What Is A Good Apple Laptop

Buying Guide For Best Macbook Laptops

Apples MacBook line of laptops is the Gold Standard of portable computing they seamlessly blend power, versatility, and elegant designs to deliver some of the most impressive hardware available. Nowadays, when Apple launches a new feature or design element, you can expect other manufacturers to copy it within six months.

In Apples early days, their laptops were often a tough sell, because many Windows-only programs didnt have functional equivalents for the Apple OS X operating system. But now that most software is web-based, and most developers have Mac-friendly versions of their applications, MacBooks are for everyone.

Whether youre new to Mac and looking for the perfect introductory MacBook, or youre a veteran user looking for a good deal on Apples latest laptops, youve come to the right place. Read on for everything you need to know to find your perfect MacBook.

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Apple Macbook Pro 15 Touch Bar

Specs: 15.4-inch 2880 × 1800 LED, 2.8 GHz quad-core 7th-generation Core i7, 16 GB RAM, Radeon Pro 555, 256 GB SSD

• Absence of modifications compared to preceding versions

If you still have doubts about whether to buy an Apple MacBook Pro or not, throw other models out and purchase this one. Having a lot of advantages, it is the best Apple laptop from the list of amazingly slim devices. Its 15-inch Retina display is a beautiful and bright one for performing complex tasks or watching movies.

The touchpad features a number of control options that are not really necessary, to my mind. However, they make the Mac more user-friendly and interesting. MacBook Pro provides a small performance boost due to its Kaby Lake processors. Nevertheless, this is not a radical improvement to guarantee an update to anyone who already owns a previous model.

Best Laptop : The 14 Laptops We Recommend

There are so many to choose from, so let CNET help you choose the right laptop for you.

• $1,450 at Dell

It doesn’t need to be an expensive struggle to make an upgrade to the best laptop for your needs. Scrolling through endless lists of identical-looking laptops to find the important information about how they actually work can be tough without any guidance, but our editors have tested dozens of different models — considering everything from SSD storage to graphics card to battery life — to help you boil it down to a single choice.

We’ve tested dozens of different models in order to help you narrow your search for the best laptop, which doesn’t need to be an expensive, confusing process. A lot of laptops get reviewed at CNET and we are very familiar with the laptop brand options available for those in the market for a new laptop. We also have more specialized lists you can check out while you’re shopping, including the best gaming laptops, 15-inch laptops, two-in-ones and Chromebooks, as well as the best laptops for college students, the best laptop for creatives and the best MacBook Pro alternatives for the Windows set. And if you need to stay as low as possible on the price of a new laptop computer, check out our picks for budget laptops and budget gaming laptops. This list is periodically updated.

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Best Buy Customers Often Prefer The Following Products When Searching For Cheap Apple Laptops For Students

Browse the top-ranked list of Cheap Apple Laptops For Students below along with associated reviews and opinions.

Browse the top-ranked list of Cheap Apple Laptops For Students below along with associated reviews and opinions.

Which Is Better Windows Laptop Or Macbook

It is hard to take a clear stand and tell which is better. A MacBook suits you the most if you already own an Apple device. You will have the Apple ecosystem around you while a Windows laptop fits budget users. They are cheaper, easy to upgrade, and ideal for serious gamers. Overall, both have earned a good name over the years and are productive devices.

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What About The Macbook Pro 16

When the MacBook Pro 16 came out in 2019, we said it was the best Mac in years. Its funny how quickly things change, because at the moment, its lack of an M1 chip makes it the least attractive MacBook on offer unless you have specific needs.

The MacBook Pro 16 is not slow, but it cannot keep up with the M1. Its single-core score of 1193 in Geekbench 5 is way behind the M1 MacBook Pros 1707, and thats on the Intel Core i9 model of the MacBook Pro 16, which costs a cool $2,799. Things were closer in the multicore test, but the M1 Pro still came out on top and costs less than half the price.

Like the MacBook Pro 13, the 16-inch model has an excellent, color-accurate Retina display and superb speakers. Combined with the large screen, that makes it a great content-consumption machine. In fact, those extra few inches on the display are perfect if you need more screen space, but it is one of the few reasons you would pick the larger MacBook Pro over either M1 MacBook.

