In This Episode Erin and Weer’d discuss: Gov. Maura Healey signing the emergency preamble to the new Massachusetts gun law, and its details are insane; SCOTUS hearing a case on “Ghost Guns” in Garland v. VanDerStok; 2023’s FBI Crime Statistics,  and … Continue reading →

A new promotional video for Star Trek: Lower Decks: Season Two is available from StarTrek.com...

Fans of Captain Janeway will be pleased to hear the announcement that a new Janeway...

Did you know? Star Trek turns 55 this year, and to coincide with the anniversary of Trek first...

As part of the Star Trek Day celebration, commemorating the 55th anniversary of the original...

Several classic Star Trek books from the Simon & Schuster era of publishing Trek novels are on sale...

At its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, Apple announced updates coming to its various operating systems, most of which focus on its own version of AI, dubbed Apple Intelligence. MacBooks will get macOS 15, aka Sequoia, that will support Image Playground, Apple’s image generation tool, and AI composition features that can rewrite, proofread and summarize text in Mail, Notes, Pages and more. But the AI smarts will only be available to Apple laptops with an M1 chip or newer. So if you have an older model (pre-2020), or want the latest chips to get the most out of macOS 15, you might want a new MacBook. This guide will help you pick which one makes the most sense for you.

After testing every model Apple makes, we think the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M3 chip and 16GB of RAM is the best choice for most people. But there are definitely reasons to consider the cheaper M2 Air and the fully featured Pro laptops. We’ve broken down all the options to help you decide which is the best MacBook for you.

Factors to consider when buying a MacBook

Compared to PCs, Apple computers tend to have more streamlined specifications. The company has long been known for this simplicity, and the M-series “system-on-a-chip” condenses things even further. It started with the M1 chip, which has since been retired in all models. The M2 and M3 chips can be found in current-generation MacBooks, but the latest Apple silicon, the M4 chip, is only housed in the new iPad Pro. All M-series chips combine, among other technologies, the CPU, graphics card and unified memory (RAM). Apple’s Neural Engine is included too, which is a specialized group of processor cores that handles machine learning tasks such as image analysis and voice recognition. 

While a unified chip means you have fewer decisions to make when picking a MacBook, there are still a few factors to consider, including specs like the number of CPU cores, amount of RAM, storage capacity, screen size, and, obviously, price. The finish color may be a minor consideration, but it's worth pointing out that the Pro come in just two colors (Silver or Space Gray) but the Air adds two additional hues (Midnight and Starlight).

CPU cores

Currently the lowest-specced chip in a MacBook is the M2 in the 13-inch MacBook Air. It comes with an 8-core CPU and either an 8- or 10-core GPU. At the other end of the spectrum, the M3 Max chip is built with up to a 16-core CPU and a 40-core GPU. Cores are, in essence, smaller processing units that can handle different tasks simultaneously. Having more of them translates to the computer being able to run multiple programs and applications at once, while also smoothly processing demanding tasks like video editing and high-level gaming. In short, more cores allow for more advanced computing and better performance. But if your processing power needs fall below professional-level gaming and cinematic video and audio editing, getting the highest number of cores is likely overkill — and after all, more cores equals higher cost and more power usage.

RAM

Your options for RAM, or in Apple’s terminology, Unified memory, varies depending on the chip you choose. The M2 and M3 chips can be paired with 8, 16 or 24GB of RAM. The M3 Pro chip has 18 or 36GB memory options, while the most powerful M3 Max chip supports 48, 64 or a whopping 128GB of RAM.

You’ve likely heard the analogy comparing memory to the amount of workspace available on a literal desktop surface, whereas storage is the amount of drawers you have to store projects to work on later. The larger the worktop surface, the more projects you can work on at once. The bigger the drawers, the more you can save for later.

More RAM is ideal for people who plan to work in multiple apps at once. And the more demanding each program is, the more RAM will be required. Extra memory can also come in handy if you’re the type who likes to have infinite numbers of tabs open on your browser. If your daily workflow doesn’t involve simultaneously using a vast number of memory-intensive programs, you can save yourself money and buy the RAM configuration that you’re most likely to actually use.

