We've been reviewing MacBooks since the very first polycarbonate MacBook appeared in 2006 -- and we covered Apple's PowerBooks and iBooks before that. Apple's current laptop lineup is split between the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, and the differences between the two lines are significant.
Our Picks
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The current MacBook Pros are great for those who need higher-level processing and graphics performance for content creation, graphic design, advanced STEM work and gaming. The Air is more of an everyday laptop that favors portability over performance, although it has power to spare and a long battery life, according to our tests. That’s why the MacBook Air is CNET’s pick for the best MacBook for most people.
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What is the best overall MacBook?
Apple moved its baseline 14-inch MacBook Pro to its latest M5 processor, leaving the MacBook Air and larger 16-inch MacBook Pro on M4 silicon. We just tested the new M5 MacBook Pro and while there are some definite performance advantages, there's still plenty to like about the current M4 models.
The 15-inch MacBook Air acts as a bridge between the 13-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pro line, providing a bigger display without the MacBook Pro premium. With Apple dropping the price by $100 for the M4 MacBook Air models, the price gap between MacBook Air and MacBook Pro is even bigger than it was before.
Starting at $1,199 at Apple (and currently discounted at $999 at Amazon), the 15-inch Air sits in the sweet spot, making it the best MacBook for most people. As I sit here in November, the larger MacBook Air is my favorite MacBook for its roomy display, trim design and reasonable price. The smaller and cheaper 13-inch Air remains a great pick for students (especially when it's on sale for $799 at Amazon) and others with busy lives and slim wallets.
Until the rumored $599 MacBook materializes, the older M1 MacBook Air remains the most affordable MacBook. The M1 Air from 2020 is available as a Walmart exclusive for $599. At the other end of the spectrum, the 16-inch MacBook Pro M4 provides the added power and bigger screen for graphics pros at a higher price.
For more, please read my MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro comparison and you can also check out the new look and features of the next version of Apple's Mac operating system, MacOS Tahoe.
Read more: Best VPN for Mac
Best MacBooks of 2025
Pros
- Optimal balance of screen size and system weight
- M4 processor provides good balance of performance and battery life
- Lower $1,199 starting price
Cons
- 256GB SSD is too small for the price
- $200 upcharge for more RAM or storage is steep
- Smooth ProMotion display still exclusive to MacBook Pro
The 15-inch MacBook Air is proof that you don't need a Pro to get a larger display. It supplies a larger screen that you once found only on the pricier Pro models. If you're eyeing the 14- or 16-inch Pro models primarily for the added screen size, the MacBook Air 15 is the more affordable option you should go for, especially at its new lower starting price.
Why we like it
The roomy, 15.3-inch display is powered by Apple's M4 chip and 16GB of RAM. The M4 update adds incremental improvements -- and a new sky blue color -- to an already fantastic laptop that sits in the Goldilocks Zone of Apple's MacBook lineup.
Who it's best for
People looking for a big-screen MacBook who don't need the power of a MacBook Pro. With its roomy display, trim design and new lower starting price, the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air should be viewed as the default Air, with its cheaper and smaller 13-inch sibling a good alternative for students and others with tighter budgets and busy, on-the-go lifestyles.
Who shouldn't get it
Students who need a more affordable and portable laptop will be better off with the 13-inch Air. Creative types who need more graphics oomph will need to spend more for the added power of a MacBook Pro.
CNET’s editors recommend the M4 15-inch MacBook Air as the best overall laptop and the M4 13-inch MacBook Air as the best laptop for students. You can get them for less right now during Best Buy’s MacBook sale. Take up to $300 off any MacBook model with an M2 chip or newer -- which means you can get a new MacBook now, built for Apple Intelligence, for as low as $699.
Pros
- Big performance gains from M1, Intel MacBook Airs
- Great design, features
- Support for two external displays simultaneously with MacBook display
- 12-megapixel Center Stage camera
Cons
- 256GB SSD might fill up fast
- Expensive upgrades
For Apple’s latest MacBook Air, the bigger news than moving from Apple's M3 silicon to M4 chips is the drop in price.
Why we like it
Starting at $999, the MacBook M4 Air is $100 cheaper than the entry point for the previous M3 models. In addition to a slight bump in performance over the previous generation, the M4 Air adds a Center Stage webcam, better support for external displays and a new ice blue color option.
