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Both the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro have beautiful, iconic designs, but which one gives you the best balance of power and price for what you do? The best MacBook for each person is different, but Apple’s laptop lineup in 2023 has a great choice for almost everyone.
Apple’s ARM-based M1 chip for laptops started a new era in 2020, and the company hasn’t slowed down since. The Apple-made SoC has made huge improvements to the performance and battery life of all MacBooks.The MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are known for how well they look, how well they are made, and how easy they are to use.A big reason for this is that MacOS is usually easy to use, and the fact that Apple makes both the hardware and the software, which creates synergies.
[content-egg-block template=offers_logo hide=price]With the M1 Pro, M1 Max, M2, M2 Pro, and M2 Max, Apple has a phone for everyone, no matter what they need. The M2 MacBook Air and Pro are two of the best laptops on the market right now, and the latest 16-inch and 14-inch MacBook Pro models are once again setting a high bar for creator laptops at the start of 2023.
Best Apple MacBook
MacBook Air (M1, Late 2020)
With the MacBook Air (M1, 2020), Apple has made a huge leap in performance for its thinnest and lightest computer. The Apple M1 processor, a highly regarded and very powerful ARM-based chip made by the company, is inside the 2020 Air. This gives it the boost it’s needed for a long time.
Along with macOS 11 Big Sur, it comes pre-loaded with the new macOS Monterey. If you buy a MacBook Air M1 now, it should come with the new macOS Monterey or you can get it for free as an upgrade. It has become one of the most powerful thin and light laptops. It has better performance, uses less power, and has a longer battery life, but it still costs the same as its predecessor, the MacBook Air ($999, £999, AU$1,599) (2020).
So, the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) has upgraded parts inside that don’t cost anything extra. So, if the Intel-based model didn’t make you want to buy it, maybe this one will. It’s also still the laptop we think is the best in the world right now.
MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
The MacBook Air M2 feels like a laptop that lives up to the name “Air.” Yes, the MacBook Air M1 is good. After all, it was one of the first computers to use Apple silicon. Just that putting revolutionary performance in the same old chassis didn’t feel (or look) like a step forward.
Starting at $1,199, the MacBook Air M2 is $200 more than the MacBook Air M1. The base configuration gives you an 8-core CPU, a 10-core GPU, 8GB of unified memory, and 512GB of storage. This is a high-end machine, but for the price, those are good specs.
When closed, the MacBook Air M2 is so thin that it could be taken for an iPad (especially if the Apple logo is facing out). This notebook is that thin. With the lid open, this machine is only 0.44 inches thick, which makes a regular Bic pen look thick.You can get 16GB of memory for $200 or 24GB for $400, and 1TB or 2TB of storage for $200 or $600.
MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2023)
The MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023, which starts at $1,999, is designed to be the fastest portable laptop with the longest battery life. And based on the results of our thorough testing, this system is a real beast for creative professionals.
Yes, you get everything we liked about the MacBook Pro 14-inch 2021 model, like the bright mini-LED screen, the many ports, and the clear 1080p camera. But the new M2 Pro and M2 Max chips are the real reason. The new M2 Pro is supposed to have a 20% faster CPU and a 30% faster GPU than M1 Pro.
If you have the money, the M2 Max has a 38-core GPU, which is a lot. Even though the design is the same as the previous 14-inch MacBook Pro, this one has a faster Wi-Fi 6E connection and a stronger HDMI port that can support up to an 8K display.
MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)
The MacBook Pro 14 M1 Pro or M1 Max is still a great choice for people who make content and want to save some money. The design of the notebook is almost the same as the model from 2023. It’s thin, light, and has plenty of room for a full HDMI and an SDXC card reader.
Plus, it has a battery life of over 14 hours, a quick charge that is hard to beat, a screen that steals the show, a keyboard that is very comfortable to use, and a great sound system. The only problem is the price, but now that the MacBook Pro 2023 models are out, we expect the MacBook Pro with M1 Pro and M1 Max to be even cheaper while they are still in stock. Most people will be happy with the M1 Pro, but if you want to spend more, you can get the M1 Max or the 16-inch MacBook Pro with a bigger screen.
Except for the size of the screen and the battery, there is no difference between the two in terms of hardware. If battery life is the most important thing to you, the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro will last longer than any other device in its class that even comes close to having the same performance.