For casual users, 8GB may be enough, however, if you can afford an upgrade to 16GB of RAM, we recommend going doing so, as modern browsers tend to be pretty memory-hungry. Investing in more RAM now will give your new MacBook a longer lifespan of reliable use. It’s also important to keep in mind that, unlike most PCs, the RAM in current-model MacBooks is not user-upgradable, so you’ll want to get what you plan on needing at the outset.

Storage capacity (SSD)

Storage options range from 256GB of SSD for the M2 MacBook Air and 8TB of storage for the MacBook Pros with the M3 Max chip. If you want to rotate between a long roster of game titles or keep lots of high-res videos on hand, you’ll want more storage. If you’re mostly working with browser- and cloud-based applications, you can get away with a smaller-capacity configuration. That said, we recommend springing for 512GB of storage or more, if it’s within your budget. You’ll quickly feel the limits of a 256GB machine as it ages since the operating system alone takes up a good portion of that space. Having 1TB will feel even roomier and allow for more data storage over the life of your laptop.

When Apple announced the iPhone 15, the company also announced new iCloud+ storage storage plans, with subscriptions that allow up to 12TB of storage. You could also transfer files to an external storage device. But if you don’t want to pay for a monthly subscription and prefer the convenience of having immediate access to your files, it’s best to get the highest amount of storage space your budget allows for at the outset.

Screen size

MacBooks come in 13-, 14-, 15- and 16-inch sizes. That might not seem like a huge difference, but, as Engadget’s Nathan Ingraham noted when he reviewed the now-retired 15-inch M2-powered MacBook Air, a larger screen "makes a surprising difference.” That’s especially true if you plan to use your laptop as an all-day productivity machine and won’t be using an external monitor. More space means you can more clearly view side-by-side windows and have a more immersive experience when watching shows or gaming.

But screen size is the main factor influencing weight. The 13-inch MacBook Air M2 weighs 2.7 pounds, whereas the top-end 16-inch MacBook Pro weighs 4.8 pounds. If you plan to travel a lot or swap your work locations regularly, a smaller screen will make life easier in the long run.

All MacBooks feature IPS LCD panels (in-plane switching, liquid crystal display), which Apple markets as Retina displays. The MacBook Air M1 has a Retina display. A Liquid Retina display comes with the M2 MacBook Air and the Liquid Retina XDR display comes with the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros. “Liquid” refers to the way the lighted portion of the display “flows” within the contours of the screen, filling the rounded corners and curving around the camera notch. “XDR” is what Apple calls HDR (high dynamic range).

Compared to most other laptops, MacBook displays are notably bright, sharp and lush. But one feature worth pointing out is another Apple marketing term: ProMotion. It’s the company’s term to describe a screen with a higher, 120Hz refresh rate, which results in smoother scrolling and more fluid-looking graphics. Only the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros offer ProMotion; the other models max out at 60Hz, which is perfectly fine for everyday browsing and typical workdays. But if you want buttery-smooth motion from your display, you’ll have to shell out more money for an upgrade.

Price

When the MacBook Air M3 came out, Apple dropped the price of the base-model, 13-inch, M2-powered Air with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. With a $999 starting price, it’s now the least expensive new MacBook you can get. Alternatively, you can spend up to $7,199 for the 16-inch MacBook Pro M3 Max with 128GB of RAM and 8TB of storage. Chip type, screen size, memory and storage capacity all influence the final price, which is why guides like this can help you determine just what you need (and what you don’t) so you can get the most cost-effective machine for you.

We recommend the MacBook Air M3 for most people, the MacBook Air M2 for students and those on a budget, and the 14- or 16-inch MacBook Pros for professionals. If you have extra money to spare once you’ve picked your machine, we recommend upgrading to at least 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage to make your machine as future-proof as possible.

Best MacBooks 

MacBook FAQs

What's the difference between MacBook Air and Pro?

The MacBook Air comes with a standard M3 or M2 chip. MacBook Pro models have the option of more powerful M3 Pro or M3 Max chips. The Pro has a higher resolution screen with a higher peak brightness that supports XDR (extreme dynamic range). The battery life on most Pro models is longer than on the Air models. Pro models also have more ports and more speakers. In short, the MacBook Air is aimed at everyday users looking for good productivity and entertainment capabilities, while Pro models are aimed at professionals who need a high-performance computer.

