Which Apple laptop should I buy? | Which MacBook to buy in 2022?

Looking for a new MacBook? Check out our guide on Which Apple laptop should I buy? to make the best decision.

Owing to the fact that I have an iPhone and an iPad, I wanted to get into the Apple Ecosystem and decided to opt for a Macbook. Little did I know, I was left with a nerve-wracking question, “Which Apple Laptop should I buy?” With a sleek aluminum finish, lightweight with a premium feel, Apple laptops have been on my wish list for a while now and it’s finally that time where I go ahead and purchase one.

Though there aren’t many models on the market, it’s still difficult to choose the right Macbook. They have basically two primary models of Macbooks which come with a range of variants designed to target users with different intentions. 

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Let’s get into the available Macbook Air and Macbook Pro ranges that are currently on sale and I’ll let you in on how I decided which MacBook was best suited for me.

After having reviewed all Apple Macbooks in the market based on various features like design, performance, function, features and price; My team and I zeroed in on 3 that really stood out. These three were further put through a series of stress tests to determine the best. We found that:

The best Apple Laptop to buy is Macbook Air 2020. Not only does it still retain its predecessor lightweight build. It has become much faster and more powerful due to the addition of the latest M1 chip. While the display is still 13.3″, it offers a resolution of 2560×1600 and over 4 million pixels. It is also equipped with other fantastic and useful features.

Which Apple Laptop should I buy?

Apple has 3 models of the Macbook available at their Apple Stores and on their website. These are the Macbook Air, Macbook Pro 13” and the Macbook Pro 16”. These are the latest and most powerful notebooks from Apple and come with the coolest keyboard in the world, the Magic Keyboard. 

The ultimate answer to my question, Which Apple laptop should i buy? are:

Specifications of MacBooks

	MacBook Air	MacBook Pro 13	MacBook Pro 14-inch	MacBook Pro 16-inch
Price (in dollars)	999	1299	1999	2499
CPU	M1	M1	M1 Pro or M1 Max	M1 Pro or M1 Max
RAM	Up to 16GB	up to 16GB	Up to 64GB	up to 64GB
Display Resolution	13.3 inches  2560 x 1600	13.3 inches  2560 x 1600	14.2 inches 3024 x 1964, 120Hz	16.2 inches 3456 x 2234, 120Hz
Ports	2 Thunderbolt 3, headphone	2 Thunderbolt 3, headphone	3 Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, SDXC card, headphone	4 Thunderbolt 3, headphone
Graphics	M1	M1	M1 Pro or M1 Max	M1 Pro or M1 Max
Storage	up to 2TB	up to 2TB	up to 8TB	up to 8TB
Battery Life	18 hours	20 hours	17 hours	21 hours
Security	Touch ID	Touch ID	Touch ID	Touch ID
Size	12 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches	12 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches	12.3 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches	14 x 9.8 x 0.66 inches
Weight	2.8 pounds	3.1 pounds	3.5 pounds	4.7 pounds

MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

Starting at $999, the Macbook Air 2020 runs on the latest M1 processor with a 256GB SSD and 8 GB RAM. It is always going to be the best Mac to get if you’re on a budget or just starting off. In fact, it’s one of the best Apple laptops 2020.

The 2020 model of the Macbook Air has a larger display than the model from last year. The Macbook Air 13” comes with the new Magic Keyboard, an updated track-pad, and two USB-C/Thunderbolt ports.

Display

The Macbook Air has a jaw-dropping Retina display that has a resolution of 2560*1600 and over 4 million pixels delivering razor-sharp clarity. The 13.3” display uses true tone technology to modulate the white points of the display and blend in with the color temperature of its surroundings. 

• 13.3” LED Retina display with IPS tech.
• 2560*1600 resolution at 227px per inch.
• Supports True Tone Technology

Performance

The Apple Macbook Air is a lightweight, heavy-duty notebook that weighs a measly 1.29Kg. Equipped with the latest processor, the Air has been drastically improved in terms of CPU and GPU performance.

This Apple Macbook Air is equipped with a proprietary M1 chip that is frankly out of this world. In fact, it is much better than the Intel-based Macbooks as it can deliver an amazingly seamless performance without any issues. Additionally, this chip works well with the Apps and Programs that are native to the Apple ecosystem. For example, Apple’s web browser Safari works in a smooth and stable manner, without any lags, glitches, or stutters.

While the M1 chip is quite biased against Apple programs, you can run third-party applications as long as you download the Rosetta 2 program. This app will ensure that all the third-party apps will run on the M1 chip and perform similarly to the native programs.

The M1 chip will also turn on the laptop instantly. It will turn on the moment you tap the touchpad. This is a huge difference from other MacBooks that take a while to turn on.

In terms of power, the battery on the Macbook Air can last for hours together on a single charge making sure all your data is saved and secured. A built-in 49.9W lithium-polymer battery that requires a USB-C charger in order to be recharged is what powers the Macbook Air.

