Which MacBook Should You Buy In 2024? (Buyer's Guide)

Summary

In this video, the presenter shares their experience with Apple silicon MacBooks since 2020, guiding viewers on which model to choose in 2024. They emphasize considering one's workflow and future needs, suggesting a pie chart to analyze usage. The video compares MacBook Air and Pro models, highlighting the M2 as a cost-effective choice. Sponsored by 'Magical', an AI productivity tool, the video also discusses the benefits of the Pro series, including better performance and higher base storage and RAM, concluding that the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M2 or M3 Pro is currently among the best laptops available.

Takeaways

• 🤔 Consider your specific needs and usage patterns when choosing a MacBook.
• 📊 Create a pie chart to estimate the percentage of time spent on different tasks to determine the right MacBook for your workflow.
• 💻 For those who use productivity apps, 'Magical' is a free AI-powered tool that can automate tasks and save time.
• 📈 The MacBook Air is suitable for users with simpler tasks and offers good value with the M2 chip.
• 💰 The M2 MacBook Air is more cost-effective compared to the M3, especially on the second-hand market.
• 🔍 For more demanding tasks, the MacBook Pro with M2 Pro or M3 Pro chips provides superior performance and features.
• 🖥️ The 14-inch MacBook Pro offers a better screen, more ports, and higher base storage and RAM compared to the Air.
• 🚫 Don't let the slight weight difference between the MacBook Air and Pro sway your decision; the Pro's benefits outweigh the slight portability trade-off.
• 📱 The 16-inch MacBook Pro is less portable and better suited for users who primarily work at a desk and occasionally travel.
• 💡 If the 14-inch MacBook Pro is within budget, it's a top choice, but if not, an M2 or M3 MacBook Air is a solid alternative.

Q & A

What is the main question the video aims to address?

The video aims to address the question of which Apple silicon MacBook to buy in 2024.

Why does the author suggest writing down your MacBook usage before purchasing?

Writing down MacBook usage helps to understand one's specific workflow needs and to avoid buying an underpowered or overpowered system.

What is the significance of creating a pie chart of your MacBook usage?

A pie chart helps to estimate the percentage of time spent on various activities, which in turn guides the decision on the appropriate MacBook model to purchase.

What is the role of the productivity app 'Magical' mentioned in the video?

Magical is a free productivity extension that uses AI to automate repetitive tasks, potentially saving users significant time and effort.

What are the two main choices when considering a MacBook Air, as per the video?

The two main choices for MacBook Air are the size (13-inch vs. 15-inch) and the chip version (M1, M2, or M3).

Why does the author recommend the M2 chip over the M1 and M3 for MacBook Air?

The M2 is considered the best value for money as it offers significant improvements over the M1 and is more affordable than the M3, which is only slightly better.

What is the author's stance on the MacBook Pro compared to the MacBook Air?

The author recommends the MacBook Pro over the Air for its superior performance, better screen, more ports, and higher base storage and RAM.

What are the differences between the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models?

The main difference is the screen size, with the 16-inch being noticeably heavier and less portable, making it better suited for stationary use.

Why might someone consider an M3 Pro chip over an M2 Pro or M1 Pro chip?

An M3 Pro chip might be considered for its enhanced performance, especially for creative workflows, and if it's available at a good discount.

What advice does the author give for those who find the MacBook Pro out of their budget?

For those on a budget, the author suggests getting an M2 or M3 MacBook Air, as it offers good performance for most needs without the high cost.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Choosing the Right Apple Silicon MacBook

The script begins with the creator addressing the common question of which Apple silicon MacBook to purchase in 2024. They share their experience testing various models since 2020 and emphasize the importance of considering one's specific use case and workflow when selecting a MacBook. The creator advises viewers to list their primary tasks, estimate the time spent on each, and plan for future needs. They also mention their own usage, which includes research, productivity tasks, video editing, and design work, and note that portability is not a major concern for them. The video is sponsored by 'Magical,' a productivity app that automates repetitive tasks, which the creator finds helpful in saving time. The creator suggests starting with a MacBook Air for those whose primary tasks are not too intensive, and they provide a detailed comparison of the MacBook Air's different sizes and chip options, recommending the M2 chip as the best value.

