The Very Best MacBooks to Buy in 2023
Apple now offers MacBooks with more speed and more power in a sleek and smooth form, with a variety of display screen sizes and colour variations, making them suitable for users of all skill levels, from novice to expert, as well as those considering making the jump from Microsoft Windows to macOS. Sometimes it’s tough to tell which Apple laptop is the finest, but we’re here to point you in the right direction.
Here are some of the greatest MacBooks you can buy in 2023, and if you’re looking for more possibilities, check out our list of the top MacBooks.
The Very Best MacBooks to Buy Right Now
- The 13.6-inch, M2-powered Apple MacBook Air of 2022 is the best of the bunch.
Best Low-Cost Option: 13.3-Inch MacBook Air (2020) with M1 Processor
Best Multitasking Performance: 13.3-inch screen, M2 CPU, and the MacBook Pro (2022).
The Best MacBook Pro for Creative Professionals in 2023 is the 14.2-inch model with the M2 Pro CPU.
The best MacBook Pro for video editing in 2023 will be the 14.2-inch model with the M2 Max CPU.
Best battery life: 2023 MacBook Pro with M2 Pro CPU and 16.2-inch screen.
The best powerhouse is the 2023 MacBook Pro with a 16.2 inch display and an M2 Max CPU.
Apple MacBook Air (2022)
Finest Overall
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) is one of the greatest Apple laptops you can buy if you only want to use it to surf the web, watch videos on YouTube and Netflix, get work done, and so on. Fast M2 CPU, sleek and light design (just 2.7 pounds! ), bright 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, and up to 18 hours of battery life per charge are all reasons for this. Also included are a 1080p HD webcam and two USB-C (Thunderbolt 3) connections for fast data transfers and charging.
The laptop starts at $1,199, which is a bit steep compared to earlier models of the MacBook Air, but the new processor set, larger screen, and upgraded camera make it worthwhile. It comes in four attractive colors—Silver, Midnight, Space Grey, and Starlight—and two storage capacities—256GB and 512GB of SSD (Solid State Drive).
Apple MacBook Air (2020)
Finest Budget
Finding a cheap laptop computer might be a challenge. The MacBook Air (2020) is Apple’s older design, but it’s still fashionable thanks to the M1 CPU inside at a starting price of $999 (often as low as $799 when on sale).
Do not be fooled by its modest price; this laptop computer is a speedy producer. This article’s author uses it as his primary laptop computer. It has up to 18 hours of battery life, a 13.3-inch Retina display, a sleek design, two USB-C ports (for charging and peripherals), 8GB of RAM, 256GB of SSD storage, and a fast processor. Space Grey, Gold, and Silver are the three colour options for the portable computer.
Apple MacBook Pro (2022)
Best for Multitasking
Apple MacBook Pro M2 (2022)
With its M2 CPU and lightweight design (it weighs just 3 pounds), the Apple MacBook Pro (2022) is at the pinnacle of power and portability. With its integrated Touch Bar, which adapts its functions and inputs according on the programme you’re using, this laptop is ideal for professionals who need to multitask on the run. The Touch Bar may be divisive, but it’s still one of the finest ways to tailor your experience while switching between applications and windows. Only this model of MacBook Pro has this feature.
Apple MacBook Pro (2023)
Best for Creative Pros
Apple MacBook Pro (2023) with M2 Pro
The Apple MacBook Pro (2023) starts at $1,999, and it’s the ideal machine for intensive projects and multitasking. It has a great 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR screen, an M2 Pro processor for quickly switching between many apps, and a lot of ports, including three USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) ports, one HDMI port, one SDXC card reader, one MagSafe 3 charging port, and an earphone jack.
This MacBook Pro, accessible in two colours (Silver and Space Grey), is ideal for creative professionals due to its versatility (it can be used for everything from editing photos to transcoding films). It quickly completes the same task over and over again with little to no error.
Apple MacBook Pro (2023)
Best for Video Editing
Apple MacBook Pro (2023) with M2 Max
The new Apple MacBook Pro (2023) is the best of the best laptop computers for video production, thanks to its M2 Max processor, large 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR screen, ProMotion settings with refresh rates as high as buttery smooth 120Hz, and long battery life of approximately 18 hours per charge.
