The top Apple laptops tested, reviewed and ranked

Apple may have released a newer iteration of the MacBook Air, but the 2020 model with the M1 chip is still available to buy from its store, and arguably represents the best value, especially if you want to stick to basic tasks.

During testing, we found it to be small and light enough to easily carry around. We did note that the screen bezel looks a little too chunky compared to modern Windows laptops, but it’s a small grievance when you consider it offers the classic Apple quality. 

It’s the performance where this laptop truly excels, as our benchmark tests showed it to one of the fastest laptop at its price point due to the power of the M1 chip. We even found it to be capable of entry-level content creation thanks to the firepower that its GPU provides.

We were highly impressed with the 13-inch screen, which has a 2560 x 1600 resolution to ensure images look detailed and sharp. Our tests show it’s not quite as vivid as the OLED panel on the Dell XPS 13 OLED, but it’s still nevertheless an excellent display. 

The MacBook Air is one of the best ultra-portable laptops that we’ve ever reviewed. So if you want an ultra-portable machine at a relatively affordable price, this is a superb option.

Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: MacBook Air M1 review

The MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023) is designed specifically for those who need additional graphics power for complex tasks such as high-end video editing and even animation. Our benchmark tests show it’s one of the most powerful laptops you can buy, making it overkill for the average office worker, especially considering the high price. 

This isn’t a huge upgrade on the previous versions of the 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, but the new M2 Pro or M2 Max chips represent modest improvements. These machines aren’t really for those who upgraded to the last model, but for those who want a massive boost on an older Intel machine.

Other new features include Wi-Fi 6E – great if you’ve recently upgraded your router to one that supports the faster standard – better battery life and an HDMI port that supports 8K at 60Hz.

Two sizes are available, and whether you go for the 14-inch or the 16-inch the Mini LED screen is very impressive. Compared to your standard LED or LCDs, the Mini LED panel here has a more vivid and vibrant image than almost any other laptop we’ve tested including the cheaper MacBook Air.

While we’ve tested plenty of other laptops that are great for content creation, such as the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, they don’t offer the same high quality for both performance and design as the MacBook Pro. If you want an ultra-powerful laptop for creation with lots of ports for added versatility, this is our top recommendation.

Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023) review

If the MacBook Pro 14 and 16 is overkill for your needs yet you still need some graphics firepower, we recommend you go for the MacBook Air M2. This is Apple’s best mid-range laptop, inheriting a lot of the features from the flagship machine just in a thinner, lighter and cheaper body.

This model is the only MacBook on this list to be powered by the new M2 chip. Don’t think this means it’ll offer more power either in CPU or GPU than the M1 Max or M1 Pro – but it does bump up performance slightly compared to MacBook Air M1. In our tests, the M2 impresses across the board and remains one of the fastest, most capable laptops of this size.

Memory starts at 8GB and can be configured to 24GB, while storage options range from 256GB to 2TB. We tested the 512GB model with 8GB memory and we think this is the best choice for most people – 256GB just isn’t enough storage for most.

Like the updated 14-inch and 16-inch Pro, this MacBook Air M2 (2022) has a boxy look with a notch dipping into the display. The 13.6-inch screen is really nice, colourful and bright – though it lacks the Mini LED tech of its pricier siblings so you won’t get true HDR support.

MagSafe makes a return – you won’t find the magnetic charging tech on the MacBook Air M1 – and the webcam and speakers are notably better than the older model. So if you’re looking for a laptop that’s both portable and can handle GPU-intensive workloads, this is the MacBook to go for.

Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022) review

Apple no longer sells the MacBook Air 2020 since it uses the older Intel chip rather than the revolutionary M1 processor. But if you’re on a strict budget, you can find this laptop at a very good price if you’re happy to purchase it refurbished or second-hand from third-party retailers. 

Our benchmark tests show it’s not as fast as many affordable Windows laptops, including the superb Surface Laptop Go, but we still found it to outperform a number of Chromebooks. We would recommend you only use this laptop for very basic tasks though, as testing showed it to struggle with the likes of photo editing. 

The design holds up well, with essentially the same shell as the new and improved M1 model. We found it to be very easy to lug to and from the office, and is durable enough to last you multiple years, with Apple also promising to support the Intel processor for the foreseeable future. 

Of course, the MacBook Air M1 is comfortably the better laptop, while the Surface Laptop Go 2 offers better value if you’re happy to switch to Windows. But if you can bag the MacBook Air 2020 at a discounted price, this is still a great option for those on a budget.

Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: MacBook Air 2022 review