Key Points
Our top pick for the best MacBook overall is the new MacBook Air M2 15”. All the other options on this list are also excellent choices suitable for a variety of needs, whether you‘re a student, professional, or anyone who wants a powerful yet portable laptop.
These MacBooks stand out for their combination of performance, battery life, display quality, and lightweight design. With any of them, you‘ll get fast speeds, reliability, and a smooth, accurate operating experience.
Ultimately, picking the right MacBook comes down to considering display size, chipset, RAM/storage configurations, battery runtimes, and intended use case. While there are only two main models — Air and Pro — there is plenty of variety within each line.
#1 Best Overall: MacBook Air M2 15”
The recently released MacBook Air M2 15” is our pick for the best MacBook you can buy in 2023. It strikes the ideal balance of power, efficiency, display size, and portability.
Key features:
- Apple‘s latest M2 chip: 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU
- 15.5" stunning Liquid Retina display
- 500 nits brightness, P3 wide color, 1 billion color support
- Up to 24GB of unified memory
- 256GB base storage, configurable up to 2TB SSD
- 1080p FaceTime HD camera, 3-mic array
- 20 hours battery life
- Weighs just 3.3 lbs
The M2 silicon makes the new Air a productivity powerhouse on par with the entry-level 14” MacBook Pro. Yet it retains the thin, lightweight design that makes the Air series so portable.
The 15” screen hits a sweet spot between the smaller 13” and unwieldy 16”, with plenty of room for multitasking but still compact enough for everyday carry. It‘s only a bit larger than the older 13” chassis.
From students to mobile professionals, most users will find the Air M2 15” speeds through tasks gracefully while lasting all day on a charge. It‘s the ideal do-it-all MacBook for getting work done on the move.
#2 Best for Creative Pros: MacBook Pro 16” M2 Max
If you need maximum performance for intensive creative workloads like video editing, 3D modeling, graphics design etc., the MacBook Pro 16” M2 Max is the new gold standard.
It‘s equipped with Apple‘s top-tier M2 Max chip, which features a 12-core CPU and massive 38-core GPU. Combine that with the 16” mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR display (2400 x 1600 resolution) and you have portable creative studio with desktop-caliber power.
Other vital specs:
- 32GB unified memory (configurable up to 96GB)
- 1TB SSD storage standard
- 140W USB-C power adapter included
- WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 support
For intensive graphical applications, this system crushes workflows faster than any prior MacBook. The 16" panel gives you ample visual real estate as well. It‘s also no slouch on battery life either, managing 18+ hours of mixed usage.
If you need this much computing muscle on the move, the latest MacBook Pro 16” M2 Max is hard to beat. Just be prepared to pay for the elite-level performance!
#3 Best Value for Students: MacBook Pro 13” M2
The recently updated MacBook Pro 13” M2 hits a sweet spot for students looking for a well-rounded pro-grade laptop. It delivers excellent speed and quality for everyday workloads like web browsing, documents, media consumption etc.
Compared to the bulkier 14” and 16” configurations, the design remains slim and surprisingly portable at just 3 pounds. Battery life is fantastic too, managing up to 20 hours on a single full charge.
For the price, highlights include:
- Apple‘s latest M2 chip: 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU
- 13" Retina display with 500 nits peak brightness
- 8GB unified memory
- 256GB SSD storage
- 1080p FaceTime HD camera
- Four Thunderbolt 3 ports for connectivity
- Touch ID sensor for easy logins
Performance is still speedy thanks to the M2 silicon. The standard configuration can multitask web, documents, email etc. without issue. Creative types can edit HD video smoothly as well.
For an well-priced pro MacBook you can throw in a backpack daily, this latest 13” M2 MacBook Pro model is a great pick.
#4 Best Budget Option: MacBook Air M1 13”
If price is a major factor, consider going with the previous-gen MacBook Air M1 13” released in late 2020. Despite having the older M1 chip vs. the 2023 models‘ M2, it still delivers excellent performance for most daily work, especially at this discounted rate.
Highlights:
- Apple M1 chip: 8-core CPU, 7-core GPU
- 13.3" Retina display (2560 x 1600 resolution)
- 8GB unified memory
- 256GB SSD storage
- Intel Iris Xe graphics
- Fanless design (no fan noise!)
- Up to 18 hours battery life
Having used one myself extensively, I can confirm the M1 Air still feels very fast for things like web browsing, office suite usage, streaming media etc. It can even handle lighter photo/video editing pretty well.
Given how cheap you can find refurbished units on sale, the previous MacBook Air M1 remains one of the best values going for macOS fans on a budget.
