The best MacBooks: Which Apple laptop would we buy in 2024?

Whether you want something current or from a previous generation, we've got you covered.
By Dylan Haas  on 
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Overview

The standard bearer

Apple MacBook Pro (M3)

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Best for portability

Apple MacBook Air (M3)

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Best MacBook for most people

Apple MacBook Air (M2)

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Best if you can't let go of the 13-inch Pro

Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch)

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Table of Contents

Any time you shop for a new laptop, a lot of people are going to tell you the same thing: Just get a MacBook.

And you know what? We don't blame them. The best MacBooks are fantastic laptops, and while they don't afford you the freedom of customization that other brands offer, that's not something everyone will care about. At the end of the day, most of us just want a high-quality laptop that'll get us through work, school, and play with minimal fuss.

Although MacBooks can get a bit pricey — with some reaching into truly frightening territory — they justify the price with Apple's signature design, user-friendly OS, and the zippy M-series processors. Plus, you can often find MacBook Air and Pro models on sale (with the cheapest ones priced around $850 to $999). And with Prime Day 2024 on the horizon, you can expect more MacBook deals to land soon.

After testing out Apple's lineup of laptops, we're here to help you narrow down the choices and take home the Apple machine of your dreams. So, let's start shopping.

Your first big decision: MacBook Pro vs Air

When it comes to today's current lineup of MacBooks, you really only have two options: The MacBook Pro or the MacBook Air. So, which is right for you?

If you're a creative who is regularly pushing their laptops to the limit with demanding applications for video and photo editing, you'll want to aim for the Pro. The name of the game with the Pro line is processing power, and the latest iteration is the speediest and most performance-driven yet.

the m1 macbook air opened to home screen
Testing the M1 MacBook Air after its 2020 release. Credit: Zlata Ivleva / Mashable
the m3 macbook pro opened to home screen
Testing the super-powered M3 MacBook Pro. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Now, if convenience and portability are your top priorities, then the Air is going to be most suited to you. It's thin and light, and it even comes in a 13-inch option if you're going to be lugging it around with you wherever you go. Plus, ever since the debut of Apple's M Series chips, the MacBook Air has become a pint-sized powerhouse. The most current model utilizes the M3 chip, so you won't be sacrificing all that much in terms of power.

Next up: Which generation?

This is going to come down to what you're willing to give up in performance, and in some cases, quality. But, whatever you do deem worthy of sacrificing, you'll be paid back in savings. For example, the 2022 model M2 MacBook Air won't come with the latest chip, but you'll still be scoring an impressive laptop that frequently goes on sale for just $849.99. That's compared to the $1,249 price tag of the most recent Air, and the $1,599 asking price of the latest Pro.

close-up of m1 macbook air keyboard and ports
A photo from Mashable's test of the M1 MacBook Air. Credit: Zlata Ivleva / Mashable
the m2 macbook air open to home screen
Testing the M2 MacBook Air. Credit: Molly Flores / Mashable

So, if you've got a lighter budget, don't fret — you can still get a MacBook at an affordable price. Yes, you'll have to get an older model, but staying current is overrated. Older MacBooks are still very much worthy of your consideration, and they won't cost you nearly as much.

When is the best time to buy a new MacBook?

The good news is that there's never really a bad time to buy a MacBook, especially if you're shopping for a previous-generation model with the M2 or M1 chip. Those tend to go on sale consistently at retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart for at least $150 off, if not more. Newer MacBook models aren't much harder to find at a discount at the very same retailers depending on the configuration you choose.

But to us, the best time to buy a MacBook is definitely during a big sale event like Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday. That's where you'll get the real bargains on coveted Apple laptops, as well as other Apple devices. Finally, you can often find discounts any time a new model is introduced — it almost always comes with a price cut to the previous-gen model, which we just saw with the M2 MacBook Air and Pro.

So, what are the best MacBooks?

After testing out the latest Apple laptops, we think there are four MacBooks worth buying in 2024. Check out our top picks below, their pros and cons, as well as who we think would like each model best.

Our Pick

Read Mashable's full review of the 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (M3).

Who it's for:

The M3 MacBook Pro is best suited for creatives who regularly run processor-intensive apps — photo and video editing software, for example. Its long battery life and high-quality speakers also make it a solid pick for anyone who likes to listen to music during marathon work sessions. You may just want this MacBook because it's Apple's most recent MacBook Pro release, which is also okay! However, if you're not using power-hungry apps every day, we think your money may be better spent elsewhere, perhaps on an older model.

Why we picked this:

Apple's recently released MacBook Pro equipped with the M3 chip is one of the most powerful MacBook models on the market. Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon praised the laptop for its performance and battery life, as it was able to handle heavy usage for around 17 hours. She also noted the display as a highlight, not only for the beauty of the Liquid Retina XDR screen, but also for its size. The 14-inch model is, in our opinion, the perfect median between the MacBook's usual 13-inch and 16-inch options. Gedeon also enjoyed the device's audio system, saying that this MacBook Pro in particular "arguably has the best set of speakers on the laptop market."

