MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, four sizes between 13 and 16 inches, M1, M2 or M3 chip? Apple offers a very rich catalog of laptops in 2023, so much so that it is not easy to choose. All are excellent machines and each model meets a specific need. From ultra-portable to laptop for professional use, Numerama helps you decipher the Mac range.
While waiting for the computer of the future, the Apple Vision Pro, it is the Mac that we must count on in the Apple universe. In November 2023, the Californian brand renewed part of its range to switch to M3 chips, the first in the world engraved in 3 nm. All Macs today use Apple Silicon chips, designed on an architecture similar to that of iPhones and iPads. Apple’s catalog is vast and complete, with Macs designed for every need.
At the end of 2023, Apple offers one of the most complete Mac catalogs in its history. There are plenty of products in its catalog, Numerama helps you make the right choice.
MacBook, which one to choose? our selection
- MacBook Air M1 13″ : the cheapest Mac
- MacBook Air M2 13″ : the best value for money
- MacBook Pro M3 14″ : the Mac we’ve been dreaming of for years
- MacBook Pro M3 Pro / M3 Max : the most complete, which are really for professionals
In this guide, Numerama is aimed primarily at the general public. We start from the fact that professionals with ultra-demanding needs already know which Mac to turn to and will not favor a MacBook Air with its M2 chip (but rather a Mac Studio). Please note that an M1, M2 or M3 chip is nevertheless capable of easily assisting you during video editing. All Apple chips are powerful!
MacBook Air M1: Apple’s most affordable laptop
The MacBook Air M1 is not our favorite Mac in this selection, but it is the cheapest. At 1,199 euros at Apple, and even less at certain resellers, it is the best way to discover the Apple environment and its incredible Apple Silicon chips. However, its design is a little outdated, which makes us prefer the MacBook Air M2. There remains incredible value for money in the laptop market.
Super powerful thanks to the Apple M1 chip released in 2020, it is perfect for office, entertainment and social networks. We really don’t see how to do better at such a price. The MacBook Air M1 also has a monster autonomy, East ultraportable and even benefits from a sufficient power to allow you to make video edits (in reasonable proportions of course, forget 8K). Everything is pleasant with this MacBook (13.3-inch Retina screen, super comfortable Magic Keyboard, huge trackpad, etc.).
MacBook Air M2 13″: the small MacBook with the best value for money
The MacBook Air M2 is the computer that we recommend to most people, ahead of the M1 model. It’s a real bet for the future, which deserves the price difference (around 100 euros).
Marketed from 1,299 euros and launched in summer 2022, the MacBook Air 13″ M2 does not just move from the M1 chip to the M2 chip. The main novelty of this new generation is its new, much more modern design, with a new, larger screen (13.6 inches, with notch), more symmetrical borders and the return of the MagSafe port, in addition to two USB Type-C ports. Extremely pleasant to use, this is a dream computer for people who don’t have extreme needs, such as video editors. Her autonomy is also exceptional, well above an intense day of use.
MacBook Pro M3 14″: the almost perfect Apple computer
The MacBook Pro 14″ M3 is a recent novelty. Launched in November 2023 as a replacement for the old 13″ MacBook Pro, it combines the best of the MacBook Air and the best of the MacBook Pro.
Marketed at a “reasonable” price of 1,999 euros, it has the latest generation of Apple chips (the M3), of a ultra-bright mini-LED screenwith a really good contrast ratioof a 120Hz refresh rateof a HDMI porta slot for SD cards and an autonomy announced as the greatest in the history of Macs (22 hours according to Apple). Its technical sheet is great, so much so that we don’t really see how not to recommend it. It is the ideal compromise in the Apple range. Few defects, lots of quality.
MacBook Pro M3 Pro/Max: professional machines
Do you use multiple screens, 3D design/modeling software and use 8K editing solutions? It is possible that you are in the target market for real “Pro” Macs, those designed for real professionals.
