Apple's laptops have long been held up as a gold standard for portable computers. MacBooks were the first to bring technologies like aluminum unibody construction, super-sharp IPS screens, backlit keyboards, and multitouch trackpads to the mainstream. The company slipped a little with the notoriously flaky [butterfly keyboards](https://www.wired.com/story/apple-macbook-pro-16-2019/)), but as of May 2020 those are a thing of the past, [replaced by the new magic keyboard](https://www.wired.com/review/apple-ipad-pro-2020/).  

Which Mac portable should you spend your hard-earned money on? Given that you'll likely pay more for a MacBook than a competing model from [HP](https://www.wired.com/review/hp-spectre-x360-convertible-laptop-2018/), [Dell](https://www.wired.com/review/dell-xps-13-2019/), or even [Microsoft](https://www.wired.com/story/microsoft-surface-buying-guide/), it's important to weigh your options.

Be sure to also check out our [latest buying guides](https://www.wired.com/tag/buying-guides/), especially our picks for [Best iPhone](https://www.wired.com/gallery/iphone-buying-guide/), [Best iPad](https://www.wired.com/gallery/the-best-ipad/), and [Best Laptops](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-laptops/).

*Updated May 2020: We've updated our picks, pricing, and recommendations.*

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###Apple MacBook Air (13-inch)

**The Best All-Arounder**

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The MacBook Air remains the Mac to get. Apple [upgraded the MacBook Air](https://www.wired.com/story/apple-goes-all-in-on-touch-bar-for-macbook-pro/) last year, adding the company's True Tone tech to the Retina display and dropping the price to $1,099. 

The new Air is a lot like the MacBook Pro models, with a sharp 13-inch Retina display, a responsive trackpad, the new magic keyboard, surprisingly potent speakers, and two USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports for charging and hooking up peripherals. It also comes in gold, if that's your jam.

On the inside is a 1.6 GHz dual-core eighth-generation Intel Core i5 processor and a 128-gigabyte solid state drive, along with up to 16 GB of RAM. Having only two USB-C ports can feel limiting. You'll need to buy multiport [adapters like this one](https://amzn.to/2LEIlgS){: rel=nofollow} to plug stuff in and stay charged at the same time.

There are a few things you might miss from higher-end MacBook Pros. Those pricier machines sport extra USB-C ports, as well as more robust capabilities.

**[MacBook Air costs $1,099 from Apple](https://apple.sjv.io/4qMY3){: rel=nofollow} or [$1,000 from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V1PHKPM/){: rel=nofollow}**

*Small Upgrade: If you have a lot of locally stored photos or files, get the [256 GB MacBook Air for $200 more](https://apple.sjv.io/4qMY3){: rel=nofollow} ([$1,231 from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V49KGVN/){: rel=nofollow}).*

###Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch)

**The Best for Power Users**


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The 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro ([9/10 WIRED Recommends](https://www.wired.com/review/apple-macbook-pro-16-inch-2019/)) is a return to form for Apple. It's familiar in a good way and more importantly, reliable. That's a big deal, considering the [problems](https://www.wired.com/story/apple-will-fix-broken-macbook-keyboards/) [with](https://www.wired.com/story/apple-macbook-pro-2018-overheating-fix/) [MacBooks](https://www.wired.com/story/apple-macbook-pro-recall/) of the past few years. 

The keyboard problems are gone thanks to a new mechanism (and Escape is a physical key again). Even better are the improvements to the thermal architecture—while it gets hot, and the fans may be loud, it won't affect performance. The ninth-generation Intel Core i7 processor (upgradable to Core i9) is no slouch either. Whether you're editing video or gaming, this machine won't let you down, though the battery does deplete quickly when running intensive tasks.

Four Thunderbolt 3 ports mean you'll have plenty of places to plug in the rest of your devices too. The base model now comes with 512 GB SSD, but Apple will gladly upgrade this MacBook Pro all the way to 8 terabytes if you can pony up the $2,400 upgrade fee. Video editors will be happy to know that you can get up to 64 GB of RAM.

The biggest downsides are the device's size and weight. If you need a laptop you can take anywhere without much hindrance, look elsewhere.  


**[MacBook Pro (16-inch) costs $2,399 from Apple](https://apple.sjv.io/c/1305164/435031/7613?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fshop%2Fbuy-mac%2Fmacbook-pro%2F16-inch&subid1=whichmacbook){: rel=nofollow} or [$2,200 from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-16-inch-512GB-Storage/dp/B081FZV45H/){: rel=nofollow}**

###Apple MacBook Pro (13-Inch)

**The Goldilocks Book**

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If the new MacBook Air isn't powerful enough and the 16-inch MacBook Pro seems too much, consider the 13-inch MacBook Pro. It might be just right. 

The 13-inch MacBook Pro straddles the power and weight divide between the Air and the 16-inch MacBook Pro. Offering powerful quad-core processors and all-day battery life in a reasonably portable 3-pound package, the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro will be the best of both worlds for many people. You get the Touch Bar and a faster chip than the Air, but avoid the extra weight and bulk of the 16-inch model.

MacOS Catalina's Sidebar feature works a treat here if you do need a little extra screen space: Pair your iPad for an extra screen (or drawing pad) on the go.