You will pay $2,399 for the entry-level MacBook Pro 16, and this comes with 512GB of storage and 16GB of memory. You can go all the way up to 8TB of SSD storage and 64GB of memory, although this will cost you $5,599. If you need a serious amount of storage and RAM, that might be tempting , but we would still advise against buying it.

A Great Choice For Mac Power Users

The 16-inch MacBook Pro is the best Apple laptop for power users. Apple dealt with the biggest complaints that people have historically had about MacBook Pros, and if you can stomach the price, theres not a lot else to complain about.

Most importantly, the keyboard is good again. The keys have a full millimeter of travel, and while the typing experience isnt exceptional, its a world away from the maligned butterfly keyboard of MacBooks past. Its fairly quiet, too.

This MacBook also features the best sound youll find on a laptop. Apple has crammed three speakers into each side, including two woofers. The result is balanced audio with audible bass and great stereo separation. For those who need a laptop that can crank through editing video, working with multiple audio tracks, or processing large batches of photos, the 16-inch MacBook Pro is the king of the hill.

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What To Look For In The Best Macs And Macbooks

Whether its the new 16-inch MacBook Pro that just came out or the Mac Pro 2019 thats also just released, its not hard to see why the best Mac and MacBooks are the weapons of choice of creative professionals.

And, even if you dont go for the newest releases, theres already a few excellent options to choose from, especially with Apple recently giving its MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro and 15-inch MacBook Pro that much-needed update.

The best part is that the best Mac and MacBooks come in different shapes, sizes and price so that whether you want the cheapest MacBook you could find, a professional workhorse that breezes through all your extensive workloads like a pro, or an all-in-one that saves you space, theres a Mac on the market for you.

• Want more choices? Check out our list of the best laptops 2021
• Stay safe online with our pick of the best Mac VPNs

Which Laptop Cpu Do I Need

Most $1,000 ultraportables use Intels Core i5 or Core i7 CPUs, or, less commonly, AMDs Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7 CPUs. All of these offer plenty of power for everyday computing tasks, but keep in mind that higher CPU model numbers typically indicate more processor cores, higher maximum clock speeds, and sometimes even multithreading. With multithreading, each CPU core can run two sets of software instructions simultaneously, instead of just one. Modern software is designed to take advantage of as many CPU cores as possible, so it can run faster on multithreaded chips.

Meanwhile, budget laptops typically use AMDs A-series or Ryzen 3 processors, or Intels Celeron, Core i3, or Pentium silicon. These typically have just two or four individual cores. At the other end of the spectrum, high-end powerhouse laptops have Intels Core i9 or workstation-class Xeon CPUs, with as many as eight cores.

Regardless of which CPU a laptop has, its typically designed to use less power and generate less heat than its desktop counterpart. Intel laptop CPUs in the latest mainstream, lightweight laptops typically consume 15 watts of power or less, compared with 45 watts or more for their desktop equivalents.

Gaming laptops typically feature higher-powered CPUs, usually denoted by an “H” in the CPU’s model name. These require more cooling hardware and consume more energy, but they offer performance that’s closer to that of a desktop PC. Youll find H-series CPUs from both AMD and Intel.

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Should I Get A Longer Laptop Warranty

Most laptop makers offer one-year warranties on parts and labor. These standard plans are limited, so they won’t cover accidents that stem from spilling a drink on the keyboard or dropping the system on the sidewalk. Fortunately, your credit-card issuer likely covers such mishaps for a short period of time after you buy a new product, and it also may extend the manufacturer’s warranty. Check your account benefits guide for details.

If your credit-card issuer doesnt cover you, some laptop makers will happily sell you extended warranties. Apple, Dell, HP, and Lenovo all offer wide ranges of extended warranties and coverage for accidental damage. Expect to spend $100 to $300 for these options. Our rule of thumb is that if a warranty costs more than 15 percent of the laptop’s purchase price, you’re better off spending the money on backup drives or services that minimize downtime.

Of course, you can’t put a price tag on peace of mind. There are instances when the logic board or the displaythe most expensive parts of a laptopfail, and while rare, such a catastrophe can cost you half of what the laptop is worth in repair costs.

Whats The Best Mac You Can Buy

Searching for the best Mac? Then youre in luck, as weve rounded up all the greatest Apple computers that you can currently buy.

