Mac buying guide

The Mac is the workhorse of the Apple family. The Mac is trusted by both students and serious professionals to get things done with minimal headache. Unlike PCs running Windows, malware and other security problems are nearly non-existent on the Mac. Our Mac buying guide walks you through everything you need to know to buy a Mac with confidence.

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The best Mac for most

The 13-inch M2 MacBook Air is Apple’s latest entry-level laptop with an all-new design, and MagSafe charging. MagSafe is a magnetic charger connection that disconnects with a light tug, so if someone trips over the cable it won’t drag the computer to the floor. The webcam has been upgraded from 720p to 1080p. Of course, it also includes the powerful M2 processor, which is significantly faster than the already fast M1.

We strongly recommend buying the 512 GB model, since the base 256 GB storage module is significantly slower, which decreases overall performance.

There have been some concerns about thermal throttling, in which the M2 processor slows itself down to prevent overheating. However, this seems to happen only with extreme tasks, like exporting 8K video. For most users, it won’t be a problem.

Check 13-inch M2 MacBook Air Price

Its 13-inch screen is larger than any iPad screen, and it has several other advantages:

  • Portable, with up to 18 hours of battery life.
  • Cost-effective: no need to buy a display, keyboard, or trackpad.
  • Can connect to an external display, keyboard, and trackpad or mouse to use at a desk.

13-inch vs. 15-inch M2 MacBook Air

Apple has released a 15-inch M2 MacBook Air, and in terms of performance it’s practically identical to the 13-inch model, with one exception: it starts with a 10-core graphical processing unit (GPU). The 13-inch model includes an 8-core GPU by default but can be upgraded to a 10-core. For most users, this won’t make any difference, and the additional cores help drive the larger screen.

We recommend the 13-inch over the 15-inch for most people because:

  • The 15-inch model starts at a higher price point.
  • The 13-inch model is more portable.
  • You can attach the 13-inch model to a monitor, keyboard, and pointing device to use it as a desktop unit.

Consider an upgrade to the 15-inch model if:

  • You have visual challenges that necessitate a larger screen.
  • You use apps on the road that need more screen space.

A budget Mac laptop

The M1 MacBook Air with 512 GB of storage is still a bargain of a portable machine, with a powerful Apple M1 processor that runs cool enough to comfortably rest on your lap. You can buy an M1 MacBook Air with 256 GB of storage for less, but we think extra storage is always worth it.

Check M1 MacBook Air Price

Who should buy a MacBook Pro?

The MacBook Air line is great for 90% of people, but for the rest, Apple offers the MacBook Pro lineup. These machines are more expensive yet more powerful.

Let’s quickly review these options:

  • 13-inch MacBook Pro: The odd duck of the group, the 13-inch MacBook Pro has the same M2 chip as the MacBook Air models. The main distinguishing features are an internal fan to help with cooling and the Touch Bar—a touch-sensitive display that replaces the function keys. We think the MacBook Air is a better buy.
  • 14-inch MacBook Pro: Here is where the MacBook Pro line gets interesting: a larger screen, more powerful processors (M2 Pro or M2 Max), and more ports (3 Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, and an SDXC card slot), but the price jumps dramatically as well.
  • 16-inch MacBook Pro: Same story as the 14-inch model, but with a larger screen and four more hours of battery life.

Most will be happy with an M2 MacBook Air. Skip the 13-inch MacBook Pro. Consider the 14- or 16-inch MacBook Pro models if you need serious power for video editing or other challenging tasks.

Mac desktop vs. laptop

After over two decades of Mac ownership, we recommend Mac laptops over desktops, even with a higher initial investment. A Mac laptop can be connected to a monitor, keyboard, and pointing device to be used as a desktop machine, and the flexibility is unbeatable.

Let’s look at the pros and cons.

