Buying an Apple Mac is n’t as simple as it once was , with plenty of laptops and desktops uncommitted at a chain of mountains of monetary value that make it difficult to work out which is best for your needs . That ’s where we at Trusted Reviews descend in with the in force Macs tried and test by our team .
Apple offers a huge number of computers , some contrive for on - the - go work and others best suited to hold out on a screen background . This can make choosing the veracious one guileful if you do n’t know exactly what you ’re face for . as luck would have it , we have thoroughly go over and tested all the major contenders , include the MacBook Pro powered by the M2 Pro and the most late Mac Studio with an M2 Ultra .
But what should you moot when on the securities industry for a Mac ? For us , it boil down to several gene including physique lineament , real - world and synthetic benchmark testing and , in the case of laptop computer , electric battery aliveness . Below , you ’ll find the very skillful Macs available powerful now that click all those boxwood .
To provide accurate and comparable results , our squad of experts extensively practice each Mac as their master gimmick for at least a week – though often a lot longer .
What ’s more , we ’ve curated a various survival of Macs , place from the lightweight MacBook Air to the screenland - toting iMac and the dinky Mac Mini . Whatever your requirement may be , you could rest assured that you ’ll find a Mac that suits your pauperization .
If you ca n’t find a Mac you wish at the here and now , we ’d recommend bookmarking this inclination as we ’ll be updating it oftentimes as more of them overhaul through the Trusted Labs . It ’s also deserving checking out ourBest Laptop , Best Ultrabook , Best Student LaptopandBest Budget Laptoppages for a more general look if you have n’t pose your heart totally set on going for macOS .
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Learn more about how we test Macs
Every Mac we refresh goes through a series of unvarying checks designed to gauge fundamental things including build character , performance , screen lineament and battery life .
These let in formal semisynthetic benchmark and scripted test , plus a series of real world checks , such as how well it execute the most oft used apps .
We also make certain to utilise every Mac we review as our elemental equipment for at least a hebdomad to assure our review is as accurate as possible .
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch
Pros
Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023)
Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022)
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max
Apple Mac Studio (2023)
Apple Mac Mini (2023)
MacBook Air M1
Apple iMac M1 (24-inch, 2021)
Trusted Score
TheApple MacBook Air 15 - inchdid something singular , improve on the already excellent M2 - power MacBook Air by bringing a larger sizing . If you want a Elvis of everything , this laptop is a stunning all - rounder and our woof for the best overall Mac for most people .
The 13.6 - inch original MacBook Air M2 is be no agency tiny but , if you want plenty of way for multiple windows and luxurious multimedia viewing , it makes mother wit that some would prefer a gravid display . Apple provided that with this 15 - inch example , and its 15.3 - inch 2.8 K Liquid Retina video display . It may not be an OLED control board , so you do n’t get those inky-black black , but there ’s mass of contingent and it gets passing bright . Excellent audio also realize this an ideal automobile for listening to music or watching flick too .
There ’s no modification in performance between this laptop computer and the smaller mannequin but there is n’t much pauperism for melioration . What you get is a MacBook that is whisper - quiet , as no lover is needed , but is able to dominate productiveness workloads and can even manage 4 super C video editing .
Despite its newly larger size , it remains far from a encumbrance on your back when you lug this 15 - inch Air around . It make out in at 1.51 kilo , still lighter than the 14 - inch MacBook Pro , and is just 11.5 mm thick . Being relatively lean and brightness level does n’t mean shelling life has been shirked on though , with up to 14 hours being achieved in our examination . That ’s a remarkably result .
TheApple MacBook Pro ( 2023)is a powerhouse laptop computer . It occur with either an M2 Pro or M2 Max check , up to 96 GB remembering and in two screen size . We ’ve been using the 14 - inch model for this follow-up , but there ’s a larger 16 - inch model if you ’re after a big canvass .
While this rise is n’t a vast jump over the good example with an M1 Pro or M1 Max chip , it does offer small performance gains for both the GPU and CPU and surplus lineament , like a more capable HDMI porthole for 8 K output and faster WiFi 6E.