This Macbook also happens to be extremely quiet as there is no fan. So, it depends on the M1 chip to allocate power efficiently and

The Macbook Air can be configured as per your liking and there are two available variants in the market for better performance. And the Thermal heat spreader ensures an even distribution of heat.

Features

The Apple Macbook Air features:

• Three color variants: The Macbook Air is available in three unique color options, Gold, Space Grey, and Silver.

• Touch ID Sensor: It’s now easier to unlock the Macbook Air now that it comes equipped with Touch ID.

• The camera on the Macbook Air is capable of recording videos in HD 720P. 

• The Macbook Air houses stereo speakers that support Dolby Atmos and Wide stereo sound.

• A backlit Magic keyboard with an Ambient light sensor and a new and improved track-pad for precision cursor control.

• The Thunderbolt 3 Ports can be used to charge the laptop, used as a display port, and can transfer data up to 40 Gbps.

MacBook Pro 13

At a slightly higher price range, the Macbook Pro 13” starts at $1299 and comes in a few variants based on the type of processor or storage you choose. This notebook is ideal for designers or those looking to run hardcore applications or games. 

Though it weighs more than the Macbook Air, the Pro 13” is still nice and sleek with a dusted finish to the body. Considered Apple’s Middle child, the Macbook Pro 13” is something to ponder about if you’re not too tight on shelling a few extra bucks.

Display

Much like its younger sibling, the Macbook Pro 13” also houses a 13.3” Retina display with IPS technology that is capable of delivering 2560*1600 resolution at 227 pixels per inch of the display.

The 13.3” display uses true tone technology to modulate the white points of the display and blend in with the color temperature of its surroundings.

• 13.3” LED Retina display with IPS tech.
• 2560*1600 resolution at 227px per inch.
• Supports True Tone Technology

Performance

Weighing slightly heavier, the Macbook Pro 13” stands at 1.4Kg and is extremely portable with a width of 0.61 inches. Powering the Macbook Air 13” is an M1 processor which can’t be swapped out.

Running on a built-in 58.2W Li-polymer battery, the Pro 13” can last for up to 20 hours on a single charge or a maximum of 30 days on standby.

Each Macbook Air 13” comes with multiple variants and this can be opted for while purchasing the device, each one is an upgrade from the last and would be priced differently.

Features

The Apple Macbook Pro 13” features:

• Two-color variants: The Macbook Pro is available in two unique color options, Space Grey and Silver.

• Touch ID Sensor and Touch Bar: It’s now easier to unlock the Macbook Air now that it comes equipped with Touch ID. The Touch Bar can be configured with various shortcuts for a more productive experience.

• The camera on the Macbook Air is capable of recording videos in HD 720P. 

• The Macbook Air houses stereo speakers that support Dolby Atmos and Wide stereo sound.

• A full-sized backlit Magic keyboard with an Ambient light sensor and a new and improved force touch track-pad for precision cursor control.

• The 4 Thunderbolt 3 Ports can be used to charge the laptop, used as a display port, and can transfer data up to 40 Gbps.

MacBook Pro 14 and 16

The final on the list of Which Apple laptop should I buy? is By far the most powerful Macbook, the Pro 14″ and 16” are designed for those who need to push their notebook to the limit. The most expensive MacBook retailed at $2000+, the Macbook Air 16” is notably the most epic Macbook to own.

Display

Featuring the largest Retina display on a Macbook, the Pro 16” brings colors to life with crisp images while delivering brighter white spots and darker blacks. Check out our “Which Apple Laptop should I buy?” for all the details.

The display is a 16 inch LED Retina display with IPS technology and has a resolution of 3072*1920 at 226 pixels per inch. Much like its counterparts, the Macbook Pro uses true tone technology to modulate the white points of the display and blend in with the color temperature of its surroundings. 

• 16” LED Retina display with IPS tech.
• 3072*1920resolution at 226px per inch.
• Supports True Tone Technology.
• Features 500 nits brightness and wide color.

Performance

The heaviest Macbook in the market, the Pro 16” weighs in at a whopping 2 Kg and is still super slim making it easier to be carried around places. The base processor on the Pro 16” is a 2.6GHz i7 Intel processor with turbo boost and this can be upgraded or configured if you’re looking for a faster processor.

Each Macbook Pro 16” is powered by a built-in 100W Li-polymer battery that can last for up to 11 hours on a single charge. This battery can be charged with a 96W USB-C charger that comes with the device.

The processors, storage, and RAM can be swapped out and customized while placing the order online. The variants for the Macbook Pro 16” are

Specs	Apple Macbook Pro 14	Apple Macbook Pro 16
Processor (configurable)	M1 Pro or M1 Max	M1 Pro or M1 Max
Graphics	Up to 32-Core M1 GPU	Up to 32-Core M1 GPU
RAM	Up to 64 GB	Up to 64 GB
Storage (configurable)	up to 8TB SSD	up to 8TB SSD

Features

The Apple Macbook Pro 16” features:

• Two color variants: The Macbook Pro 16” is available in two unique color options, Space Grey and Silver.

