Which 2022 MacBook Is Best For You?

Photo by Sergey Zolkin on Unsplash

In 2020, the world of MacBooks changed forever. Instead of using Intel chips — something that Apple’s been doing since 2006 — it switched over to its own in-house processors, promising users a better overall experience. 

 

In 2022, virtually all MacBooks now come with Apple M1 chips as standard, running on the ARM architecture. This means higher power efficiency, better performance, and greater multithreading when using Apple applications. 

 

But which MacBook should you actually buy? Let’s take a look:

MacBook Air (M1)

Reviewers are big fans of Apple’s entry-level MacBook air with the new M1 chip. It’s perhaps the most powerful notebook-style computer you can buy for the price, beating out most competitors still on Intel’s platforms. 

Interestingly, though, the new Air is still X86 compatible. That means that you can still run older apps on the device and that Apple doesn’t need to rethink the entire ecosystem. 

The MacBook Air is suitable for an entire workday out of the office. Battery life is so good that you can run the device practically non-stop from 9 am until 7 pm without the lithium cell inside going flat. 

The Mac shuts down randomly from time to time, however, so it’s clear that Apple is still ironing out some of the bugs. Despite this, it’s almost silent, meaning that you can use it in the library or on the quiet coach of the train. 

In terms of storage, you only get 256 GB as standard. That’s not enough for your movie collection, but it’s probably sufficient for most people’s work requirements, plus a couple of games.

MacBook Pro 14-inch

Moving up Apple’s range of products, we have the MacBook Pro 14-inch. It comes with a choice of either the M1 Pro or M1 Max (with the Max offering higher performance). 

What’s nice about the new 14-inch MacBook is the slimline bezel. This means that the unit is around the same size as the old 13-inch models, but with extra screen real estate. 

The new visual setup actually takes a little getting used to (similar to when the iPhone lost its bezel around six years ago). However, once you adapt, it feels like a futuristic experience. There’s no doubt in your mind that you’re using computer equipment from the 2020s. 

Photo by Christian Lue on Unsplash

MacBook Pro

The MacBook Pro is perhaps the least appealing of Apple’s current lineup. It uses the same M1 chip as the Air, yet costs considerably more. While it is slightly nippier than its smaller rival, these improvements come from having a bigger fan and better cooling, by virtue of the increased size of the chassis. 

However, that’s not to say that the Pro is without merit. You get a slightly bigger 13-inch screen and a longer battery life. There’s also a Touch Bar at the top of the keyboard for quick access to your favorite apps. 

The weight of the device is heavy, though. Apple says that the Pro comes in at 3 pounds, which makes it around 100 grams heavier than the Air. 

Overall, the Air is probably the most compelling option at this stage for most users.

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