What's the difference between macOS and Windows?

MacOS is the operating system developed by Apple and used in all of its desktop and laptop computers. It can only be found in hardware made by Apple including MacBooks and iMacs. Microsoft’s Windows operating system can be found in the company’s own Surface laptops as well as computers made by a wide array of manufacturers, like Acer, Asus, Dell and Razer.

A man has been transported to hospital following a collision in Sandys this evening. A police spokesperson said, “Around 9:25 PM on Friday, 19 July 2024 police and other first responders were dispatched to a report of a serious single vehicle collision involving a motorcycle, on Somerset Road in the vicinity of Scaur Drive, Sandys […]

A male pedal cyclist was taken to hospital with “serious head injuries” following a collision involving a car on Pitt’s Bay Road in Pembroke this morning. A police spokesperson said, “Around 9:08 a.m. on Sunday, July 21st, 2024, police and other first responders were dispatched to a serious road traffic collision involving a motorcar and […]

A 30-year-old male motorcycle rider was injured in a collision in Pembroke early this morning. A police spokesperson said, “Shortly before 12:45 a.m., on Monday, July 29th, 2024, police and Emergency Medical Services personnel, were dispatched to a reported single vehicle road traffic collision, involving a motorbike, near the junction of West Park Lane and North […]

The Ministry of Public Works advised of a “smouldering bunker fire at the Tynes Bay Waste to Energy facility in Devonshire.” A Government spokesperson said, “The incident has resulted in periodic impacts on service delivery. The Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service and Tynes Bay personnel are closely monitoring the situation to ensure it remains under […]

A car driver was injured after crashing into a wall in Southampton last night. A police spokesperson said, “Around 9pm on Friday, August 2 2024, police and other emergency services were dispatched to a report of a single vehicle collision on Middle Road near the junction with Lighthouse Road, Southampton. “Details are limited at this […]

“There is a brush fire in the Glebe Road, Parsons Road, Pembroke area,” the police said this afternoon [Aug 7]. A police spokesperson said, “Bermuda Fire & Rescue are currently on scene. Police are diverting traffic around the area at St. Augustine’s Hill and Deepdale Road. We are asking that motorist use alternative routes where […]

The police have confirmed the death of 24-year-old Shani Simmons, which marks the fourth road fatality of the year, A police spokesperson said, “Sadly, the Bermuda Police Service [BPS] can now confirm Bermuda’s fourth road fatality of 2024, 24-year-old, Shani Simmons, and extends sincere condolences to his family and friends. “As stated in the original witness appeal […]

A 50-year-old man has been transported to hospital for treatment after a single vehicle collision involving a motorcycle in St. George’s. A police spokesperson said, “Shortly after 9:00pm on Saturday 24th, August 2024, police and other first responders were dispatched to a report of a serious single vehicle collision involving a motorcycle, on Southside Road, […]

The police have confirmed the death of 50-year-old Steve Perinchief following a collision in St George’s. A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Police Service can now confirm the death of the 50 year old man, who was seriously injured, in a single vehicle motorcycle collision on Southside Rd., St. George’s on Saturday 24th of August 2024. The […]

The Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service responded to the Airport Waste Management Facility in the east end earlier this evening [Aug 31] where the personnel worked to extinguish a blaze. Additional details are limited at this time, however we will update if able. Related Stories Photos & Videos: Fire In Devonshire Marsh Area Video: Firefighters […]

Part of Harbour Road in Paget Parish will be closed between 10:00am and 12:00pm today [Sept 19] to “allow for the placement of a crane to extract a submerged vehicle from Hamilton Harbour.” Bermuda Police Service Statement A police spokesperson said, “Please be advised that between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. today, efforts will be […]

[Updated] A motorcyclist was injured in a collision in Southampton this morning. A police spokesperson said, “Around 9am Monday, 23rd September 2024, police officers responded to a reported two vehicle collision at the junction of Middle Road and South Road in Southampton. “Early information indicates that a tractor trailer truck driven in the eastbound lane […]

