In 2022, What to Look for in a MacBook
Apple has completed the transfer of its MacBook series from Intel to Apple Silicon. The Apple M1, M1 Pro, or M1 Max chip is found in every contemporary MacBook Apple sells. These Macs have a long battery life, operate cool and quietly, and are still rather fast. They have superb build quality, outstanding Apple support, and are just fantastic computers.
Instead of Windows, MacBook run Apple’s macOS. Many software, including productivity staples like Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop, are compatible with Macs. However, if you’re thinking of converting from a PC to a Mac, be sure the software you need will run on one before purchasing one.
Most PC games, for example, are only compatible with Windows and will not run on a Mac, even if you buy a MacBook with excellent graphics technology. Older software designed for Intel Macs can still operate on these Apple Silicon-based Macs.
However, they will perform better when running software that has been optimized for M1 Macs. At the end of 2021, lots of popular third-party applications have native support for Apple Silicon, including Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office, and Google Chrome. You can even install iPhone and iPad apps on an M1 Mac!
If you have an Intel Mac, it will continue to operate for years to come, but we don’t advocate investing in a CPU architecture that is nearing the end of its life cycle. Some third-party retailers may still have some Intel-based MacBook for sale, but we strongly advocate obtaining a current MacBook with Apple Silicon.
Beyond huge speed increases in optimized software, the new Apple M1 processor design has a lot of advantages. These include dramatically enhanced power and heat efficiency, faster unified RAM, and integrated GPU cores that outperform any Intel-based graphics solution for longer battery life and a cooler lap.
It’s worth noting, though, that Apple MacBook with silicon-based processors don’t support Boot Camp. Windows cannot be installed on an M1 MacBook. (However, without a workaround, you can’t install Windows 11 on an Intel MacBook.) To run Windows applications on an M1 Mac, you can use Parallels for Mac or Code Weavers Crossover.
Now, let’s look at some of the greatest MacBook on the market.
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1-The MacBook Pro 14-inch is the best overall (M1 Pro, 2021)
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro processor is the greatest overall portable Apple computer. It’s more expensive than last year’s M1-powered 13-inch MacBook Pro, but even if you ignore the processing power, it’s an advance in every manner. The ports come first. Apple has gradually reversed its Thunderbolt-only attitude, reintroducing Mag Safe power ports to prevent your laptop from flying off the table if someone falls over the power wire.
For good measure, the business has included an HDMI connector and an SD card slot. The much-maligned Touch Bar has been replaced with more traditional function buttons, but the Touch ID sensor has remained. The M1 Pro processor in the 14-inch MacBook Pro has an 8-core CPU and 14-core GPU, compared to the 8-core CPU/GPU M1 in the 13-inch model.
This device also comes with 16GB of unified memory out of the box, making it far more future-proof than the smaller MacBook. The Liquid Retina XDR display is also available on the 14-inch MacBook Pro. This display is not only beautiful, but it’s also really handy when editing HDR footage.
Upgrade to a 10-core CPU, 14-core GPU M1 Pro chip for $200 or a 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU M1 Pro chip for $300 if you need a little more power. The capacity starts at 512GB, but you can increase to up to 8TB of SSD storage for a fee.
2-MacBook Air is the best for the money (M1, 2020)
If you’re searching for an entry-level MacBook, the 13-inch MacBook Air with an M1 processor starts at $999 for the basic model, saving you money above the best overall selection. The MacBook Air keeps its classic wedge-shaped design, but it is now totally quiet due to the lack of a fan within.
The M1 MacBook Air contains the same eight CPU cores as higher-end versions, but only seven GPU cores. If you don’t anticipate you’ll be utilizing graphically demanding programs like video editors or games, this is an excellent method to save money. If you don’t want to lose graphics performance, you may upgrade to a MacBook Air with an 8-core GPU for an extra $250 at checkout.
Because the MacBook Air lacks a fan, it can’t operate at full speed for as long as the MacBook Pro until thermal throttling occurs. Granted, if you’re searching for a cheap laptop, you’re probably only interested in light productivity and browsing the web, so this isn’t a big deal.
The MacBook Air’s battery life is still excellent, with Apple rating it at 18 hours on a single charge. The 13.3-inch Retina display has the same P3 wide color gamut as the MacBook Pro, but it’s not as bright, and there’s no Touch Bar above the keyboard. Touch ID is present and lets you to use your fingerprint to log in or approve changes and payments. It’s not the most accurate, but it’s a good feature for MacBook.
3-MacBook Air is the best for students (M1, 2020)
The 13-inch MacBook Air with an M1 CPU is ideal for most students who use their laptops to compose papers, research tasks, and communicate with classmates and tutors.
It’s 0.2lb lighter and smaller than the comparable-sized MacBook Pro (a factor that matters more than you would think), and it still manages all-day battery life. The high pixel density screen is stunning, with sharp lettering and vibrant colors.
Not to add that it’s $300 less than an M1 MacBook Pro! You can also get a bigger discount at the Apple Store if you have a higher education discount. In contrast, if you want to use your computer for more extensive video or photo processing, the MacBook Air may be too limited.
Instead, the M1 MacBook Pro will provide you an extra GPU core and superior cooling, allowing you to use your machine at full speed for longer without overheating. Whether the Pro is worth the increase depends on your major and extracurricular activities, but you’ll want to get Pro if you need a bit more processing power.
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4-The MacBook Pro 16-inch is the best for gaming (M1 Pro, 2021)
It’s an exciting moment to be a gamer on an Apple computer, and if you’re all-in on Apple, the MacBook Pro 16-inch with an M1 Pro CPU is your best chance.
The M1 Pro and M1 Max chipsets for MacBook Pro models caused quite a stir when they were announced. Every report stating that the new laptops recover the “Pro” in the MacBook Pro brand, another saying that these versions are still unsuitable for gaming.
In reality, Apple no longer sells new Mac laptops with Intel chipsets. Apple believes that its own processors are the way of the future. On the one hand, this means you won’t be able to install Windows on a new Intel MacBook Pro, but on the other hand, it may allow developers to focus on games for Apple’s chipsets.
For years, game developers have been creating iPhone and iPad games for Apple Silicon. This implies that even if your favorite big-name developer doesn’t release a Mac game this year, we’re likely to see more titles that use Apple’s M1 Pro and M1 Max CPUs in the future, making this a reasonable investment.
With a 10-core CPU and 16-core GPU, as well as 16 GB RAM, the M1 Pro-powered 16-inch MacBook Pro can handle whatever you throw at it. The $2,499 pricing includes a 512GB SSD, but you can upgrade to 1TB for $200. If you’re a creative expert or simply want more power, the M1 Max version is available for an additional $200.
