What’s The Best Mac Laptop Or Desktop For You
If you’re having trouble choosing a computer from Apple’s lineup, here’s what you need to know
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If you want a Mac computer, its not always easy to choose the right model.
Is the MacBook Air or the MacBook Pro the better choice for laptop shoppers? If youre looking at a desktop, should you go for an all-in-one iMac or the Mac Mini, which doesnt come with a monitor or keyboard but is less expensive?
And how has the transition from Intel processors to Apples homegrown M1 processors affected things?
A year ago, Apple had put the M1 only in a handful of Macs, including the popular MacBook Air. Now, however, the entire Mac lineup has some flavor of the M1 with the exception of the Mac Pro, which is intended for professionals.
Apple launched its first computers featuring the M1 in late 2020. Any questions there may have been as to whether these processors were good or not were quickly answered, with our testers reporting fast performance and long battery life across the board.
But which one is right for you? Lets start with laptops.
How To Find The Best Macbook Deals
MacBook deals are hard to come by for a reason – these machines last. That means Apple rarely discounts its older laptop lines with new generations, so it’s harder to find that standout price if you’re willing to swallow a few years on the market.
That doesn’t mean you’re stuck with launch prices, however. In fact, MacBook sales are fairly common around certain times of the year, and do generally fall in line with new releases. While you might not find major discounts on cheaper entry level models, those shopping for the more specced out lines can enjoy some significant price drops around the holidays and major Apple launch windows.
The Best Macbook Deals For January 2022
Score big savings with the best MacBook deals right now
It’s early January and the best MacBook deals of 2022 slash notable dollars off Apple’s best-selling MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops. And to help you score a new MacOS notebook for less, we’re rounding up the best MacBook deals right here.
Currently, we’re seeing considerable discounts on MacBook Air or MacBook Pro machines. So whether you want to treat yourself or someone else to a new MacBook, you don’t have to pay full price.
From the latest Apple M1 Pro series-charged MacBooks to previous-gen Intel-powered machines here are today’s best MacBook deals.
- Shop the best MacBook Pro deals:
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How Much Is An Apple Macbook
JBs new Macbook Pro and Macbook Air range comes in two different models:
- 512 GB SSD
- 256GB SSD
This give you flexibility when choosing a Macbook, and makes the Macbook range attractive to a wider range of budgets. JB also has a couple of earlier Macbook models instore and online, which are great value if youre looking for an upgrade, or want to shift across the Apple. Whether youre after a new or previous model, both offer great value through their:
- Design. Apple certainly knows about form and function
- Big Brand. When you choose Apple, you know youre getting quality
- Huge tech. Apple is one of the leaders in technology and innovation.
- Built tough. A Macbook is built to both perform and last.
Best Macbook Deals And Sales For January 2022
Apple recently started selling the new 14-inch MacBook Pro, and although that model isnt likely to see deep discounts any time soon, older models like the 13-inch Pro and MacBook Air are getting some nice price cuts in the wake of the new release. Chip shortages are still a problem and are bound to affect MacBook availability in the short-term, though, so if you see one you like, make sure to grab it while you can. MacBooks can be pricey compared to most Windows laptops and Chromebooks, but our roundup of the weeks best MacBook deals can help you keep some cash in your pocket.
If you love everything with an Apple logo and youre hungry for more savings, then also check out these iPhone deals and iPad deals.
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Macbook Pro 2020 Deals
10th Gen CPU options
Screen: 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600 Retina LCD | CPU: 1.4 GHz/1.7 GHz/2.0 GHz/2.3 GHz quad-core 8th Gen or 10th Gen Core i5 or Core i7 | Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB/4TB | RAM: 8GB/16GB/32GB | Video: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 | Weight: 3.1 lbs. | Feats: Touch ID, Touch Bar, True Tone LCD | Ports: Thunderbolt 3
The base model Apple MacBook Pro 2020 starts at $1,299 with 13.3-inch Retina display, 8th Gen Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD.
Design-wise, the latest MacBook Pro 2020 borrows from the latest MacBook Air 2020. Apple fans will be glad to know that the dreadful Butterfly keyboard is gone for good. The new 13-inch MacBook Pro uses the Magic keyboard with traditional scissor switches.
Another major revamp to the MacBook Pro 2020 is the hardware bump to 10th Gen Intel CPUs. Interestingly, Apple still offers 8th Gen chips on the lower-end models to keep the starting price down. If you want the best performance speed and have room to splurge, we recommend you opt for the MacBook Pro with 10th Gen CPU, which starts at $1,799.
Your Next Apple Computer
While shopping, stop by the electronics department and see the wide variety of laptops available including the 13-inch MacBook, 13- or 15-inch MacBook Pro, and 13.3-inch MacBook Air.
