If you're on the hunt for the best MacBook for your needs, then you're in the right place. There are a number of Apple models to select from, so we've done some detailed review work to bring you our list of the best Apple laptops on the market right now, as rated and ranked. No matter your needs or budget, you'll be able to find the best MacBook right here.
All of the below MacBooks can be customised and configured to better suit your budget and the sort of power you're looking for – that's something to remember when you're shopping, as the spec you see listed doesn't have to be the final selection that you order (you'll just need some extra cash to amp it up though).
For those thinking about school, college or university, check out our best MacBook for students guide, as student discount applies and we've prioritised the more budget purchases as applicable. We've also got carefully curated guides to the best laptop overall, should you not be 100% fixed on Apple and its macOS operating system.
MacBooks are the sort of gift that will guarantee you a huge reaction around Christmas, but whether you're aiming for a new laptop or something smaller, T3 has a range of great gift guides that you should check out. You'll find them all, and more, at the T3 Christmas hub.
T3's Top 3
Best MacBook overall
Apple does make even more premium MacBooks in its Pro line, but the M3-powered Air will be the best fit for most people. It runs silently, offers heaps of power, and although it costs a little more its design is more up-to-date than the older M1-powered model. If you want to do significant CPU/GPU-demanding projects, however, then consider a MacBook Pro instead.
Best budget MacBook
As the even older M1-powered Mac is now tricky to find, the 2022-revealed M2-powered MacBook Air brings the up-to-date design and is a savvy purchase. Just like its newer M3 replacement it runs silently and is very powerful. But, really, it's the smaller price compared to the rest of the current range that makes this MacBook the winning option for most students.
Best premium MacBook
If it's raw power that you're seeking then a MacBook Pro is the way to go. It won't be silent like its Air cousins, and the design is thicker to allow for heat dissipation and cooling, but you'll have more oomph to work with for more serious tasks. The 14-inch Pro is a great option for portability, but if you want yet more than a 16-inch model ups the scale and power (and price!) yet further.
The best MacBooks we recommend in 2024
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Best overall
After its 2022 redesign, the MacBook Air has received a 2024 update complete with Apple's M3 silicon. Unlike the Pro models with this chip, however, the Air features a fanless design for silent operation. The 13.6-inch form factor will make this the best Apple laptop for most people (although there is a larger 15-inch version, too, featured further below). Indeed, it's so good that it netted the T3 Awards 2024 'Best Laptop' prize.
The M3 MacBook Air is much cheaper than the larger 14- and 16-inch Pro models, but you do miss out on some features: there's no HDMI slot and no SDXC card reader, for example, while throttling means you'll get higher performance from the Pro models. However, most aren't going to need that, so we think the Air M3 is the ideal balance.
As said in T3's full MacBook Air M3 review: "The redesign of the MacBook Air was a major revelation. Adding Apple's M3 silicon into that mix gives this laptop even more life. And cutting the effective price generation on generation makes it even more appealing for those seeking a portable 13-inch laptop."
Best affordable
There isn't really a budget MacBook, per se, but the 2022 MacBook Air is the only Mac laptop you can buy for under a four-figure asking price. That'll be really important for a number of people who can't fork out the extra cash. You may be able to find one for even less refurbished if you're lucky.
Either way, the 2022 MacBook Air was the first to feature an updated design for the range, advancing beyond the older M1 model from 2020. Sure, that means it introduces a screen notch, which is divisive, but you'll forget it's there after little time.
The MacBook Air is certainly no slouch even on older hardware either, as the M2 chip is hardly that old and many won't tell the difference. It's easily able to cope with the majority of day-to-day computing tasks with ease, as we cite in our MacBook Air M2 2022 review. It really is an impressive bit of kit from Apple.
Best pro
Replacing the excellent 2021 14-inch MacBook Pro, the 2023 release actually came in two stages: the M2 Pro and M2 Max chipsets from early 2023 and the next-gen M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max options for late 2023. Apple has removed all M2 MacBook Pro models from its store, so you're less likely to find those to buy now.
There were aesthetic changes in 2021, and while the 2023 model doesn't change anything visually speaking – save for the new Space Black finish – it's still a great laptop with superb battery life, plus small new additions such as HDMI 2.1 (for 4K/240Hz output) and Wi-Fi 6E speeds. Gone is the Touch Bar (its last appearance is on the now-discontinued 13-inch 2022 Pro model), and while the display still has a notch (just like the MacBook Air M2 featured above), we think it's hard not to fall in love with its bright Mini LED charms.
We think the 14-inch model here slightly edges out the 16-inch model in terms of the balance between power and portability – it's a little lighter and a little smaller if you need something that you can carry around. But the 16-inch model is also a five-star product, with even better battery life, but an even higher price. You can go wrong either way, unless you don't need this level of performance, in which case look elsewhere on this list.
