A shift from Intel to an in-house M-series CPU brought a refreshing change to Apple’s MacBook lineup. The Cupertino-based tech giant launched the M1 MacBook Air in 2020 and steadily replaced the entire Mac lineup with the M-series CPUs. With the launch of the M3 MacBook Pro series at the company’s Scary Fast event, Apple officially sells around five MacBook models to choose from.
Unlike Intel, the M-series CPUs are based on ARM architecture and allow Apple better control over its hardware and software. The introduction of M1 shook the entire industry with its performance and power efficiency. However, with multiple options available from Apple, picking the right MacBook model can sometimes be confusing. Continue reading if you are confused about betting your hard-earned money.
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MacBook Air 13-inch (M1, 2020): Best Budget Pick
The MacBook Air was the first Mac model to receive a CPU swap. Announced back in 2020, the 3-year-old MacBook Air is still available to pick from Apple. The company kept the same recognizable design for the 2020 model, which means it has huge bezels around the display and may look outdated to some.
If you are willing to compromise on design, the M1 MacBook Air is still a fantastic pick for many. The port selection is a sore point, though. Besides, it supports a single external monitor only. However, it excels in price-to-performance ratio and a long battery life that puts the Windows alternatives to shame.
As expected, the MacBook Air models don’t carry a fan and deliver a quiet experience during day-to-day use. If you are a student on a low budget or want to try the macOS without spending much, the M1 MacBook Air can be the ideal pick for you. Once you pick a MacBook, check our tips and tricks to get started with macOS.
MacBook Air 13-inch (M2, 2022): Best for Most People
Mac users have been complaining about outdated MacBook Air design for some time. Apple finally listened to the growing criticism and delivered a huge makeover both inside and out. The M2-powered MacBook Air carries CPU, design, port, and display advancements and remains the go-to pick for an average consumer.
Apple scaled down the MacBook Pro design to the 2022 MacBook Air. The display now carries a notch, houses a better 1080p webcam, and thinner bezels on all sides. Although Apple skipped the HDMI or SD card slot, the MagSafe connector makes a return on the MacBook Air, letting you free up both the USB-C ports for other utilities.
The battery life is respectable and should easily take you through a busy day. The M2 CPU is also a decent upgrade over the M1, with an option to bundle it with a 10-core GPU. Although 8GB RAM should be enough for the most, we still recommend upgrading to the 16GB variant to multitask like a pro. If you are primarily looking to get through everyday tasks and a little bit more, place your bet on the M2 MacBook Air.
MacBook Air 15-inch (M2, 2023): If You Want Bigger Display
Thanks to the 15-inch MacBook Air, you no longer need to upgrade to a pricy 16-inch MacBook Pro for a bigger display. It’s the first large-screen Air model in the MacBook lineup.
Thankfully, Apple didn’t stretch the display from 13-inch to 15-inch and called it a day. It brings improvements in other areas as well. Compared to the quad-speaker setup in the 13-inch variant, the 15-inch MacBook Air has a six-speaker system with two woofers and two tweeters to deliver a better audio experience on the go. Although Apple advertises the same 15 hours of battery life for the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models, reviewers have found the latter to be better in endurance. Â
If you primarily work with spreadsheets and programming software, the extra space can come in handy. Other aspects like MagSafe charging, full-HD webcam, slimmer bezels, a comfortable keyboard, and a precise trackpad remain the same as the 13-inch variant.
MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch (M3, M3 Pro, M3 Max): Class-Leading Performance
As the name suggests, the 14-inch Pro model includes upgrades in every department, including the display, ports, CPU, and price.
While the M-series Air models are quite capable, they aren’t suited for 3D rendering, video editing, music production, and other heavy tasks. The Liquid Retina XDR display has ProMotion tech for smooth operations and up to 1600 nits of brightness.
With the 2023 MacBook Pro models, Apple has introduced an entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro model with the M3 CPU. If you don’t need the extra power of the M3 Pro and M3 Max but want the same mesmerizing ProMotion panel, the M3 MacBook Pro does deserve a closer look.
MacBook Pro models also have ample port selection with HDMI 2.1, a full-size SD card, and Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports. The keyboard, trackpad, and speaker setup remain top-notch as well. The Pro models also support up to four external monitors.
If you want more power without compromising on the 14-inch form factor, get one with M3 Pro or M3 Max CPU. As expected, the battery life does take a hit due to the bright and high-refresh-rate panel and a powerful CPU.
If you are fine with the extra heft, size, and price tag, the MacBook Pro 16-inch deserves a place in your shopping cart. A 16-inch MacBook Pro offers a larger panel, better battery life, and speakers.
You can pair the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro and get an eye-popping battery life. The MacBook Pro series starts at $1599, and you have several configuration options to customize your device as per your preferences.
Start Your Mac Journey
Apple doesn’t offer upgradability on MacBook. You need to configure your MacBook with sufficient RAM and storage to avoid any errors in your workflow. The company also offers Mac Mini and Mac Studio for desktop users.
