RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Which is the best MacBook to buy right now?
As of August 2026, I think the 15-inch M5 MacBook Air is the best MacBook for most people. It's a sleek, future-proofed ultraportable with the right amount of premium features and more than enough muscle for everyday multitasking, including occasional content creation . It's the ideal daily driver.
You might also consider the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air , which is slightly cheaper and more portable. I think it's the best MacBook for college students .
SEE ALSO:
RAMageddon is reportedly causing a MacBook Air shortage
The MacBook Neo is my top pick for budget shoppers, casual users, and younger students. It's not nearly as fast or as fancy as the latest MacBook Air, but it's a good performer for its price point, and it's just as well-made as any other MacBook. If your typical workload involves bopping between some Chrome tabs and an app or two, look no further.
If you want the nicest features and enough sustained power for photo editing, video rendering, AI work, and occasional gaming, the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro is your best bet. It one-ups the Air with better thermal management, more ports, more base storage, a smoother display, and a longer battery life. Just come prepared to spend at least $500 more.
Recent updates to this guide
In August 2026, I updated this guide to reflect Apple's newly increased MacBook prices . I also added the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air as a new pick for college students.
In May 2026, I added the results of our battery life testing for the M5 MacBook Air. It was able to loop a video for 17 hours and 40 minutes before dying.
The latest MacBook news
Apple raised its MacBook prices in June 2026 because of the ongoing global memory crunch , aka "RAMageddon." The MacBook Air has gotten $200 pricier since launch, while the Neo is now $100 more expensive. The MacBook Pro costs anywhere from $300 to $500 more, depending on the configuration.
RAMageddon is also reportedly causing a MacBook Air shortage . According to Bloomberg 's Apple expert, Mark Gurman, "Retail store sources say Apple is struggling to keep the laptop in stock and that shipments of new units are more constrained than they can ever recall." At the time of writing, the MacBook Air was on backorder for two to six weeks in Apple's online store.
If you don't mind the possible shipping delay, Apple's back-to-school promotion is now live through Aug. 27, and it earns you a free gift card worth up to $150 when you buy a new MacBook Air or Pro. The offer is open to college students, their parents, and school faculty.
You can also now rent your MacBook instead of buying it. The new Klarna-powered Apple Upgrade program lets you lease a new MacBook Air or Pro for up to 36 months (starting at $24.99 per month). Once your term is up, you can either return your loaner, swap it for a newer model, or buy it outright.
What's on deck
Bloomberg's Gurman reports that Apple is working on several new MacBooks, including a MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen, an entry-level M6 MacBook Pro, a redesigned MacBook Air, and a second-generation MacBook Neo with more RAM and color options. The OLED MacBook Pro could arrive as soon as this October.
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