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Welcome to the MacBook Buyers Guide.

Looking to buy a new MacBook? Hopefully, this guide will help you determine which MacBook you should buy.

MacBook Air

Updated (7-19-2019): Last week, Apple updated the MacBook line. They introduced a new base model MacBook Pro and updated the MacBook Air slightly. They also got rid of the 12-inch MacBook and the MacBook Pro without Touch Bar.

So where does that leave the Apple user shopping for a MacBook? 

Keyboards

Before getting too far into which laptop to purchase, we need to talk about the butterfly keyboards that grace all modern MacBooks.  

butterfly keyboard

When Apple announced the 12-inch MacBook, it also announced the new butterfly-style keyboard.  They claimed the keyboard as a way to get a slimmer design while also getting a more stable key.

The keys on the butterfly keyboard don’t travel as far when you push them.  It’s almost as if Apple is trying to drag us into the future where keys won’t even move when you push them.

The butterfly keyboard has been riddled with issues such as stuck keys, phantom and ignored key presses.  Apple has attempted to fix the keyboard each year. While they haven’t claimed the newest keyboard is the 4th generation, it has been updated with new materials which might help. The verdict is still out on if it will fix the issues.

Apple has issued a keyboard support program to put users minds at ease with the keyboard though. Apple will replace your keyboard for up to 4 years from purchase for free. The only thing is that you might be without a laptop for the time that it is getting repaired.

Furthermore, there are rumors that a newly designed laptop will be coming soon which will feature a scissor-switch like most other keyboards, including Apple’s own Magic Keyboard.

Ports and Power

All modern MacBooks have gone to war on ports that aren’t Thunderbolt 3.  

Thunderbolt 3 port

This single-port would be great in theory, but it depends on the device and the cable.  The charging cable that Apple ships doesn’t reach the max speeds.  It is made for charging and won’t send data as fast.  You’ll need to get a Thunderbolt 3 cable to get maximum speeds.

Also, Thunderbolt 3 ports can use USB-C devices, but USB-C devices can’t connect to Thunderbolt devices.  Which honestly shouldn’t be a huge problem, but could cause issues.  

If you have devices that you will need to connect with a different type of connector, you’ll need to get an adapter or a hub.

T2 chip

Every laptop that Apple now ships comes with an integrated T2 chip inside. The T2 is an integrated security chip that helps to keep your information safe.

It also does much more than that. It helps income some videos, it controls the audio, and much more. Once macOS 10.15 Catalina comes out, computers with the T2 chip will have activation lock on the system. Activation Lock keeps anyone else from doing anything to your system if it gets stole if they don’t have the password.

MacBook Air

MacBook Air
The MacBook Air

With Apple’s current line-up I think most people should start with the MacBook Air. This is currently the cheapest MacBook starting at $1099. If you have access to a student discount, the price drops to $999.

Apple recently updated the machine with True-Tone. True-Tone adjusts the white balance of your screen to match the temperature of the room.  

The MacBook Air is compact, light, has a great screen, and TouchID. You can read my review of the Air here for more details.

The new Air goes from .61 inches down to .16 inches and only weighs 2.75 pounds.  It’s not as light as the 12-inch MacBook, but it isn’t heavy either.  It is a great portable Mac with more power than the 12-inch MacBook (which is no longer being made).

The MacBook Air is currently the cheapest MacBook out there as well.  For the base price, you get a skimpy 128GB and 8GB of ram. I would look at how much space is taken up on your current laptop and see if 128GB is enough for you.  I think upgrading the hard drive to the larger size will do many people well, but it does increase the base price $200.

The Air is a very light and compact laptop.  While the clock speed is low, it really is just a number.  The machine will run smoothly for those looking to do some e-mail, web browsing, and maybe some light photo editing.  

If you are planning to use the laptop for video editing or coding, this machine will work fine, but you might look to the MacBook Pro for a speedier system.  

The MacBook Air is also the first Apple laptop to get the TouchID sensor without the touch bar.  So if you have used an iPhone with TouchID, you know what you’re getting.  If not, a simple push of the button and you can be logged into the system or authenticate an app.