Before you choose a new or refurbished computer, consider who will be using it and their needs. Teenagers who love to stream videos, young adults looking at a device for school work, and workers who like the ability to work from anywhere, including from home after a holiday party. A MacBook laptop makes the ideal gift for users of all ages.
Choosing an Apple MacBook Computer
You’ll find everything you want on the eBay website with sellers that offer a wide variety of Apple computers including the MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air. The 2018 model MacBook weighs only 2 lbs and measures just 13.1 mm thin, yet still support a full-size keyboard. The first step to finding the laptop for you is to decide on the size and then configure the features and benefits that will give you the easiest experience available.
Consider Theses Apple Laptop Features
- Multi-Touch Trackpad – Zoom in with a double-tap made with two fingers, or scroll by sliding two fingers up or down.
- Connections – Plug in those must-have additions with the following connections available on most MacBook models.
- 3.5 mm minijack
- Thunderbolt DisplayPort
- MagSafe power connector
Macbook Features
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Better For Video And Coding: 13
*At the time of publishing, the price was $1,300.
The M1 version of Apples 13-inch MacBook Pro is better than the MacBook Air for specific kinds of work that benefit from additional processor speed, and it has a larger battery that lasts for a few extra hours. Otherwise, the Pro has most of the same, well, pros and cons as the Air, including its good keyboard and trackpad, great screen, limited port selection, and mediocre webcam.
Most common tasksopening apps and browser windows, playing videos, making a few photo editsneed peak processor performance for only a few seconds at a time, so you wont notice a difference between the Air and the Pro for those things. But the Pro has a fan inside to help it dissipate heat, which means the M1 processor can run at its peak speed pretty much indefinitely, where the Air eventually has to slow down to prevent overheating. In our tests, this made the Pro between 10% and 20% faster at time- and processor-intensive tasks like encoding video, compressing files, and compiling apps for distribution via any of Apples various app stores.
Are Macs Better Than Windows
PCs are naturally far more modifiable than Macs, offering both better hardware and configuration options. For gamers, PCs are a better option, since they offer better graphics cards and hardware in general than Macs. Windows is more widely used than Mac OS, so its easier to find compatible software than with a Mac.
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Setting The Stage: One 13
The MacBook Air, the prototypical ultraportable laptop in its early days, isnt as light or unusual as it used to be , but it is still the lightest current Apple laptop at 2.8 pounds. The 13-inch MacBook Pro is a little heftier, at 3 pounds or 3.1 pounds, depending on the configuration. But a few ounces probably aren’t enough of a difference to base your decision on.
The 2020 Apple MacBook Air
Instead, its the more lightweight price that will be the leading factor. The MacBook Air starts at just $999, while the least-expensive 13-inch MacBook Pro model is $1,299. There are multiple configurations available for each the MacBook Air can cost as much as $2,050 when fully kitted out, and the 13-inch Pro goes up to $3,600. We tested the entry-level versions of both models.
Well get into the components offered in each of the two laptops below, but the long story short with the starting models is this: If youre not someone who needs a fancier or more powerful laptop for work, and if you want both portability and value, the Air is the way to go. As the entry point into current-generation Apple laptop hardware , its an attractive device.
If you do plan to use your MacBook for work, especially if you’re a content creator, you’ll want to more strongly consider the MacBook Pro . There isnt a huge performance gap between the Air and the 13-inch Pro, but its enough to differentiate the two and make the higher price worth paying for many professionals.
A Closer Look At The All
Apple M1 Pro
Incredible performance for pro applications
Up to
More power for the most demanding workflows
Up to
Supports four external displays
Brilliant Liquid Retina XDR display delivers extreme dynamic range and an incredible contrast ratio.
Three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an SDXC card slot, and an HDMI port for fast and versatile connectivity.
New 1080p FaceTime HD camera, high-fidelity six-speaker sound system, and studio-quality mic array make you look and sound your best.
Up to 17 hours of battery life so you can keep going longer no matter where you are.
Up to 21 hours of battery life¹¹ so you can keep going longer no matter where you are.
Magic Keyboard with Touch ID provides fast, easy, and secure authentication for logins and purchases.
MagSafe 3 connector snaps instantly into place and helps charge your MacBook Pro faster than ever.
macOS Monterey gives your Mac new performance features that let you work, create, and collaborate like never before.
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Apple Limited Warranty And Proof Of Purchase
The Apple Limited Warranty covers your Mac and the accessories that come with it against manufacturing defects for one year from the date you bought your product. The Apple Limited Warranty is in addition to rights provided by consumer law.
Our warranty doesn’t cover damage caused by accidents or unauthorized modifications. See the warranty for complete details. You can check your coverage status online and update your proof-of-purchase information if there’s an error in our records. If our warranty, your AppleCare plan, or consumer law don’t cover your repair, you’ll pay out-of-warranty fees.
