Comparison: Which Apple MacBook is right for you?
Having trouble deciding between the new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, MacBook Pro without Touch Bar, Retina MacBook and MacBook Air? Confused about specs? Not sure if upgrades are worth the extra money? AppleInsider explains it all in this breakdown of Apple's current laptop lineup.
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We're also interested in your questions! If you want to know anything about the new MacBook Pro or LG UltraFine lineup, chime in on our forums and we'll address it.
How to get the best deal on a new MacBook
Shoppers can easily save hundreds when purchasing a new MacBook by taking advantage of instant discounts and exclusive coupon savings from Apple authorized resellers. Those opting for a Late 2016 13-inch or 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, for instance, can save $150 to $465 off MSRP on the systems bundled with an AppleCare protection plan. Many resellers do not collect sales tax in a majority of states as well.
Late 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro systems with function keys (but no Touch Bar) are also marked down with total savings of $50 to $200 off MSRP on the laptops alone or $150 to $300 off configs bundled with AppleCare.
The smaller, Early 2016 12-inch MacBook can also be found at up to $150 off, while 13-inch MacBook Air models are now $65 to $200 off.
For the best deals on Apple's entire MacBook lineup, be sure to check out AppleInsider's dedicated deals page. And to compare prices instantly across a variety of resellers, visit AI's Price Guides.
For more reviews, news, tips, features and more, subscribe to AppleInsider on YouTube.
We're also interested in your questions! If you want to know anything about the new MacBook Pro or LG UltraFine lineup, chime in on our forums and we'll address it.
How to get the best deal on a new MacBook
Shoppers can easily save hundreds when purchasing a new MacBook by taking advantage of instant discounts and exclusive coupon savings from Apple authorized resellers. Those opting for a Late 2016 13-inch or 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, for instance, can save $150 to $465 off MSRP on the systems bundled with an AppleCare protection plan. Many resellers do not collect sales tax in a majority of states as well.
Late 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro systems with function keys (but no Touch Bar) are also marked down with total savings of $50 to $200 off MSRP on the laptops alone or $150 to $300 off configs bundled with AppleCare.
The smaller, Early 2016 12-inch MacBook can also be found at up to $150 off, while 13-inch MacBook Air models are now $65 to $200 off.
For the best deals on Apple's entire MacBook lineup, be sure to check out AppleInsider's dedicated deals page. And to compare prices instantly across a variety of resellers, visit AI's Price Guides.
Comments
So, which MacBook is right for me?
NONE OF THEM!!!!
The new models don't offer enough of an upgrade over the above to justify the $$$$$.
I have to agree with imperial forces - Apple's got nothing for me. Why should I pay $2k for a computer that forces me to make compromises? If I want compromises, I can get a windows laptop for ⅓ the price.
1. Quad core i7 for fast code compilation
2. Tons of (preferably upgradable) memory to run all these virtual machines for test
3. SSD storage (512GB) that I can upgrade myself or at least have reasonable OEM prices
4. A decent keyboard to type all day long
5. USB-A ports to connect to virtually every type of devices out there, including iDevices
6. HDMI port to connect to projectors and TVs in meeting rooms
7. SD card slot to import photos from my camera to Lightroom when I go on vacation.
I don't mind a little of thickness. The touch bar doesn't impress me. For the $500 difference, I could have bought a 9.7" touchscreen also known as iPad.
Sadly, Apple does not make one.
sad when you read this. I loved Apple laptops.
2) Why does your security key require USB-A?
I'm a developer too. Full-time enterprise work.
- I want lots of RAM* which I will max out on Day 1 and never worry about again
- I want SSD storage that I'll never upgrade myself
- I don't need USBA since I work via wifi, git repositories, etc. In the rare event I need somebody else's drive I have no problem using a small, simple adapter
- I have never, ever used a SD slot, probably because consumer cameras aren't part of my work. My prosumer gear uses CF, and even that I use on my desktop and not my portable.
- I loathe thickness and want it as thin and light as possible.
Happily, Apple makes great options of me.
* I currently work on a 2014 rMBP and 2011 iMac, maxed out. They work pretty well for me and run VMs, IDEs, etc, so I can't see how the latest MBP could struggle for dev work. In fact this guy's real-world testing put that nonsense to rest:
https://www.zdziarski.com/blog/?p=6355
Here’s a list of everything I ran at once:
The result? I ran out of things to do before I ever ran out of RAM. I only ever made it to 14.5GB before the system decided to start paging out, so I didn’t even have the change to burn up all that delicious RAM.
First, the MacBook Pro 13 inch with retina came out in 2012 (end of 2012 to be specific) not 2011, and it came with an SSD and non-user upgradable RAM. You must have a regular non-retina MacBook.
Second, probably 95% of consumers never once upgrade any components in any of their computers. So making upgradability "design priority #1" is a foolish priority, especially if it comes at the expense of what does drive sales which is user experience and aesthetics.
Third, if you get a pro today it will serve you just as long as a Windows laptop and just as well if not better. Plus, it'll have more resale value at the end so you can get at least something back for it.
Fourth, a PC laptop you get now is probably not going to be much upgradable either - you can't replace video cards, motherboards, etc. anyway. Once you max out the RAM (which you can do at the time of purchase), the only thing you can really upgrade is the hard drive. So basically, your argument is that Apple should go back to thicker less appealing designs so you can some day have the option of changing your hard drive.
Currently looking for a way to disable it altogether.
I don't care about USB C, before you know it every peripheral will adopt the new connector, until then I'll use the converter, not a big deal.