Spend long enough searching for the best laptops and you’ll soon find yourself face-to-face with some of the best MacBooks too. Apple really revolutionised the way we think about our portable computing kit. Gone are the days of heavy slabs of over-engineered and overheating machines that defy the term ‘laptop’. Instead, we now have a choice of super-slim, lightweight powerhouses that can give many desktop and all-in-one PCs a run for their money.
Best MacBook of 2024 at a glance
• Best overall MacBook: Apple 2022 MacBook Air laptop with M2 chip: 13.6-inch - View at Amazon
• Best budget MacBook: Apple 2020 MacBook Air Laptop M1 Chip, 13-inch - View at Amazon
• Best MacBook Air for office work: Apple 2023 MacBook Air laptop with M2 chip 15.3-inch - View at Amazon
• Best MacBook Pro: Apple 2023 MacBook Pro laptop M3 chip 14.2-inch - View at Amazon
Only in terms of weight, Apple’s closest rivals are perhaps some of the best Chromebook laptops. But, they’re just not up there with the best that Apple can offer for speed and power. Apple’s legendary cutting-edge design and familiar Mac operating systems are driven by some of the best bespoke CPU technologies to see the light of day; Primarily, their latest M1, M2 and M3 chip designs. They all incorporate a ‘Neural Engine’ that introduces and streamlines machine learning - adding an AI coprocessor for blisteringly fast computational performance.
Those chips combine several systems into one. That means the CPU, GPU, and RAM are all part of a single integrated system. The overall performance enhancement of having a unified chip like this is enormous. It’s what makes Apple one of the best laptop brands and keeps the best MacBook at the top of the laptop performance league. So, let’s look at the range of MacBooks out there right now. There’s enough choice to meet every user’s need, from Apple fans on a budget to high-end machines for creative professionals
Best MacBook of 2024
Best overall MacBook
We think this 2022 MacBook Air strikes the right balance between size, computing capability and price. It has an M2 chip too. So, despite not being the very latest M3, it will still handle anything you need it to for everyday and professional use. Perhaps most striking is how thin this laptop is - it certainly earns its ‘Air’ branding. It’s also a feather-light 1.24 kilograms. How Apple has crammed a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina screen, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage into something this wafer-thin is beyond us.
And that M2 chip is part of the magic - it’s single-handedly serving up an 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU and 8GB of unified memory. Typical Apple mod-cons include a FaceTime HD camera, a three-mic array for clear voice comms, and an integrated four-speaker surround system. The charging port is MagSafe too, so less fiddling around with cables.
Pros
- Impossibly light at just 1.24kg - take this anywhere and never break a sweat
- The M2 chip is still right up there for speed and performance
- The display is Liquid Retina, so expect bright and vibrant visuals
Cons
- The 13.6-inch screen may feel fine for iPad users, but a tad small for cramped spreadsheets and the like
Best budget MacBook
Make no mistake, as budget laptops go any MacBook isn’t going to compete on price with some of the non-Apple laptops out there. But, in terms of ‘budget Apple devices’ this 2020 MacBook Air is hard to beat. Coming in well under the £1000 mark, it has the M1 chip and 8GB of RAM under the hood. The 13.3” screen is a Retina display too - so although it is one of the more compact MacBooks, it’s not lacking in those hallmark Apple features. It's lightweight and would also make a great laptop for students - the backlit keyboard will help with note-taking in all lighting conditions.
The 256GB SSD is a typical MacBook spec - it’s going to be fast and reliable, but you may need to consider an external storage drive if you’re generating a lot of data. Lastly, the integrated FaceTime HD camera will keep anyone connected to their friends and family. An ideal budget MacBook.
