Best Apple Computer

Annabelle Evans

By Annabelle Evans

| Updated 3 Days Ago

  • Apple computers have become a go-to choice in homes and offices for their sleek design, user-friendly experience, and seamless integration with other Apple devices. From powerful desktops to portable laptops, Apple’s lineup caters to a wide range of needs. The Mac family includes iMacs for an all-in-one solution with built-in displays, MacBooks for on-the-go portability, and the Mac mini and Mac Studio for compact yet capable desktop setups. When choosing an Apple computer, consider factors like processing power, storage, and screen size, which affect performance and usability, as well as the premium price. We reviewed various Mac models to find the best options for different needs and budgets.

  • MacBook Air M3 15″

    10

    We think the new MacBook Air M3 15″ is a great choice for most people looking for a powerful, portable laptop with a large screen.

    10

    We think the new MacBook Air M3 15″ is a great choice for most people looking for a powerful, portable laptop with a large screen.

    Pros

    • Impressive performance with M3 chip
    • Stunning 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display
    • Long battery life up to 18 hours

    Cons

    • Limited port selection
    • Base model has only 256GB storage
    • Can get pricey with upgrades

    We’ve been using the MacBook Air M3 15″ for a few weeks now, and we’re blown away by its speed and efficiency. The M3 chip handles everything we throw at it, from basic web browsing to photo editing, without breaking a sweat.

    The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display is a joy to work on. Colors pop, text is crisp, and there’s plenty of screen real estate for multitasking. We found ourselves being more productive with the extra space compared to smaller laptops.

    Battery life is another standout feature. We regularly got through full workdays without needing to charge. It’s liberating to leave the charger at home and not worry about finding an outlet.

    While we love the slim design, it does mean fewer ports. You only get two Thunderbolt ports and a headphone jack. We ended up buying a USB-C hub for more connectivity options.

    The base 256GB storage filled up faster than we expected. If you work with large files or like to keep lots of media on your laptop, you might want to consider upgrading to a larger capacity.

    Despite these minor gripes, we think the MacBook Air M3 15″ is an excellent laptop for most people. It strikes a great balance between power, portability, and screen size.

  • Apple MacBook Air M3 (2024)

    9.7

    We think the 2024 MacBook Air with M3 chip is the best laptop for most people due to its powerful performance, long battery life, and sleek design.

    9.7

    We think the 2024 MacBook Air with M3 chip is the best laptop for most people due to its powerful performance, long battery life, and sleek design.

    Pros

    • Fast M3 chip
    • Lightweight and portable
    • Excellent battery life

    Cons

    • Limited ports
    • Base model has less storage
    • Pricey compared to some competitors

    We’ve been testing the new MacBook Air M3, and we’re impressed. The M3 chip makes this laptop incredibly fast for everyday tasks. We noticed apps open quickly and run smoothly, even when multitasking.

    The design is a standout feature. It’s so thin and light, we barely noticed it in our bag. The 13.6-inch screen is bright and colorful, making everything from work documents to movies look great.

    Battery life is another big plus. We used it all day without needing to plug in. The keyboard feels nice to type on, and the large trackpad is responsive. While we wish it had more ports, the two Thunderbolt ports are fast and can connect to many devices.

  • 2022 MacBook Air M2

    9.5

    We think the 2022 MacBook Air M2 is a top choice for most Apple users due to its slim design, powerful performance, and long battery life.

    9.5

    We think the 2022 MacBook Air M2 is a top choice for most Apple users due to its slim design, powerful performance, and long battery life.

    Pros

    • Incredibly thin and light
    • Fast M2 chip
    • Beautiful Liquid Retina display

    Cons

    • Only two Thunderbolt ports
    • Base model has 256GB storage
    • Can get warm under heavy loads

    We’ve been using the 2022 MacBook Air M2 for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed by its sleek design. At just 2.7 pounds, it’s a breeze to carry around. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display is a treat for the eyes, with vivid colors and sharp details.

    The M2 chip inside this MacBook Air is a powerhouse. We breezed through everyday tasks like web browsing and document editing. It even handled some light video editing without breaking a sweat. The fanless design means it’s whisper-quiet, but it can get a bit warm during intensive tasks.

    Battery life is a standout feature. We got through full workdays on a single charge, with juice to spare for some evening Netflix. The new MagSafe charging port is a welcome return, freeing up the two Thunderbolt ports for other uses. We do wish there were more ports, though.

