Apple’s laptops have long been held up as a gold standard for portable computers. MacBooks were the first to bring technologies like aluminum unibody construction, super-sharp IPS screens, backlit keyboards, and multitouch trackpads to the mainstream. The problem with Apple’s current lineup is that the company has a variety of models with different capabilities, making it difficult to find the one that’s best for you.
Which Mac portable should you spend your hard-earned money on? Given that you’ll likely pay more for a MacBook than a competing model from HP, Dell, or even Microsoft, it’s important to weigh your options.
Be sure to also check out our latest buying guides, especially our picks for Best iPhone, Best iPad, and Best Laptops.
Updated October 2019: Apple released macOS Catalina with some new features like Sidecar, which turns a compatible iPad into a second monitor, so we’ve updated our picks, pricing, and recommendations.
Note: When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Read more about how this works.
Apple MacBook Air (13-inch)
The Best All-Arounder
The MacBook Air remains the Mac to get. Apple upgraded the MacBook Air earlier this year, adding the company’s True Tone tech to the Retina display and dropping the price to $1,099.
The new Air is a lot like the new MacBook Pro models, with a sharp 13-inch Retina display, a responsive trackpad, an improved butterfly keyboard (with a dust shield), surprisingly potent speakers, and two USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports for charging and hooking up peripherals. It also comes in gold, if that’s your jam.
On the inside is a 1.6 GHz dual-core eighth-generation Intel Core i5 processor and a 128-gigabyte solid state drive, along with up to 16 GB of RAM. Having only two USB-C ports can feel limiting. You’ll need to buy multiport adapters like this one to plug stuff in and stay charged at the same time.
There are a few things you might miss from higher-end MacBook Pros. Those pricier machines sport extra USB-C ports, as well as more robust capabilities.
MacBook Air costs $1,099 from Apple or $1,000 from Amazon
Small Upgrade: If you have a lot of locally stored photos or files, get the 256 GB MacBook Air for $200 more ($1,200 from Amazon).
Apple MacBook Pro (15-inch)
The Best For Power Users
The only high-end laptop Apple makes is the 15-inch MacBook Pro. There are two options here: the one with a six-core eighth-generation Intel Core i7 processor and 16 GB RAM, or the even more powerful version with an eight-core, ninth-generation Intel Core i9 processor, up to 32 GB RAM, and AMD Radeon graphics. The latter option has the fastest internals and biggest, highest-resolution display of all the MacBooks—making it well suited to everything from 4K video editing to massive Lightroom batch exports. Its big screen is also a major boon to productivity, making side-by-side document editing and web browsing a cinch.
MacOS 10.15 Catalina adds a feature called Sidecar, which allows you to use an iPad as a second monitor or pair an Apple Pencil with it to use as a drawing device for your Mac (much like a Wacom tablet). If you don’t already have an iPad, Catalina might convince you to get one. (See our iPad buying guide.) Pairing the MacBook Pro with an iPad is the closest you’re likely to get to a portable dual-monitor setup.
Four Thunderbolt 3 ports mean you’ll have plenty of places to plug in the rest of your devices too. If you handle big files on the regular, you might need a larger SSD than the stock 256 GB configuration offers, but Apple will gladly upgrade this MacBook Pro all the way to 4 terabytes, if you can pony up the $2,700 upgrade fee.
All MacBook Pros also feature Apple’s Touch Bar. This small display above the keyboard is touch-sensitive and plays host to a row of customizable, interactive controls. It can be handy, at least in theory, but many apps have yet to truly take advantage of this skinny touch interface.
MacBook Pro (15-inch) costs $2,399 from Apple or $2,200 from Amazon
Apple MacBook Pro (13-Inch)
The GoldilocksBook
If the new MacBook Air isn’t powerful enough and the 15 inch MacBook Pro seems too much, consider the 13-inch MacBook Pro. It might be just right.
In July 2019, Apple canceled the 12-inch MacBook (one of our previous favorites) and effectively replaced it with the new MacBook Air. That leaves the 13-inch MacBook Pro straddling the power and weight divide between the new Air and 15-inch MacBook Pro.
Offering powerful quad-core processors and all-day battery life in a reasonably portable 3-pound package, the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro will be the best of both worlds for many people. You get the Touch Bar and a faster chip than the Air, but avoid the extra weight and bulk of the 15-inch model.