This remain a very speedy laptop that provide telling home options to cope with your needs . It also has an fabulously vibrant Mini lead control board , with a careful flush luminosity of 1600 nits , as well as an immenseHDRperformance , name it idealistic for create content .
The MacBook Pro ( 2023 ) retain the boxier frame with the same industrial facial expression as the previous version and keeps a good selection of port : HDMI out , an Mount Rushmore State menu referee , andMagSafefor power obstetrical delivery . The keyboard is reactive , with a good level of travel and well - sized keys constitute type a joyfulness .
We also found the battery spirit of the 2023 MacBook Pro 14 - column inch to be telling , though the larger 16 - inch modelling will be the king here if battery life is key .
TheMacBook Air M2 ( 2022)is our cream for any bookman or professional want a laptop with a luxurious portable intention and excellent battery life .
This MacBook is just 1.13 atomic number 96 lean and weigh 1.24 kg , making it one of Apple ’s most portable workstation , beaten only by the pricieriPad Pro M4 2024 in both size and eyeglasses . The keyboard and trackpad ( two thing you wo n’t get with the iPad ) are both wonderful and comfy for all - twenty-four hour period typing .
The laptop has a more roomy 13.6 - in Liquid Retina LCD video display than its harbinger , with an increased 2560 x 1664 resolution and up to 500 nits of brightness . The bezel are also slender , though the hefty notch is in spades something to get used to .
Despite being a couple of generations behind theM3andM4 , the AppleM2chipset makes the MacBook Air M2 one of the most equal to laptops of its size of it , easily treat pro - level tasks despite not expect the Pro name . This includes 4 atomic number 19 video recording redaction and mundane productivity chore , though the price of the laptop computer will increase look on the RAM and storage you require .
The laptop has a rattling battery lifetime , which we found to be easily capable of getting us through a busy workday with a good 20 % remaining – even with apps like Zoom , Slack and Photoshop running .
TheApple MacBook Pro 16 - inch M3 Maxis a machine that most people simply do n’t ask . But , for power - thirsty yield work , it might be the perfect pick for serious professionals .
The new 16 - column inch Pro is n’t a immense leap forward from its predecessor but incremental improvements still mean it ’s a spectacularly knock-down machine , and it still has the remarkable trick of offering high - end public presentation on and off baron .
This machine comfortably thump out all other laptop in our benchmarking , only being beaten by Apple ’s own Mac Studio screen background amongst products we ’ve test . So , what ’s all that power for ? The in the raw functioning of this machine is more than , even , many serious Divine will need . This is a machine made for those doing extremely exact production piece of work , whether that ’s elaborated creation of 3D model and environments to complex film production .
Along with the performance results this car can attain , it come with a wondrous display to show it all off on , an telling bombardment life for such a powerful equipment as well as an top - snick keyboard and trackpad . There ’s a plethroa of ports to help out professional on the go too .
The currentMac Studio(released in 2023 ) is the best in high spirits - end machine Apple sell . uncommitted with either an M2 Max or M2 Ultra chipset , this is a very adequate to desktop .
Specs - fresh , the Mac Studio can be kitted out with up to a 24 - core CPU , 76 - core GPU , 192 GB of memory and 8 TB of memory . There ’s an excellent selection of ports too , including a ready to hand South Dakota board slot on the front and multiple USB - A andThunderbolt 4ports on the rump .
During our testing , we found the Mac Studio a grotesque performing artist in both synthetical tests and existent use . It also stay fabulously smooth and cool , even while performing intensive tasks . This is very much a spec protuberance over the previous M1 - equipped model , with a slimly high performance ceiling and a couple of extras that we ’ve figure in other Macs from around the same time , including Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi - Fi 6E.
Like the Mac Mini , the Studio hail with no accessories . You ’ll need to provide a monitor , keyboard and mouse .
The smallest background Mac offered by Apple , theMac Mini ( 2023)is a wonderful machine that ’s a top option whether you ’re simply after an ascent to an old simple machine or want to get some originative work started .
There are two chipset alternative , a more modest M2 entryway version ( that ’s the same chipset you ’ll determine in the MacBook Air ) and a much more powerful M2 Pro version .
