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Short answer: buy the 13-inch MacBook Air (M5) unless you have a specific reason not to. Get the 15-inch Air if you want a bigger screen, the MacBook Neo if budget matters most, and a MacBook Pro only if you edit video, compile big projects, run local AI models, or want the brighter 120Hz display and extra ports.
Timing note (October 2026): Apple is widely rumoured to announce a new high-end MacBook with an OLED touchscreen and M6 chip soon. That won’t change the advice for most buyers. The Air and Neo aren’t expected to change, but if you’re about to spend $2,000+ on a MacBook Pro, it’s worth waiting a few weeks.
In this article
The current MacBook lineup, simply explained
| Model | Chip | Base memory / storage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook Neo 13″ | A18 Pro | 8GB / 256GB | Browsing, schoolwork, streaming |
| MacBook Air 13″ | M5 | 16GB / 512GB | Almost everyone |
| MacBook Air 15″ | M5 | 16GB / 512GB | Big screen without the Pro price |
| MacBook Pro 14″ | M5 | 16GB / 512GB | Sustained workloads, better screen, more ports |
| MacBook Pro 14″/16″ | M5 Pro / M5 Max | 24GB+ / 1TB+ | Pro video, 3D, software development, local AI |
Configurations listed are Apple’s base models; Amazon often sells several configurations under similar names, so check memory and storage on the listing.
Best MacBook for most people
MacBook Air 13-inch (M5)
The Air does everything most people need, silently (there’s no fan), for up to 18 hours of video playback per Apple’s rating. The M5 generation starts at 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage, the configuration we used to recommend paying extra for. It also adds Wi-Fi 7 and supports two external displays with the lid open.
Good: Light, silent, fantastic battery, 16GB/512GB base, great value.
Not so good: Slows down under very long heavy loads (no fan), only two Thunderbolt ports, 60Hz screen.
Best big-screen MacBook
MacBook Air 15-inch (M5)
Same chip and battery life as the 13-inch, with a larger 15.3-inch display and better six-speaker sound. Choose it if you work with spreadsheets, multiple windows or timelines, or simply prefer a bigger screen and don’t need Pro features.
Good: Big screen, better speakers, still thin and light.
Not so good: Costs more than the 13-inch, too big for some backpacks and airline tray tables.
Best cheap MacBook
MacBook Neo
The Neo is Apple’s cheapest laptop, and it’s good. It uses the iPhone’s A18 Pro chip, which is plenty for web, email, documents and streaming. Its 8GB of memory and 256GB of storage are the trade-offs: multitasking-heavy users and anyone doing creative work should step up to the Air.
Good: Much lower price, lightweight, excellent battery life, macOS support for years.
Not so good: 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, fewer ports, no Pro-level external display support.
Best for creative and technical work
MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5)
The base Pro has the same M5 chip as the Air but adds a fan for sustained performance, a far better Liquid Retina XDR display (brighter, 120Hz ProMotion, HDR), HDMI, an SD card slot, a third Thunderbolt port and longer battery life. It’s worth it if you spend hours exporting video, compiling code or editing large photo libraries.
Good: Superb display, sustained performance, more ports, best-in-class battery life.
Not so good: Significantly more expensive than the Air, heavier, base memory still 16GB.
For professionals
MacBook Pro 14-inch or 16-inch (M5 Pro / M5 Max)
The Pro and Max chips add many more CPU and GPU cores and support much more memory. If you edit 4K–8K video, work in 3D, build large apps, or run local AI models, this is the Mac to buy, and memory is the spec to prioritise (32GB+ for AI work). The 16-inch M5 Pro adds a bigger screen and even longer battery life.
Good: Desktop-class performance, huge memory options, the best laptop screen Apple makes.
Not so good: Expensive, and a likely redesign is rumoured, so consider waiting if you can.
How to choose memory and storage
- Memory: 16GB is right for nearly everyone. Choose 24–32GB for video editing, development with containers/VMs, or keeping the Mac 6+ years. You can never upgrade it later.
- Storage: 512GB is comfortable. If you need more, Apple’s storage upgrades are expensive, so many people buy the base storage plus a fast portable SSD for photo and video libraries.
Should you buy an older MacBook?
- M4 MacBook Air on clearance: a great deal if it’s significantly cheaper than the M5. The real-world difference is small.
- M1/M2 refurbished: still fine for basic use, but make sure it has at least 16GB of memory and buy from Apple Certified Refurbished or Amazon Renewed Premium for a proper warranty.
- Avoid Intel MacBooks. Apple has said macOS Tahoe (26) is the last version that supports Intel Macs, so they will stop getting new features and eventually security updates. Several old “MacBook” listings on Amazon are 2017–2020 Intel models, so check the chip before you buy.
Useful accessories
- A USB-C hub if you need USB-A, HDMI or Ethernet on an Air.
- A tomtoc 360° sleeve for the 13-inch Air.
- Set the new 80% charge limit in macOS Tahoe 26.4+ if your Mac is plugged in most of the day.
Related: MacBook Air M5 vs M4: is it worth the upgrade? · Best monitors for MacBook Air · Best laptops for programming