• Touch ID Sensor: It’s now easier to unlock the Macbook Air now that it comes equipped with Touch ID.
• The camera on the Macbook Air is capable of recording videos in 1080P. 
• The Macbook Air houses 6 speakers with force canceling woofers that support Dolby Atmos and Wide stereo surround sound.

• A full-sized backlit Magic keyboard with an Ambient light sensor and a new and improved force touch track-pad for precision cursor control and also includes multi-touch gestures.

• Equipped with 4 Thunderbolt 3 Ports that can be used to charge the laptop, as a display port and can transfer data up to 40 Gbps.

Which M1 chip you should get

There are three M1 chips available right now when it comes to MacBooks, M1, M1 Pro, and M1 Max. As the name suggests the M1 Max > M1 Pro > M1. So which one should you get out of these three?

M1 

The most affordable and the least powerful of the M1 chips is the regular M1. This launched with the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro 13, and Mac Mini.  While it is the least powerful M1 among the three chips, it is still fast for modern ultrabooks. It rivals AMD and Intels U-Series, processors. 

You should choose the M1 if you primarily use your MacBook for browsing and office work. It is capable of even running powerful software but will fall short of M1 Pro and M1 Max. Also, you can only choose a max of 16 GBs of RAM with M1 so, if you don’t use a lot of memory, then M1 should be enough. 

M1 Pro

If you are looking to get some serious work done then getting the M1 Pro is a good step up over the M1. It is almost twice as powerful and costs two times as much too. You can find the M1 Pro in the MacBook Pro 14-inch or 16-inch models. 

You can configure the M1 Pro MacBooks with up to 32 GBs of RAM which allows you to run more graphically intensive applications. Professionals that run video editing and animation software will love the M1 Pro. 

M1 Max

If you want the absolute best performance in a laptop, then get the M1 Max. These are expensive but are worth it for the price. You can equip them with up to 64 GBs of RAM which provides you with all the RAM you need and more. 

Get the M1 Max MacBooks if you are a professional that runs high-end software and values time over money. The M1 Max-equipped MacBooks can render videos and designs in seconds. If you want a no-compromise laptop, then get an M1 Max MacBook. 

Verdict

While on the hunt I managed to get my answer to which Apple laptop should I buy? These three models are currently available in 2020 and have some of the best configurations and features of most other brands. 

I ended up picking the Macbook Air as it was ideal for my line of work. I needed something that was lightweight and could easily be carried around. The Macbook Air is an entry-level super-notebook that is easy to handle, powerful enough to multi-task, and get the job done without any lag.

For those who are into programming and graphic designing or are Pro fans, then the 16” Macbook Pro is the beast designed just for you. Slightly pricey but oh what a monster to own. Check out our “Which Apple Laptop should I buy?” for all the details.

How to choose the best Apple Laptop?

Before you go investing in a really expensive Apple Laptop, you need to make sure that you get the right one. Imagine splurging on the really high-end variant instead of a model that’s more suited to your needs.

There are various factors your need to consider when choosing an Apple Laptop. For example:

Performance

• The performance of the Apple Laptop is by far the most important thing you need to consider. Unlike other laptops, there is a significant difference between the MacBooks when it comes to performance.

• Macs that are equipped with the latest M1 chip are not only faster than the Intel Macs but it is also better at multi-tasking and can handle spec-heavy tasks like video editing and coding. Of course, these are extremely expensive and are more suited for those in the creative field.

Display

• The display is something you seriously need to consider if you’re spending more than a thousand dollars on a laptop. And you should ideally go for a Mac that can offer an IPS display as it can offer amazing visual quality and color range. Check out our “Which Apple Laptop should I buy?” for all the details.

Are Macs worth the money?

Simply put, Yes. Macbooks have been around for a while now and have been nothing but brilliant in terms of functionality and power. The reason I say they are worth the high price is due to the fact that they deliver, each and every time the notebook is powered on you’re bound to have the most fluid and flawless experience.

Is it better to buy Mac or Windows?

It entirely depends on whether you’re looking for something affordable with easy upgrade options or for something that will provide you with a streamlined experience and high performance.

Why are Macs so expensive?

It’s simple, the Macbook is not a low-end notebook. The prices of Macbooks are higher than other traditional brands because of the quality of the parts used in the manufacture of the Macbooks. These are high-end machines and while compared to other brands with similar specs, the Macbooks are not far off and are quite similarly priced. 

Which Macbooks to avoid

Avoid Intel MacBooks and older Macs. They offer poor value for money, run hot, and offer less performance per watt which leads to lower battery life too. 

Avoid getting MacBooks that are older than 2017 models if you are buying second-hand. Apple Silicon is the future of Apple products like MacBooks so, saving up a bit more to get M1 MacBooks will surely pay off in the future.  

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