The Best MacBooks to Buy in 2025

Looking to buy a MacBook in 2025? Here are the best models available right now.

May 2, 2025 - 21:21

Apple’s MacBooks have a track record for being the best laptops out there. With their consistently reliable performance, sleek designs, and top-notch software, you know you’re getting a quality product that’ll last for years. And if you’re already deeply entrenched in Apple’s ecosystem with your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, grabbing a MacBook over a MacBook alternative just makes the most sense. But figuring out exactly what you need from your device has its challenges, so we're here to help.

TL;DR – The Best MacBooks to Buy Right Now:

All of Apple’s latest MacBooks run on the tech giant’s own powerful processors. However, most won’t need the monstrous capabilities of the M4 Max chip unless you’re doing 3D rendering or advanced workflows. Luckily, you can go with something better suited to everyday usage, like the M4 chip on the lightweight MacBook Air. Want to get a bit more creative? The MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro processor may be right up your alley.

No matter what MacBook you go with, you can take full advantage of macOS, which remains competitive with Windows 11 and Linux. Plus, all these MacBooks support the lastest macOS 15 Sequoia – a big software update with AI at the forefront.

Looking for discounts? Check out the best MacBook deals.

1. Apple MacBook Air (2025)

The Best MacBook for Most People

The MacBook Air has been probably the most popular laptop for years, and that's not going to change any time soon. The 2025 model updates the laptop with Apple's new M4 chip, which is not only faster than the M3 that preceded it, but allows the Cupertino company to work its 'Apple Intelligence' into the system. Now, this is no MacBook Pro, so don't be surprised if it doesn't handle games super well, but it should be more than capable of powering you through most of your daily tasks.

When I reviewed the new MacBook Air, not only did I find that it had phenomenal battery life – with up to 19 hours of video playback – but it also had a display that outperformed pretty much any other laptop in its price range. Plus, the speakers, in a configuration that bounces the sound off of the display, help make for a compelling multimedia device.

The MacBook Air also has an extremely comfortable keyboard, and after working with it for a couple of weeks, it became on of my favorite laptops for getting work done on, especially if I was commuting. Really, the only thing that holds the MacBook Air back from utter perfection is the lack of ports. For some reason, Apple is still only packing this thing with two USB ports and a headphone jack, which means you're going to have to carry dongles around with you if you want to connect legacy peripherals. And what do you know – Apple sells plenty of dongles.

2. Apple MacBook Air (2024)

Best Budget MacBook

If you’re looking for an affordable MacBook for casual everyday use, then the Apple MacBook Air (2024) is one of the best laptops from Apple for web browsing, watching YouTube and Netflix, office productivity, and more. This is all thanks to its fast processor, sleek and lightweight design at 2.7lbs, vivid 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, and long battery life of up to 18 hours per charge. It also comes with two USB-C ports (Thunderbolt 3), a dedicated MagSafe 3 charging port, a headphone jack, and a 1080p HD webcam for pristine video calls.

The laptop starts at $1,099 – which is a bit hefty compared to previous models of the MacBook Air – but it's worth it. This model comes with the Apple M3 chip, and starts off with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, which should be enough for most people. Though, of course if you want a little more juice, you can get it configured with up to 24GB RAM and a giant 2TB SSD.

Just like the 2022 model, Apple also launched a 15-inch MacBook Air, which is basically the same exact laptop, only with a larger screen and more luxe high-end configuration.

3. Apple MacBook Pro 14 M4 (2024)

Best MacBook for Multitasking

If you do a lot of multitasking and swapping between apps, you want a MacBook that can keep up, and the 14-inch MacBook Pro M4 is ready. With it, you get the latest M4 processor that features Dynamic Caching, which uses only the exact amount of memory needed for a task to help increase performance in demanding programs. That’s just the start, as you’ll enjoy a stunning 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display for a crystal clear view of all your workflows while a long-lasting battery – we’re talking up to 18 hours – ensures you can work from anywhere.

You will be adding to the price and weight when going with this Pro model over an Air, but it’s hard not to appreciate the extra power it brings. This option also comes in two colors: Space Black and Silver.

