and buying advice.
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