In all of 2022, Apple revealed two new MacBooks. As 2023 begins, it has already announced two more. We continue to recommend the M2 MacBook Air to most people. First launched in July 2022, the latest MacBook Air checks all the boxes: price, features, design, and more. There are other MacBooks worth considering, however, depending on your needs.
The MacBook Air with M2 features Apple's M2 system-on-a-chip (SoC), which combines the CPU, GPU, RAM, and T2 into a single processor chip. The base model MacBook Air features an 8-core M2 chip with four performance cores and four efficiency cores and an all-new 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with 2560 by 1664 pixels.
The 2022 MacBook Air has excellent battery life, with Apple promising at least 15 hours of web usage and 18 hours of video playback. Of course, your mileage will vary, but it's a significant improvement over previous Intel-based MacBook Airs.
Speaking of performance, the M2 chip is nothing to scoff at, that's for sure. And because it's so much more power-efficient, the MacBook Air doesn't even need fans — there are zero fans inside the machine, so it's going to be super quiet while being able to handle anything you throw at it.
The MacBook Air now offers a 1080p FaceTime HD camera and the return of Apple's much-loved MagSafe charging port.
And even though the MacBook Air is the cheapest MacBook, you aren't missing out on any features. The MacBook Air with M2 still offers an incredible 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with 2560 by 1664 pixels and Touch ID (for unlocking your computer and using Apple Pay online).
The MacBook Air now offers a 1080p FaceTime HD camera and the return of Apple's much-loved MagSafe charging port. It also comes with two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack with advanced support for high-impedance headphones. The base model of the MacBook Air starts with a 256GB SSD, and you can configure it up to 2TB. The RAM on the M2 SoC begins at 8GB, but you can bump it up to 24GB if needed.
Did we mention the color choices? The MacBook Air (2022) comes in Midnight and Starlight for the first time, plus the more traditional Space Gray and Silver.
The MacBook Air has the perfect balance of features and affordability with the new M2 SoC, Liquid Retina display, and great software.
What is the best valued MacBook?
Apple still sells the MacBook Air (2020), which is one of the first machines with Apple silicon. The M1-based device still packs a bunch and comes recommended for anyone looking for a budget MacBook.
The MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022) also received an update last year, but it wasn't significant compared to the previous model. Like the MacBook Air, it also features Apple's M2, and it starts with the 8-core M2 chip, which means four cores are for performance, and the rest are for power efficiency. In addition, its 13.3-inch display gives you a 2560x1600 resolution Retina display, up to 24GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage.
On the positive side, the key differences between the 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air are that the Pro has a Touch Bar with Touch ID, and battery life is around 20 hours (versus 18 hours with the Air). Unfortunately, for the cons, the Pro has a smaller display, a less robust camera system, and no MagSafe.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro offers Touch Bar with Touch ID and 20 hours of battery power. However, its display is smaller than the one found on the latest MacBook Air.
For the pro on the go, there's nothing better than the third-generation 16-inch MacBook Pro (2023). Like the 2023 14-inch MacBook Pro (mentioned below), this model offers an M2 Pro or M2 Max SoC with up to 96GB of unified memory and 8TB of SSD storage. Altogether, you get a 12-core CPU with up to 38-core GPU. That's blazing fast, folks.
But there's oh-so-much more! The latest 16-inch MacBook Pro has an impressive Liquid Retina XDR display (3456 by 2234 pixels) with ProMotion technology for adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz. It's also packed with up to 22 hours of battery life between charges, a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, and an advanced image signal processor with computational video.
Do you want even more? The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook models (2023) come with a MagSafe, HDMI port, SDXC card slot, and three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports.
If you're looking for any negatives, understand this is the heaviest MacBook Pro. It's also costly, even at the base level. Additionally, there are only a few differences between the MacBook Pro (2023) and MacBook Pro (2021) comparison.
The 2023 16-inch MacBook Pro gives you the most power and performance, though mobility is limited, and the price tag is high.
Is MacBook Air better than MacBook Pro?
It all depends on your needs — and budget. For most folks, we recommend the MacBook Air over any MacBook Pro model. And yet, there's a reason there's a "Pro" in MacBook Pro. These models offer more, and in some cases, better features.
This laptop is for you if you want everything on the 16-inch MacBook Pro except a smaller display. It offers the same configurations as the larger model for less. However, not that much less. It's still a costly laptop, even at the base level.
For those looking for a MacBook Pro on a budget, you might want to consider the 13-inch model instead. It offers a slightly smaller display, an older design, and no MagSafe. And yet, it still comes with Apple silicon. It also remains the final MacBook Pro to provide a Touch Bar.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro is nearly identical to the 16-inch model except for the smaller display and price. Like that model, this one could see an internal update in the coming weeks.
The best for most is the MacBook Air with M2
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The MacBook Air (M2, 2022) is the best overall MacBook for most people. Thanks to Apple's M2 SoC, you are getting the blazing-fast performance of Apple silicon optimized for performance and efficiency.
Add in the fact that you get 18 hours of battery life and a sharp 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with Touch ID, and the latest MacBook Air can go a very long way. It also features the return of the flexible MagSafe charging port.
If you've decided instead to purchase a desktop computer, check out our best Macs list.
A new MacBook is coming
The MacBook Air 15-inch has been announced at WWDC 2023, and it will be coming this way in just a few short months. There's going to be a bigger screen, and a surprisingly low price attached to the device as well – as soon as we've got our mitts on it and given it a thorough testing, we'll be sure to let you know where it ranks.