That’s good, Apple offers several versions of its MacBook Pro with chips M3 Pro And M3 Max which, according to our tests, beat all power records. They exist in versions 14.2 And 16.2 inches, always with technology mini-LEDand offer themselves the luxury of having three Thunderbolt ports instead of two. It’s also one of the rare Macs designed to play in console quality.
The big screen alternative: the 15″ MacBook Air, but wait until 2024
From June to November 2023, the MacBook Air 15″ was a great product. Unfortunately for him, he is the big loser from the arrival of the MacBook Pro M3, which eclipses him on many levels. It’s difficult to recommend it today, as the MacBook Pro does so much better.
However, if mini-LED doesn’t interest you, then it’s still a great choice. But maybe wait for the M3 update in 2024 before jumping on it. It is not the best Mac at the end of 2023.
Which office Mac to buy in 2023?
Until June 5, 2023, some Macs were still running with an Intel processor. This era is now well and truly over since all Apple machines are equipped with Apple Silicon chips that the brand manufactures itself. A quick tour of the desktop computers to choose from at Apple.
In 2023, the Mac mini lost €100 and gained an M2 chip. At 699 euros, it is one of the best choices on the market. Connected to a beautiful 4K screen, it’s difficult to find better value for money.
In this regard, we regret that Apple makes available a high-performance and affordable desktop computer without a monitor aligned with the same price proposition. Certainly, it is not necessary to spend the €1,500 that Apple’s first-price screen costs to enjoy your Mac mini, but appreciating the graphic performance of the 10 GPU cores on a Retina screen is more pleasant than on a any slab from the competition, necessarily less suitable. The Mac mini also exists in an M2 Pro version, for the most demanding.
iMac M3: the return of the king of color
The iMac is one of the most iconic computers in Apple history. This all-in-one combines a central unit and one of the splendid 4.5K screen of 24 inches (4480 × 2520 pixels). It is ideal at home, especially thanks to its colorful design. Apple offers 7 colors.
Also renewed in November 2023 after two years of oblivion, it uses the M3 chip which guarantees fantastic power. Its slight drawback is that it is a little expensive in its basic version which only has 256 GB of storage and two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports (in USB-C). The most demanding users can upgrade to the higher version which offers 4 USB ports, to avoid juggling adapters. It remains more expensive than a Mac mini and a third-party screen.
What is the difference between a MacBook Pro and a MacBook Air?
Size is the first element that quickly distinguishes a MacBook Air from a Pro. Bulkier, more compact and larger, the MacBook Pro is less easy to transport. Another element of comparison, the connectivity. It is more provided on the pro model. Less visible, the M3 Pro and Max chips reserved for professional models are even more efficient and faster than the M2 chips in MacBook Air.
What do Apple’s M1 and M2 chips bring?
The transition to M1/M2 chips in the Apple range marked a real breakthrough. Computers equipped with these processors are often more powerful and more efficient than their older Intel equivalents. Apple Silicon processors also allow laptops to wake up more quickly and provide them with formidable battery life with more than ten hours of use, well above the competition. Another bonus is that Macs can natively run applications designed for iPhone and iPad.
New or refurbished MacBook?
If you find a refurbished MacBook with an M1 chip, it may, indeed, be a good deal. On the other hand, if the computer you are interested in uses an Intel chip, be more careful. An Intel Mac at 700 euros could be less profitable in the long term than an Apple Silicon Mac at 1,000 euros. It’s a question of investing in the future. Also check the reliability of the seller. Apple’s official site for refurbished computers offers products worthy of new computers, others do not have this rigor.
How can I pay less for my Mac?
Let’s be honest, Macs are generally expensive. However, there may be some tips. If you’re a student, for example, Apple and other resellers offer you up to 10% off. The Unidays portal presents all of this. For others, the best is to favor resellers. Amazon and Fnac often offer discounts, not Apple.
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