4. Apple MacBook Pro 14 M4 Pro (2024)

Best MacBook for Creative Pros

Starting at $1,999 but often on sale for $1,699 or less, the Apple MacBook Pro M4 Pro is ideal for multitasking and heavy workloads. It features a brilliant 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, the latest M3 Pro processor for fast-switching between loads of different apps, and various ports, including three USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) ports, one HDMI port, one SDXC card reader, one MagSafe port for charging, and a headphone jack. That means you can use it with all sorts of peripherals like external hard drives and 4K monitors, which is especially handy for creatives.

From editing photos and transcoding videos, this MacBook Pro – which comes in Silver and Space Black – is a workhorse and fantastic for creative professionals. It just quickly gets the job done again and again with virtually no hiccups.

5. Apple MacBook Pro 16 M4 Max (2024)

Best Powerhouse MacBook

Want the ultimate MacBook? The Apple MacBook Pro M4 Max – with its massive 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, insanely powerful M4 Max processor with hardware accelerated ray tracing, and minimum 36GB of memory and 1TB of SSD storage – can handle just about anything you can throw at it. In fact, it’s so powerful that it can support multiple external displays and is ready to take on 3D rendering and other advanced workflows.

However, this beast of a laptop doesn’t come cheap. It starts at $3,499, but for Apple’s most high-octane and fastest MacBook, it could be something to consider for just the sheer power of it.

What to Look for in an Apple MacBook

Although it’s a bit overwhelming to pick the best Apple MacBook, using one is pretty much the same across models. One of the best things about the laptop is that they all run the most current version of macOS. This means each model will run as smoothly and elegantly as possible with the latest security updates. However, there are certain key differences that make selecting the best MacBook for you a little tough to figure out. Here’s what to look for in a MacBook in 2025.

First and foremost, you should really think about what you’re going to use the MacBook for. If you want a MacBook for video editing or photo editing, then go with the MacBook Pro for its power and larger display. If you’re a writer, then go with the MacBook Air (2025) for its speed and portability. If you’re on a budget, then go with the MacBook Air (2024) for its lower price.

Processing Power

You really get into the weeds when it comes to processing power. Apple offers multiple chipsets in their MacBooks: M1, M2, M2 Pro, M2 Max, M3, M3 Pro, M3 Max, M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max. Released in 2020, the M1 chip is the tech company’s first chipset that’s designed in-house. It’s speedy and efficient, but it’s still a few years old. The next generation chip is the M2, which is faster and zippier, and the M3 and M4 only adds perfromance from there. If you want a step up in power, the tech company also has the M4 Pro and M4 Max chipsets, which are reserved for the 2024 MacBook Pro models. These chips are insanely powerful.

Size

Additionally, size matters when it comes to the MacBook. Apple offers two sizes for the MacBook Air – a 13.3-inch display for the older MacBook Air and a slightly larger 13.6-inch “notch-style” display (which is similar to the Apple iPhone 14) for the newer Air model. As for the MacBook Pros, there are three options: 13.3-inch, 14.2-inch, and 16.2-inch displays – the latter two are also “notch-style.”

Price

In terms of pricing, MacBooks start at $999 (sometimes as low as $799, if it’s on sale) with the M2 MacBook Air (2022) and can go all the way up to a whopping $6,499 with the M3 Max MacBook Pro (2023) for a model with a 16.2-inch display, 96GB of memory, and 8TB of SSD storage.

The most important thing to look out for when picking a MacBook is how you’re going to use it. For most people, the MacBook Air (2024) is the best choice because it features a modern and lightweight design, an M3 processor, a webcam with sharp and crisp picture quality, and a long battery life. If you want more power, then step up to the MacBook Pro (2023). But whichever MacBook you pick up, you’ll have a great user experience thanks to the latest macOS Sonoma software.

After grabbing a MacBook, you may want to consider some peripherals, and AirPods should be near the top of that list. One of our experts did hands-on testing of the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC, giving them high marks. The reviewer even stated the earbuds “go head-to-head in several categories with the AirPods Pro 2.” So, getting these lower-cost AirPods is a great idea.

MacBook FAQ

Are MacBooks good for gaming?

The main draw of a MacBook is that they are excellent laptops for work and productivity. So while you can play some games on a Mac, that doesn't mean that they were built for gaming. Despite the raw power many of these laptops possess, they are not yet the best options for gaming. Check out our guide to the best gaming laptop for better options.