Who it's best for
The M4 refresh adds up to a good, if minor, update to an already fantastic laptop that’s now more affordable for students and those on tight budgets. With its mix of strong overall performance, long battery life and a trim design, it’s no wonder it’s such a popular laptop for campus life.
Pros
- Excellent screen, especially with nano-texture
- Great performance
- Good size and reasonable weight for everyday use
- Same first-rate design as previous models
Cons
- Screen notch remains irritating
- Big drop in performance in low-power mode
- Only two external displays supported in the M5 model
- Prone to fingerprint smudges
- Bundled 70-watt adapter doesn't support fast charging
If you want a MacBook with Apple’s latest silicon, then the 14-inch MacBook Pro is it. Apple updated with its new M5 processor, leaving the MacBook Air on its M4 chip and the 16-inch MacBook Pro on its M4 Pro and M4 Max chips. CNET senior editor Lori Grunin tested the new M5 MacBook Pro and found the chip's upgraded GPU architecture delivers big performance improvements over the M4 in certain areas such as AI image generation and ray-traced graphics.
Why we like it
It offers a great mix of power and portability, and the mini-LED display is stunning -- especially with the optional nano-texture layer. And it’s a ProMotion display, meaning it has a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, which is one thing you don’t get with a MacBook Air.
Who it’s best for
Anyone who wants or needs more power that you get with a MacBook Air but doesn’t want to lug around (or pay even more for) the massive 16-inch Pro model.
Who shouldn’t get it
Budget shoppers can save hundreds by opting for a MacBook Air, either the even more portable 13-inch Air or the even roomier 15-inch Air. And power users who need a bigger display and the added power from the higher core counts of an M4 Pro or Max chip are better off with the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Pros
- M1 Air easily outperforms old Intel versions
- Great battery life
- Fanless design runs cool and quiet
Cons
- No external design or feature changes
- No mobile broadband options, 5G or otherwise
This model has been surpassed, but not totally replaced, by the newer M2, M3 and M4 models. It's available at Walmart for $649, which is a hefty $350 less than its original price. It's also $350 less than the cheapest M4 Air.
Why we like it
For many years, this was everyone's favorite laptop. It was reasonably priced, thin, light and built like a tank. It could last for years and take lots of falls and bumps. You get only two Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports, but that's enough for most people, as long as you can get a compatible dongle.
Who it's best for
It's a great pick for budget shoppers looking for a speedy and stylish do-it-all laptop.
Pros
- Fast
- Excellent screen
- Improved webcam
- Same solid design as previous model
Cons
- Heavy
- Big drop in performance in low-power mode
- Prone to fingerprint smudges
Apple's latest update to its 16-inch MacBook Pro delivers M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max processors, an improved webcam and an optional nano-texture nonreflective finish for the display.
Why we like it
The design remains unchanged from the previous version, but under the hood the new M4 Pro chip offers better overall performance and sees big gains in multicore and rendering performance. Although the design didn't receive an update, it's still solid and offers a reasonable weight given the roomy display.
Who it's best for
Graphics pros and creators who need the power and big screen of the 16-inch MacBook Pro will be best served by this laptop. Like the previous series, the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro processor starts at $2,499, and the M4 Max model starts at $3,499. If you need the speed, it's worth the dough.
Apple MacBooks compared
See how the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models measure up.
