Best MacBooks for 2024

Apple MacBooks aren't cheap, so it's important you know which MacBook will suit your needs before parting with your cash.

We take a look at the key differences between the Apple MacBook Air and MacBook Pro ranges, so you can be confident you're buying the right MacBook for you. We also show you how to get away with paying less.

Whatever your budget, our lab tests reveal which models are worth your money and which aren't. See our expert pick of the best laptops.

Which MacBook should I buy? Current Mac specs and prices compared

There are two current MacBook Pros and three Air models. The cheapest MacBook Air is the 2022 edition with an older – but certainly not decrepit – Apple M2 processor that often sells at high street retailers for around £949 or direct from Apple for £999. The rest of the line-up costs more than £1,000. See the next section for other Mac models that are still available new but are no longer considered the 'latest' models. 

In the table below we’ve lined up all five current MacBook models and their most important specs. Then we bring you our verdict on what MacBook might suit your needs. 

(Typical price at Apple.com last checked November 2024.)

MacBook Air: 2022 M2 vs 2024 M3 models

Apple now sells three different MacBook Airs: 

• The 2022 13-inch MacBook Air with the Apple M2 processor. The 2022 model is now the cheapest MacBook you can buy, selling directly from Apple for £999 or £949 from third-party retailers
• Two 2024 models with the M3 in both 13- and 15-inch sizes. The 2024 13-inch MacBook Air starts at £1,099, and the 2024 15-inch MacBook Air starts at £1,299.

The two 13-inch models are externally identical and have the same screens and number of ports (two USB-Cs and a headphone jack), but they have different processors that vary in terms of power efficiency and speed (if you're a Which? member, log in to see the key differences in our lab tests). The 15-inch model has a larger screen and a bigger battery to make up for it, but otherwise is technically identical to the 2024 13-inch MacBook Air. 

Which? MacBook Air reviews

Which? members can see the full details of our MacBook reviews. If you're a member, log in to get access – if you're not, you can join Which?. By way of a summary, we have found that there are significant differences between the 2024 and 2022 MacBook Airs that prove the changes run more than skin deep on these models.

MacBook Air prices

Below you'll find the best prices we've found for the current range of MacBook Airs. 

Below you'll find the best prices we've found for the two MacBook Airs that are still available new but have been superseded. This is where you can find some great deals. In terms of value for money, the discounts available on the recently superseded 15-inch MacBook Air are well worth a look, while the 2020 MacBook Air, although long in the tooth, does appear to be something of a bargain.

Best MacBook Pros: 14- and 16-inch compared

14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros

MacBook Pros are more expensive than ever – even the cheapest cost more than £1,500. Expect them to do pretty much anything you ask of them quickly and without fuss. They are among the highest-scoring laptops on the Which? website, so you can rest assured they do deliver.

While the 14-inch models are a fair bit heavier and bulkier than the (now discontinued) 13-inch model, they also feature upgraded screens, faster processors and more ports. You get an SD card reader and an HDMI port on the bigger Pros, in addition to three USB-C/Thunderbolt ports. These laptops should also be capable of intensive video and photo editing. 

At the moment, M3-, M2- and M1-generations of the larger MacBook Pros are being sold at the same time, and the early 2023 (M2 Pro/Max) and 2021 (M1 Pro/Max) editions are virtually identical except for a slightly slower set of processors. We’d suggest you look at grabbing a bargain before they go off sale, as you can save upwards of £400. 

See our 14-inch 2023 MacBook Pro review and 16-inch 2023 MacBook Pro review

MacBook Pro prices

Below you'll find the best prices we can find at the major retailers for the latest MacBook Pro models.

MacBook Pro vs MacBook Air

We’ve summarised the ranges above, but if you’re still not sure which to buy, consider the following (the links lead to our expert reviews – only Which? members have full access to these. However, anyone, including non-members, can use the links in our reviews that show the lowest available prices we can find:

1. Just want a MacBook but won’t be doing much heavy photo and video editing? Pick the 2020 MacBook Air, or the 2024 13-inch MacBook Air if you have a bit more budget and want extra performance and battery life. 
2. Need, or simply fancy, the fastest laptop Apple has to offer? Pick the 14-inch MacBook Pro or 16-inch MacBook Pro; these models have performance that just keeps on going because their built-in cooling fans let the processors work at top speed for longer.
3. Want a big screen but don't need the scintillating speed of the MacBook Pro? Go for the 2023 15-inch MacBook Air as it's currently available with a heavy discount. It doesn't have the latest tech, but the saving could be well worth it. 

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Mac Self Service Repair program

Apple's self-service program allows those who have the confidence and experience to perform repairs on their MacBooks (and iPhones) to buy genuine Apple parts and tools. Apple says the tools and parts available to buy are the same as those made available to authorised repair shops. 

There are a few things to check before embarking on a repair:

• Your device needs to be listed on the Self Service Repair website (when we checked in December 2023, this only included 2020-2022 MacBook Air/Pro models).
• You will need to physically have the device, as you need its serial number to see the list of parts available to buy. 

Then you can buy the necessary tools and parts to complete the job. The self-service website also includes manuals that guide you through the process. 

These tasks still require experience in repairing electronics. If you're unsure, you should probably use a qualified repair shop - use our Which? Trusted Traders service to find a good, local one. 

Available parts include screens, logic boards, case components, fans, speakers and antennas. You can also replace the battery – although, on the 2020 MacBook Pro we checked, you can only replace a battery if you also replace the entire keyboard unit, which cost £510. The website also stated that a separate replacement battery would eventually be available, but as of December 2023 this isn't the case.

When buying parts, you can receive a discount if you return the part you’re replacing. For example, when we checked in December 2023 a 2020 MacBook Pro logic board costs £594, but you'll get £110 back if you return the faulty board to Apple. 

For more information on the process, head to Apple's Self Service Repair information page.

Definitely know you want to buy an Apple laptop? Check out our Apple MacBook reviews to find out which is right for you, and which retailer has it on sale for the best price.