From the MacBook Pro to the MacBook Air, we'll help find the best MacBook for your needs
We recommend every MacBook in Apple's arsenal, however, major differences between each model mean there isn't a one-size-fits-all option. Apple's release of the MacBook Air and entry-level MacBook Pro with a custom ARM-based M1 chip in 2020 kicked off this change. Apple's in-house SoC brought massive performance and battery life improvements to Apple's least expensive laptops, pushing them ahead of their pricier MacBook Pro comrades and even some top Windows 11 rivals.
Last year Apple's higher-end MacBook Pros got the same treatment with the 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro featuring M1 Pro and M1 Max chip options. Once again these laptops have received universally positive reviews with a balance of performance and battery life that is almost unmatched by any other laptop on the market.
Our MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro face-off will also help you decide which system is right for you and if you are on the fence about picking up an Apple laptop at all you might want to read our macOS Monterey preview for a look at the operating system that comes with whichever of these excellent laptops you choose.
What is the best MacBook?
Going from underpowered to one of the fastest ultrathin laptops around, the MacBook Air with M1 is the best Mac for most people. It takes a familiar design and turbocharges it with record-setting performance and all-day battery life. Along with speed and endurance boosts, the M1 chip brings iOS and iPadOS apps to Mac for the first time ever. With M1, there is little reason to look beyond the MacBook Air.
That said, if you need better-sustained performance, you might want to opt for the MacBook Pro M1 with two Thunderbolt 3 ports. Where the MacBook Air is fanless, the MacBook Pro has a traditional cooling system so you can run demanding programs for hours without worrying about overheating. Most people will be fine with the Air, but power users should consider stepping up to the Pro. Like the MacBook Air, the MacBook Pro has an incredibly fast SSD and runs on Apple's gorgeous Big Sur OS or macOS Monterey if you want to try the latest.
Then there are the newest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros powered by the M1 Pro or M1 Max processor. These laptops walk back some of the controversial decisions Apple made with the MacBook Pro in 2016 with the return of an SD card slot, HDMI, MagSafe charging and still boasts three Thunderbolt 4 ports. The gorgeous 120Hz displays (notch aside) are the best Apple has ever offered in its laptops. Starting at $1,999 you are paying a serious premium for Apple's top-tier laptops, but if you need all this power they are worth it.
Our advice? If you do basic productivity work even with a smattering of more taxing software, stick to the M1 Air and use the savings to upgrade your storage or RAM. Unless you need the extra screen real estate or frequently are using taxing software for creative tasks or engineering software, for example, the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros are beyond what most people need.
The most affordable MacBook
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: M1
GPU: M1 (integrated)
RAM: 8GB/16GB
Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
Display: 13.3 inches, 2560 x 1600 pixels
Size: 12 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
Weight: 2.8 pounds
TODAY'S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
+Breathtaking performance+Outstanding battery life+Slim unibody aluminum chassis+Great speakers and Magic keyboard
REASONS TO AVOID
-Few ports
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The new MacBook Air is the best MacBook for most people. This latest model demonstrates the capabilities of Apple's M1 chip, which transforms the Air from an underpowered entry-level option to one of the fastest laptops on the market, period. It's a complete turnaround for a laptop that was just barely getting by each year.
Best of all, the MacBook Air still costs only $999, and yet, you get unrivaled performance along with 14 hours and 41 minutes of battery life. This is a combination you'll only find on the very best Windows 10 laptops, and even they can't compete in head-to-head performance.
So why buy the MacBook Air instead of the Pro? While the Pro has better-sustained performance, the MacBook Air is cheaper and is pin-drop silent because it doesn't have a fan. And, of course, Apple's least expensive 13.3-inch model is the most portable, coming in at only 0.6 inches thick and 2.8 pounds.
But now the MacBook Air is closer to parity with the MacBook Pro than ever before. It has similar speeds and battery life, the same 720p webcam, a comfortable Magic keyboard and two USB-C ports. Also, the 13.3-inch, 2560 x 1600-pixel Retina display on the M1 model was improved with P3 color coverage, making it more vibrant than the previous panel.