Pros
- The most affordable Apple MacBook option that doesn’t skimp on powerful features
- The M1 chip may be a 2020 model, but it can still hold its own against modern laptops in everyday use
- 18 hours of battery life, plus the compact and light case, means this is the ultimate travel companion
Cons
- The M1 chip will be fine for casual everyday uses, but power users need to consider the M2 or M3
- Smallest screen size here (but then again, it’s a small price too)
Best MacBook Air for office work
We’re back with the famous Apple M2 chip and this time it's inside a 2023 MacBook. The main benefit here over and above our top pick is that gorgeous 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display. Apple’s screen tech is second to none, and the high-resolution display here supports over a billion vibrant colours. Another huge plus for anyone thinking of working on one of these either at home or at the office is that it’s virtually silent. As with many MacBooks - they’re fanless. Cooling is less of an issue thanks to clever engineering and the integrated M-series chips.
Once again we have 8GB of RAM but this time it’s joined by 512GB of SSD storage. That makes this MacBook a little more useful for those more demanding professional applications that generate a lot of data. If you’re a gamer or movie fan, you might also find other ways to use all that space. Another typical Apple inclusion here is Touch ID - great for keeping things secure and accessible.
Pros
- The gorgeous 15.3” display is the perfect balance of size and practicality
- 512GB is a welcome step up in terms of storage - enough for apps and files
- Touch ID is great for anyone who likes to keep their work secure
- Great six-speaker sound system
Cons
- Anyone looking to use this for media creation should probably look for a Pro model instead
Best MacBook Pro
This is the first of two inclusions in our list for the MacBook Pro with a bleeding-edge M3 chip. Apple’s Pro models really do target productivity and high-end performance for content creators and media professionals. It’s what makes this laptop a prime choice of laptop for graphic design. Here, that M3 chip is delivering an 8-core CPU, a whopping 10 GPU cores and 8GB of RAM. The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina display is beautifully crisp and vibrant, and the 512GB of storage means you’ll be able to install your creative apps and still have room left over.
One last thing if you are a media pro: we recommend maximising all that potential with one of the best monitors for MacBook Pro. An ideal addition to your home or office setup, the beauty of a Pro is that it really packs the sort of power you’d expect from many desktop machines. So, plug it into the right monitor and you’ll be enjoying all of that performance on a ton of extra screen real estate. Your productivity will go through the roof. And your movies and games will have the space they (and you) deserve.
Pros
- The M3 chip delivers the sort of speed and power that will dwarf other laptops in this price range
- The 14.2” Liquid Retina display is capable of truly stunning visuals
- 512GB of SSD storage means you can install your core creative or professional applications
- The integrated GPU has 10 cores - so this is a great choice for gamers as well as professionals
- Excellent battery life compared to other MacBooks
Cons
- For a Pro model, the screen may be a little too compact for creative work
Best MacBook Pro for creatives
In our final pick, we go super-size with the 2023 MacBook Pro and push the M3 chip to the max. Internals-wise, this shares the same features and benefits as the 14.2-inch version above. But, the M3 Max chip is another beast altogether. We now have a mind-blowing 14-core CPU, a 30-core GPU, and 36GB of RAM - all in one unified chip. Astonishing engineering here.
With a huge 1TB SSD for storage, this MacBook Pro is aimed at serious media professionals and creators. Plus, that 16” screen will also make this one of the best laptops for photo editing, not to mention being powerful enough for serious creative work as a laptop for video editing. But, if you just love to get the best of the best that Apple can offer and have the cash to splash, why not use this laptop for gaming, movies and pretty much anything else you could dream of.
Pros
- The huge Liquid Retina display is ideal for everything from professional creative work to gaming and more
- A monster-spec with enough CPU and GPU cores to eat even the toughest apps for breakfast
- The best RAM spec here - with 36GB. More than enough for AAA gaming, video editing and other memory-intensive work.