Also, this MacBook has 2 thunderbolts 3 ports on its left side.  You can charge using either port and while it would have been nice to have them on opposite sides, they are right next to each other.   

It also has the best-reported battery of any MacBook, reportedly lasting all day.  In practice, I got great battery life out of the Air.  

The MacBook Air comes in Silver, Space Gray, and Gold.  

Who Should Get the MacBook Air.

Get the Air if you are:

  • Looking for the cheapest modern MacBook.
  • Want a light travel computer.
  • Don’t need too much power to get things done.  
  • Want a larger screen.
  • would like TouchID but not the Touch Bar.
  • Looking for the best battery life. 

Avoid the MacBook Air if you:

  • Want the most powerful computer.
  • Edit lots of video or audio.
  • Want the smallest laptop
  • Hate the butterfly keyboard.

MacBook Pro

MacBook Pro
13 inch with Touch Bar

Updated July 2019

When Apple updated the MacBook line this year, it really put some spice into the lowest end MacBook Pro. Instead of offering a MacBook Pro without TouchBar, Apple updated that model to include the Touch Bar, TouchID, the newest keyboard, and a more up-to-date processor.

Now, the lowest-end MacBook Pro is a pretty powerful and cheaper machine. Of course, the other MacBook Pros have also been updated this year to offer faster speeds with 4 to 6 core processors and the newest Keyboard.

The MacBook Pro is the fastest portable Mac you can get. It also currently comes in 2 sizes.  You can opt for the 13.3-inch screen or go larger with the 15-inch.  The 13 inch MacBook Pro is slightly over 3lbs and is only .59″ tall. While it doesn’t have the wedge shape of the MacBook Air it is still plenty portable.

The 15 inch is a bit bigger at .61-inches and just over 4 lbs. 

Both of these Touch Bar equipped pros have processors with more cores as well.  The 13 inch has 4 cores while the 15 inch has 6 cores.  This allows them to do more at one time.  The 15 inch also has a dedicated graphics card and is the only MacBook that has one.  If you need a graphic intensive computer, the 15 inch is the best you could get.  

All Pros now use the Touch Bar – a screen that replaces the function keys of your laptop.  It is adaptive based on the app that you use.  It is also customizable to fit your need.  Still, the Touch Bar has been hot-button issue since Apple doesn’t offer a MacBook with the top of the line specs without it.  

All the MacBook Pros now ship with the updated version of the butterfly keyboard.  So you should be good for a while on any of these. As I said earlier though, the verdict is still out.  

Port-wise, The MacBook Pros differ. The lowest-end 13-inch MacBook Pro only has 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports on the left side. If you step up to the more powerful 13-inch or any of the 15-inch Pros, you will get two Thunderbolt 3 ports on each side of the laptop.

These are the best screens that you can get on a MacBook with the wide color gamut and retina specs.  

The MacBooks start at $1799 and ramps up quickly. The Pros only come in Silver or Space Gray.

Who should get the MacBook Pro

Get the lowest end 13-inch MacBook Pro if you:

  • Need power at a lower cost.
  • Want a cheaper laptop that is portable but powerful.
  • don’t like the wedge design of the MacBook Air but would like a cheap system.

Get the more powerful 13-inch MacBook Pro if you:

  • Need the fastest MacBook
  • Encode Video or Audio and want the fastest you can get. 
  • Do heavy photo editing

Get the 15-inch MacBook Pro if you:

  • Want the most powerful Mac laptop you can get.
  • Need a dedicated graphics card
  • Will only have the one apple device
  • Need the biggest screen on a portable Mac

Avoid the MacBook Pro if you:

  • Like the functions buttons and don’t want to lose your touch feedback of them
  • Not sure about the Touch Bar
  • Want more portability.
  • Want a laptop in gold.