Apple's new 13-inch MacBook Pro is the best MacBook for most people because of its fast performance, relatively affordable price, and good keyboard (Image credit: Future)
The best Apple laptop for most users
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Apple M1
GPU: Apple M1 (integrated)
RAM: 8GB/16GB
Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
Display: 13.3 inches, 2560 x 1600 pixels
Size: 12 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
Weight: 3.1 pounds
TODAY'S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
+Stellar overall and gaming performance+Excellent battery life+Lightning-fast SSD+Great webcam
REASONS TO AVOID
-Not enough ports
This is the huge leap forward we've been waiting on. It is all thanks to the new M1 chip, Apple's first-ever custom SoC for laptops. With the best power-per-watt performance of any processor, the M1 brings the MacBook Pro's speeds and battery life to the next level.
More specifically, the MacBook Pro is more powerful than nearly every PC on the market, including some workstations. And despite cramming so much power into such a slim and sleek chassis, the Pro lasted for an outstanding 16 hours and 32 minutes on our battery test, which simulates real-world testing.
But wait. The M1 does more than improve speeds and endurance. With an image processing unit, the webcam (sadly, still 720p) is better than before and since it runs on Apple's ARM-based architecture, iPad and iPhone apps are now available on Mac. Yep, you can run all your favorite iOS games and apps on your laptop now.
Rounding out the numerous enhancements found in the latest MacBook Pro is Big Sur, the latest version of macOS. The largest update since OS X launched a decade ago, Big Sur is a beautiful redesign of the desktop OS.
Everything else about the MacBook Pro should feel familiar. This is the same elegant design Apple has used for years and the Magic Keyboard is a pleasure to type on (and reliable, too!).
While it earned our rare 5-star rating, the MacBook Pro has a few shortcomings. There are only two Thunderbolt 3 ports and the bezels around the display are thicker than those on competing models. You're also stuck at 16GB of RAM, although our benchmark tests show that limitation does little to stop this performance beast.
Apple's latest product, the 14-inch MacBook Pro, is the best MacBook in years, but only power users without a budget should go with this one. (Image credit: Future)
3. MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)
The best portable MacBook for serious pros
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Apple M1 Pro/Apple M1 Max
GPU: Apple M1 Pro (Integrated)
RAM: 16GB/32GB/64GB
Storage: 512GB/1TB/2TB/4TB/8GB
Display: 16-inch, 3072 x 1920-resolution
Size: 14.1 x 9.7 x 0.6 inches
Weight: 4.3 pounds
Today's best Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021) and Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch 2021 deals
REDUCED PRICE
REASONS TO BUY
+Sleek, elegant design+Plenty of ports+Excellent performance+Stellar battery life+Stunning display
REASONS TO AVOID
-Expensive entry point-No USB-A port
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The MacBook Pro 14 combines a little bit of old with a whole lot of new for a tantalizing product that MacBook fans have been waiting years for — especially content creators and consumers. Gamers? You may want to stick to Windows for now.
The notebook’s design is lightweight and sleek with plenty of room for a full HDMI and an SDXC card reader. And the M1 Pro chip brings even more power, battling some of Intel and AMD's heavyweights and winning handily. Plus, it’s serving up over 14 hours of battery life with a formidable quick charge, a show-stopping display, a super comfortable keyboard and an excellent audio system.
What's the catch? As per usual with Apple it's the price tag, $2,899 is a lot to swallow, even with trade-ins and payment plans. And that $1,999 starting price isn’t much better. It would have been nice if Apple would have offered a lower-end option, maybe one with last year’s M1 chip packed into the new hardware. But for everything the MacBook Pro 14 is bringing, it’s a worthwhile investment.
If you are willing to spend even more you can uncork the power of the M1 Max chip or opt for the larger-screened 16-inch MacBook Pro. With the exception of the display size and the battery, there is no difference in the hardware options between the two this year. If battery life is your biggest concern the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro will outlast anything in its class with remotely similar performance. For those that need every last bit of processing power they can get their hands on the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Max is basically unbeatable right now.
How to choose the best MacBooks for you?
We have a separate guide on how to decide which MacBook is right for you. The TL;DR version is to consider how much power you need and what you are willing to spend.
