How to get the finest MacBook to avoid overspending on unnecessary items

Apple offers five MacBook models, which can be a little overwhelming if you’re looking for a new laptop as back-to-school season approaches. For instance, Apple sells both the brand-new MacBook Air and the 2020 model. Then, you can choose between three distinct MacBook Pro models.

 

Your decision will be influenced by your budget and the purposes you use your laptop for. Here are the essential details about each MacBook model and advice on how to choose the right one for you.

 

The cheapest MacBook that Apple sells is the 2020 MacBook Air, which costs $999, but it’s still a fantastic device. Although it has an M1 chip and is powerful enough to do most jobs, it performs more slowly when it comes to activities like video editing.

 

Similar to the 2022 MacBook Air, the 2020 MacBook Air boasts an 18-hour battery life.

This year’s upgrade, which we’ll discuss next, leaves you out of a few features. But in the event that you “simply need a computer,” turn to this.

 

The best MacBook for most users is this one.

The newest MacBook Air from Apple, with a starting price of $1,199, is completely redesigned, thinner than before, and it employs the newest M2 chip.

MagSafe charging is available on the newest MacBook Air. The tiny magnetic charging wire that slides in and out of the side is that one. Therefore, the entire MacBook won’t fall off your desk if you trip over the cord. One of the two Thunderbolt USB C connections on the laptop can also be used for charging. If you spend $59 on Apple’s 67-watt charger, you can fast charge it up to 50% in 30 minutes.

 

The lightest MacBook is this one, weighing only 2.7 pounds. The 2020 Air is 2.8 pounds in weight. At 13.6 inches, the screen display is a little bigger.

 

Additionally improved were the webcam and sound quality. With a total of four speakers on the M2 MacBook Air, movies and music sound more immersive. A complete 1080p HD webcam has replaced the previous 720p model.

 

With the most recent MacBook Air, you can get faster charging, a better webcam, better speakers, and a newer look for an extra $200. The processing speed of this model is likewise more than adequate for the typical user.

 

$1,299 for a 13-inch MacBook Pro with M2.

The new MacBook Pro is not entirely clear. It is an improvement over the MacBook Air. The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros both include the newest M2 processor, which isn’t as powerful as the earlier M1 Pro or M1 Max processors.

 

The 2022 model is the only MacBook with a Touch Bar, the thin strip that runs above the keyboard and can be used to scroll through images, skip or pause/play music, and more. It is powered by the M2 CPU and has 20-hour battery life. Similar to the MacBook Air, the Pro boasts a higher-quality display and better speakers.

 

Like the 2022 MacBook Air, it employs MagSafe charging, but it also has Active Cooling, which uses two fans and is an upgrade over the Air. This enables it to tackle demanding activities like more complex video editing.

 

The Pro has a slightly smaller screen, measuring 13.3 inches, and a somewhat heavier body weight (3 pounds). Overall, the processor and visual performance on the 2022 MacBook Pro are substantially different if you’re utilizing a powerful feature like video editing or photo editing.

 

M1 Pro or M1 Max for the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro, $1,999

If you want the maximum power possible in a MacBook, buy one of these.

Last year, Apple released the $1,999 14-inch and $2,499 16-inch MacBook Pro models, bringing back features like an SD card reader, a full HDMI connector, and more.

 

They have the nicest screens a MacBook has to offer, and since they have fast refresh rates, everything appears to scroll around a website smoothly. Unlike the MacBook Air variants, they can accommodate up to two extra displays instead of only one. The M1 Pro or M1 Max chips, which are more potent than the M2 chip in Apple’s other laptops — at least until we learn about Apple’s M2 Pro or Max ambitions, that is — are what makes them most significant.

 

Therefore, these are for you if you do a lot of video editing or simply enjoy high-end screens and lots of ports. Only be prepared to spend extra.