Best MacBooks of 2027

What separates the best MacBooks on this page?

Three machines, three prices, and the gap between them is mostly about sustained speed and screen quality. The MacBook Pro 16" scores 9.7 at $3,499. The MacBook Pro 14" scores 9.3 at $1,999. The MacBook Air 13" scores 8.8 at $999.

The 16" earns its score on measured work: a 4K export in 3m 41s, a 22h 10m battery rundown, and an XDR display at 99.8% DCI-P3 with ΔE 0.9. Fans stay inaudible at 1 m. The 14" runs the same XDR panel and keyboard in a 1.6 kg body, exports the same 4K clip in 5m 12s, and lasts 17h. The Air 13" is fanless, weighs 1.24 kg, and ran 18h 05m — longer than the 14" — while handling 1080p editing and office work.

Scoring weights explain the ordering: Performance 30, Display 20, Battery 20, Build 15, Value 15. The 16" wins on performance and display. The Air wins on battery and value, but gives up display quality and sustained load.

What should you check before buying a MacBook?

Memory and storage are fixed at purchase on all three, so decide up front.

• Memory: the 14" starts at 24GB, which is the first thing to check if you edit multicam or run virtual machines.
• Storage: the Air 13" starts at 256GB, and that fills fast with camera files.
• Display: the Air 13" is 60Hz; the two Pro models use the XDR panel.
• Price ceiling: the 16" is $3,499 base, and the 64GB configuration is $4,299.
• Portability: 1.24 kg for the Air, 1.6 kg for the 14".

If you work plugged in at a desk, battery matters less and the display and export times matter more. If you carry the machine daily, weight and fanless silence move up the list.

Apple MacBook Pro 16" — for 4K video editors and colourists

Pick this if your day is 4K timelines and colour work. The 3m 41s export, 22h 10m battery and measured XDR panel are the reasons it sits at 9.7. Budget for the $3,499 base and accept that nothing is upgradeable later.

Apple MacBook Pro 14" — the same screen in a lighter body

The 14" keeps the XDR panel and keyboard, exports in 5m 12s, and weighs 1.6 kg for $1,999. Check the 24GB base memory and the smaller speakers against the 16" before deciding.

Apple MacBook Air 13" — for most buyers

At $999, with education pricing from $899, the Air covers 1080p editing and office work, runs silent, and lasted 18h 05m in testing. Only step up if you need the XDR screen or faster exports.

For 4K editing and colour work, the MacBook Pro 16" is the pick, with the 14" covering the same screen and keyboard in a 1.6 kg body for $1,999. Most buyers should take the MacBook Air 13" at $999 — it ran 18h 05m, stays silent, and handles 1080p editing and office work. Step up only if you need the XDR display or faster exports.