  • Apple iMac M3 24″

    9.4

    We think the new Apple iMac M3 is a great all-in-one desktop for most home users who want a sleek, powerful machine.

    9.4

    We think the new Apple iMac M3 is a great all-in-one desktop for most home users who want a sleek, powerful machine.

    Pros

    • Stunning 4.5K Retina display
    • Powerful M3 chip performance
    • Slim, colorful design

    Cons

    • Limited upgrade options
    • Only two Thunderbolt ports
    • Pricey compared to some Windows all-in-ones

    The iMac M3 impressed us with its speedy performance. We breezed through everyday tasks like web browsing and document editing. Even more demanding jobs like photo and video editing felt snappy.

    We love the 24-inch 4.5K Retina display. Colors pop and text looks super crisp. It’s perfect for creative work or just enjoying movies and shows. The slim design takes up little desk space and looks great in any room.

    Setup was a breeze. We were up and running in minutes. The included Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Magic Mouse work well. Wi-Fi 6E gave us fast, stable internet. While pricier than some options, we think the iMac M3’s mix of style, screen quality, and performance make it worth considering for many users.

  • Apple M3 MacBook Pro 14″

    9.3

    We think the Apple M3 MacBook Pro 14″ is a top-notch laptop for most users, thanks to its powerful performance and long battery life.

    9.3

    We think the Apple M3 MacBook Pro 14″ is a top-notch laptop for most users, thanks to its powerful performance and long battery life.

    Pros

    • Impressive M3 chip performance
    • Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display
    • Long battery life up to 22 hours

    Cons

    • Limited RAM in base model
    • Pricey compared to some competitors
    • Only supports one external display

    The M3 chip in this MacBook Pro is a game-changer. We noticed a big jump in speed when working with large photo libraries and editing 4K videos. The laptop stays cool and quiet even under heavy loads.

    We love the 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display. Colors pop and the HDR content looks amazing. The 1000 nits of brightness make it easy to work outdoors or in bright rooms. The 1080p webcam is crisp and clear for video calls.

    Battery life is fantastic. We used it for a full workday without needing to plug in. The MagSafe charger is handy, and we like having HDMI and SD card slots. The keyboard feels great to type on, and the large trackpad is responsive.

  • Apple iMac 21.5″ (Late 2013)

    9.1

    We think this refurbished iMac offers good value for basic home and office tasks, despite its age.

    9.1

    We think this refurbished iMac offers good value for basic home and office tasks, despite its age.

    Pros

    • Sleek, space-saving design
    • Crisp 1080p display
    • Solid performance for everyday use

    Cons

    • Outdated hardware
    • Limited upgrade options
    • May struggle with newer software

    This 21.5-inch iMac from late 2013 still looks great on any desk. Its slim profile and aluminum build give it a premium feel. The 1080p screen is bright and clear, making it nice for web browsing and document work.

    We found the Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM adequate for basic tasks. The 256GB SSD helps it boot up fast. But don’t expect to do heavy video editing or gaming. It’s best suited for emails, web surfing, and light office work.

    One downside is the older macOS version. You might not be able to run the newest apps. The hardware is also showing its age. Still, for the price, it’s a decent option if you want an all-in-one Mac and don’t need cutting-edge performance.

  • 2020 MacBook Air

    9

    We think the 2020 MacBook Air is an excellent choice for most people looking for a fast, lightweight laptop with great battery life.

    9

    We think the 2020 MacBook Air is an excellent choice for most people looking for a fast, lightweight laptop with great battery life.

    Pros

    • Impressive performance with M1 chip
    • Long battery life
    • Beautiful Retina display

    Cons

    • Limited port selection
    • Can’t upgrade RAM or storage
    • Some apps not yet optimized for M1

    We’ve been using the 2020 MacBook Air for a while now, and we’re blown away by its speed. The M1 chip makes everything feel snappy, from browsing the web to editing photos. Apps open quickly, and we can run many at once without slowdowns.

    The battery life is amazing. We’ve gone full workdays without needing to plug in. The Retina display looks crisp and bright, making movies and photos pop. We love how thin and light it is too – perfect for working on the go.

    One drawback is the lack of ports. With just two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, we sometimes need adapters. The built-in storage and RAM can’t be upgraded later, so choose wisely when buying. Some apps aren’t fully optimized for M1 yet, but this is improving. Still, for most people, we think this MacBook Air is a great pick that will last for years.

