I vividly look back at 2024 when I realized I was due for a new Mac laptop. I was using Lightroom to enhance a wedding photoshoot, and my previous MacBook Air started to heat up and freeze every few seconds. As a professional retoucher and content creator, I need to have a silent and powerful laptop, but one that wouldn't be more expensive than my camera.
That’s when I made it my goal to make an in-depth MacBook comparison. I had a lot of models to consider, including M1, M2, and now M4 chips, two types of MacBook Air, and multiple MacBook Pros. However, I didn’t want to just pick the best MacBook for myself, as I was also thinking about my coworkers, our readers, and fellow photographers and retouchers.
I spent the last few months testing 20+ Mac laptops on different tasks, including image and video editing, writing, completing tasks when traveling, and using AI solutions. The overview below reflects my experience using different Apple laptops, not just a list of their specifications.
I had this lingering suspicion that a lot of the MacBooks offer more than a higher price for a couple of new features. When I put a MacBook Air M1 against the M4 edition, I instantly saw an upgrade across all relevant aspects, be it app performance, image editing, or Zoom calls. However, the M4 model is noticeably more expensive.
Apple continues to put out marginally improved hardware while the external design remains identical. The M4 chip is a lot more efficient and is compatible with dual-monitor setups, but if that feature is needless to you, is it worth upgrading to it? Most of my coworkers at FixThePhoto are still happy with their M1 and M2 editions and don’t need a new MacBook.
It’s a similar case for anyone wondering which MacBook they should buy from the Pro series. If you're not professionally involved in creating 4K videos and animations, getting the M4 Pro or Max might be overkill. Many of my teammates still have an M1 MacBook Pro, and it still handles most tasks perfectly, which is why they aren’t in a hurry to upgrade.
Amazon: 1K+ bought in the past month
B&H: 15K+ sold in the past year
Adorama: 12K+ sold in the past year
Best Buy: 10K+ sold in the past year
My initial impression of the M4 MacBook Air was just a subtle upgrade, but after spending several weeks with it, I think it’s one of the best Apple laptops out there. It processes RAW images instantly, as I enhanced hundreds of real estate photos without a hitch. Its battery is also vastly superior to previous Airs, lasting up to 16 hours on just one charge.
I took it to a photoshoot once and had it copy files for my client. Thanks to the introduced compatibility with dual screens, I could pair it with my reference monitor and SSD dock at the same time.
Considering this is a lightweight and fanless model, it’s extremely effective at multitasking. I managed to run several apps and tabs simultaneously without any performance drops. It’s among the most practical laptops for working from home due to its silent running and durable battery.
At FixThePhoto, three of my coworkers now have the M4 Air as their primary laptop. It’s perfect for writers, retouchers, and creatives who don’t have to deal with 4K footage but are interested in a stylish, efficient machine. In my experience, this is the most convenient Apple laptop I’ve had the pleasure of trying.
Best for: Students and professionals interested in both robust functionality and portability.
“If you’ve previously used an M1 or Intel Mac, the improved battery life of this model is already enough to justify the purchase.”
Amazon: 700+ bought in the past month
B&H: 10K+ sold in the past year
Adorama: 9K+ sold in the past year
Best Buy: 7K+ sold in the past year
From the moment I first launched this 14" MacBook Pro with an M4 chip, I instantly noticed the performance improvement. I had to edit a 5-minute promo in 4K resolution, using a variety of effects, LUTs, and transitions – and this Apple laptop didn’t lag a single time.
I also tried running multiple resource-demanding apps simultaneously to check how its GPU would hold up, and this Mac performed perfectly, earning its reputation as one of the best laptops for artists.
The screen here is also incredible. The Liquid Retina XDR ensures you can perform color grading with maximum precision, enjoying deep blacks, clear whites, and high sharpness. I also like the large number of ports, which include an SD slot, HDMI, and several others that are important for video editors like me.
Best for: Video editors, 3D artists, and users chasing over maximum power
“When it comes to color grading and enhancing 4K footage, this model is unbeatable. However, do note that it’s rather heavy, so it’s better suited for a desk setup.”
Amazon: 50+ bought in the past month
B&H: 800+ sold in the past year
Best Buy: 500+ sold in the past year
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/_hero_horiz_MacBook-Air-M1-2020-Computer-1-030783bfc1ec44f6be220018b3b89239.jpg)
At first, the M1 Air was supposed to be a backup option, but I ended up relying on it for almost an entire year. For a model that was released back in 2020, it still somehow manages to be among the best laptops in 2025 if you’re on a budget.