The many connectors on this laptop make it ideal for editing videos, including three USB-C ports (Thunderbolt 4), an HDMI port, a MagSafe 3 charging port, an SDXC card reader for rapid data transfer from camera to laptop, and an audio jack. Imagine it as a movie editing suite that fits in your backpack.
The MacBook Pro (2023 Comes in 2 colors: silver and Space Gray.
Apple MacBook Pro (2023)
Finest Battery Life
16-inch Apple MacBook Pro (2023) with M2 Pro
The Apple MacBook Pro (2023) with an M2 Pro CPU is the way to choose if you value battery life above all else. Not only does it have a vibrant 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display and multiple ports for efficiency, including three USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) ports, one HDMI port, one MagSafe 3 charging port, one SDXC card reader, and an earphone jack, but it also has up to 22 hours of battery life, allowing you to get through the workday and then some. That’s nearly a full day of battery life on a single charge.
This Apple laptop has everything you need to pull an all-nighter. It is offered in two different tones: silver and space grey.
Apple MacBook Pro (2023)
Finest Powerhouse
16-inch Apple MacBook Pro (2023) with M2 Max
Want the best Macbook available? With its massive 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, powerful M2 Max CPU, 32GB of memory, and 1TB of SSD storage, the Apple MacBook Pro (2023) can handle just about everything you throw at it. It’s so powerful that it can drive not one, not two, but three 6K displays at 60Hz (through USB-C) and a fourth 4K display at 144Hz (via HDMI). This allows for the use of up to four external displays simultaneously.
The price tag is hefty for such a powerful laptop. It starts at $3,350, but for Apple’s most high-octane and quickest MacBook, it may be worth considering just for the sheer magnitude of its power. There are two colours to choose from when purchasing a MacBook Pro: silver and space grey.
What to Look for in an Apple MacBook
Though different models of the Apple MacBook look different, the experience of using one is largely same. The fact that they all use the most recent version of macOS (currently macOS Ventura) is one of the nicest features of the laptops. This means that the most recent safeguards will be used in each design, allowing them to function at peak efficiency and beauty. There are several key differences between models that might make it difficult to choose which MacBook is best for you. What 2023 consumers should look for in a MacBook.
Before purchasing a MacBook, you should give some serious consideration to its intended use. Choose the MacBook Pro (2023) for its increased processing power and larger screen if you need a MacBook for video or image editing. The MacBook Air (2022) is the best laptop for writers due to its speed and portability. Choose the MacBook Air (2020) if you’re looking for a budget-friendly laptop.
Processing Power
Processing power is an area where you delve deep into the weeds. Apple’s MacBooks include one of four different chipsets: the M1, M2, M2 Pro, or M2 Max. The M1 chip, due out in 2020, will be the first chipset built in-house by the company. It’s quick and efficient, although it’s a couple of years old at this point. The M2 chip, the successor to the M1, is noticeably faster. The M2 Pro and M2 Max chipsets are planned for the MacBook Pro models of 2023 and provide a noticeable boost in performance. These chips are more efficient since they can run for up to 22 hours on a single charge.
Size
Size is also an issue when talking about the MacBook. Apple’s MacBook Air comes in two different screen sizes: the original model has a 13.3-inch display, while the newest model has a 13.6-inch “notch-style” display (similar to the Apple iPhone 14). The MacBook Pro lineup has three different screen sizes: 13.3 inches, 14.2 inches, and 16.4 inches; the latter two are also “notch-style.”
Cost
The base model M1 MacBook Air (2020) costs $999 (often as little as $799 on sale), while the top-of-the-line M2 Max MacBook Pro (2023) with a 16.2-inch display, 96GB of RAM, and 8TB of SSD storage costs a whopping $6,499.
When deciding on a MacBook, it is most important to consider its intended use. The MacBook Air (2022) is a popular choice because it combines a sleek and lightweight design with an up-to-date M2 CPU, a high-definition webcam, and extended battery life. The MacBook Pro (2023) is the next logical upgrade for power users. The latest macOS Ventura software release ensures that all MacBook users will enjoy a satisfying experience.
Are MacBooks Good for Gaming?
The fundamental allure of a MacBook is that it is an exceptionally high-quality laptop computer in terms of productivity. While it is true that some games are playable on a Mac, this in no way indicates that Macs were designed with gaming in mind. Despite some of these laptops’ sheer processing power, they aren’t currently the greatest options for gaming. If you’re looking for a better laptop for gaming, check out our buying guide.