MacBook Pro without Touch Bar

MacBook Pro escape
MacBook Pro without Touch Bar

Update: Apple doesn’t make this Laptop anymore. It has been updated to the low-end MacBook Pro and they have included a Touchbar and TouchID on it. I’m leaving it here below, for those that might stumble upon it used or for sell.


If you are looking for a little more power than the MacBook Air and you still want to save money, you can go with the MacBook Pro without Touch Bar.  

This MacBook Pro starts at just $200 more than the MacBook Air and has a much more powerful chip.  It is just a little bit heavier at 3lbs.  It is also thinner than the thickest part of the MacBook Air at .59-inches tall.  Unlike Air, it doesn’t have the wedge shape, it stays consistent throughout.  

This laptop has some trade-offs though that the MacBook Air doesn’t have.  While it has a faster processor than the MacBook Air, it doesn’t have the newest keyboard revision.  The MacBook Pro without TouchBar is on the 2nd generation butterfly keyboard.

But this laptop is the fastest you can get for the money.  It has a faster and more power-hungry chip inside than the Air, but the machine has a bigger battery as well.  Apple reports this machine as having 2 hours less battery life when surfing the web.  

The screen on this MacBook is also better than the MacBook Air.  While both are Retina Screens, this machine is brighter and also offers a wide range of colors.

It has the same 2 Thunderbolt connectors on the side and a better graphics card inside.  

The MacBook Pro comes in only Silver and Space Gray though.

Who Should Get the MacBook Pro without Touch Bar?

Get the MacBook Pro without Touch Bar if you want:

  • The cheapest but fastest MacBook
  • You encode Video or Audio and what a cheaper portable machine
  • Don’t mind spending $100 more for a heavier machine than the Air.

Avoid the MacBook Pro without Touch Bar if you:

  • Need portability
  • Want Gold
  • need a reliable keyboard or are worried this one might break.

MacBook

MacBook
12 inch MacBook

Update July 2019: Apple no longers sales this MacBook. If you want the smallest MacBook, you’ll need to look for refurbished and resale.


The laptop that ushered in the modern Mac laptop has gone a while without an update for years now.

If you are looking for a laptop and are thinking about the MacBook, I would encourage you to look at the MacBook Air unless you want the smallest and lightest laptop Apple makes.  The Air does just about everything else better than the MacBook.  

The processor inside the MacBook is the most underpowered in all the MacBooks.  It can still do everything, but its the speed at which it does it.  I would avoid doing any encoding on this device.  

The MacBook is currently using the last generation keyboard as well, so it could be more prone to breaking.  

Another things going against the MacBook is the one port that it has. It only has 1 port and it’s a USB-C port.  There’s no Thunderbolt 3. 

It does come in Gold though.  If you get an older model, you can find it in Rose Gold as well.  The MacBook starts at $1299, but you do get a 256GB SSD.  

Who should get the MacBook

Get the MacBook if you want:

  • Ultra portability
  • Gold and small
  • only USB-C

Avoid the MacBook if you:

  • Need a reliable keyboard
  • want something faster for the price
  • want a bigger screen
  • Don’t need to travel much.

Wrap up

The MacBook line is much clearer this year than it was last year.

The MacBook Air is the best choice for most people. It’s also a great starting point now that the price is lower.

If you want something more powerful than the Air, but you don’t want to spend $2000, then the base model MacBook Pro is a great alternative.

Finally, if you need more power than that, you’ll want to step up to the more powerful MacBook Pros.

For most people asking which MacBook they should get, I would probably suggest the MacBook Air as a starting point. It is the cheapest laptop Apple makes and it runs pretty smooth.

But that MacBook Pro is pretty tempting now as well. If I were in the market to upgrade my MacBook, I might lean towards the new low-end MacBook Pro. Its screen is just a little better and it is much more powerful than the Air so it will last a little longer. I’m currently on year 6 of my 2013 MacBook Pro and it is still kicking.

 If you need the ultimate in portability though, you might be better off checking out the iPads.  

Don’t forget to check out our other guides:

iPhone buyers guide

iPad buyers guide

iPad Pro or MacBook Air?

Gift Guide

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