#5 Most Portable: MacBook Air M2 13”
If having an ultraportable system is your top priority, the MacBook Air M2 13” is your best bet. It weighs just 2.7 pounds while measuring a svelte 0.44 inches thin.
Apple‘s latest 13” chassis revisions also help, reducing volume by 20% over the previous generation. Combined with the new M2 efficiency gains, you can use this system comfortably on long trips and workdays without plugging in.
Specs of note:
- M2 chip: 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU
- 13.6" Liquid Retina display (2560 x 1664 resolution)
- Up to 24GB unified memory
- 256GB SSD storage starts
- Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports
- MagSafe charging returns!
Performance is still quite zippy thanks to the M2 chip. The slimmed down design does mean the M2 Air lacks a fan, but the efficient silicon enables totally silent operation anyway.
For road warriors and frequent fliers who want lots of power in the smallest possible MacBook profile, the latest 13” M2 Air is the easiest pick of the bunch.
How To Choose The Right MacBook
All these models feature Apple‘s latest Apple silicon chips (M1 or M2) which outclass the prior Intel-powered options. But picking the exact one for your situation still takes some analysis. Let‘s break down the key factors:
MacBook Air vs Pro:
The Air line prioritizes ultraportable design in slim unibody aluminum chassis. The Pro series packs more performance, connectivity, and display quality into a somewhat heavier premium package.
The Air models omit certain Pro features like the Touch Bar, 120Hz displays, and dedicated fans/vents in the thinnest variants. But they still offer surprising speed at much lower costs.
Unless you require lots of computing power for creative workloads, gaming etc. the Air models have become popular picks in recent years, even among professionals. Their M1 and M2 chips close the gap considerably.
Display Size
13-inch screens allow smaller profiles but can feel cramped when multitasking. Larger 14” – 16” panels offer more real estate, at the cost of increased weight from 4+ pounds.
I‘d suggest 13" models for pure portability, while 15” – 16” is better for full desktop replacement/media viewing. The 14” sits nicely in between with a great balance.
Performance Specifications
Pay attention to the chipset, memory, and storage configuration listed. The M1 Pro and M2 Max chips power the highest-end configs, while M2 and M1 are also fast for everyday work.
Make sure to get at least 8GB of memory, ideally 16GB. Storage should start from 256GB minimum, with 512GB or 1TB even better for future-proofing.
Battery Runtimes
Thanks to the efficiency of Apple silicon, most new MacBooks are rated for 15+ hours of actual usage. The higher-performance Pro models tend to end up on the lower side of that scale, while the Air series can run even longer in light usage.
No matter what, make sure to get a MacBook rated for at least 12-14 hours of runtime minimum. Anything less will struggle to last a full workday.
Intended Use Case
Are you shopping for a student who just needs a solid machine for papers, web browsing etc? Maybe a frequent traveler craving ultimate portability? Or a creative pro who requires cutting-edge Apple silicon performance?
Analyze what you‘ll primarily use the MacBook for. This determines which specs and design factors matter most. Prioritize accordingly, then select the best model that fits your usage needs and budget.
MacBook Buying FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions shoppers have about buying a MacBook:
Why are MacBooks so popular even though they are expensive?
MacBooks earn their premium pricing through exceptional build quality, slick aesthetics, solid performance, intuitive macOS user experience, and high resale value compared to Windows laptops.
What’s the difference between the M1 and M2 Apple silicon chips?
The newer M2 chip is a bit faster, supports more memory, and has a few extra GPU cores vs. the already-great M1. But both deliver excellent speed and efficiency.
Is the Touch Bar on MacBook Pros worth it?
Opinions vary! Some users find the dynamic Touch Bar convenient for shortcuts and controls in compatible apps. Others prefer the standard tactile keyboard. It comes down to personal preference.
How much storage capacity do I need on a MacBook?
I suggest a minimum of 256GB for light users, 512GB for power users. Photographers, video editors etc. should consider 1TB or 2TB configs.
Can a MacBook fully replace a desktop computer?
Absolutely — Apple‘s new M-series silicon makes properly specced MacBooks faster than many desktops! Their connectivity and display quality continue improving as well.
Summary & Recommendations
Hopefully this breakdown gives you a feel for what MacBook makes sense for your situation. To recap, my top picks in each category are:
Overall: MacBook Air M2 15”
Professional: MacBook Pro 16” M2 Max
Students: MacBook Pro 13” M2
Budget: MacBook Air M1 13”
Portability: MacBook Air M2 13”
Feel free to reach out with any other MacBook questions! I‘m happy to provide personalized advice as an Apple technology specialist to help you find your perfect match.