For us, the MacBook Air is an easy choice. It comes in at $999 yet sports similar performance and endurance to the MacBook Pro thanks to its M1 processor. It's also the most portable of the bunch, and the improved 13.3-inch display is great for watching TV shows or movies.
If you want a bit more endurance and better performance over longer periods, get the 13-inch MacBook Pro with M1. It lasts for a remarkable 16 hours and 32 minutes on a charge and scored benchmark numbers that blow away the competition.
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Those two options should cover at least 90% of users. However, if you need either a larger screen or vastly more power for professional apps then the 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro with either the M1 Pro or M1 Max chip are outstanding, if expensive, options.
How we test MacBook laptops
We put MacBooks through extensive benchmark testing — both synthetic and real-world — before they end up in the hands of our reviewers. We evaluate everything from speed and battery life to display brightness, speaker volume and system heat.
We use a Klein K10 colorimeter to detect the brightness and sRGB color gamut of a laptop's display. For performance benchmarking, we run the laptop through a gauntlet of benchmarks, including Geekbench 4.3 and 5.0 and 3DMark professional graphics tests.
To determine real-world performance, we task the laptop to convert a 4K video to 1080p resolution and to duplicate a 4.97GB multimedia file. Our real-world graphics test is the Dirt 3 benchmark with medium settings and 1080p resolution.
We also run heat tests by playing a 15-minute full-screen video and our battery test consists of continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness. We consider everything over the category average (8 hours and 36 minutes) to be a good result. Of course, these tests are complemented with hands-on testing from our reviewers.
Best Mac in 2021: Which Mac mini, iMac, MacBook Pro & more is best
Three new machines joined the Mac lineup in 2021; each is now included in our Best Macs list, including two that are also among the best MacBooks of the year. The 24-inch iMac, 14-inch MacBook Pro, and 16-inch MacBook Pro offer Apple silicon inside. There are only three Intel-based Macs that remain, the 27-inch iMac (2020), Mac Pro (2019), and one version of the Mac mini. Each of these could see updates in 2022 or early 2023. Our list below only includes one of these, the Mac Pro.
What are the best Macs you can buy right now?
Apple's Mac products fall into two broad categories. The MacBook lineup consists of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, while desktop models include the iMac, Mac mini, and Mac Pro. We've made recommendations based on various factors, which you can read more about below. Our general advice is to select the newest model that best fits your needs (laptop or desktop) and price range. Then check out the best Mac accessories to complete your setup.
1. MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
The best Mac for most users
Bottom line: Economically (for Apple) priced, the current MacBook Air includes those features necessary to most users in an easy-to-carry case.
Display
13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology
Processor
Apple M1 chip
RAM
8GB or 16GB
Storage
Up to 2TB
Camera
720p FaceTime HD camera
Battery
Built-in 49.9 watt-hour lithium‑polymer battery
Battery life
Up to 15 hours wireless web, up to 18 hours Apple TV app movie playback
Dimensions
0.41–1.61 cm x 30.41 cm x 21.24 cm
Weight
1.29 kg (2.8 pounds)
Pros:
- Great price
- Long battery life
- Three color choices
Cons:
- Limited configurations
- Is 13-inches enough?
The well-reviewed MacBook Air with M1 is also our favorite Macbook. It's an amazing beast that's lightweight and built with the Apple M1 SoC inside. The Apple M1, which is also found on the 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020) and Mac mini (2020) (see below), is a variant of the A14 Bionic chip. The difference here is the inclusion of two additional high-performance "Firestorm" cores that work with the four existing "Icestorm" cores found on the iPad Air (2020) and iPhone 12 series.
As we explained in our MacBook Air (M1, 2020) review, the M1 can burst to 3.2Ghz in single-core and 3Ghz in multi-core environments. Moreover, it does so while retaining the same unified architecture that lowers latency compared to discrete components inside most laptops. The Air also offers faster LPDDR4 RAM and SSD 5-10% faster than previous models. The combination means the RAM can perform better with less of a performance hit.