| 13-inch MacBook Air (M4) | 15-inch MacBook Air (M4) | 14-inch MacBook Pro (M5) | 14-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Pro) | 16-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Pro) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $999 | $1,199 | $1,599 | $1,999 | $2,499 |
| CPU | M4 | M4 | M5 | M4 Pro | M4 Pro |
| No. of CPU cores | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 14 |
| No. of GPU cores | 8 | 10 | 10 | 16 | 20 |
| Starting RAM | 16GB | 16GB | 16GB | 24GB | 24GB |
| Starting storage | 256GB | 256GB | 512GB | 512GB | 512GB |
| Screen size | 13.6 in | 15.3 in | 14.2 in | 14.2 in | 16.2 in |
| Screen resolution | 2,560x1,664 pixels | 2,880x1,864 pixels | 3,024x1,964 pixels | 3,024x1,964 pixels | 3,456x2,234 pixels |
| Weight | 2.7 lbs | 3.3 lbs | 3.4 lbs | 3.5 lbs | 4.7 lbs |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.44 x 11.97 x 8.46 in | 0.45 x 13.4 x 9.35 in | 0.61 x 12.31 x 8.71 in | 0.61 x 12.31 x 8.71 in | 0.66 x 14.01 x 9.77 in |
| Connections | Thunderbolt 4 x2, headphone, MagSafe 3 | Thunderbolt 4 x2, headphone, MagSafe 3 | Thunderbolt 4 x3, HDMI, SDXC card, headphone, MagSafe 3 | Thunderbolt 4 x3, HDMI, SDXC card, headphone, MagSafe 3 | Thunderbolt 5 x3, HDMI, SDXC card, headphone, MagSafe 3 |
| Battery | 52.6-watt‑hour | 66.5-watt‑hour | 72.4-watt-hour | 72.4-watt-hour | 100-watt-hour |
Most recent addition
The new 14-inch MacBook Pro based on Apple's latest M5 processor is the newest addition to the list.
Factors to consider when buying a MacBook
The first fork in the road you'll come to when shopping for a MacBook is whether to follow the Air path or head down the Pro road. For people who are looking for an everyday home laptop or a work laptop for running basic office apps, a MacBook Air will suffice. An Air is also a better pick for students and people on tight budgets. For creative types who need the added processing and graphics muscle of Apple's new M4 Pro and Max chips, a MacBook Pro is worth the added cost. To help you find the right MacBook for your needs and budget, here are the main considerations to keep in mind.
Price
The entry price for a MacBook is $649. That gets you the M1 MacBook Air that was released in 2020, but that offer is exclusive to Walmart. If you are shopping at Apple, pricing starts at $999 for the 13-inch MacBook Air M4 and $1,199 for the 15-inch MacBook Air M4. Stepping up to a MacBook Pro model starts at $1,599. Here are the starting prices of Apple's current MacBook lineup:
- 13-inch M4 MacBook Air: $999
- 15-inch M4 MacBook Air: $1,199
- 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro: $1,599
- 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro: $2,499
Size and display
If you'll be taking your MacBook with you to class, work or even down to your local coffee shop most mornings, an Air is the better choice. The 13-inch MacBook Air models weigh less than 3 pounds, and the roomier 15-inch Air weighs only 3.3 pounds, which is still lighter than the 14-inch MacBook Pro.
The flip side to portability is screen size. The 16-inch MacBook Pro gives you ample room to work and multitask, while the 14-inch MacBook Pro tries to hit the sweet spot between roomy display and travel ease. Unless you need Pro-level performance, we feel the 15-inch Air does a better job of hitting that target.
- 13.3-inch M1 MacBook Air: 13.3-inch display (2,560x1,600 pixels), 2.8 pounds
- 13.6-inch M4 MacBook Air: 13.6-inch display (2,560x1,664 pixels), 2.7 pounds
- 15.3-inch M4 MacBook Air: 15.3-inch display (2,880x1,864 pixels), 3.3 pounds
- 14.2-inch M5 MacBook Pro: 14.2-inch display (3,024x1,964 pixels), 3.4 pounds
- 16.2-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro: 16.2-inch display (3,456x2,234 pixels), 4.7 pounds
Processor
The processor, aka the CPU, is the brains of a laptop. MacBooks have used Apple's own processors since the introduction of the M1 processor in 2020. The M1-based MacBooks were clear improvements over Apple's earlier Intel-based machines in terms of overall performance, efficiency and battery life. The M1 MacBooks were more powerful, boasted longer runtimes and operated more coolly and quietly.
The latest lineup of MacBook Airs feature Apple's M4 chip, and the MacBook Pro line offers a choice of M5, M4 Pro and M4 Max processors. The M4 MacBook Air models offer slightly better performance than the M3-based versions, but the jump in performance is not nearly the same as going from Intel CPUs to the M1.