- 1TB of storage is the best option for any laptop, especially one this capable when it comes to media creation and sheer productivity
Cons
- All that power and extra screen size come in at over double the weight of the closest model here
Best MacBook of 2024: Buyer’s guide
Choose the right MacBook for your needs
This primarily comes down to the internal specifications - typically RAM and processor power. But one of the other aspects of choosing a MacBook over a Chromebook or Windows laptop is that signature Apple design and build.
And what we mean here is that they’re almost impossibly slim and light while still packing big laptop power. You could say that’s the defining characteristic of the MacBook. They’re a stylish antidote to the chunky overheating briefcase-sized machines we all put up with a decade ago.
Screen size
So, when you choose the best MacBook for you, consider how large the screen will need to be for your work or recreation. Film fans, gamers and photo/video editors will appreciate the 16” models; whereas casual users, web browsers and office workers may prefer to travel that bit smaller and lighter with a 14” version.
Machine spec
Once you’ve settled on the size, look at the RAM and the processor. As laptops go, Apple M-series processors are extremely well-regarded for their longevity. They’re often overpowered compared to their PC competitors at launch and so can still compete extremely well over time. Opting for a 2021 model, for instance, means that it’ll still handle the vast majority of computing tasks with ease - even in 2024.
With RAM, as always - more is more. Apple devices can be notoriously difficult to upgrade compared to Windows PCs and laptops. So, if you have the budget, we recommend opting for the most RAM you can get as an official factory option.
Don’t forget to accessorise your MacBook
If it’s one thing that Apple devices need it’s a few accessories. If you’re a fan of Apple chances are you’ll already have a raft of cables, chargers and the wired earbuds they included as standard with iPhones back in the day. But, nowadays you’re more likely to open the box only to find the device itself and not much more.
Invest in better sound
Our top pick for accessories to go with the best MacBook is a set of Apple AirPods Max over-ear headphones. Yes, you may have an older pair of in-ear Airpods hanging around for those trips to the gym with your iPhone, but nothing beats having your new MacBook and some cans to match. In our review of the Apple AirPods Max, expert reviewer Ryan Houghton called them “perhaps the best over-ear headphones ever made”. Working or watching movies on your new MacBook is going to be more comfortable and immersive than ever.
Always buy a bag, case or cover
While the best MacBooks themselves are renowned for being thin and light, you’ll still want to take it places without risking any damage. For general use while at home or work, if you want to travel light, an equally slim and light folio case or even a shell-style cover will be enough.
But, sometimes you’ll be fully laden with tech and other stuff while you’re out and about. What you really need for the commute or holiday is one of the best laptop backpacks. They’re often extremely well padded against impact, waterproof and even provide an excellent level of security.
Best MacBook of 2024: FAQs
Which one is better MacBook Pro or Air?
In our expert overview of MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro we compared them for portability, performance, battery life and display quality. There are some key differences of course - the Air, as the name suggests, tends to be lighter. But the trade-off is raw power. In short - the Pro is better if you're a power user, and the Air is better for casual use and lightweight portability.
What's the best MacBook for students?
As we mentioned above, we think that the budget MacBook pick - the 2020 MacBook Air - is a brilliant low-cost option for students who prefer the Apple ecosystem. It's small and light enough to take across campus, but still has enough power to handle all of your studies; and the all-important entertainment and browsing when college is over.
Is a MacBook worth it?
It's really a matter of opinion. Can you buy a cheaper laptop? Yes, absolutely. Can you buy a laptop with more storage and more RAM? Yes. Will it look, feel and respond like a MacBook? Very possibly not.
Chris Duffill is a Tech Product Writer for What's The Best and Yours. His background includes writing, editorial, marketing, design, video production and photography.
He specialises in home entertainment and audiovisual tech, including speakers, amplifiers, turntables, streaming media players, and TVs. He is also one of our resident experts in computing (PCs, tablets, smartphones, smartwatches), DSLR photography and all kinds of digital cameras. He also writes about retro gaming, game consoles and various electronic gadgets. If it plugs in, lights up or makes a noise, he’ll write about it.
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