Unfortunately, the M3 MacBook Pro is one of the most expensive MacBooks out there, so make sure you're ready for the investment before you lock in your choice. The selection of ports is also pretty underwhelming on this model — you'll have to be willing to switch over to a mostly-USB-C setup.

The Good

The Bad

Details

Read Mashable's full review of the 15-inch Apple MacBook Air (M3).

Who it's for:

If you've got a decently flexible budget and you prefer the portability of Apple's MacBook Air line, then the new MacBook Air M3 is a huge upgrade from the M1 version (and even the M2). It's undoubtedly the best version of the compact laptop to date. You'll get that thin and light frame, plus plenty of extra power to tackle all of your most demanding tasks. We also appreciate the functionality of the larger screen you'll find in the 15-inch design (all while clocking in much cheaper than a 16-inch MacBook Pro).

Why we picked this:

"As someone who has been using the 15-inch MacBook Air – the one equipped with an M2 chip – it’s long overdue for a performance jump to keep up with increasingly demanding apps," wrote Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon in her review of the just-released M3 Air. During testing, the large bump in processing power showed that it's a justifiable upgrade from the older models, running almost 20 percent faster than the M2 chip of the previous MacBook Air (which just got a permanent price decrease down to $999).

The 2024 Air introduces some new perks as well, including support for up to two external displays (even though the lid needs to be closed for it to work), which is fantastic news for those with an office setup at home. WiFi 6E support is here now, too, and who couldn't use faster internet speeds?

The display, webcam, speakers, and keyboard have all been carried over from the M2 Air, but to us, that's not a knock in any way. All those components were already great, and you know what they say: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The price of the previous generation also made its way to the new Air, which we welcome. If we could make any adjustments, we'd take some more RAM and port diversity.

We tested out the 15-inch version of the M3 MacBook Air, but the laptop also comes in a 13-inch version that starts at $1,099. So, if you're alright with downsizing, you can save some money. (Just note that this design has two fewer speakers than the bigger one.)

The Good

The Bad

Details

Photo of the Apple MacBook Air (M2) in front of a cloud background
Apple MacBook Air (M2)

Best MacBook for most people

Read Mashable's full review of the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air (M2).

Who it's for:

Those who want processing power that's comparable to the M3 MacBook Pro and Air (but want to save some extra cash) will find the M2 MacBook Air to be a match made in heaven. The 13-inch model now starts at $999 — less when it's on sale — and although it's not the "best" MacBook in terms of specs, the complete value of the M2 Air leads us to believe that it's the best MacBook for most people.

Why we picked this:

Apple's 2022 iteration of the MacBook Air is no longer the best version of the laptop that you can get, but it's still a great option if you're looking to save a few hundred dollars. Featuring the still-impressive M2 chip — Apple has since introduced the more powerful M3 chip for both the MacBook Pro and Air — the thin and lightweight laptop is still an absolute workhorse, so don't be fooled by its size. Coming in a 13-inch option, the Air scores high marks in the portability department, making it a great on-the-go machine. Tech Reporter Alex Perry went hands-on with the laptop, and gave it a high score not just for its performance, but also for its stellar battery life and a keyboard that's "to die for."

The 1080p FaceTime camera works surprisingly well in low light, and the four-speaker audio system is ready to go for surround sound and Dolby Atmos. The port options and refresh rate are two things we didn't love about the 2023 Air, but it doesn't bring down the overall value of this fantastic laptop all that much.

The Good

The Bad

Details

Photo of the Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch) on a desk

Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch)

Best if you can't let go of the 13-inch Pro

Read Mashable's full review of the 13-inch Apple MacBook Pro.

Who it's for:

The 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro isn't for everyone — even though at one point in time, it was among the elite. For some, it'll just be too much of a sacrifice to go back so far in the MacBook timeline, but for those who loved the 13-inch Pro and never want to give it up, being able to score a refurb for around $550 is as good a deal as they come.

Why we picked this:

It was a sad day when Apple killed the 13-inch MacBook Pro, but luckily, you can still get one as long as you're fine with buying a refurbished model. "Refurbished" or "renewed" may be dirty words to some, but if you're not that concerned with always having the latest and greatest (and most expensive), it's definitely an option that's worth exploring. Case in point: You can snag a refurbished 13-inch MacBook Pro for under $600 at Amazon.

