Around four years ago, Apple completely broke off its dependency on Intel by introducing the M1, its first in-house silicon that would power a family of Macs. This chip delivered the ideal blend of strong single-core and multi-core performance, coupled with battery life that was in the double digits, overshadowing the competition by miles. By 2023, the company completed the transition of its Mac lineup to its custom SoCs, with the M3 being the latest from the technology giant and being featured in several MacBook models.
As you would have guessed, there are tons of portable Macs featuring the Apple Silicon, and given what they bring to the table, it is unsurprising to learn that older versions with the M1 are still being sold, but which one is the right version for you? Here, we have compiled a list of what we believe to be the best models based on their configurations, pricing, and the specific use case. Each MacBook listed here will cater to one individual or the other, so let us get started.
Why are other Apple Silicon Macs not on the list?
We feel that Apple Silicon MacBooks are thoroughly versatile. After all, most of the company’s ‘All in One’ products feature the same chipset, and not only can they be carried around and deliver incredible battery life, but you can also expand your current workstation by purchasing peripherals or an external monitor. With desktops, you are limited to just one location, so we have decided to include MacBooks in this list.
2020 13.3-inch M1 MacBook Air
If you have been keeping up with the recent discounts, you will know Apple’s older M1 MacBook Air oozes incredible value at this time, and it deserves to be on this list. Where it does not deserve to be is in the hands of those who require capable processing and graphics horsepower that can execute sustained workloads. Since the M1 MacBook Air relies on no cooling fan to dissipate heat, the SoC can get hot quickly, resulting in severe thermal throttling.
For students who require an all-day battery and do not want to carry their power bricks in their backpacks, this is one of the best purchases you will ever make. On Amazon, only ‘Renewed’ versions of the M1 MacBook Air are available, and since there are several RAM and storage variants listed, you should choose the version that you feel will be best suited as your daily driver. Having more RAM and storage is always a plus, but only if your budget allows it.
Space Gray finish with 8GB unified RAM, 512GB SSD, and 7-core GPU - $715.99
Space Gray finish with 16GB unified RAM, 512GB SSD, and 7-core GPU - $939
Gold finish with 16GB unified RAM, 1TB SSD, and 8-core GPU - $999
2021 14-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro
The launch of the M1 enabled Apple to develop a more powerful version of its premium MacBook Pro line that launched in 2021, with the M1 Pro not only carrying a higher transistor count but also packing additional CPU and GPU cores. For the more expensive portable Macs, Apple incorporated an active cooling solution featuring two fans, allowing the M1 Pro to function at its peak functionality without reaching a thermal state where it had to throttle and leave performance on the table.
The M1 Pro MacBook Pro was also the first Mac from Apple to feature a mini-LED screen that supported a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, making it exceptional for content creation and media consumption. Even though Apple has discontinued this model, the ‘Renewed’ versions are still up for grabs, starting from just $1,208.
Space Gray finish with 16GB unified RAM, 512GB SSD, 10-core CPU and 16-core GPU - $1,208
Space Gray finish with 16GB unified RAM, 1TB SSD, 10-core CPU and 16-core GPU - $1,429
2024 13.6-inch M3 MacBook Air
Apple recently got done unveiling the 13-inch and 15-inch versions of the M3 MacBook Air, but in typical Apple fashion, the base models come with crippled amounts of memory and storage. Since upgrading the storage and RAM by yourself is not an option, the obvious move is to spend more money and get better configurations. For those who are eyeing this model, a slightly better version of the M3 MacBook Air can be had for $1,449 in the Midnight color. However, remember that just like all the Apple Silicon MacBook Air models, this one relies on just a heatsink for transferring heat, so the CPU and GPU can get extremely toasty.
Get the 13.6-inch M3 MacBook Air from Amazon for $1,449 (8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16GB unified RAM, 512GB SSD, Midnight finish)
2023 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro
Apple’s M3 launch was a major surprise, as the company has never unveiled a non-Pro or a non-Max chip alongside the higher tier ones, but the Cupertino firm took it one step further. It also unveiled new MacBook Pro models, with the base version sporting the M3 and shipping with all the extras such as the mini-LED 120Hz ProMotion display, active cooling fan, a bevy of ports, and more. That exact base model is now up for grabs, and with its latest price cut, it just exudes fantastic value. We were hoping that Apple would just be a little generous in the RAM department, but this is a MacBook Pro we are talking about.
Get the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro from Amazon for $1,399 (8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 8GB unified RAM, 512GB SSD, Silver finish)
2023 14-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pro
We now have the more powerful version of Apple’s latest MacBook Pro, but this time, it is kitted out with the M3 Pro and features the highest CPU and GPU core count, with 18GB of unified RAM and 1TB of solid state storage. Like the M3, the M3 Pro supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing and is actually a decent performer in AAA titles such as Resident Evil 4 Remake, Death Stranding, and others.
Naturally, it is also the priciest portable Mac on this list, with the Silver version available for slightly more than $2,023. If you are tired of seeing color repeatedly, you can opt for the Space Black version, which will set you back by $2,200, and only if you select the $69 discount coupon. If functionality is at the top of your priorities and not which color your MacBook Pro purchase should be, we advise picking up the Silver variant and saving a few bucks.
Get the 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro from Amazon for $2,023 (12-core CPU, 18-core GPU, 18GB unified RAM, 1TB SSD, Silver finish)
Let us know which Apple Silicon MacBook will be your preferred choice in the poll, and if you wish to voice your opinions in the comments, that option is available too. If you cannot decide on whether to get the M3 MacBook Air or the M3 MacBook Pro, our detailed buying guide will help you decide quickly, so make sure that you check that out.
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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