Apple has five MacBook computers to choose from, which can be a little daunting if you’re in the market for a new laptop as we head into back-to-school season. For example, there’s the new MacBook Air, but Apple also sells its older 2020 MacBook Air. Then there are three different MacBook Pro computers to choose from.
Your choice will depend on what you use your laptop for and your budget. Here’s what you need to know about each available MacBook and how to choose the best one for you.
2020 MacBook Air M1, $999 . with
The 2020 MacBook Air, at $999, is the cheapest MacBook that Apple sells, but it’s still a great computer. It runs on the M1 chip, and it’s powerful enough to handle the things most people need, but slow for tasks like video editing.
The 2020 MacBook Air has the same 18 hours of battery life as the 2022 MacBook Air.
You may have missed out on a few features in this year’s upgrade, which we’ll talk about next. But if you “just need a computer” this should be your go-to.
2022 MacBook Air M2, $1,199 . with
This is the best MacBook for most people.
Apple’s latest MacBook Air, which starts at $1,199, uses the latest M2 chip, was completely redesigned and is thinner than ever.
The latest MacBook Air has MagSafe charging. There’s that little magnetic charging cable that pops on the side and pops back out easily. So, if you travel on a cord, the entire MacBook won’t fall off your desk. You can also charge the laptop using one of the two Thunderbolt USB C ports. If you buy Apple’s 67-watt charger for $59, you can charge it up to 50% faster in 30 minutes.
This MacBook is the most portable model, weighing in at just 2.7 pounds. The 2020 Air weighs in at 2.8 pounds. The screen display is slightly larger at 13.6 inches.
The sound quality and webcam were also upgraded. The M2 MacBook Air has two additional speakers, a total of four speakers, making movies and music more complete. Its webcam has been upgraded from 720p to full 1080p HD.
If you spend an extra $200 on the latest MacBook Air, you get faster charging, a better webcam, better speakers, and a new design. This model has more than enough processing speed for the average user.
MacBook Pro 13-inch M2, $1,299 . with
The new MacBook Pro is a bit confusing. It’s a step up from the MacBook Air. But it has the newest M2 processor, which isn’t as powerful as the older M1 Pro or M1 Max processors found in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros.
The 2022 version runs on the M2 chip, has 20 hours of battery life and is the only MacBook with a Touch Bar, the little bar running above the keyboard that you can use to scroll through photos, skip media, or pause/play. can and many more. The Pro also has better speakers and a higher-end display than the MacBook Air.
It uses MagSafe charging like the 2022 MacBook Air, but has a feature called Active Cooling that uses a pair of fans, which is an improvement over the air. It helps in handling heavy tasks like more advanced video editing.
The Pro is a bit heavy, at 3 pounds, and its screen is a bit smaller at 13.3 inches. Overall, if you’re using a high-powered function like video editing or photo editing, the processor and graphic performance on the 2022 MacBook Pro are noticeably different.
14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro or M1 Max, $1,999
Get one of these if you need the most power possible in a MacBook.
Apple launched the $1,999 14-inch and $2,499 16-inch MacBook Pro models last year, finally bringing back features like an SD card reader, a full HDMI port for adding another display.
They have some of the best screens available in MacBooks, with high refresh rates, so everything looks smooth when you’re scrolling through a website, for example. They support two additional monitors instead of just one like the MacBook Air models. And, most importantly, they can be configured with M1 Pro or M1 Max chips, which are more powerful than the M2 chips in Apple’s other computers — at least until we get to know Apple’s M2 Pro or Max plans. don’t hear about
So, if you’re into heavy video editing, or just like high-end screens and lots of ports, these are for you. Just expect to pay more.