Apple recently bumped the specs on the 13-inch Macbook, adding more RAM to the top end models, doubling the storage, and adding the magic keyboard from the 16-inch model.

**[MacBook Pro (13-inch, 128 GB) costs $1,299 from Apple](https://apple.sjv.io/7Q9yO){: rel=nofollow} or [$1,225 from Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V49JVNH/){: rel=nofollow}**

###Quirks and Issues to Be Aware Of

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Unlike previous generations of MacBook, there are eccentricities and problems with Apple's laptops that you should know about before you buy. 

__Bland Touch Bar:__ When Apple debuted the Touch Bar in late 2016, it touted the thin touchscreen strip above the keyboard as the [next-generation of user input](https://www.wired.com/2016/11/apple-goes-part-time-on-touch/). Unfortunately, this hasn't panned out. There seems to be little interest from third-party software designers in doing anything innovative with the tiny display. Those Touch Bar-packing laptops have Touch ID, which lets you log in and access sensitive data with your fingerprint, but what's been swapped out for that is something you'll miss: a physical Esc key (barring the 16-inch MacBook Pro). To get around this you can always map CapsLock to Esc.

__Palmy Trackpad:__ Apple's trackpads are among the best in the computer business, but with the newest MacBooks, these input devices have been blown up to unbelievable proportions and crammed right up against the bottom of the keyboard, right where you rest your palms while typing. Although there's supposed to be intelligent palm rejection software at work, the trackpads are susceptible to accidental input. Your mileage may vary.

__Keyboard Killer:__ Apple's now notorious 3rd-generation "butterfly switch" keyboards are now gone from the Macbook lineup. And good riddance. WIRED editor Jeffrey Van Camp and senior writer Lauren Goode also have had multiple issues with the 2017 Pro keyboard. If you're buying an older model though be aware that Apple now [replaces the keyboards for free](https://www.wired.com/story/apple-will-fix-broken-macbook-keyboards/) and did add [extra dust guards](https://www.wired.com/story/ifixit-teardown-new-macbook-pro-keyboard/) to the late-2018 and early-2019 models. Apple has [detailed instructions on how to clean the keyboard](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205662){: rel=nofollow} if yours gets flaky, which is a decent first line of defense against busted keys. Apple also [extended its keyboard repair program](https://www.wired.com/story/apple-macbook-pro-2019-speed-bump/) to cover repairs on all Macs that have been purchased within the past four years, regardless of warranty status. 

__Parched for Ports:__ Then there's the port situation. All of Apple's current MacBooks feature one port type: USB-C. It's a newer port that might not work with some of the devices you own. You'll want to invest in a few adapters ([like this Aukey adapter](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072Q1SKZR/){: rel=nofollow}) if you plan on hooking your computer up to a projector, or want to use things like USB keys or SD cards. Plan to buy some dongles.

###MacBooks to Avoid

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**The Old MacBook Air:** This slim laptop was groundbreaking when it debuted in 2010. Unfortunately, the MacBook Air didn't [change much](https://www.wired.com/2013/06/apple-macbook-air-2013/) until 2018. It rocks a dowdy-looking, non-Retina screen and weak Intel chips that are years old. It might not require the dongles that a newer MacBook might, but the newer laptops will undoubtedly feel faster for longer. Don't let its price tag tempt you—there are [way better laptops](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-laptops/) you can nab for that kind of cash. *How to spot it:* The older Air has a thick silver border (bezel) around its screen, instead of black glass like the new models.
  
**The 15-inch MacBook Pro:** This time-tested design seems like it'd be a great buy ... until you see the $2,200 price tag. It's not that it's a bad machine, but your risk of problems is considerably higher than it should be for a $2,000 computer. This 15-inch model is a poor value for money. *How to spot it:* Use caution when buying from Amazon, we've seen several of these labeled 16-inch in Amazon ads, but then when you click through you land on a page selling the 15-inch model. 

**The 12-Inch MacBook:** This model was canceled in July 2019. If you find one of the final models and get a good bargain (well under $1,000), it may be worth a look, but we generally recommend you opt for a current model for longevity and better customer support. This one will not work with Sidecar.

###Is It a Good Time to Buy?

It depends which model you're going to get. Apple updated the MacBook Pro 13-inch model in May 2020, and the 16-inch model got an update October 2019. The current MacBook Air hail from July 2020. We suspect the Air will probably be updated at some point in summer 2020. That said, there's always a newer, better model around the corner and as for May 2020, we feel confident saying it's a good time to buy. 

###Get AppleCare+

None of Apple's MacBooks are cheap, and replacement parts are nightmarishly expensive. Since the entire computer is fully integrated into Apple's tightly designed aluminum chassis, you're one coffee spill away from a shockingly large repair bill. This is why [Apple's AppleCare+](https://www.apple.com/us/search/AppleCare-for-MacBook?src=serp){: rel=nofollow} is worth it—starting at $249, AppleCare extends your factory warranty to three years, gives you matching telephone support, and throws in two accidental damage repairs as well. A minimum $99 service fee later and when whatever you did to kill your shiny new Mac is undone, you'll be back to hammering away on your keyboard. 

**[Shop for AppleCare+](https://mysupport.apple.com/add-coverage?productTypeId=SG001){: rel=nofollow}**