Perhaps the current MacBook Air's biggest surprise is that it doesn't come with a fan. Without one, this is probably the quietest MacBook to date. Combined with its impressive battery life, which is a little less than the 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020), the MacBook Air lets you work all day comfortably and into the night without requiring a charge.
The MacBook Air (M1, 2020) is the best Mac of the year. However, not because it's the most feature-packed Mac on the market.
With the same 13-inch display found on the smaller MacBook Pro and the same internals, you might wonder why this is the one we recommend the most. One word: price. The least expensive MacBook Air is $200 cheaper than the entry-level MacBook Pro. The savings means Touch ID over Touch Bar and slightly less battery life. And yet, the MacBook Air is lighter, and again, has the same parts inside as the Pro model. It's also the only Mac that comes in gold (and space gray and silver).
Like the similar-sized Pro model, the Air doesn't offer many choices when it comes to configuration. You get 8GB or 16GB of unified memory, and 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB of storage. Those are the only choices you can make. Another negative: both 2020 M1 MacBook models have only two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports. Because of this, a dock is one of the must-have accessories for new Mac owners.
The MacBook Air (M1, 2020) is the best Mac of the year. However, not because it's the most feature-packed Mac on the market. Instead, it's because it offers the features most important to most would-be buyers without the extras many might find unnecessary. For this, you'll spend less money.
2. 24-inch M1 iMac (2021)
The best all-in-one desktop with M1
Bottom line: The new iMac boasts a gorgeous 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, packs in an 8-core M1 chip with up to 16GB unified memory, and can go up to 2TB in storage. It's also the thinnest iMac yet, boasts a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, and comes in seven fun colors.
Display
24-inch (diagonal) Retina 4.5K display
Processor
8-core Apple M1 chip
RAM
Configurable up to 16GB unified memory
Storage
Configurable up to 2TB SSD
Cameras
1080p FaceTime HD camera with M1 ISP
Dimensions
46.1 cm x 54.7 cm x 14.7 cm
Weight
4.46 kg (9.83 pounds) for the base model or 4.48 kg (9.88 pounds) for a higher-end model
Pros:
- 24-inch 4.5K Retina display with Wide Color and True Tone
- 8-core Apple M1 chip
- Up to 16GB unified memory and 2TB SSD storage
- Comes in up to seven new colors
- Includes color-matching Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
Cons:
- Reasonable price, but configurations add up
- No 27-inch version yet
- Only has two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports (high-end version has another two USB 3 ports)
The updated entry-level iMac (2021) now sports a beautiful 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, which is a big step up from the 21.5-inch before it. You now get 4480-by-2520 resolution at 218 pixels per inch with support for one billion colors, and it has up to 500 nits brightness, Wide Color, and True Tone support. It's also incredibly thin at only 11.5mm, so it basically vanishes from the sides. The overall volume of Apple's new iMac is 50% less than its predecessors. The power cable now attaches magnetically to the back of the display with a highly durable and braided 2-meter cable. Ethernet cables directly plug into the power adapter since there is no ethernet port on the back (it's too thin).
But another considerable change with the new iMac lineup is that it now comes in seven shiny new dual-tone colors: Blue, Green, Pink, Silver, Yellow, Orange, and Purple. However, if you want the last three colors, you'll have to opt for the mid or high-end models.
The 24-inch iMac packs in power and performance with the M1 chip. It also comes in flashy new shades to give you a splash of color to your setup.
The front of the iMac and the base have a light pastel hue, while the edges and display back are a darker tone (except silver, which is just one shade). No matter which colorful iMac you choose, it will be sure to add a splash of color to your setup and turn heads in the office. These new iMacs are equipped with a color-matching Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse. There is also the option to upgrade to a Magic Keyboard with an integrated Touch ID, allowing you to finally use your fingerprint for biometrics and security on Apple's desktop computer.
Apple has finally ditched Intel processors on its main desktop computer, replacing it with its M1 chip. This means you get 8-cores, four for performance and the other four for efficiency. The base model also starts with a 7-core GPU on the M1, while the mid and high levels are 8-core GPUs. Those who want the base model will also only be able to choose the 256GB SSD, which is configurable up to 512GB or 1TB. The mid and high-level models start with either 256GB or 512GB SSDs and can be configured to 1TB or 2TB, though the price will increase significantly. And like the other M1 Macs, the iMac starts with 8GB of unified memory but can be configured up to 16GB. Since the memory is in the M1 chip itself, it cannot be configured beyond that.