Weve included Macs of all shapes and sizes in order to tailor this list for a widespread set of requirements, whether youre looking for the most powerful PC possible, or just want a lightweight laptop you can easily stow in a bag.

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Get 3 Months Of Apple Arcade Free When You Buy A Mac

• Listed pricing is Maximum Retail Price

What Else Should You Know About Apple Laptops

If youre an Apple aficionado, then bookmark Gadget Review because we cover all that is worth covering with our Apple Laptop reviews. Get news, opinions, and in-depth reviews on the best Apple laptops dont miss out on even the smallest update on Apple notebooks. We cover the best Apple watches, can tell you about the best iPhone and we even clue you in about the best laptops for college students.

Apples innovations make news and Gadget Review promises to deliver it to you so that you may enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that Apples competitors have still some way to go before they can pose any serious challenge to the Macbook Pro and Macbook Air. Stay abreast of the latest innovations that our Apple laptop reviews explore such as the Force Touch trackpad, lightning fast flash storage, OS X Yosemite, and the much-vaunted Retina display.

Read our detailed comparisons of the latest Mac models if youre planning on buying a Mac, then weve got the tips, technical specifications, and views that will help you make the right purchase decision.

Also, check out the best gaming laptops and the best laptop bags.

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Shopping For A Notebook Is More Than Just Poring Over Spec Lists Whether You Want A Simple Budget Pc A Productivity Workhorse Or A Screaming Machine For Gaming Our Deep

PROSGood value, especially for a MacBookMuch-improved performance, thanks to Apples new M1 processorExceptional battery lifeHigh-quality keyboard, touchpad, and displayMultiple color options

Port selection limited to two USB Type-C connectionsStill no touch-screen option

PROSUpgraded performance from Intel “Tiger Lake” CPUSleek styling

PROSDazzling OLED touch screen with 3:2 aspect ratioHandy shortcut keys and utility softwareRechargeable pen and carrying sleeve in boxLively performance

CONSNo LTE mobile broadband optionNo sign of the 007 SPECTRE octopus logo

PROSHDMI and USB-A ports, as well as Thunderbolt 4Available 4G or 5G mobile broadbandClever, sanitizing-friendly Quick Clean functionExcellent battery life

PROSPotent AMD Ryzen 9 CPU and up to Nvidia RTX 3080 graphicsRTX 3070 and 165Hz 1440p display in test model enable high-end gamingAll models include HDMI, USB-C, and 1TB of SSD storagePer-key RGB lighting and superior touchpad

CONS

PROSStellar performance with Core i9 and GeForce RTX 3080 in our test configurationUnique, satisfying Cherry MX mechanical keyboardScads of configuration options, including 360Hz displayPlenty of ports

Pricey as configured, in line with field-leading speedPoor battery life

PROSHDMI port and microSD card reader

CONSEven older USB 2.0 portsDisappointing battery life

PROSPowerful graphics and computing performanceCompact chassis with easy access for upgradesExpansive 3K display

Only one USB port and no headphone jackCramped keyboard

CONS

What Is The Best Macbook

From underpowered to one of the fastest ultrathin laptops around, the new MacBook Air with M1 is the best Mac for most people. It takes a familiar design and turbocharges it with record-setting performance and all-day battery life. Along with those speed and endurance boosts, the new M1 chip brings iOS and iPadOS apps to Mac for the first time ever. With M1, there is little reason to skip out on the MacBook Air.

That said, if you need better-sustained performance, you might want to opt for the MacBook Pro with two Thunderbolt 3 ports. Where the MacBook Air is fanless, the MacBook Pro has a traditional cooling system so you can run demanding programs for hours without worrying about overheating. Most people will be fine with the Air, but power users should consider stepping up to the Pro. Like the MacBook Air, the MacBook Pro has an incredibly fast SSD and runs on Apple’s gorgeous new Big Sur OS.

What about the Intel-powered MacBooks that weren’t updated to M1 yet? Well, they aren’t completely irrelevant. So far, Apple only refreshed the MacBook Pro with two Thunderbolt 3 ports. If you need an additional pair of inputs, the company still sells the top-tier model with four Thunderbolt 3 connections. Again, it runs on aging Intel chips that don’t get the same performance or endurance as the M1 CPU.

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Best Performance Laptop: 16

• Best MacBook Pro deals

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.