Luke Larsen Gear Jul 10, 2026 7:31 AM Which Apple MacBook Should You Buy? MacBooks are now more expensive than ever, and having tested all the latest models, here’s my honest advice on which to buy. Photograph: Luke Larsen Comment Loader Save Story Save this story Comment Loader Save Story Save this story Apple has set the 2026 MacBook lineup. Complete with several MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, along with the cheaper MacBook Neo, there’s a lot to consider before deciding on the MacBook that best suits your needs. With a decade of MacBook testing under my belt, I feel confident in my ability to point you in the right direction, regardless of your budgetary restraints and performance needs. Speaking of budget, if you’re hunting for discounts, be aware that Apple recently increased MacBook prices, citing component supply constraints and the high cost of memory and storage chips. For more recommendations, be sure to check out the rest of our computer buying guides , like the Best Laptops , Best Cheap Laptops , Best iPads , and Best Windows Laptops . Updated July 2026: I’ve added context behind Apple’s recent price increase for models in its MacBook line. Table of Contents AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Is Now a Good Time to Buy? A Breakdown of Each M-Series Chip Which MacBooks Are Compatible With macOS 27 Golden Gate? Which Macs Support Apple Intelligence? Get AppleCare+ to Protect Your Devices Take Advantage of Apple’s Education Discounts The MacBook for Most People The Best MacBook for Students The Best MacBook for Pros Only The Awkward Middle Child of MacBooks Refurbished MacBooks to Consider or Avoid Great MacBook Accessories Is Now a Good Time to Buy? AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron As of March 2026, Apple has refreshed every MacBook, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and the new MacBook Neo. That means if you shop now, you’ll get the latest hardware, which may extend its longevity. You’ll also get ongoing software support from Apple. The problem is that on June 25, Apple dramatically increased the price of all the MacBooks (and iPads) to varying degrees. Here’s a breakdown of the new prices, with increases ranging from $100 to $400: MacBook Neo : $699 (up from $599): 14 percent MacBook Air (13-inch): $1,299 (up from $1,099): 15 percent MacBook Air (15-inch): $1,499 (up from $1,299): 13 percent MacBook Pro (14-inch): $1,999 (up from $1,599): 20 percent MacBook Pro (16-inch) : $2,999 (up from $2,699): 10 percent It’s very rare for Apple to raise prices suddenly, especially when the change doesn’t accompany a product refresh. What makes this update especially unusual, though, is that only a few months have passed since the MacBook Neo launched. Apple blames the price spikes on memory and storage increases, stating that AI data centers have “created an extraordinary surge in demand” never seen before. So yes, the better time to buy a MacBook would have been earlier this year. While Apple says that it is “working tirelessly to find solutions,” I wouldn’t expect these prices to come down anytime soon. Predictions around how long this memory shortage will last are measured in years, not months. One potential update to note: A rumored MacBook launch later this year that would be a major moment. It will reportedly sport an OLED display, a touchscreen-optimized interface, an M6 chip, and a thinner chassis. While the device was once believed to be a forthcoming version of the MacBook Pro, a recent report from Bloomberg discusses an alternative high-end machine, possibly known as a MacBook Ultra. If it comes to fruition, it could be a way for Apple to offer a more expensive MacBook that isn’t purely performance-driven. One other interesting development in the world of Mac rumors is the forthcoming M6 chip, which will reportedly be the first in the lineup that will be a standalone chip that won’t get an M6 Pro, M6 Max, or M6 Ultra. That would render the current M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro the most up-to
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