Mac laptop pros:

  • Portable
  • Can connect to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse or trackpad to function as a desktop
  • Built-in keyboard and trackpad
  • Built-in battery, so if the power goes out you can safely shut down your Mac

Mac laptop cons:

  • More expensive than desktop Macs
  • More portable = more likely to drop and break
  • Have to keep the battery charged

Mac desktop pros:

  • More bang for your buck than a Mac laptop
  • Lower AppleCare costs

Mac desktop cons:

  • Not easy to move
  • Can’t use it on the go
  • iMacs are tricky to ship for repairs

The best desktop Mac for most

The M2 Mac mini is the best Mac desktop for now, sheerly by default. The 24-inch iMac is outdated with an M1 chip, and the Mac Studio and Mac Pro are far overpriced for most people. Meanwhile, the M2 Mac mini can come close to the $500 mark, though we recommend spending more for storage and RAM.

Check M2 Mac mini Price

Of course, with the Mac mini, you must also purchase a monitor, keyboard, and pointing device. Don’t leave home without them!

Mac system specs to care about

Here’s how to make quick sense of speeds and feeds:

  • CPU: The main processor that does all the heavy lifting. These days they are standardized processors made by Apple and all should be sufficient for most needs.
  • Expansion ports: In plain English, how many holes are in your computer that let you plug in devices like monitors and hard drives. These days, Apple has standardized on oval-shaped USB-C connectors and all Macs have at least two. Many newer devices and cables can connect directly to these ports, but for older devices with rectangular USB plugs, you’ll need a USB-C hub. Monitors usually work best connected directly to the computer, so factor that in to your decision.
  • Memory or RAM: Often confused with long-term storage like a hard drive or flash storage, memory is temporary storage that contains the apps currently in use. More is always better, but Apple silicon integrates RAM directly into the processor, making it incredibly efficient, so even 8 GB is enough for most people.
  • Screen size: On desktop Macs, larger screens are almost always better. But on MacBooks, there is a trade off between size and portability. 13 or 14 inches is a safe choice if you plan to take your Mac on the go.
  • Storage: How much data the internal flash storage drive can hold for things like apps, files, photos, music, and videos. 256 GB is the comfortable minimum for most people, but 512 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB is even better. You can never have too much, but extra storage comes at a premium.

The MacBook Air is self-contained, but one accessory is essential: an external drive to perform regular Time Machine backups. We like the 2 TB Toshiba Canvio Flex. Two terabytes gives a 512 GB machine plenty of headroom for Time Machine, and Toshiba drives have low failure rates.

If you want to use your MacBook Air at your desk, you’ll want a USB-C hub, a monitor that supports USB-C input, a keyboard, and a mouse and/or trackpad. Here are our picks:

  • USB-C hub: A USB-C hub is a must, as it lets you connect older USB devices to your Mac. This Anker hub offers two older USB ports, a microSD card slot for digital cameras, wired internet connections, USB-C output, fast MacBook charging, and an HDMI port that supports 4K resolution at 60 Hz, which is incredibly rare in USB-C hubs. That means you could use this hub to connect your MacBook Air to a monitor with an HDMI connection and it wouldn’t lag and stutter like with most hubs.
  • Keyboard: You have an endless amount of options for external keyboards, but it’s hard to go wrong with the Apple Magic Keyboard. It’s wireless, so no tangles, and it recharges with the same power cable as your iPhone.
  • Monitor: You won’t find a monitor as good as an Apple display, and the one display Apple makes costs $5,000. We’ve have good experiences with LG monitors, and the LG 27UP850-W should serve you well with a 27-inch 4K display and a USB-C cable that can connect directly to your MacBook Air.
  • Trackpad: The Mac is largely designed with a trackpad in mind (instead of a mouse) due to Apple’s heavy use of gestures and you won’t find a better one than the Apple Magic Trackpad.
  • Mouse: Mice have largely fallen out of favor in the Apple world. Again, you have endless options, but we like the Anker Wired Vertical Mouse. The design takes some getting used to, but it is much more ergonomical and will save you from wrist pain. Plus it’s cheap.

As with the MacBook Air, we recommend the 2 TB Toshiba Canvio Flex for backups and an Anker USB-C hub as must-haves. For extra pointing device options, we recommend the Apple Magic Trackpad and/or an Anker Wired Vertical Mouse.