Designs And Features: Similar But Different
The MacBook Airs lower price has to come from somewhere, but its not from a drop in quality or from cutting the fundamentals. You get the same all-metal design as the 13-inch MacBook Pro, which is a hallmark of the MacBook brand. The display panels are also very similar. Each is a 13.3-inch IPS screen, with the same native resolution and support for the P3 color gamut.
The 2020 MacBook Air’s screen
Both are also built around Apples Magic Keyboard, a welcome change from the much-maligned “butterfly” keyboard that once graced both models. The butterfly keyboard has an infamously flat feeling when typing, with little feedback. It was also prone to malfunction when dust or debris got under the keycaps, disabling certain keys. The Magic Keyboard offers a much more traditional, satisfying typing experience on both models. A scissor mechanism with rubber-dome springback delivers more feedback, and feels more stable when typing.
The 2020 MacBook Air’s Magic Keyboard
Both laptops only have USB Type-C ports and a headphone jack. This is common for super-slim laptops, as there simply isnt room for larger, standard USB Type-A ports. USB-C connections are great, offering versatility and faster data transfer speeds, but if you already own a lot of USB-A peripherals, you’ll need to get converters or new cables for them. Both laptops USB-C ports support Thunderbolt 3 connectivity and data transfer speeds up to 40Gbps.
The two USB Type-C ports on the 2020 MacBook Air
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What Is The Best Apple Computer To Buy
Unlike cheap computers, Apple systems are designed with a balance of simplicity and security. Even if you don’t consider yourself a ‘Mac person’, why not try one of these computers to see how easy and smooth its performance is? Once you go Mac, you’ll never go back! The advantages of purchasing one include:
- Inbuilt security
- Integration of other iOS devices
Laptop Water Damage Repair Cost
Laptops that havent received extensive damage cost about $100 to fix, while the cost to fix a laptop with a lot of damage could exceed $250. The damage that water causes inside the laptop doesnt depend very much on the amount of water. Instead, damage is more dependent on the length of time the water was present. A computer tech will need to open up your laptop to provide a meaningful cost estimate.
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Best Macbook Deals: Save $100 On A Macbook Air $200 On A Macbook Pro
You’ll pay full price right now for the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, but Amazon is offering price breaks on the smaller 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.
Looking to start the new year with a new MacBook? You’ll find some discounts on the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro right now at Amazon. Eyeing one of the larger 14- or 16-inch MacBook Pro models with Apple’s new M1 Pro chip? I’ve got bad news for you: There are no discounts to be found on either at the moment.
If you don’t need the power of a Pro model, you can save $50 or $100 on the MacBook Air. And you can save $149 or $200 on the slightly older 13-inch model of the MacBook Pro. It lacks the M1 Pro processor of its bigger 14- and 16-inch Pro siblings but still features Apple’s excellent M1 chip — a big step up from the previous Intel-based MacBook Pro.
We’ll keep our eyes on the prices for Apple’s latest 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros and keep this page updated with with any notable drops and deals throughout the year, so be sure to check back.
Stay up-to-date on the latest news, reviews and advice on iPhones, iPads, Macs, services and software.
Iphone And Ipad Repair Costs
iPhone screen repairs are a common request, and most shops can replace a screen in less than 30 minutes. The cost to repair an iPhone screen ranges from $29-$329. However, prices depend on the phone model and screen size the newer and larger the screen, typically the higher the cost.
Battery failure, charge port problems, earpiece difficulties and data recovery are also frequent problems. Here are some examples of average iPhone repair costs, nationally:
- Battery replacement: $39-$89
- Screen replacement: $50-$200. Price depends on size and phone model.
- Data recovery for iPhones : $80-$100
- iPhone unlocking services. Pricing depends on phone carrier. $50-$150
Another common repair on iPhones and iPads is replacing the Home button, which typically costs an average of $49.
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Best Performance Laptop: 16
The 16-inch MacBook Pro still has Intel processors, and when configured with higher-end processors and graphics, it remains the fastest Mac laptop in most cases. Users who want an M-series processor in the big-screen MacBook Pro will have to wait a little longer.
Students who need a bit more power, such as artists and designers, can easily find it here. The large, 16-inch screen provides ample working space at a 3072-by-1920 native resolution, perfect for working in programs like Photoshop and Final Cut Pro. The option to upgrade to a Core i9 processor means you’ll always have power to spare, regardless of the project.
Depending on what programs students will be running, they have several memory and graphics options available to them. For general use, the base 16 gigabytes of memory will be more than enough for most students and has the added benefit of saving them money. If a student plans on doing extensive video editing or 3D modeling, they can upgrade to either 32 or 64 gigabytes of RAM at an additional cost.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro has a variety of options when it comes to graphics, as well. The base model features an AMD Radeon Pro 5300M card with 4GB of GDDR6 memory, which is sufficient for most users. However, power users may find that upgrading to the AMD Radeon Pro 5600M option gives them better results when working in programs like Maya or AutoCad.