➤Comparative: which is the best MacBook? 🕹

For Apple aficionados, choosing a new laptop seems simple and yet…

Currently, Apple offers two types of laptops: the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro. However, within the MacBook Pro line there is a wide range of capacities, and the gap between the MacBook Air and the 16-inch MacBook Pro is considerable. Here's more information on the differences between the MacBook Air and Pro.

In these two categories, there are two versions of the MacBook Air, two of the 13-inch MacBook Pro, two of the 14-inch MacBook Pro and three of the 16-inch MacBook Pro. To this you can customize by adding more RAM, storage or another processor.

The processor will be of particular interest since Apple has switched all of its Intel laptops to its own chips. To date, there are now three processors designed by the brand: the M1, the M1 Pro and the M1 Max.

Apple began this transition in November 2020 by introducing M1 processors in some of its Macs (the Mac mini and the 24-inch iMac). Then, in October 2021, Apple launched a 14-inch MacBook Pro and a 16-inch MacBook Pro, both of which offer an M1 Pro chip version or an M1 Max.

The other big difference is price: you can pay between $1 and $129 for a standard Mac laptop, at a minimum.

If you're considering buying a new MacBook (Pro or Air), then you'll have a lot to consider. One of them is Apple's recent MacBook update and the likelihood of a new update coming soon. Another concerns components. Finally, you can turn your attention to other important criteria like portability and power.

We can now answer the first question:

Apple updated the MacBook Air (M1) in November 2020
1-inch MacBook Pro (M13) were introduced in November 2020
Two 1-inch MacBook Pro (M14 Pro) launched in October 2021
Three 16-inch MacBook Pros (M1 Pro & M1 Max) launched in October 2021

Wondering which MacBook to buy? Our MacBook buying guide will help you choose the Apple laptop that's right for you.

If you are a student, do not hesitate to take a look at our article which includes the best Macs for studies. You can also take advantage of many discounts through the Apple Education Store.

MacBook Air M1 eight CPU cores/seven GPU cores

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You might be inclined to think that the cheapest Mac laptop will be the one that offers the best value, but not necessarily.

We'll start with this one by evaluating how it stacks up against the other $1 MacBook Air and the $129 MacBook Pro.

The $1 MacBook Air is an attractive proposition. This model has seen a few price drops over the past few years. It's the cheapest Mac laptop at the moment, very tempting, isn't it? Let's see this in detail.

At this price, you get an Apple M1 chip with an 8-core CPU and 7-core GPU, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. In contrast, its €1 version has an 399-core rather than 8-core GPU and 7 GB of storage. In sum, you're paying an extra $512 for a slightly better GPU and twice the storage.

The $1 MacBook Air and the $129 MacBook Air are quite similar, only doubled storage space separates them, so it might be better to go for a 1TB iCloud subscription, instead of paying the additional €399.

The other question is whether you need all 8 cores, if so then you might want to consider the fan-powered MacBook Pro.

MacBook Air M1 8-core CPU/GPU vs MacBook Pro M1 13-inch 8-core CPU/GPU

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Now let's take a look at the two Apple laptops that are very closely priced: the $1 MacBook Air and the $399 MacBook Pro. By comparing these two models, we can decipher the disparities between the Pro and the Air. This should give you a good indication of which type of Apple laptop is best for you.

The $1 MacBook Air comes with Apple's M399 chip, an 1-core processor and 8-core GPU, 8GB of RAM and 8GB of storage.

The 1-inch MacBook Pro M13 worth € 1 also includes the M449 chip, but also the 1-core processor, an 8-core graphics chip, 8 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage space.

The Air has a 512GB SSD, compared to 256GB for the Pro, but the latter offers a lot in return, including a 500 nits vs 400 nits screen, 20 hour battery life versus the Air's 18 hours, and the Touch Bar.

We don't think the Touch Bar is a deal breaker, especially since the best part (Touch ID) is available from the Air anyway. It also comes in a gold finish for the Air, which the Pro doesn't have.

The most significant distinction but also the least apparent is the integration of a fan in the MacBook Pro (non-existent in the Air) based on an aluminum heat diffuser to evacuate the heat. The lack of a fan means the MacBook Air isn't suited for the most demanding tasks. If you work with heavy software then a Pro is better suited.

You might assume the Air is much lighter and smaller than the Pro, but nope. The Air, due to its wedge-shaped design, weighs only 110 g less. And, the Pro holds up well since it's also thin and light.

Of course, there are three other 13-inch MacBook Pros to consider.

13-inch MacBook Pro M1 8-core CPU/GPU and 512GB SSD

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What about the €1 MacBook Pro? It costs $679 more than the entry-level MacBook Pro and yet the only extra it offers is a 230GB SSD.

