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As expected, Apple didn’t reveal any new hardware during WWDC this year. The event is typically reserved for announcing software and services upgrades, so we're not surprised. That means our recommendations for the best MacBooks remain the M4 MacBook Air for most people, the M4 MacBook Pro for creatives and the MacBook Air with the M3 chip as an excellent budget option.
True, in a lineup consisting of just two models, the choice may seem straightforward. But if you’re wondering what you get with an Apple laptop, or what the difference is between the consumer-grade and pro models, this guide will help. We also break down the specs to consider — like screen size, storage capacity and Apple’s chip configurations — so you can pick the best MacBook for you, based on our testing and reviews.
Table of contents
Best MacBooks for 2025
Devindra Hardawar for Engadget 90 100 Expert Score Best budget MacBook Apple 2024 MacBook Air M3 Screen size: 13” | Processor: M3 chip, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine | Storage capacity (SSD): 256GB | Memory: 8GB | Battery life: Up to 18 hours | Ports: MagSafe 3 charging, 3.5mm jack, 2 x Thunderbolt/USB4 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | Apple MacBook product line: Air Read our full Apple MacBook Air (M3, 2024) review With the arrival of the M4 MacBook Air, Apple’s M3 MacBook Air is no longer part of the official laptop lineup. That’s a departure from what the company has done in the past, which is to keep the previous model as an unofficial budget option. But it looks as though Apple is going all-in on the M4 chip for its desktop and laptop computers, likely as a way to fully support Apple Intelligence on its more powerful machines. While you can’t get the M3 MacBook Air directly from Apple, plenty of third-party retailers like Amazon and B&H Photo have the older machine, and often at a significant discount. Which is why we recommend this model for students or anyone looking for a great ultraportable on a budget. In Devindra’s March 2024 review of the M3 model, he confirmed that it built on everything the M2 got right: a great screen and full sound in a thin and lightweight aluminum unibody that feels premium. It wasn’t a huge change from its predecessor but that's a good thing. The last major updates for the M-series Air models came with the new chip in the M1 MacBook Air and the M2's body redesign, which ditched the wedge. The M3 chip makes the performance impressive and, as expected, measured higher than the M2 model in our benchmark testing. The model added support for Wi-Fi 6E and it can handle two external displays with the laptop lid closed. You'll connect the extra screen via one of the two USB-C Thunderbolt/USB4 ports. (Only the Pro models have an HDMI port.) Apple claims the same 18-hour battery life for the older model as the it does on the latest Air, and our tests confirm you’ll get significantly more than a single workday before you need to grab your charger. In Devindra’s tests, the machine dropped to 40 percent after ten straight hours playing fullscreen 4K video at full brightness. Apple released both the M3-powered 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air simultaneously. We think the 13-inch model has the best combination of portability and performance. It weighs just 2.7 pounds and easily slips into a bag to take on the road. However, the 15-inch version may be worth it for those who constantly have dozens of windows open at once or dabble in media editing — though editing pros should probably opt for a MacBook Pro. The 15-inch model is also ideal for anyone dealing with visual impairment and would like an easier-to-read screen. As for the screen itself, the 13-inch option has a Liquid Retina display with 2,560 x 1,664 resolution at 224 pixels per inch. That’s exactly the same as the M2 Air — but again, Apple didn’t mess with a good thing, sticking with a great-looking display that’s bright enough to use outside in sunlight. It doesn’t have ProMotion, which means the refresh rate is limited to 60Hz. If you need that silky-smooth scrolling, you’ll have to bump up to a MacBook Pro. To get the most out of the M3 chip, we recommend upgrading to 16GB of RAM. The new MacBook Air M4 starts out at 16GB of memory, but the older M3 model will let you go with just 8GB. That’s not quite enough for more intense productivity and really doesn’t work well for playing games. With the spec bump to 16GB, Devindra was able to play both Lies of P in 1080p+ and the director's cut of Death Stranding with smooth graphics at good resolutions — though he did note that you can’t crank up the graphics settings too high. The speakers are best-in-class and the laptop pairs quickly with Airpods. The webcam is great for video conferencing — particularly with Apple’s background blurring and brightness adjustments. Finally, the responsive keyboard and smooth trackpad are the ideal interface for what adds up to be not just a great budget computer, but a great laptop in itself. Pros Lightweight yet sturdy design
Fast performance from the M3 chip
Excellent speakers, keyboard and trackpac
Bright and clear screen Cons No USB-C on the right side
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