Buying a new Mac isn't as simple as picking up the latest iPhone. Unlike with their phones, Apple users tend to keep their Macs up and running for years on end, and with a wide variety of form factors and configurations to choose from, there's a lot more to consider. Portability, power, speed, storage, screen size, pixels and expansion needs are just a few on the list.
While the Mac lineup is fairly streamlined and straightforward when compared to all the Windows 10 PCs on the market, the options still feel endless. If you want a desktop, there's the Mac mini, iMac and Mac Pro to choose from, though we'd like to see the day when they're all three combined. On the laptop front, there's the 12-inch MacBook, a MacBook Air and a MacBook Pro.
Even if you overlook the build-to-order options, there are dozens of possibilities ranging from $499 (about £325/AU$646) all the way up to $3,999 (about £2,610/AU$5,181). That said, every Mac – regardless of personalization choices – ships with the latest operating system, macOS 10.12 Sierra.
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A new Mac is a long-term investment. As you don't want to be stuck with the wrong one forever, we scoured through every possible combination of specs and models to help pair you with your perfect match. So then, with two fingers on the trackpad, scroll with us as we dive in and find the best Mac for your needs.
The Mac Pro was cutting-edge when it launched in late 2013, and it's still one of the most advanced PCs money can buy - though an update wouldn't go amiss.
The new design, which made the machine much smaller and compact, introduced Thunderbolt, the high-speed connectivity option to the desktop, and a range of other high-end features that users wanted.
The most expensive Pro model can have a 12-core processor, 64GB of RAM, and 4 terabytes (4,000GB) of SSD storage without breaking a sweat. From here, users can add their own graphics cards, more memory, and run four displays simultaneously.
The machine has power and performance to spare, with quad-core Intel Xeon E5 processors, dual AMD FirePro graphics cards, and super-fast PCIe-based flash storage. And its distinctive 9-inch-high cylindrical form fits great on any desk.
Of course, the Pro's price tag matches its performance - ranging from $2,999 (£2,499/AU$4,399) to around $10,000 depending on your storage, memory and processing needs - but it's as future-proofed as any Mac you'll find.
Even if OS X were to transform into some kind of a Multitouch hybrid in five years, today's Mac Pros will surely be able to handle it.
What's next for the Mac Pro?
The Mac Pro, unlike all of Apple's other desktops or laptops, is meant to be played with, expanded, and customised by people who work in film or music studios. Because of this, the Pro is unlike any of Apple's other machines and, as such, doesn't get updated as often by the company.
Apple has been under pressure to update the Mac Pro in recent times, however, as the iMac becomes more and more powerful. The next version of the Pro will most likely not come in 2016, though.
Read the full review: Mac Pro
If you want the big screen of an iMac with the precision of a Retina display then there's only one iMac for you: the iMac with 5K Retina display. It comes with a choice of two quad-core Intel Core i5s at 3.3GHz and 3.5GHz respectively, a 1TB hard drive or Fusion Drive and it's so pretty we want to marry it.
If you're dropping more than a grand and a half on an iMac you might as well go the whole hog and get the faster, Fusion Drive-packing model, packing a 5K Retina Display, 3.5GHz processor and Fusion Drive for £1,849 ($2,299).
For designers and video creators looking to make the move to ultra pixel-heavy content, the 5K iMac pairs an illustrious display with a heaping deal of screen real estate to boot. It may not have the expandability of a Mac Pro, but hey, at least you don't have to worry about buying a separate monitor.
What's next for the 27-inch iMac with 5K Retina display?
Apple is unlikely to change anything big on the 27-inch iMac with 5K Retina display in 2016, making way for other models—like the MacBook Pro—to get the limelight. Nevertheless, with Microsoft's Surface Studio catering to artists and designers with a full-on touchscreen, the iMac is starting to feel like yesterday's news.
Read the full review: 27-inch iMac with 5K Retina display
If 27 inches is too much for you, Apple's 21.5-inch 4K iMac is much smaller but packs and equally sharp display. It goes toe-to-toe with the 27-inch 5K iMac's when it comes to pixel density, and it similarly supports the DCI P3 colour gamut allowing for accurate, vibrant colour.
The 4K iMac starts at £1,199 ($1,499) and can be upgraded with features such as a faster processor, more RAM and faster, more capacious storage.
It isn't much more affordable than the entry-level 27-inch iMac once you've ramped up the configuration, so it's worth bearing in mind whether spending the extra money would be worth getting hold of a larger display and much more powerful graphics capabilities.
If those aspects aren't important, Apple's smaller iMac is still a capable machine and packs one of the best 4K screens around. And, if you don't need an Ultra HD display, there's a 1080p model as well.