It also seems that Apple is finally moving on to putting in better FaceTime HD cameras into its computer lineup. The M1 iMac boasts a 1080p FaceTime HD camera with an M1 image signal processor (ISP). This means that it gives you high-quality video and images, even in low-light situations. Thanks to the M1 ISP, the image quality is improved with better noise reduction, greater dynamic range, and improved auto exposure and white balance. No more grainy videos for you in those precious work meetings. The iMac also has a studio-quality three-microphone setup for clearer calls and voice recordings. This new microphone array is also positioned to reduce feedback and background noise. But of course, it's still probably best to get one of the best USB microphones if you want serious audio quality.
As far as ports, the base level iMac comes equipped with two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, but you can get two more USB 3 ports with the mid and high-tier versions. The Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports support DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 3 up to 40Gb/s, USB 4 up to 40Gb/s, and USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10Gb/s. You will need adapters, sold separately, for Thunderbolt 2, HDMI, DVI, and VGA. The base model is configurable with Gigabit Ethernet, but the mid and high-level models come standard with Gigabit Ethernet.
What about the 27-inch iMac?
We no longer include the 27-inch iMac on this list because it's not (yet) available with Apple silicon. With a 2022 refresh almost inevitable, it's best to hold off on buying a larger-sized iMac for now.
Best M1 all-in-one
24-inch M1 iMac (2021)
Flashy new colors, super thin, M1, 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, and a brand new magnetic power cable — this iMac has it all.
3. 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021)
The best MacBook Pro models you can buy
Bottom line: The first Apple silicon MacBook Pros pack a fantastic punch that should remind long-time users of iconic past models. And yet, make no mistake, these are the most advanced Apple laptops ever.
Display
14.2-inch (diagonal) mini-LED backlit display
16.2-inch (diagonal) mini-LED backlit display
Processor
Apple M1 Pro or Apple M1 Max
RAM
Up to 64GB
Storage
Up to 8TB
Cameras
1080p FaceTime HD camera
Battery
Integrated 70-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
Integrated 100-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
Battery life
Up to 11 hours wireless web, up to 17 hours Apple TV app movie playback
Up to 14 hours wireless web, up to 21 hours Apple TV app movie playback
Dimensions
1.55 cm x 31.26 cm x 22.12 cm
1.68 cm x 35.57 cm x 24.81 cm
Weight
1.6 kg (3.5 pounds)
2.1 kg (4.7 pounds)
Pros:
- Liquid Retina XDR display
- 1080p FaceTime HD camera
- Ports, ports, and more ports
- Lots of choices across the board
Cons:
- Price can rise quickly with add-ons
- No Touch Bar
For months, we heard Apple was about to introduce its first Apple silicon version of the MacBook Pro. When it arrived in October 2021, we got two models, an all-new 14-inch version and a second-generation 16-inch version. Sans the size of their displays, these laptops are identical.
Each model offers either a blazing-fast Apple M1 Pro or Apple M1 Max chip with up to a 10-core CPU and 32-core GPU. You can select unified memory up to 54GB and SSD storage up to 8TB. The 2021 MacBook Pros finally offer a 1080p FaceTime HD camera.
On the outside, you'll find a fresh new design with slimmer bezels and the first camera notch on an Apple laptop. The sides feature numerous ports unless more recent models, including three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports, which you can use for charging, a DisplayPort, and Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s). There's also an HDMI port and SDXC card slot. Best of all, the laptops have a MagSafe 3 port for charging purposes. Additionally, Apple has kept the 3.5mm headphone jack; it's on the laptop's left side this time around. Put together, as noted in our MacBook Pro (2021) review, with these. models, the professional MacBook is back!
The professional MacBook is back.
Turning to the keyboard, you'll no longer see the often criticized Touch Bar. Instead, the OLED strip has been replaced by full-size physical function keys that include must-have keyboard shortcuts for Spotlight, Dictation, Do Not Disturb, and other features.