05:01

📈 MacBook Pro: The Power Choice for Performance

In the second paragraph, the creator discusses the MacBook Pro as an option for those who require more performance than the MacBook Air can offer. They compare the M1, M2, and M3 chip versions, suggesting that the M2 Pro offers the best value for most users. The creator highlights the benefits of the MacBook Pro, including a better screen with 120Hz ProMotion, more ports, and higher base storage and RAM configurations. They also address the misconception that the Pro is significantly less portable than the Air, arguing that the difference is not as pronounced as some believe. The creator distinguishes between the 14-inch and 16-inch Pro models, noting that the latter is better suited for stationary use due to its size and weight. They advise viewers to choose the MacBook Pro if it fits their budget and needs, and to consider the M2 or M3 Pro versions for the best performance and value.

10:02

💼 Final Thoughts on MacBook Selection

The final paragraph wraps up the discussion by reiterating the recommendation for a 14-inch MacBook Pro with either the M2 or M3 Pro chip, depending on the best available price at the time of purchase. For those whose needs or budgets do not align with the Pro model, the creator suggests the MacBook Air with either the M2 or M3 chip as a suitable alternative. The script concludes with a straightforward message that viewers cannot go wrong with these choices, emphasizing the importance of selecting a MacBook that matches individual requirements and usage patterns.

Keywords

💡Apple Silicon

Apple Silicon refers to Apple's custom-designed processors used in MacBooks, such as the M1, M2, and M3 chips. These chips are central to the video's discussion on which MacBook to purchase, as they determine the performance and efficiency of the devices. The speaker highlights the differences between these chips, influencing the choice between MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models.

💡MacBook Air

The MacBook Air is a lightweight, portable laptop from Apple, available with different Apple Silicon chips. The video discusses the pros and cons of the MacBook Air, focusing on its suitability for users with less demanding workflows like web browsing and productivity tasks. The speaker contrasts the MacBook Air with the more powerful MacBook Pro, advising viewers on when to choose the Air.

💡MacBook Pro

The MacBook Pro is a higher-end laptop in Apple's lineup, equipped with more powerful Apple Silicon chips such as the M2 Pro or M3 Pro. The video explains that the MacBook Pro is better suited for users who need more performance, such as those involved in video editing, 3D modeling, or other intensive tasks. The speaker emphasizes the benefits of the Pro models, including better screens, more ports, and larger storage and RAM options.

💡M1, M2, M3

M1, M2, and M3 are different generations of Apple Silicon chips used in MacBooks. The video compares these chips, explaining that while the M1 is still powerful, it is becoming outdated. The M2 is considered the best value, offering a significant performance boost over the M1, while the M3 offers only marginal improvements over the M2 but is more expensive. The choice of chip is crucial in deciding which MacBook model to purchase.

💡Workflow

Workflow refers to the tasks and activities that a user performs on their MacBook. The video stresses the importance of understanding your own workflow before choosing a MacBook model. For example, simple tasks like web browsing may only require a MacBook Air, while more complex workflows involving video editing or programming may necessitate a MacBook Pro.

💡Productivity

Productivity in the context of the video refers to tasks like web browsing, document creation, and managing emails. The speaker discusses how MacBook models, particularly the Air, are well-suited for productivity-focused workflows. The video also introduces a productivity tool called 'Magical,' which automates repetitive tasks, further enhancing productivity.

💡Portability

Portability is a key consideration when choosing between a MacBook Air and a MacBook Pro. The MacBook Air is known for its lightweight and slim design, making it more portable. However, the video notes that the difference in portability between the 13-inch MacBook Air and the 14-inch MacBook Pro is minimal, and other factors like performance should also be considered.

💡Performance

Performance refers to how well a MacBook can handle various tasks, especially demanding ones like video editing or 3D modeling. The video emphasizes that while the MacBook Air is powerful enough for most basic tasks, the MacBook Pro offers superior performance for more intensive workflows. The choice of an M1, M2, or M3 chip directly impacts the device's performance.

💡Storage and RAM

Storage and RAM are critical components that determine a MacBook's ability to store data and run applications smoothly. The video compares the base models of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, highlighting that the Pro offers 512 GB of storage and 16 GB of RAM, double what the Air provides. This difference is significant for users who need to run memory-intensive applications or store large files.

💡Price and Value

Price and value are important factors in deciding which MacBook to buy. The video discusses how the M2 MacBook Air provides the best 'bang for buck,' offering solid performance at a more affordable price compared to the M3. Similarly, the speaker advises viewers to consider refurbished models or sales to get the best value, especially when considering the more expensive MacBook Pro models.

Highlights

The best Apple silicon MacBook for 2024 depends on your specific use case and workflow.

Avoid buying an underpowered or overpowered MacBook by assessing your needs accurately.

