Apple's product line features a wide range of computers that cater to different needs and budgets. You've got all sorts of excellent laptops, all-in-one desktops, compact machines, and more. So, naturally, finding a Mac model that matches your expectations may be a bit confusing. Worry not, though, as we will be breaking down the best Macs currently on sale to help you find a suitable option.

Our favorite Macs

MacBook Air M2-1
MacBook Air (M2)
Editor's choice

Modern in every way

The latest MacBook Air offers the M2 chip, and a redesigned chassis with MagSafe 3 support. It is powerful and can handle pretty much any kind of work, and it comes in either 13.6-inch or 15.3-inch sizes.

Pros
  • MagSafe 3 charging
  • M2 chip
  • Lightweight
Cons
  • Notched display
  • No cooling fans
  • Limited port variety

The MacBook Air M2 is arguably the best Mac you can buy today due in large part to its amazing screen. It has a 13.6-inch LED-backlit display with a 2560x1664 resolution at 224 PPI with support for millions of colors. Its screen also supports True Tone, making the colors a bit warmer in certain lighting conditions. This means its screen is excellent for most, if not all, users. If you'd rather use a larger display, then you can buy the 15.3-inch variant, which offers a 2880x1864 resolution with similar specifications.

The M2 chip has an eight-core CPU with four performance cores and four efficiency cores, an eight-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. This turns it into a powerhouse when compared to similarly priced laptops. It's capable and power-efficient to the point that Apple actually removed the fans from its internals. The MacBook Air M2 simply doesn't heat up with average use. This mighty notebook comes with 8GB of RAM, but it's upgradable to 24GB if you require the extra memory. The base model has 256GB of SSD storage and can be upgraded to 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB.

The MacBook Air M2 includes two USB-C ports and, surprisingly, a 3.5mm headphone jack. Additionally, Apple has reintroduced the MagSafe 3 charging port. If you use wired accessories actively, you may need to buy some hubs and dongles. Alternatively, you could depend on cloud-based and other wireless solutions.

The Apple MacBook Air M2 supports macOS Sonoma, and it should be receiving future macOS updates for years to come. So you'll get to take advantage of the latest features, bug fixes, and security patches. It's available in four color options: Silver, Starlight, Space Gray, and Midnight. So, if you're a fan of more vibrant colors, you will have to settle for a skin or case for your new laptop.

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MacBook Pro (M3, 2023)
Best for creators

Power on the go

The new MacBook Pro offers Apple's M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips in 14-inch and 16-inch designs. It features a 20% brighter display and an all-new Space Black finish option.

Pros
  • Packs latest chipsets
  • Long battery life
  • Wide port variety
Cons
  • Pricey
  • Notched display
  • Dull color options

Powered by the Apple M3, M3 Pro or M3 Max chip, the latest MacBook Pro (M3, 2023) has a 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, with a 3024x1964 native resolution at 254 PPI. Alternatively, you can grab the 16.2-inch (3456 x 2234) variant, which features a larger display. Both variants' screens support True Tone, making the colors look a bit warmer in certain lighting conditions, along with ProMotion technology, allowing you to take advantage of the 120Hz refresh rate.

The MacBook Pro (M3, 2023) includes three Thunderbolt 4 ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, an HDMI port, an SD card slot, and a MagSafe 3 charging port. So you likely won't need to buy extra dongles, as this port variety probably matches most people's needs. In terms of memory, this powerhouse comes with 16GB of RAM, but it's upgradable to 128GB. The base model has 512GB of SSD storage and can be upgraded to 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB.

In terms of processors, you get to pick between the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips. The base M3 chip offers 8 CPU cores, 10 GPU cores, and 16 Neural Engine cores. Meanwhile, the maxed out M3 Max goes for 16 CPU cores, 40 GPU cores, and 16 Neural Engine cores.

The Apple MacBook Pro (M3, 2023) supports macOS Sonoma and has more than enough power for an average person. So it's more aimed at people who work in audio/video editing and other intensive tasks.

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24-inch iMac (M3, 2023)
Best all-in-one

Sleek design, powerful chipset

2023's 24-inch iMac receives a notable processor bump from Apple M1 to M3, along with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth upgrades. It retains the same exterior design and color options of its 2021 predecessor.

Pros
  • Modern chassis
  • All-in-one
  • Vibrant color options
Cons
  • No battery
  • Stationary
  • No M3 Pro/Max

If you're planning on studying or working remotely at all times in your home, you should check out the iMac (M3, 2023). If you attend classes or go to the office in person, you might want to look into buying a MacBook instead.

Powered by the Apple M3 chip, the latest iMac has a 24-inch Retina display with a 4480x2520 resolution at 218 PPI with support for one billion colors. Its screen also supports True Tone, making the colors a bit warmer in certain lighting conditions. Additionally, it includes a 1080p FaceTime HD camera with an advanced M3 image signal processor, so that you can look sharp when attending virtual classes or work meetings.