Graphics
The graphics processor handles all the work of driving the screen and generating what gets displayed, as well as speeding up a lot of graphics-related (and increasingly, AI-related) operations. Apple's M-series CPUs integrate the GPU. The more processing cores the GPU has, the better the graphics performance. Here's the breakdown:
- M1: 7-core or 8-core GPU
- M2: 8-core or 10-core GPU
- M3: 8-core or 10-core GPU
- M4: 8-core or 10-core GPU
- M5: 10-core GPU
- M4 Pro: 20-core or 32-core GPU
- M4 Max: 32-core or 40-core GPU
Memory
Memory (or RAM) is where the operating system stores all the data for currently running applications, and it can fill up fast. After that, it starts swapping between RAM and SSD, which is slower. With the exception of the older M1 Air sold at Walmart, MacBook Air models now start at 16GB of RAM along with the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro. The minimum on the M4 Pro MacBook Pro models is 24GB, and the M4 Max MacBook Pros serve up 36GB or more.
You can't upgrade the memory on recent MacBooks post purchase, so you'll need to get all of the RAM you'll need up front. MacBooks are able to smoothly run MacOS and the preinstalled apps with the minimum RAM offered, but doubling the RAM will make your MacBook feel faster and likely lead to a longer life of the laptop.
Storage
MacBooks feature solid-state drives, or SSDs. MacBook Air models start with a 256GB SSD, and MacBook Pros offer a 512GB SSD at minimum. If you use cloud storage for your files, music collection and photo library, then you might be able to get away with a 256GB SSD without filling it up before too long. We were happy to see the 13-inch MacBook Pro with its paltry 256GB SSD go away -- Pro users need 512GB at the very least.
How we test laptops
The review process for laptops consists of two parts: performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use by our reviewers. This includes evaluating a device's aesthetics, ergonomics and features with respect to price. A final review verdict is a combination of both objective and subjective judgments.
Our benchmark tests consist of a core set we run on every compatible system, including several we can run on both MacOS and Windows PCs. There's also an extended set of tests for specific use cases, such as gaming or content creation, where systems may have more powerful GPUs or higher-resolution displays that need to be evaluated.
The new M1 Air next to the 2020 Intel Core i5 Air.
For the hands-on portion of the review, the reviewer uses the laptop for their work during the review period, evaluating how well the design, features like the screen, camera and speakers, and manufacturer-supplied software operate as a cohesive whole. We also place importance on how well everything works given the cost, and where the manufacturer has potentially made upgrades or trade-offs for the price.
The list of benchmarking software and comparison criteria we use changes over time as the devices we test evolve. You can find a more detailed description of our test methodology on our How We Test Computers page.
Other laptops we've tested
Lenovo LOQ 15: This budget gaming laptop has an outdated design but serves up modern components and good 3D performance for the price.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1: This business convertible boast great build quality and battery life but the display disappoints.
HP Omen 16: This Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 rig offers good looks and competitive 1080p performance along with surprisingly long battery life and a cool twist on four-zone RGB keyboard backlighting
Alienware Aurora 16: I tested two Alienware Aurora gaming laptops, and this is not the one to get.
Alienware Aurora 16X: This is the Aurora to get.
Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10: I was impressed with this midrange gaming laptop's 3D performance, but its vibrant, surprisingly bright OLED display puts it over the top.
Acer Nitro V 16S AI: This budget gaming laptop serves up a big screen and big value.
MSI Katana 15 HX: I liked its 1080p performance but little else.
HP OmniBook X Flip 16: While it has a handful of appealing features, this midrange 16-inch convertible ends up being a clumsy assemblage of disparate parts.
Lenovo ThinkPad X9 14 Aura Edition: It offers a cheap path to an OLED ultraportable, but is a ThinkPad a ThinkPad without the little red nub in the middle of the keyboard?
HP OmniBook X Flip 14: This two-in-one laptop offers style, value and configuration options abound, including a 3K OLED display for only an extra $100.
Microsoft Surface Laptop (13-inch): It’s compact, solidly built and great for travel, but the 13.8-inch version is the better choice as your daily driver.
Dell 14 Plus: Skip the two-in-one and opt for the clamshell laptop I tested, when it goes on sale.
Acer Swift Go 16 (2025): Built around a beautiful 16-inch OLED screen, the latest Swift Go 16 improves on its predecessors without significant price inflation.
Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1: This big-screen, mini-LED convertible laptop certainly has some positives but there are a few too many minuses to give this Plus a full-throated recommendation.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition: It’s a great business laptop but can get pricey fast with upgrades.
