The MacBook Air instead uses passive cooling, which works just fine for basic tasks, like browsing the web, but might hamper the performance of more intensive tasks like video encoding. The 13-inch MacBook Pro comes with an active cooling fan, which is something the MacBook Air lacks. So, most MacBook buyers will probably be better off with the Air than the 13-inch Pro. The performance advantage is small, though, as the main difference is an additional two graphics cores, for a total of 10-along with two more hours of battery life. (You can get the same grade of M2 processor in the Air for another $300.) In return for a slightly higher starting price ($1,299), the entry-level MacBook Pro has a slightly more powerful version of the M2 chip in the 2022 MacBook Air at the start. The closest Apple alternative to the MacBook Air is the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro, which is just as light as the MacBook Air. But since you'll spend at least $999 on it, you'll want to make sure to look at the other, larger Apple portables that offer more connectivity and-in some cases-more computing power. It's the Mac laptop we recommend for most people. The MacBook Air is an ideal travel companion and, given its sleek styling and Apple's cachet, a bit of a status symbol to boot.

Each laptop has gone through the full PCMag testing process, and following our picks is a detailed buyer's guide that answers common questions.

Finally, the latest MacBook Air (2022) and 13-inch MacBook Pro (2022) come with the newest M2 processor.īelow are our choices for the best MacBooks for each user, from the generalist to the power-hungry creative professional. Meanwhile, the most current 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro laptops come with your choice of M1 Pro or M1 Max chips for serious content creation needs. The $999 MacBook Air uses Apple's original M1 processor, which promises speedy performance on everyday tasks. With similar specs and exterior styling across both the Air and the Pro, deciding which one is best for you largely comes down to which size screen you need and how much processing power your typical computing tasks require. With the powerful Apple MacBook Pro now available in three screen sizes-and the slim, efficient, and one-size MacBook Air-there are two Mac laptop families to choose between. Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication.How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.

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