The rider of a motorcycle involved in a collision with a tractor trailer truck on Monday [Sept 23] in Southampton remains hospitalised. A police spokesperson said, “The rider of a motorcycle involved in a collision with a tractor trailer truck around 9am Monday, 23rd September 2024, at the junction of Middle Road and South Road […]

[Updated] Police responded to a single vehicle collision on North Shore Road in Hamilton parish this morning. A police spokesperson said, “Around 8:55am Monday, 30th September 2024, police officers responded to a reported single vehicle collision on North Shore Road in Hamilton parish. “Details remain limited at this time. “However, it is understood that a woman […]

A 45-year-old female motorcyclist was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after colliding with a car near Darrell’s Wharf in Warwick. A police spokesperson said, “At last check, a female rider hurt in a reported two vehicle collision near Darrell’s Wharf in Warwick around 2:20pm Sunday, 29th September 2024, apparently received treatment at King Edward VII Memorial […]

A 30-year-old male motorcycle rider was injured in a collision in Warwick this afternoon [Oct 7]. A police spokesperson said, “Around 1:25 pm on Monday, October 7, 2024, police and other first responders attended a serious single vehicle collision involving a motorcycle at the junction of Middle Road and Ten Pin Crescent, Warwick. “Upon arrival, […]

[Updated] There is no access to Bermuda College this morning [Oct 9] the police have confirmed. A police spokesperson said, “Please be advised there is currently no access to Bermuda College due to an industrial accident on the compound. There have been no reported injuries at this time. Police and Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service are […]

There has been a two vehicle road traffic collision involving a motorcar and a motorcycle in the area of Barnes Corner in Southampton Parish. A police spokesperson said, “There has been a two vehicle road traffic collision involving a motorcar and a motorcycle in the area of Barnes Corner, Southampton Parish. “Details are limited at […]

Members of the public stepped up to help a 44-year-old man who was “seen unresponsive in the water” at Elbow Beach. A police spokesperson said, “Around 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2024, police received several reports of a swimmer in distress on the public side of Elbow Beach. “Officers were informed that the swimmer, a […]

[Updated] “There has been a serious road traffic collision involving a PTB bus and a pedestrian at the junction of Bermudiana Road and Front Street in the City of Hamilton,” the police said this morning [Oct 30]. A police spokesperson said, “Details are limited at this time, however, the scene is currently being processed and traffic […]

The police have confirmed that a 19-year-old male has died following a collision. A police spokesperson said, “Around 8:10 this morning, Friday, November 1, 2024, police officers were dispatched to a two vehicle road traffic collision involving a truck and a motorcycle, near the junction of Harrington Sound Road and Lolly’s Well Road, Smith’s. “It was […]

A road traffic collision between two motorcycles yesterday [Nov 3] left one man with injuries, while the second driver left the scene before police arrived. A police spokesperson said, “Shortly after 5:15pm on Sunday, November 3, 2024, police attended a road traffic collision involving two motorcycles near the junction of Parson’s Road and Crossland Lane, […]

Police are investigating a car fire that happened in Pembroke yesterday [Nov 3], noting that “there were items recovered at the scene to suggest the fire was maliciously set.” A police spokesperson said, “Around 9:40am on Sunday, November 3, 2024, police, along with Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service, responded to a report of a car […]

The police have now confirmed the death of 19-year-old Damitri Edwards. A police spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Police Service [BPS] can now confirm the death of 19-year-old Damitri Edwards, who was seriously injured in a reported two vehicle collision involving a motorcycle and a truck that occurred around 8:10 A.M. on Friday, November 1, 2024, […]

[Updated] “There has been a serious road traffic collision involving two motorcycles on Blue Hole Hill, Hamilton Parish,” the police said this evening [Nov 7]. “The roadway is currently closed, with traffic being diverted through the Grotto Bay compound. Motorists heading into or out of the east end are encouraged to delay their departure, if possible […]

The police have confirmed the death of 56-year-old man, who died following a collision in Hamilton Parish. A police spokesperson said, “Around 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2024, police were dispatched to a serious road traffic collision involving two motorcycles on Blue Hole Hill, near the junction with Dolphin Drive, Hamilton Parish. “Officers arrived […]