Consider the longevity of your MacBook purchase and future plans for its use.

Create a pie chart to estimate the percentage of time spent on various tasks for a better MacBook choice.

For productivity tasks, the MacBook Air is often a sufficient choice.

Magical is a productivity app that can automate tasks and save time, integrated with the MacBook ecosystem.

The 13-inch MacBook Air is a good balance between price and performance for most users.

The M2 chip offers the best value for money compared to the M1 and M3 chips.

The MacBook Pro offers superior performance, display, and port options over the Air.

The base model MacBook Pro with M3 chip is not as powerful as the Pro models with M2 Pro or M3 Pro chips.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro is recommended over the 16-inch model for better portability.

The M2 Pro is currently the best value in the MacBook Pro lineup.

The M1 Pro is not recommended unless a significant discount is available.

The M3 Pro is a powerful option but ensure it's necessary for your workflow before purchasing.

Consider the actual usage scenarios and don't be overly influenced by the slight weight difference between models.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro with either M2 Pro or M3 Pro is a solid choice for most users.

If the MacBook Pro is too expensive or overkill, the M2 or M3 MacBook Air is a good alternative.

Transcripts

one of the most frequent questions I see

on my videos are people asking which

Apple silicon MacBook to buy in 2024

luckily for you and unluckily for my

wallet I've tested and used every single

Apple silicon MacBook since 2020 and

there's one in particular I think is the

best device and I want to use this video

to go through my thought process rather

than just saying yeah just get this one

because just trust me bro so I guess the

most important thing to consider first

of all is what do you actually use a

Macbook for and I see a lot of people

making mistakes here typically it's

buying an underpowered system for their

specific workflow and then they have to

upgrade like 12 months later or vice

versa wasting hundreds of bucks on a pro

or Max series chip when they just don't

really need that extra performance now I

have a really simple way to figure this

out and it's what I used myself to

purchase my own MacBook configuration

just grab a piece of paper and write

down all of the stuff that you use your

MacBook for also take into consideration

how long you plan on owning this MacBook

right and all the stuff you plan on

doing in the future here's a list of

some popular workflows and you can pause

the video for inspiration if you like

then just draw a rough pie chart and

roughly estimate what percentage you'll

spend on each activity now for me I do a

lot of research and productivity tasks

like web browsing uh Google Docs and

emails for example I'm also as you can

probably tell a YouTuber so I'm

frequently doing more intensive tasks

like video editing and I dabble in

travel photography and design work using

Photoshop and Lightroom I'm also mostly

using my laptop at a desk so portability

isn't really a huge factor for me so

look at your pie chart if the majority

of it is you know fairly simple stuff

like productivity Word documents or web

browsing and maybe a little bit of more

intensive stuff every now and then you

should probably first of all consider a

MacBook Air but first if you're a fan of

productivity apps then there's one that

works seamlessly on Max called magical

and thanks to them for sponsoring this

segment of this video magical is a free

productivity extension that uses AI to

automate repetitive tasks like data

entry and messaging saving me 7 hours of

work every single week for example if

you need to get information from

multiple web pages instead of copying

everything manually magicals automations

feature labels the entire page grabs the

info you want and fills it into a

spreadsheet or a form and this is great

for writing papers and finding sources

to site organizing research or even

apartment hunting tracking job

applications automatically updating

patient forms literally anything the

templates feature lets you use shortcuts

to expand text that might otherwise take

time to manually type you can of course

make your own templates so I have one

resp responding to frequent emails I get

I also have it for my email address and

shipping address magical can of course

do a lot more like AI reply which can

reply to entire emails instantly it's

designed to save you time so you can

spend it on things you actually enjoy

like watching YouTube videos so make

sure you check out magical if you want

to boost your productivity and save tons

of time it's completely free and I'll

leave a link to get magical in the

description below so let's first dive

into the MacBook Air there are two main

choices here 13 versus 15 in and which

version either the M1 M2 or M3 you

should get now size choice is pretty

easy the 15in is obviously more

expensive and you get a bigger screen

and despite what people may tell you 2

in is actually quite a lot for laptop

screens now you'll definitely notice the

bigger screen area for productivity

stuff like XL check out this XL

comparison test I did or side by side

windows and multitasking but apart from

that there's no huge differences between

the 15 and 13in versions and I made a

separate video that goes into detail on

that if you're interested I also think

the M2 is the best bang for buck the M1

is great I personally love it but uh you

know let's be honest it is getting a

