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The Best MacBook Air And MacBook Pro In 2025
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It can be challenging to decide between the MacBook Air’s M1, M2, and M3 models and the MacBook Pro’s M4, M4, Pro, and M4 Max models. Our professionals will assist you in locating the ideal MacBook.
Since the first polycarbonate MacBook was released in 2006, as well as Apple’s Power books and iBooks before that, we have been testing a wide variety of laptops, including MacBooks. The 13-inch MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air both make up the current range, and there are notable distinctions between the two models. People who want higher-level processing including graphics capability for sophisticated STEM work, graphic design, and content production (and gaming, too) will love the new MacBook Pros.
According to our testing, the Air meets the requirements of a daily laptop that prioritizes mobility above performance, but it has plenty of power and a long battery life. For this reason, the majority of consumers consider the Air to be CNET’s best MacBook.
Which MacBook Is the Finest All Around?
The 13-inch M3 MacBook Air model is still what we advise most consumers to buy, even though Apple’s most recent MacBooks have been the new M4 MacBook Pros, which were just introduced a few weeks ago. Not only is it the greatest MacBook overall, but it’s also our choice for the finest laptop overall, especially because you can get it for just $899 with a $200 discount. It’s our preferred model because it has a design that suits a variety of users, a long battery life, and excellent performance via Apple’s M3 CPU.
The announcement of the new M4 Pros gave the MacBook Air a lift, but you will have to wait till next year to get an M4 upgrade. The M3 Air now has at least 16GB of RAM, which is more than the measly 8GB that Apple used to give on the base model. This more memory is available without raising the price.
Depending on your demands, the two sizes of the M3 MacBook Air are both suitable. If you’d like a larger screen but don’t want to spend the extra money on a MacBook Pro, the 15.3-inch Air is a wonderful option. The 13.6-inch Air strikes the ideal balance between being incredibly portable and offering enough screen area for getting things done.
The Best MacBook: M3 MacBook Air model (13-inch)
Apart from switching from Apple’s M2 hardware to M3 processors, there is overall not much has changed between the most recent MacBook Air and its predecessor. Graphics performance is noticeably improved, but overall performance improvements are slight. Faster Wi-Fi 6E compatibility and the option to run two external displays, albeit at the expense of keeping the Air’s lid closed are the two largest feature upgrades. However, the fact that the M3 version is almost identical save for quicker speed doesn’t concern us in the least because Apple handed the M2-powered MacBook Air (our preceding best overall laptop selection) the complete upgrade treatment. It’s simply that much better.
With a starting price of $1,099, the M3 Air now comes with a minimum of 16GB of RAM to support Apple Intelligence, the business’s suite of artificial intelligence products. The 256GB SSD is tiny, and the basic storage is still there, so you might want to invest the additional $200 to triple it.
Affordable MacBook with a Large Screen: M3 MacBook Air (15-Inch)
The 15-inch MacBook Air’s design is evidence that a bigger display can be had without a Pro. It provides a bigger screen that was previously exclusive to the more expensive Pro versions. The Air 15 is the most cost-effective choice if the larger screen size is the main reason you’re interested in the 14- or 16-a-millimeter Pro variants.
MacBook Pro M4 Pro (16-inch): Greatest MacBook for Artists
The most recent version of Apple’s 16-inch MacBook Pro features M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max CPUs, an enhanced camera, and a supplementary nano-texture non-reflective display treatment. Although the design is the same as the previous iteration, the new M4 Pro chip promises significant improvements in multicore and renderer speed as well as improved overall performance.
Choosing the right MacBook depends on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you prioritize portability with the M3 MacBook Air or need powerhouse performance with the M4 Pro for creative work, Apple offers a range of options to suit every user.