[Opinion column written by OBA Senate Leader Ben Smith] If you repeat a lie enough times some people will start to believe it’s the truth. The PLP did a great job of repeating to everyone that the America’s Cup was bad for Bermuda. They continue to repeat this lie every time they feel the pressure […]

“We learned a lot from the America’s Cup in 2017″ and so we could “probably do it a little better” however there are “some other things that we should also be going after,” Bermuda has a “strong and long history” with sailing, and “rinse and repeat is not a tourism strategy,” are a few of […]

“Two male suspects were arrested in connection with the ongoing investigations into the murders of Razi Garland and Amon Robinson,” the police said. A police spokesperson said, “On Thursday, July 25th, 2024, the Bermuda Police Service Serious Crime Unit, supported by the Criminal Investigation, Gang Targeting and Police Support Units, executed two warrants in the […]

[Updated with video] A female “sustained multiple gunshot wounds” and was taken to hospital for “treatment of her injuries which are considered life-threatening,” the police have confirmed. A police spokesperson said, “Around 11:10 p.m. on Monday, July 29, 2024, police and other first responders were dispatched to a confirmed firearms incident on the South Shore […]

The police have renewed their appeal for information about the murder of Jahkoby Smith in 2017. A police spokesperson said, “Around 7:15pm on Saturday 29th July, 2017, Jahkoby Smith, was fatally stabbed after he was involved in an altercation that took place at the West End Sailboat Club, Sandys. At that time, there was a wake […]

“The policing plan implemented over the just concluded Cup Match holiday weekend, was in the main, successful in preventing any major criminal activity,” the police said, adding that there “were thirty-six arrests for various offences, the majority being for outstanding warrants.” A police spokesperson said, “However of particular concern, among them were ten persons arrested for […]

[Updated] “Officers observed two males riding a motorcycle in a southerly direction along Khyber Pass, when the passenger discharged a firearm at police” and “officers began pursuit which eventually lead to shots being fired,” the police said today. A police spokesperson said, “Shortly after 12am on Saturday 24th of August 2024 police were responding to […]

“This was a heinous and cowardly act of violence directed at our police officers last night,” Minister of National Security Michael Weeks said. Minister Weeks said, “We are grateful that no one was hurt during this dangerous incident. This is a threat to law and order, and we must all do our part to bring the […]

The Bermuda Police Service said they are “aware of a social media message being circulated, reporting a firearms incident had taken place at TCD this morning” noted that it was untrue. A police spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Police Service is aware of a social media message being circulated, reporting a firearms incident had taken place at […]

[Updated] “This is not the first time that officers have been shot at. But this is the first time, that in performance of their duty, BPS officers have discharged lethal weapons at another person,” the police said following the recent firearm incident Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons said, “Shortly after midnight on Saturday, August 24, 2024, […]

A White Hyundai Creta vehicle was “removed from a Paget residence” early this morning, the police said A police spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Police Service is asking members of the public to be on the look out for a White Hyundai Creta, which was removed from a Paget residence during the early morning hours on Tuesday 27th […]

Detective Chief Inspector Jason Smith and Acting Chief Inspector Mark Tomlinson of the Bermuda Police Service [BPS] are currently in Brazil where they are attending the 9th Americas Working Group meeting on Cybercrime. A police spokesperson said, “The officers addressed the gathering on measures and countermeasures implemented by the [BPS] to deal with cybercrime, which […]

The police said there has been an increase in the number of motorcycles reported stolen, with 20 motorcycles reported stolen in the last week. A police spokesperson said, “In recent times, the Bermuda Police Service [BPS] has observed an increase in the number of motorcycles reported stolen. Last week, 20 motorcycles were reported stolen from various locations around […]

Police have arrested three men as part of Operation Athelstan, an “operational response to the firearm incident that occurred on August 24,” with an 18-year-old male “arrested in connection with the firearm incident” and two other men “arrested on suspicion of possession of controlled drugs and drug equipment.” A police spokesperson said, “Around 3:00pm on […]

“More than sixty cannabis plants in various stages of growth” were “seized and subsequently destroyed,” the police confirmed. A police spokesperson said, “Shortly before 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, police officers were on mobile patrol when they had occasion to attend a property in the area of Mission Lane, Pembroke. “A check of the […]