Best big screen
For some the larger 15.3-inch display of this MacBook Air will make it the very best option on the market. Otherwise, generally speaking, this M3-toting model is an echo of the 13-inch equivalent – only physically larger.
That bigger scale doesn't cost it to excess in the small-and-light category, though, as Apple has somehow made the 15-inch Air barely much thicker or heavier than the 13-inch model. And while it was all brand new in 2023, a internally-upgraded 2024 M3 upgrade now rules the roost.
As said in our original review: "The 15-inch MacBook Air's sell is simple: it's a MacBook Air, embodying everything typically slim, light and portable about that, only it's got a bigger screen (and bigger sound as an added bonus). There are no significant compromises in opting for the 15.3-inch screen, except it'll inevitably cost you a little more and add some additional mass. For many that'll make it the big-screen MacBook of your dreams... except now it's a reality."
Best maxed out
For some people this entry on our list will actually make sense as the number one option to buy. But then it's also the most expensive, given it's the biggest and most powerful MacBook going. It's also the most powerful, and if you've got super-high demands then the 96GB unified memory model (for M2 Max) or 128GB (for M3 Max) is untouchable compared to what the competition can offer.
If you really want to go all-out on a MacBook Pro then the 16-inch top-spec model fits the bill: as you can tell from our 2023 16-inch MacBook Pro review, it's a stunner in terms of both its looks and its performance, though bear in mind that this larger version is not as easy to carry around as the 14-inch edition.
The price rises steeply as you start to configure the 16-inch model though – the late 2023 release with M3 silicon is actually slightly cheaper than the M2 silicon it replaces, although max that with 128GB memory and 8TB SSD and you'll be spending several thousand to own one. Despite all of this power, the laptop stays impressively quiet and cool even when faced with more demanding tasks, while battery life is still decent too.
The 16.2-inch 3456 x 2234 pixel resolution display is absolutely gorgeous from any angle too – and just like the 14-inch model, the brightest you'll find in the MacBook line-up. External monitors and other peripherals can be connected through one of the three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports. There's also HDMI 2.1 out (with 4L/240Hz monitor support), an SDXC card slot, and a 1080p webcam to ensure all your comms and connectivity are on point.
How to choose the best MacBook for you
When it comes to selecting a MacBook there's a couple of major pointers to consider: screen size and portability, power requirements, silent operation, and of course the price.
Apple makes MacBooks in all kinds of screen sizes now. The 11-inch and 12-inch models of old no longer exist. Instead there's the 13-inch standard, as per MacBook Air models, which grows to 15-inch for the larger model in that range. The Pro line-up, meanwhile, is 14- or 16-inch only.
Regarding power, Apple now uses its own silicon in all of its current MacBook models, ranging from the original M1 through to the latest M2, including M2 Pro, M2 Max and M2 Ultra options. The higher up the grade you go the more shared memory there is, with up to 96GB RAM (unified memory as Apple calls it) available at the top-end. You can only acquire the utmost power from a MacBook Pro model, though.
There's no point in overpaying for excess power if your needs simply won't demand it. The Air is great for all manner of tasks, including use of decent editing programmes, but the Pro models really turn things up a notch. As a result the latter range needs more cooling, which means fans, which in turn means more noise and less battery life.
The biggest factor for many people, however, will simply come down to price. If you're looking to spend under four-figures then you're going to be buying an older model rather than the very latest on offer. That's not always a bad thing, though, as you'll still get years of use. At the other end of the scale a MacBook Pro can cost several thousand, so be sure to spec for your specific needs and don't over-spec for no due purpose.
How we test Apple MacBooks
Just as we test any of the best laptops here at T3, a key part of our testing the best MacBooks is living with each Apple product and treating it as if our own – that gives the best real-world experience and understanding of the important factors such as design, portability, battery life, software highs and lows, and so on.
The team at T3 has many years of experience in reviewing the best MacBooks, so we're able to contextualise and understand how one model relates to another, generation on generation, using that knowledge to point you to the best buys – even if they're the older models.
In addition to a true lived-with approach, we do of course use benchmarking tests to gauge how a MacBook sits on the map in terms of CPU and GPU performance, so you can get an understanding of how certain operations may fit your workflow best. This is good to show year-on-year upgrades, plus how the latest MacBook might compare to, say, a gaming laptop or Windows laptop competitor.
Then and only then, following many days if not weeks of use, we bring the final verdict – including areas to improve upon, in addition to highlighting the positives – including a score out of five, with the 5-star award being the highest accolade offered on T3.com and by T3 magazine.