Catalina’s Sidebar feature works a treat here too, pairing your iPad for an extra screen or drawing pad on the go.
The entry-level model sports a 1.4 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor, with up to 16 GB of RAM and a 128 GB solid state drive (configurable to 2 terabytes).
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 128 GB) costs $1,299 from Apple or $1,225 from Amazon
Quirks and Issues to Be Aware of
Unlike previous generations of MacBook, there are eccentricities and problems with Apple’s laptops that you should know about before you buy.
Bland Touch Bar: When Apple debuted the Touch Bar in late 2016, it touted the thin touchscreen strip above the keyboard as the next-generation of user input. Unfortunately, this hasn’t panned out. There seems to be little interest from third-party software designers in doing anything innovative with the tiny display. Those Touch Bar-packing laptops have Touch ID, which lets you log in and access sensitive data with your fingerprint, but what’s been swapped out for that is something you’ll miss: a physical Esc key. To get around this you can always map CapsLock to Esc.
Palmy Trackpad: Apple’s trackpads are among the best in the computer business, but with the newest MacBooks, these input devices have been blown up to unbelievable proportions and crammed right up against the bottom of the keyboard, right where you rest your palms while typing. Although there’s supposed to be intelligent palm rejection software at work, the trackpads are susceptible to accidental input. Your mileage may vary.
Keyboard Killer: The flat style of Apple’s 3rd-generation “butterfly switch” keyboards might not be to everyone’s liking, but widespread stories of nonresponsive keys are worrying. Perhaps the most famous screed on the subject is Casey Johnston’s post detailing her keyboard woes for the Outline. WIRED editor Jeffrey Van Camp also has had multiple issues with his 2017 Pro keyboard. Apple now replaces the keyboards for free and has added extra dust guards in the newer models. Apple has detailed instructions on how to clean the keyboard if yours gets flaky, which is a decent first line of defense against busted keys. Apple also recently extended its keyboard repair program to cover repairs on all Macs that have been purchased within the past four years, regardless of warranty status.
Parched for Ports: Then there’s the port situation. All of Apple’s current MacBooks feature one port type: USB-C. It’s a newer port that might not work with the devices you own. You’ll want to invest in a few adapters (like this Aukey adapter) if you plan on hooking your computer up to a projector, or want to use things like USB keys or SD cards. Plan to buy some dongles.
MacBooks to Avoid
The Old MacBook Air: This slim laptop was groundbreaking when it debuted in 2010. Unfortunately, the MacBook Air didn’t change much until 2018. It rocks a dowdy-looking, non-Retina screen and weak Intel chips that are years old. It might not require the dongles that a newer MacBook might, but the newer laptops will undoubtedly feel faster for longer. Don’t let its price tag tempt you—there are way better laptops you can nab for that kind of cash. How to spot it: The older Air has a thick silver border (bezel) around its screen, instead of black glass like the new models.
The Old MacBook Pro: This time-tested design seems like it’d be a great buy … until you see the $2,000 price tag. It’s still rocking an impossibly old, 2014-era Intel chip inside, and despite its appealing array of USB and Thunderbolt 2 ports, this 15-inch model is a poor value for money. How to spot it: It has standard USB ports and it’s much thicker. The new models only have a few USB-C ports.
The 12-Inch MacBook: This model was canceled in July 2019. If you find one of the final models and get a good bargain (well under $1,000), it may be worth a look, but we generally recommend you opt for a current model for longevity and better customer support. This one will not work with Sidecar.
Is It a Good Time to Buy?
Probably, but it depends which model you’re going to get. Apple updated the processor option for its top-line MacBook Pro in May 2019 and refreshed the Air in July. Apple may end up announcing a minor processor upgrade for the MacBook Pro 13-inch model before the end of the year, but we suspect it will be a very minor update if it happens at all.
Get AppleCare+
None of Apple’s MacBooks is cheap, and replacement parts are nightmarishly expensive. Since the entire computer is fully integrated into Apple’s tightly designed aluminum chassis, you’re one coffee spill away from a shockingly large repair bill. This is why Apple’s AppleCare+ is worth it—starting at $249, AppleCare extends your factory warranty to three years, gives you matching telephone support, and throws in two accidental damage repairs as well. A minimum $99 service fee later and whatever you did to kill your shiny new Mac is undone, and you’re back to hammering away on your keyboard.