From an audio perspective, the latest MacBook Pro offers three studio-quality mics that pick up more sounds. The three-mic array uses directional beamforming, making your voice clearer and louder. It also includes a six-speaker sound system. Featuring force-canceling woofers, the speakers provide 80% more bass, with the high-performance tweeters offering clearer, fuller vocals. The impressive sounds are most noticeable when using spatial audio, something Apple's been pushing hard across many devices and headphones.
A few negatives are associated with both the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros. First, they are costly and even more so when adding more memory and storage. They also come in only two colors, which will bother many looking to move beyond space gray and silver. Finally, we'll mention it again: these are expensive devices!
Apple's newest laptop
14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021)
Apple finally brought an Apple silicon MacBook Pro to the market. It offers two types of SoC, an Apple M1 Pro or Apple M1 Max.
4. 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020)
Still a great choice
Bottom line: When you want a Touch Bar and more battery life, this is the (only) Apple laptop to get.
Display
13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology
Processor
Apple M1 chip
RAM
8GB or 16GB
Storage
Up to 2TB
Cameras
720p FaceTime HD camera
Battery
Built-in 58.2-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
Battery life
Up to 17 hours wireless web, up to 20 hours Apple TV app movie playback
Dimensions
1.56 cm x 30.41 cm x 21.34 cm
Weight
1.4 kg (3 pounds)
Pros:
- Has Apple M1 SoC
- Touch Bar with Touch ID
- 20-hour battery life
Cons:
- Not much different from MacBook Air
- Maxes out at 16GB RAM
- Only has two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports
- A 2022 refresh is likely
This is the first MacBook Pro that features an 8-core Apple M1 chip. Like the MacBook Air (M1, 2020), you get a 2560-by-1600 resolution Retina display, up to 16GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage.
If you don't care about the Touch Bar and can live with two hours less battery life, it's probably wise to save some money and go with our top choice instead.
There are few differences between the 13-inch Pro and Air, but just enough that could sway your decision. With the more expensive model, you'll receive a Touch Bar with Touch ID and better battery life (around 20 hours versus 18 hours for the Air). In addition, though both models have a similar display, the Pro provides 500 nits brightness instead of the Air's 400 nits brightness.
In terms of audio, the 13-inch MacBook Pro comes with stereo speakers with a high dynamic range, support for Dolby Atmos playback, and a studio-quality three-mic array with a high signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming. Finally, the Pro weighs 1.4 kilograms (3 pounds) versus the Air's 1.29 kilograms (2.8 pounds).
If you don't care about the Touch Bar and can live with two hours less battery life, it's probably wise to save some money and go with our top choice instead.
For more information, check out our 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020) review.
Least expensive MacBook Pro
13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020)
The 13-inch MacBook Pro with M1 is just like the Air, except it has a Touch Bar with Touch ID and better battery life.
5. Mac mini (2020)
The best for networking
Bottom line: The compact Mac mini packs a lot inside and nicely matches your existing monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
Processor
Apple M1 chip
RAM
8GB or 16GB
Storage
Up to 2TB
Dimensions
3.6 cm x 19.7 cm x 19.7 cm
Weight
1.2 kg (2.6 pounds)
Pros:
- Least expensive solution among desktops
- Works great with all types of monitors
Cons:
- Remember, no monitor or accessories
- Can get expensive quickly
- 2022 refresh is possible
The latest Mac mini was the first Apple desktop to feature Apple silicon. It launched in late 2020 alongside Apple silicon versions of the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro. A more expensive Mac mini featuring an Intel-based processor remains on the market for those looking to add more memory or storage than the M1 version currently provides. However, we're not recommending that model since it could get replaced soon.
The Apple M1 Mac mini version comes with an Apple M1 chip with an 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 8GB unified memory, 256GB SSD storage, and Gigabit Ethernet. Memory (up to 16GB) and storage (up to 2TB) are upgradeable. The Mac mini supports one display up to 6K and one display up to 4K; both are sold separately.
