Founded in 1976, Apple is one of the world's largest consumer electronics manufacturers, with instantly recognizable products like the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and MacBook. Apple has a small laptop lineup compared to other brands like Dell, HP, Lenovo, and ASUS, as they only make premium productivity-focused laptops. However, MacBooks are consistently among the most well-built and premium laptops. Since Apple started making laptops with their in-house SoC, the M1, MacBooks are among the best for performance and battery life.
The best Apple laptop we've tested is the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M3, 2023). This late 2023 model comes only nine months after its M2 predecessor, sporting Apple's new M3 SoCs. The M3 Pro/Max chips bring even better performance and can easily handle the most challenging tasks like video editing and 3D graphics. There are also new features, including hardware-accelerated ray tracing, AV1 decoding, and increased memory support up to 128GB. Also new is the addition of a base M3 configuration, which can be a great option if you don't need a lot of processing power but still want the 'Pro' features like the Mini LED display and up-firing speakers. There are some downsides with the base M3 model, though, as it has one fewer USB-C port and only supports a single external monitor.
Except for a new Space Black color, nothing else has changed design-wise. You still get an exceptionally well-built device with a comfortable keyboard, an industry-leading haptic touchpad, and great-sounding speakers. The display is still a 120Hz Mini LED display with full DCI P3 coverage; it just gets slightly brighter to combat glare. Battery life has improved, lasting over 15 hours of light use, which is enough to get you through a full day, maybe even two, depending on your workload. If you need more screen space and don't mind a larger, more costly device, the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M3, 2023) is also an excellent choice. It's identical to its 14-inch sibling but with better-sounding speakers.
If you only perform light tasks like text processing, web browsing, and video playback, get the Apple MacBook Air 13 (2022) instead, one of the best MacBooks we've tested and the successor to the popular Apple MacBook Air 13 (M1, 2020). This model sports a new design, a slightly larger and brighter display, a better 1080p webcam, and a faster M2 SoC. Like most MacBooks, it has a spacious keyboard and a gigantic haptic touchpad. Battery life is excellent at around 10 to 11 hours of light use.
Another addition to this M2 model is Apple's MagSafe charging port, which connects magnetically and detaches easily to prevent the laptop from getting pulled off a table if you trip on the cable. The main downside is that it's still limited to two USB-C ports with support for a single external display. If you want a bigger screen, Apple has released a 15-inch model, the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2023). It's the same device as the 13-inch model but with a 15.3-inch display and better speakers. Performance is also near-identical, although its battery life is slightly shorter at around eight hours of light use. It costs $200 USD more than the 13-inch model.
If you want to spend as little as possible, you can still buy the older Apple MacBook Air 13 (M1, 2020). It's also among the best MacBook Airs Apple has produced and the first to have an Apple-made chip inside. Often on sale at around $750 USD, this is hands down the best value laptop you can get. It feels as premium as the picks above, so you're still getting an exceptionally well-built device that provides a great user experience. As for performance, its M1 SoC is starting to fall behind more recent chips on the market but is still plenty fast for general productivity tasks like web browsing, text processing, and video playback. It still receives OS updates, so you can install macOS Sonoma and get all the new features like desktop widgets.
What makes the buying decision a bit more complicated is that Apple lowered the price of the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air when the 15-inch model launched, bringing it to only $100 USD more than the M1 model. If you can afford to spend more, it's worth going with the M2 model. You get a nicer design, a larger and brighter display, a higher-resolution webcam, and better performance. It also has a MagSafe charging port, which frees up a USB-C port for a peripheral or external monitor. However, the M1 MacBook Air is still a great choice if you're on a tight budget.
Dell and Apple are very different in their approach to laptops, as Dell makes a significantly larger number of models for various uses and price segments. In contrast, Apple only makes premium productivity laptops. Dell's high-end productivity laptops are often compared to Apple laptops in build quality and user experience. However, unlike Apple, which uses their in-house ARM-based SoC, Dell still uses x86 chips from Intel in their laptops.
Microsoft and Apple are very similar in some ways but also very different. Both companies only make productivity laptops and control the hardware and software, as they also created the operating system. However, Microsoft tends to have more budget models and experiments with other form factors like 2-in-1 tablets, while Apple only makes clamshell laptops without touch input. Both companies are among the best when it comes to build quality.
Apple and Lenovo are very different. Like many other laptop manufacturers, Lenovo produces many laptops, including mobile workstations, ultraportable, gaming laptops, 2-in-1s, and Chromebooks. In contrast, Apple only makes a few models a year and focuses exclusively on productivity laptops. Lenovo also makes a lot of budget models, whereas Apple only makes premium models. Lenovo tends to experiment more with newer form factors and features, like a secondary e-ink display, ultrawide laptops, and dual-screen laptops. See our recommendations for the best Lenovo laptops here.
Apple is one of the best laptop makers in the world. MacBooks usually feel premium and exceptionally well-built, and they have among the best performance and battery life. As Apple also makes the operating system, MacBooks also have a level of integration with other Apple products that's hard to find on devices from other manufacturers. However, MacBooks are generally expensive and aren't as ideal for gaming.
Feb 28, 2024: We've confirmed the pricing and stock availability for all picks but haven't changed our lineup of recommendations.
Feb 07, 2024: Replaced the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M2, 2023) with the M3 model since the M2 is discontinued.
Dec 12, 2023: Verified that all picks are valid and available. No change in recommendations.
Nov 13, 2023: Small text changes to include information about the new M3 MacBook Pros. No change in recommendations.
Oct 06, 2023: Small text changes to improve clarity. No change in recommendations.
If you're looking for a productivity laptop, Apple MacBooks are among the best available options, whether you're already in the Apple ecosystem or not. They feel incredibly well-built, have long battery life, and provide a premium user experience. However, if you want more versatility, like a 2-in-1 convertible or a laptop with wider game compatibility, you're better off with a Chromebook or a Windows device.