If you're nostalgic for this now discontinued (but beloved) MacBook Pro model, you'll be happy to know that it's still a halfway decent computer. Now, you'll be going back to a time before the M1 chip existed, so be prepared to give up quite a bit of processing power — although, we're willing to bet that isn't your biggest worry if you're shopping for refurbished MacBook Pros. You'll also take a big hit in battery life and webcam quality. But while MacBooks have since evolved, you'll still get satisfactory performance and a generous amount of storage for regular use. And Butterfly Keyboard haters can rejoice, because this model includes the fan-favorite Magic Keyboard.

The Good

The Bad

Details

Topics Apple Prime Day

How we tested

Mashable Staff or contributors have hands-on tested every laptop recommendation in this shopping guide. Each pick earned a spot on our list for different reason. When choosing these laptops, we considered specs such as:

  • CPU: The central processing unit, or CPU, is responsible for how fast your laptop can complete a given task. High-end CPUs will be able to handle multiple demanding tasks at once, whereas more budget-friendly options may be better for basic tasks like web browsing and document editing. The most common CPUs, or chips, that you'll find in MacBooks nowadays are the M2, M3, and M3 Pro chips.

  • GPU: The graphics processing unit, or GPU, is responsible for rendering clear and detailed visuals. MacBooks aren't really all that customizable in this department, so we'd pay closer attention to the chip, if nothing else.

  • RAM: A laptop's RAM is where active application data is temporarily stored to assist the CPU. Essentially, if you have more RAM, you'll be able to run more applications at the same time. Look for devices with a minimum of 8GB of RAM.

  • Storage: This is where your laptop saves long-term data like files and downloads. Keep in mind that SSD storage is faster than eMMC flash and regular hard drive storage. Thankfully, modern MacBooks use SSD storage. For most people, we recommend starting at 256GB of storage and above.

  • Battery life: Eight to ten hours is the "sweet spot" for most people who use their devices an average amount, but your mileage may vary. Generally speaking, the more battery life, the better.

  • Portability: Smaller laptops will be easiest to take on the go, but they are usually less powerful than their counterparts. However, when it comes to MacBooks, that isn't always necessarily true. Still, if you're normally on the move, you may care more about convenience than power.

  • Price: MacBooks aren't cheap, but some are more affordable than others (as long as you're willing to go back a generation or two).

Frequently Asked Questions


If you're looking to buy a new MacBook for yourself, Prime Day is a great time to start shopping. Every year we see just about every MacBook model get heavily discounted during Amazon's big event, and we expect to see the same kinds of deals in 2024. In fact, a bunch of them are already on sale ahead of Prime Day (although they'll probably get even better).

Keep an eye on our Amazon Prime Day 2024 coverage to get the latest news on MacBook deals, as well as discounts on other laptops like Chromebooks, 2-in-1s, and gaming laptops.


Previous versions of this guide featured the legendary M1 Macbook Air, originally released in 2020. It takes a special laptop to earn our top recommendation four years running. However, with the release of the M3 MacBook Air in 2024, the M1 model has finally been retired. If you can find this laptop in the wild, we still recommend buying it, but we've removed it (RIP, legend).


It's all up to your personal preference, but if you're still not sure, consider what you'll be using your MacBook for. Will you be taking it on the go and using it during travel? Then opt for a 13-inch or 14-inch model. If you're going to be doing photo and video editing, or even using it often to watch entertainment, you'll want to go for a 15- or 16-inch MacBook. To us, the M3 MacBook Pro sits at a great median point of 14 inches.


It depends on what apps you'll be running most often, but the newer MacBooks — the M3 Pro and M3 Air — will have the best battery life — about 17 to 18 hours per charge.


If you want your laptop to be able to handle multiple demanding tasks at once, we recommend getting a model with 16GB of RAM. This will cost you a bit more, as MacBooks typically start at 8GB, but you'll notice the difference. When it comes to storage, 256GB is enough for most people, especially if you take advantage of cloud storage options. For professionals that regularly deal with large files, then 512GB is a good starting point.


Short answer — follow the M3 chips, and you'll find the newest MacBooks. Slightly longer answer, the M3 MacBook Airs are the most recent model, with a release in March 2024. The M3 MacBook Pros were released in October 2023. It looks like M4 MacBook Pros might be on the horizon for later this year, but so far, the iPad Pro is the only Apple machine with an M4 chip.

author photo
Dylan Haas
Lead Shopping Reporter

Dylan Haas is a Lead Shopping Reporter for Mashable, where he covers all things gaming, pets, fitness, sleep, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day. Before joining the team at Mashable, Dylan received a B.A. in Communications from Pace University and contributed to publications like Paste Magazine, Bandsintown, and others following a brief stint as a marketing and management assistant in the music industry.

When he's not writing or testing products, you can find Dylan playing lots of video games, working out, spending time with loved ones (especially his dog, Stevie), or watching reality TV. Follow him on X at @iamdylanhaas, or send him an email at [email protected].

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