It supports macOS Ventura, can run applications efficiently, and is more than capable of handling web browsing and light image editing. Meanwhile, the fanless design ensures it doesn’t make any noise, which is a godsend during late-night work hours.
When I used this MacBook on the road, I leveraged it to cull photos and apply batch processing to them. I didn’t experience any issues and was satisfied with the results. The battery also lasts for about 16 hours, which is impressive for an older model. If you’re interested in dependable laptops for Adobe Creative Suite at a bargain price point, this model should be near the top of your list.
Best for: Budget-minded users and students in search of a dependable Mac
“The M1 Air can still run any Adobe software. If your budget is limited, this is the most cost-effective MacBook you can buy.”
Amazon: 200+ bought in the past month
B&H: 4K+ sold in the past year
Adorama: 3K+ sold in the past year
Best Buy: 2.5K+ sold in the past year
This is the best Apple laptop you can get if you’re interested in a true powerhouse. Yes, it’s bulky, but it can process 8K footage, render images, and even handle lighter machine-learning operations without skipping a beat. I exported large files while listening to music and having several browser tabs open, and didn’t notice any performance drops or increased fan noise.
It’s my main device that I dock at the studio while pairing it with two monitors. It allows me to enjoy a desktop experience while still being portable when the situation calls for it. The large screen is perfect for editing video timelines, producing music, etc. It’s also a great laptop for web design, particularly if you often handle layered projects or code previews.
At FixThePhoto, only two of my coworkers have this new MacBook Pro, as they’re both involved in producing high-resolution videos and creating animations. This is not a model designed for casual users, but if you need to break the limits of what technology can achieve, you won’t find a better tool for the job.
Best for: Experts in video, 3D, coding, or large-scale production
«I recommend pairing this MacBook with a cooling pad when under a heavy load to maintain efficient performance.»
Amazon: 1K+ bought in the past month
B&H: 16K+ sold in the past year
Adorama: 13K+ sold in the past year
Best Buy: 11K+ sold in the past year
The 15” MacBook Air caught me off guard. I initially didn’t see the point in getting a laptop that is just a larger Air, but after using it for two weeks to enhance images, write blog articles, and participate in Zoom calls, I started loving the additional screen real estate more than ever. It made my life a lot more convenient without noticeably increasing the weight of this Apple laptop.
It comes with an M4 chip just like the 13-inch edition, but the larger screen is a lot better suited for multitasking. You can conveniently have two apps opened next to each other, enjoy full-size previews, and get a better view when video chatting.
The fanless design leads to increased temperatures under a heavy load, but that wasn’t an issue for me. Even though it’s not a premium-grade powerhouse, it’s still among the most lightweight and versatile laptops for video editing as long as you don’t frequently work with 4K and 8K footage.
Best for: Users interested in a large screen without the Pro’s weight or high cost
“The 15” display provides more room for multitasking without increasing the weight of the device.”
Before adding any of these models to the list of the best Apple laptops, our FixThePhoto team carefully tested each MacBook to gauge its performance in a variety of creative scenarios. We didn’t limit ourselves to benchmarks – we applied every laptop for image editing, writing, video calls, and using apps. All models were used for at least two weeks, both in the studio and on the go.
One of the most important aspects for us is color accuracy. Most of us are involved in image retouching or color grading, so we tested how all the displays handled Adobe RGB and P3 color spaces. For instance, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with Liquid Retina XDR has proven to be a highly precise Adobe RGB laptop, displaying crisp, accurate colors without any calibration necessary.
We also checked out how well all the models run Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Lightroom. We needed to determine the best laptop for Adobe Illustrator that wouldn’t lag or crash when tackling intricate vector drawing projects or multitasking with several tabs and external monitors. Both the M4 MacBook Air and M4 Pro MacBook Pro were the best in this area.
We also tested a variety of models that weren’t included in our list of the best MacBooks for you to buy. The 12” MacBook (2017) is too dated to run modern apps and also lacks the power to multitask efficiently. We gave the Intel-based MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) a shot, but it started overheating fast, and its performance was inferior even when juxtaposed against M1 chips.
