The best MacBooks you can get in 2025: Should you buy an Air or Pro?

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Any time you shop for a new laptop, a lot of people are going to tell you the same thing: Get a MacBook.
We don't blame them. The best MacBooks are fantastic laptops, and while they don't afford you the freedom of customization that other brands offer, that's not something everyone will care about. Most of us just want a high-quality laptop that'll get us through work, school, and play with minimal fuss.
SEE ALSO: Laptop specs explained: A jargon-free guide to what's inside your computer
Although MacBooks can get a bit pricey — with the latest M4 MacBook Pros reaching into truly frightening territory — they justify the price with Apple's signature design, user-friendly OS, and zippy M-series processors. We were excited to see that the latest M4 MacBook Air starts at a relatively budget-friendly $999. Plus, you can often find MacBook Air and Pro models on sale if you shop third-party retailers like Amazon or Best Buy.
After testing out Apple's entire lineup of laptops, we're here to help you narrow down the choices and take home the Apple machine of your dreams.
With today's current lineup of MacBooks, you really only have two options: The MacBook Pro or the MacBook Air. So, which is right for you?
If you're a creative who regularly pushes your laptop to the limit with demanding video and photo editing applications, you'll want to aim for the Pro. The name of the game with the Pro line is processing power, and the latest iterations are the speediest and most performance-driven yet.
Testing the all-rounder M4 MacBook Air. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable
Testing the super-powered M4 MacBook Pro. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
If convenience and portability are your top priorities, then the Air will be most suited to you. It's thin and light, and it even comes in a 13-inch option if you'll be lugging it around wherever you go. Plus, ever since the debut of Apple's M Series chips, the MacBook Air has become a pint-sized powerhouse. The most current model utilizes the M4 chip, so you won't be sacrificing all that much in terms of power.
SEE ALSO: The best Windows laptops we tested in 2024: Our pick lasts longer than the M4 MacBook Pro
After testing out the latest Apple laptops, we think there are four MacBooks worth buying in 2025. Check out our top picks below, their pros and cons, and who we think would like each model best.
This will come down to what you're willing to give up in performance, and in some cases, quality. But whatever you do deem worthy of sacrificing, you'll be paid back in savings. For example, the 2022 model M2 MacBook Air won't come with the latest chip, but you'll still be scoring an impressive laptop that frequently goes on sale for as low as $849.99.
A photo from Mashable's test of the M1 MacBook Air. Credit: Zlata Ivleva / Mashable
Testing the M2 MacBook Air. Credit: Molly Flores / Mashable
So, if you've got a lighter budget, don't fret — you can still get a MacBook at an affordable price. Older MacBooks are still very much worthy of your consideration, and they won't cost you nearly as much.

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