Ports include a 3.5 mm headphone jack, HDMI 2.0 port that supports multichannel audio output, two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports, two USB-A ports, and Gigabit Ethernet.
If you're looking at a Mac mini, you are already aware that you need to add a monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
6. Mac Pro (2019)
The best for professionals
Bottom line: Heavily customizable and very expensive, the Mac Pro is the desktop solution for creatives, industry tycoons, and anyone who needs the maximum flexibility customization provides.
Processor
Configure from an 8‑core to 28‑core Intel Xeon W processor
RAM
Configure up to 1.5TB
Storage
Configure up to 8TB of SSD
Dimensions
52.9 cm x 45 cm x 21.8 cm (tower)
Various sizes (rack)
Weight
18 kg (39.7 pounds) (tower)
17.6 kg (38.8 pounds) (rack)
Pros:
- Workstation-class Xeon processors up to 28 cores
- High-performance memory system with a massive 1.5TB capacity
- Apple Afterburner accelerator card
Cons:
- Recommended Pro Display XDR monitor adds to the price
- Overkill for most folks
- Could an Apple silicon version arrive soon?
The Mac Pro (2019) is the best professional-graded computer Apple has ever created. Made in the United States, the Mac Pro has been designed for maximum performance and expansion. It features Intel Xeon processors, an Earth-shattering high-performance memory system, eight PCIe expansion slots, and graphics architecture supporting what Apple calls the world's most powerful graphics card. Additionally, the Apple Afterburner accelerator card lets you playback as many as three streams of 8K ProRes RAW video simultaneously.
The Mac Pro comes in tower or rack configurations. Both models ship with a Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad, Magic Mouse 2, USB-C to Lightning Cable, and power cord.
There's no denying, the Mac Pro is powerful. And yet, it's undoubtedly a niche product, and that's fine. Starting with its price, this Mac isn't for everyone. And yet, it's probably worth every dime. The one negative: look for a 2022 or 2023 refresh that includes Apple silicon on the Mac Pro for the first time.
How to pick the best Mac for you
We've selected the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) as the overall best Mac of the year. It's the one packed with the features most users need yet omits the ones they do not. Better still, it's priced right and is easy to carry across the room or back and forth on campus. However, the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) isn't the most powerful Mac, nor does it offer the broadest customization options.
1. Price
There's no denying Macs are among the most expensive computers on the market. But, of course, this fact has been in Apple's DNA since the first Macintosh was introduced to the world in 1984. And yet, the range in price points is extensive, with the cheapest option available for less than $700 and the most expensive for more than $10,000, depending on the extras. Luckily, the wide price range extends to both the MacBook and Mac desktop lineup.
2. Apple silicon or Intel?
In mid-2020, Apple announced plans to move away from Intel-based processors and produce Macs with its own silicon. As 2022 is about to begin, there are only three Mac models that offer Intel remaining, and two of those models no longer come recommended. We at iMore are forward thinkers, and that's why we're recommending Apple silicon-based options when available. Though Apple has promised to support Intel-based models for years to come (and they will), we know Intel isn't in the company's future, and this is a point no one can deny.
The only models you can now buy from Apple on the MacBook front are ones with Apple silicon. We're only recommending the 24-inch model on the iMac front, which has Apple silicon inside and not the 27-inch model, which still uses Intel. Finally, when it comes to the Mac mini, it's here where we are also only recommending the Apple silicon options, not the sole remaining model with Intel inside.
We also kept the Mac Pro on our best list because it's insanely powerful for those who require it. And yet, it's a niche product and not a mainstream consumer computer. We also predict that it will get Apple silicon, but when exactly remains to be seen.
The Mac lineup features a diverse series of laptop and desktop computers. Our top choices are the MacBook Air (M1, 2020), 24-inch iMac, and the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro. In addition, the 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020), Mac mini (2020), and Mac Pro (2019) are also superb choices that target different users.
If you're in the market now for a new computer, stick with one of our choices. Otherwise, wait a few months to see what changes Apple brings to the lineup in the coming year. New products should include a new MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and Mac Pro.
When changes get made to the Mac lineup, circle back to this post to see our updated recommendations. In the meantime, happy shopping.
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