little bit dated now especially with the

old chassis and the M3 only came out a

few months ago so the prices are still

quite high right now at the time time of

making this video on Amazon you can get

a brand new M2 MacBook Air for 799 Bucks

versus 999 for a brand new M3 and of

course on the secondhand or refurbished

Market there's going to be a bigger

pricing difference because the M2 has

been out longer than the M3 so you can

of course get a better deal so that's

something to consider now in terms of

physical and performance differences

between all three again to keep this

video short and concise I recommend

checking out this detailed MacBook Air

comparison video I made long story short

the M2 is quite a bit better than the M1

but the M3 is only a little bit better

than the M2 to the point where you

probably won't notice it particularly

when doing Simple multitasking stuff but

remember what I said before with the

whole pie chart thing I mean if a

decently sized chunk of that Pi is more

than simple tasks you are probably going

to need more performance because the air

although powerful does have its limits

now if you really want to Deep dive into

this topic and see if you're maybe okay

with an air or maybe you should go to a

pro watch these two videos I make a

decision much easier because I compare a

bunch of the same typical workflows on

the air and also the pro now regardless

do I recommend paying a little bit extra

and going for the MacBook Pro over the

air even if you maybe don't necessarily

need a more powerful lap laptop and when

I say Pro I mean the pro version of the

Apple silicon chips like the M2 Pro or

M3 Pro not the base model 14in MacBook

Pro which although it does have Pro in

the name just has the same basic M3 chip

as the MacBook Air I know it's confusing

and look my advice is always to go for a

pro um you know if you can't afford it

of course I honestly think it is

currently the top three best laptops you

can get right now uh not only out of the

Mac lineup but from team PC as well it's

also better than the air in almost every

single way better screen with 120 HZ

promotion you know the high refresh

stuff you get on the iPhone Pro yep

that's the one more ports significantly

more performance and the big one the pro

comes with 512 GB of storage and 16 GB

of RAM as a base model versus the air

that only comes with half as much 256 GB

and 8 GB of RAM to get the same SSD in

Ram size on an air you need to spend

$400 more now portability is also a

factor here but it's not as significant

as some people make it out to be I mean

for example the 13in air versus the 14in

pro I've traveled with both all around

the world and sure the pro is heavier

and obviously a little bit thicker but

the actual footprint in a backpack or on

an airplane tray table for example is

very similar and in a backpack you

probably won't notice the weight

difference especially if you've got

other stuff in there so I wouldn't

really let the lightweight Air Design of

the air compared to the pro influence

your decision too much because in actual

day-to-day usage it's just not that

significant and the trade-off is you get

all of these incredible features on the

pro that the air just doesn't have now

one side note here is that there

definitely is a major difference between

the 14 and 16in Pro I mean you can still

travel with the 16in but it's noticeably

heavier and is not quite as portable I

often have trouble squeezing it into the

laptop sleeve of certain bags and it's

not something you want to use in tight

spaces it's just best suited for those

who prefer a large screen but mostly use

a laptop at a desk and maybe travel

between home and work because carting

this thing around airports or college

lecture theaters for example just isn't

really ideal at least in my own personal

experience there's also no difference in

performance or features between the 14

and 16in Pros you're just paying more

and getting a larger screen size now

when it comes to choosing which version

either the M1 Pro M2 Pro or M3 Pro it's

very similar to what I said about the

MacBook Air the M2 version is the best

bang for buck it's going to shred most

workflows especially anything creative

related for example the Adobe suite I

went into a ton of detail in in a

comparison video and compared a huge

range of workflows everything from

developers compiling code music

production photo and video editing 3D

modeling and gaming in terms of price

the M3 Pro is available from Apple for

$19.99 but again check those sales it's

on sale on Amazon right now for just

$16.99 that's just a few hundred bucks

more than a 13in air with the equivalent

upgraded RAM and SSD now if you can't

find the M3 Pro for a discount just go

with the M2 Pro either brand new from a

reseller or a refurbished model I also

personally would not go for an M1 Pro

unless I can get a really good discount

on it uh because the M2 Pro is quite a

bit better side note if you think you

need a more powerful Max chip instead of

the pro chances are you actually do

there are significant performance

improvements when going from a pro to a

Max so watch these two videos to compare

them across a number of different

workflows and real life tests so yeah

look can't go wrong with a 14in MacBook

Pro either the M2 or M3 pro version

doesn't really matter which one just get

whichever has the best price at the time

you're buying one but if it's out of

your budget or is totally overkill for

your needs just get either an M2 or M3

MacBook Air and call it a day