If you really want all this storage then we advise you to opt for the MacBook Air, which is much less expensive and has a 512 GB SSD.

On the other hand, if power and storage are equally important, then ask yourself if you really need that extra storage, or if you can get by with the 256GB Pro with an iCloud subscription. to compensate.

14-inch MacBook Pro M1 Pro 8-core CPU/14-core GPU

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This MacBook replaced the 2,0 GHz Intel-based MacBook Pro, the new entry-level price is €2, which is higher. But is the game worth the candle?

This MacBook and the 13-inch M1-chip MacBook are not really comparable. They might share the same name: MacBook Pro, but the 13-inch MacBook Pro (good as it is) would be best described as a MacBook, now that the real pros are here.

And that's the problem, the 14-inch MacBook Pro is designed for professionals. The 13-inch MacBook Pro will be more suitable for the average user, but if you use graphics-intensive applications, then yes the Pro is the Mac you should go for.

This 14-inch MacBook Pro is equipped with an 8-core CPU, 14-core GPU, M1 Pro chip, 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD.

By comparison, the closest 13-inch MacBook Pro comes with an 8-core CPU and GPU, the M1 chip, 8GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD. The 14-inch has more of RAM and graphics cores, elements that matter to professionals.

Does that mean this 14-inch MacBook Pro is good enough for demanding users? It's not sure, because there are still five other MacBook Pro models.

If you thought the jump between the 13-inch MacBook Pro and the 14-inch MacBook Pro was huge, the price gap between the two 14-inch MacBook Pros is bigger. The one with the 10-core processor and 16-core GPU with 1 TB SSD costs an additional €500, or €2.

It's a big expense to get an M1 Pro, 10-core CPU and 16-core GPU, instead of the 1-core/8-core M14 Pro. There's also the 1TB SSD, up from 512GB, and the 96W adapter, not 67W.

14-inch MacBook Pro M1 Pro, 10-core CPU/16-core GPU vs 16-inch M1 Pro, 10-core CPU/16-core GPU

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We just saw how the MacBook Pro with an 8-core CPU and 1-core M14 Pro GPU compares to the M1 Pro with a 10-core CPU and 16-core GPU. If you're planning on spending an extra $500 to get your hands on those extra cores, there's another alternative you should look into.

The 1-inch MacBook Pro M14 Pro with 10-core CPU/16-core GPU costs the same as the 1-inch MacBook Pro M16 Pro: 10-core CPU/16-core GPU. There are some distinctions, for example the 16in model offers 512GB versus 1TB for the 14in, but we think having a 16in screen more than makes up for it. Finally, the 16 inches are all equipped with a 140 W power adapter.

Here are the deals for the 1 2021-inch MacBook Pro M14 Pro with 10-core CPU and 16-core GPU.

16-inch Macbook Pro M1 Pro 10-core CPU/16-core GPU, 1TB SSD

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If you really want that 1TB SSD, then it'll cost you €230 more, since it's €2.

It offers essentially the same specs as the top-end 14-inch MacBook Pro for an extra $200, which doesn't seem like a bad deal given the larger screen and increased battery life you gain.

16-inch MacBook Pro M1 Pro 10-core CPU/32-core GPU, 1TB SSD

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The final MacBook Pro to consider is the 16-inch MacBook Pro with a 10-core M1 Max CPU, 32-core GPU, and 1TB SSD. €3. This additional 849 € allows you to get double the cores and the M870 Max chip, so the game may be worth the candle...

The price seems very high, but maybe rather than comparing it to the other 16-inch MacBook Pro, we should compare it to the Mac Pro with an 8-core 3,5GHz Intel Xeon W, the 32GB of RAM, 256 SSD, and Radeon Pro 580X graphics (with 8GB of memory) as standard. This Mac retails for $6, saving you $499 buying the 2-inch MacBook Pro instead.

MacBook Pro Intel

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Apple has stopped selling the Intel-based MacBook, but you'll likely find these models at third-party retailers. Your purchase depends on two things: if you want an Intel Mac, you'd want to get one before its availability is limited, but also make sure it's priced right.

Verdict

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The choice is therefore quite clear. By buying an entry-level MacBook Air you will have a satisfactory Mac laptop. If you add $200, you'll get an SSD with double the capacity, but we recommend opting for iCloud storage instead.

The 13-inch M1 MacBook Pros stand apart from their predecessors and are a significant upgrade over the MacBook Air. If you use powerful applications, we recommend the Pro, because the absence of a fan in the Air may prevent you from exploiting the full potential of the M1 chip.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro is a good choice, and the M1 Pro is exactly what creative professionals have been waiting for. It's also nice that it has more RAM and its new design is a real asset.

What's interesting is the difference between the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, with prices and specs being so close that we'd suggest the 16-inch MacBook Pro for its better battery life and larger screen.