The best MacBooks for 2025: Air or Pro?
MacBooks haven't always been some of the best laptops on the market, but you wouldn't know that as of late.
Ever since the rollout of the first M-series models in 2020, Apple's notebooks have consistently offered impressive performance and long battery lives (which Windows laptops have only begun to touch). Granted, most MacBooks are expensive — especially as you add more RAM and storage — but their premium price tags accurately reflect their premium, oft-imitated design and build quality.
Apple's hot streak continues with the latest M4-powered models, some of the best MacBooks (and the best value options) in recent memory. I think this year's 15-inch M4 MacBook Air is the best choice for most people because of its big display and quiet, Pro-level power. Its 13-inch counterpart is the best option for students since it's cheaper and a little more portable.
Both M4 Airs are reasonably priced at $1,199 and $999 to start, respectively, but you'll almost never pay full price: They're regularly on sale at third-party retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.
If the 13-inch M4 Air isn't at least $200 off when you go to buy it, the best budget MacBook is the 13-inch M1 MacBook Air from 2020, which Walmart still sells through a partnership with Apple. It's only $649.99 at full price but is usually marked down to $599.99.
If you want a nicer 120Hz display, cooler multitasking performance, and a better variety of ports than the Air models offer, go with the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro from 2024. And for those whose budget allows, last year's beastly 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro chip is the Mac laptop that's best suited for photo/video editors, 3D animators, and other professional creatives.