Our tester reexamine the M2 Pro example , rule it more than ready enough for even Pro - level creative tasks you might not expect a dinky automobile of this sizing to accomplish . We ’d urge the even M2 rendering if your tasks wo n’t include things like video redaction as there ’s still enough grunt here .
you could break up the memory and memory board to high levels , though this needs to be done when purchasing as you ca n’t tweak the internals yourself .
The auto itself is lowly , light and can be well placed into an existing setup . There ’s a good natural selection of port on the back , though it would have been squeamish to see a few on the front ( like the Mac Studio ) . You will need to leave your own keyboard , shiner and monitor .
If it ’s a not bad time value Mac you ’re after , look no further than theMacBook Air M1 .
The headline characteristic here is the M1 chip that we line up to outperform the competition at this price during examination , with it breeze through canonical productivity project , as well as rendering 4 K HDR video mental object with multiple apps flow in the scope . Even as the most ‘ value ’ Mac on our tilt , it still tamp quite the punch .
This specific MacBook Air is a fanless machine , meaning it should also be extra restrained , and we feel that even under load the laptop did n’t make any noise , which is a testament to how good the thermal carrying into action of these M1 chip is . As well as being quiet , we also rule the M1 MacBook Air to be a sleek car , although its slender bod does signify there is n’t much way in the way of port – you only get a duad of USB - degree Celsius options , as well as a headphone gob .
Compared to its predecessor , the showing has been update to now support the DCI - P3 coloring material gamut , which we found to offer a more colourful image , as well as one that also remain astute and bright enough for daylight - to - sidereal day and more originative program , specially thanks to its penetrative 2560×1600 resolution .
During examination , the battery lifetime also proved to be great , with a sum of 11 minute of go - juice before you ’ll require to consign the MacBook Air up again .
Keeping in the theme of more ‘ value ’ type Macs , if it ’s a desktop one you ’re after , theiMac ( 2021 , 24 inch)should serve you rather well indeed .
It ’s on the design front where the raw iMac has incur its bighearted refresh in a decade , with a shedload of people of color on offer , ranging from the green our sample came in , to ping , orange and silver . The fresh iMac is a computer that ’s designed to fit into your home as more of a ribbon than a PC .
The porthole survival has also been modernise with a host of USB - Cs , but not much else – you ’ll be out of fortune for aboriginal HDMI out or even an SD carte du jour lector ; it would appear that Apple values these more as ‘ Pro ’ offerings , but , there ’s nothing a USB - degree centigrade dongle ca n’t fix .
The 24 - in screen size on offer here is a great midway ground between the smaller and now outgoing 21.5 - in Mac sieve of honest-to-god and the larger 27 - column inch option that will meet well in larger rooms . As well as offer a good size , the actual panel here is also fantastic . While it may not beMini LEDor feature XDR like some of the higher - end MacBooks or Apple ’s standalone exhibit , it features a 4.5 honey oil show with some brilliant colour truth that urinate it idealistic for both day - to - Clarence Shepard Day Jr. work and more intense work load .
at bottom , this new iMac compact in Apple ’s own M1 chip just like the MacBook Air above which offers some impressive functioning . In essence , it ’s one of the most powerful system money can buy today , with some excellent carrying out in our benchmarks that get off Windows - powered twin . macOS Big Sur also rise to be smooth and round-eyed to apply , while the SSDs say and write speed were especially telling , and given that by the point of review , Apple ’s atomic number 14 had been around for a few calendar month , there ’s also a enceinte excerpt of reenforcement apps on M1 ironware .
FAQs
The most powerful Mac is the Mac Pro and Mac Studio , both of which can be power by the M2 Ultra .
In short , yes . Our trial found the public presentation dispute to be incremental , but there is a positive different between M1 and M2 that may be worth the upgrade if you ’ve induce the John Cash to save .
This depend on personal preference and also what you need a Mac for . If you want a sinewy desktop Mac , then the iMac will be good , while if you ’re going to be on the move a lot , a MacBook Pro is go to be expert .
Test Data
Full Specs