This all-in-one comes with 8GB of RAM, but it's upgradable to 24GB. The base model has 256GB of SSD storage and can be upgraded to 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB. The M3 chip has an always-on processor, an eight-core CPU with four perform­ance cores and four efficiency cores, an eight-core GPU (upgradable to 10 cores), and a 16-core Neural Engine. This turns it into a decent machine, and its specs should be enough to fit your everyday needs.

The 24-inch iMac M3 comes with macOS Sonoma pre-installed, allowing you to take advantage of the latest features, bug fixes, and security patches. The iMac M3 is also great for those who love vibrant colors, since there are seven options: Blue, Green, Pink, Silver, Yellow, Orange, and Purple. Best of all, it comes with a Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse.

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Apple Mac Mini (2023)
Best value

Mini size, max power

The Mac Mini (2023) packs Apple's M2 or M2 Pro chip in a tiny form factor. It blends power with affordability, thanks to its low price tag.

Pros
  • M2 and M2 Pro chips
  • Compact
  • Most affordable Mac
Cons
  • No accessories included
  • One color option
  • No battery

If you want to spend less than a thousand bucks on a Mac, then the Mac Mini (M2, 2023) is here to the rescue! As its name suggests, it's a small Mac, but don't let its size fool you — it packs a powerful punch.

The Mac Mini expectedly doesn't come with a display, Magic Mouse, or Magic Keyboard. It only ships with a power cord. So you would have to buy all accessories separately. This isn't surprising, considering it's the cheapest Mac out there. To lower the price tag, Apple had to sacrifice certain elements. It supports up to three displays simultaneously: two displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz through Thunderbolt and one display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz over HDMI. It also has a built-in speaker.

This tiny bundle of joy comes with 8GB of RAM, but it's upgradeable to 32GB. The base model has 256GB of SSD storage and can be upgraded to 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB. The M2 chip has an eight-core CPU with four performance cores and four efficiency cores, a ten-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. If these specifications aren't powerful enough for you, then you can get a 10-core CPU with six performance cores and four efficiency cores, a 16-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine through the M2 Pro model.

This Mac is perfect for someone on a limited budget. You get great computing and processing power at a relatively low price. However, it only ships with the power cord, so you'll have to buy your own keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

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Apple Mac Studio (2023)
Premium pick

Unrivaled might in a compact build

The 2023 Mac Studio with either M2 Max or M2 Ultra is Apple's second most powerful computer behind only the Mac Pro. Its smaller size and lower price make it arguably a better option than the latter. 

Pros
  • M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips
  • Compact
  • Wide port variety
Cons
  • No accessories included
  • Stationary
  • One color option

The Mac Studio is the 2023 Apple desktop computer for creators who need extraordinary processing power. If you actively edit videos, photos, or audio files, then this Mac will provide the might that you need. It's also ideal for those who deal with 3D renders and compile large files.

This Mac includes four Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, an SDXC card slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack, an HDMI port, and supports gigabit Ethernet. The M2 Ultra variant includes two additional Thunderbolt 4 ports, while the M2 Max model uses two standard USB-C ports. You likely won't need to buy extra dongles as these port options are typically sufficient for users.

The Mac Studio comes with 32GB of RAM, but it's upgradable to 64GB or even 192GB. In terms of space, this model has 512GB of SSD storage and can be upgraded to 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB. It's powered by either the Apple M2 Max or the M2 Ultra chip, both of which turn it into an unstoppable computer when compared to machines sharing its size. This Mac should be more than enough to fit your workflows, no matter how advanced they are, and even surpass them. Like many other recent Macs, it supports macOS Sonoma. Unlike most of the others, however, it only comes in Silver and ships with just a power cable.

Overall, the Mac Studio offers plenty of power for an average user, but it's targeted at people who work in advanced photo, video, or audio editing, and other intensive tasks.

Our favorite Macs: The bottom line

Apple devices, especially Macs, are well-built and supported. When you invest in an Apple product, you know that you're getting excellent support, exceptional quality, and a future-proof device. Apple has made sure there's a Mac suitable for every person, whether you're a student, employee, or hobbyist. If you're looking for power, you've got that through the Mac Studio. Looking for an affordable price? You've also got that through the Mac Mini. A balance between both? There are several Macs that match these criteria.

My absolute favorite is the MacBook Air M2. It strikes an excellent balance between power and affordability. It also adds portability, lightness, and minimalism to the blend. A MacBook Air will always remain my daily driver for the foreseeable future. It truly is a technological masterpiece. Otherwise, if you need more power, we recommend the MacBook Pro, as it offers mightier internals without sacrificing portability.

MacBook Air M2-1
MacBook Air (M2)
Editor's choice
$1099 $1299 Save $200

The latest MacBook Air offers the M2 chip, and a redesigned chassis with MagSafe 3 support. It is powerful and can handle pretty much any kind of work, and it comes in either 13.6-inch or 15.3-inch sizes.