  • MacBook Pro 13″ Retina (Renewed)

    8.7

    We think this renewed MacBook Pro offers good value for budget-conscious buyers, despite some wear and tear.

    8.7

    We think this renewed MacBook Pro offers good value for budget-conscious buyers, despite some wear and tear.

    Pros

    • Crisp Retina display
    • Powerful i5 processor
    • Slim, lightweight design

    Cons

    • Visible scratches and dents
    • Older model (2014)
    • Limited 128GB storage

    This renewed MacBook Pro packs a punch with its 13.3″ Retina display. We found the 2560×1600 resolution super sharp for work and videos. The aluminum body felt solid, even with some scratches.

    Under the hood, the dual-core i5 processor handled our daily tasks smoothly. We had no issues running several apps at once. The 8GB of RAM helped keep things zippy. But the 128GB SSD filled up fast – we needed an external drive for extra storage.

    Battery life was decent at around 7-8 hours of real-world use. The keyboard felt great for typing. We missed having a touchscreen, but that’s typical for Macs. For the price, this Pro is a good pick if you’re okay with some cosmetic flaws.

  • Apple MacBook Air 2017 (Renewed)

    8.7

    We think this renewed MacBook Air is a solid choice for budget-conscious Apple fans seeking a reliable laptop for everyday tasks.

    8.7

    We think this renewed MacBook Air is a solid choice for budget-conscious Apple fans seeking a reliable laptop for everyday tasks.

    Pros

    • Slim and lightweight design
    • Long battery life
    • Crisp display

    Cons

    • Older processor
    • Limited storage
    • No Retina display

    We got our hands on this renewed 2017 MacBook Air, and it’s still a capable machine for basic computing needs. The slim profile and light weight make it easy to carry around. We found the 13.3-inch screen clear and bright enough for most tasks.

    The keyboard felt comfortable during long typing sessions. We liked the large trackpad, which responded well to gestures. Battery life was impressive – we got through a full workday on a single charge.

    This model has 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. While not the fastest or most spacious, it handled web browsing, document editing, and light photo work without issues. The older processor shows its age with more demanding tasks, but for everyday use, it’s fine. If you need a basic Mac laptop on a budget, this renewed Air is worth checking out.

  • MacBook Air 11″ (Renewed)

    8.6

    We think this renewed MacBook Air is a decent budget option for basic tasks, but its older specs may limit performance for some users.

    8.6

    We think this renewed MacBook Air is a decent budget option for basic tasks, but its older specs may limit performance for some users.

    Pros

    • Affordable price point
    • Lightweight and portable
    • Solid build quality

    Cons

    • Older processor may feel slow
    • Limited storage capacity
    • Battery life could be better

    We tested this renewed 11-inch MacBook Air and found it works well for everyday tasks like web browsing and word processing. Its compact size makes it easy to slip into a bag. The aluminum body feels sturdy and well-built, even as a refurbished model.

    The 1.6 GHz Intel Core i5 processor and 4GB of RAM were fine for basic use, but we noticed some lag when running multiple apps. The 128GB SSD filled up quickly when we installed our usual programs and files. We got about 5-6 hours of battery life in our tests, which is okay but not great.

    For students or casual users on a tight budget, this MacBook Air could be a good fit. But power users or those who need to run demanding apps may want to look at newer models with more up-to-date specs. While not the latest and greatest, we think this laptop offers decent value for the price if your needs are basic.

Buying Guide

When shopping for an Apple computer, we think about a few key factors. Let’s break them down:

Performance

We look at the processor, RAM, and storage. More powerful chips and extra memory help with demanding tasks.

Display

Screen size and resolution matter. Bigger, sharper displays are great for creative work and multitasking.

Portability

Weight and battery life are crucial for those who travel. Lighter laptops with long-lasting batteries win here.

Connectivity

We check the ports available. More ports mean easier connections to accessories without adapters.

Budget

Apple computers come at different price points. We consider our needs and match them to our budget.

Purpose

What we’ll use the computer for guides our choice. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Use CaseRecommended Features
Basic tasksEntry-level processor, 8GB RAM
Creative workHigh-end processor, 16GB+ RAM, large display
ProgrammingMid-range processor, 16GB RAM, good keyboard
On-the-goLightweight, long battery life

We also think about future needs. Buying a computer that can grow with us is smart.

Lastly, we check Apple’s refurbished store. It offers like-new products at lower prices with full warranties.