What's next for the 21.5-inch iMac with 4K Retina Display?
As with the 5K iMac, it's highly unlikely that Apple will launch a new 4K model in 2016. It will, however, benefit from an upgrade to macOS Sierra 10.12 thanks to new features like Siri and Universal Clipboard.
Read the full review: A gorgeous 4K display on a compact all-in-one
After an extensive wait period, we finally have the MacBook Pro overhaul we deserve. Complete with a thinner, sleeker design, a Space Gray color option and an OLED-backlit Touch Bar in place of the function keys, the 2016 MacBook Pro isn't quite the same notebook we've come to know and love. In fact, it's better.
While it's pricier than what we've seen in the past, starting at $2,399 (about £1,970, AU$3,170), the revitalized MacBook Pro is still more affordable than the desktop tower that shares its surname. If you're looking for more of a desktop replacement than a road companion, it's definitely the way to go.
For almost $1,000 less, sure you could treat yourself to the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro, but then you'll miss out on the Touch Bar as well as more screen real estate. Plus, by default, the 15-inch MacBook Pro ships with an i7 processor and an AMD Radeon Pro 450 graphics processor in addition to four USB-C ports.
There's a lot to love about the 15-inch MacBook Pro including 16GB of RAM, the option of up to 2TB of SSD storage space and a massive trackpad. Sure, you'll be shelling out a lot of cash for this model, and the butterfly mechanism used in the keyboard isn't exactly flawless, but it's the best MacBook Pro money can buy, made better by cutting-edge tech.
The USB-C ports, for instance, are Thunderbolt 3 compatible, meaning you can transfer up to 40Gbps with a compatible device. You can also use any of the four Thunderbolt 3 ports for charging since support for MagSafe adapters has finally been dropped.
Packed with either a 2.6GHz or 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, a Retina 2880 x 1800 display and support for up to two 5K monitors at the same time, the MacBook Pro is a screamer whether you're editing videos in Final Cut Pro or making music with Garageband.
Of course if you want the tricked out, built-to-order 2.9GHz MacBook Pro with all the specs maxed out, you can expect to pay – wait for it – $4,299 (about £3,540, AU$5,670). Ouch.
What's next for the MacBook Pro with Retina?
2016 was all about playing catchup to Microsoft's Surface devices. While the MacBook Pro was the first laptop to get the Retina display in 2012, it's continuing to cater to users who want a lot of power on-the-go.
The Skylake processors featured in the latest MacBook Pros makes it possible to power two 5K screens at once, and while that's everything we could have ever wanted from the MacBook Pro, the added Touch Bar needs some work.
Right now, it's less of a superior alternative to touchscreens and more of a workaround to avoid adding touch support to macOS. Of course, this could all change given the proper support from app developers, but we'll see for sure over the next year.
Read our hands-on review: MacBook Pro
Apple's 2015 MacBook refresh wasn't for everyone and, despite being rosier and "goldier" than ever, that contention hasn't changed with this year's upgrade. While both models supplanted the MacBook Air as the lightest and smallest laptop, the extra portability came with compromises.
Most notably, Apple replaced the standard USB 3 and Thunderbolt 2 ports with the brand-new USB-C protocol. While it's cool that a single cable can now handle both power and all sorts of data transfer, Mac users who are used to plugging in a variety of devices may find themselves frustrated picking through the various hubs and adapters required to complete even the most basic tasks.
There's also the keyboard. When the PowerBook debuted in 1991, Apple caused a stir by pushing the keys closer to the screen to create a natural palm rest and room for a trackball. Apple has attempted to change the game once again with the new MacBook, this time by re-engineering every key to be thinner and far less springy to the touch.
It feels quite a bit different than any other laptop we've ever used, so we recommend trying one at an Apple Store before making a decision. If those two concerns (and the loss of the glowing Apple logo) aren't an issue for you, the MacBook is pretty great.
Even though its 1.1GHz, 1.2GHz dual-core or 1.3GHz Intel Core M processor has nowhere near the power of the Pro or even the Air, the laptop is more than capable of running iMovie, Photos, and even Photoshop with ease, much thanks to the smooth-as-butter OS X El Capitan.
It's also easy on the eyes with a stunning design that's available in silver, space gray, gold in addition to a new rose gold finish, and it comes packed with the latest in portable technology, from the 2304x1440 retina display to the Force Touch trackpad. An affordable $1,299 (£1,049/AU$1,799) gets you 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD and an improved 10-hour battery.
What's next for the 12-inch MacBook?
This year's MacBook model was the tock to last year's tick, meaning it didn't get quite the performance boost it deserved. Even with the welcome touch of an elegant new color option, the MacBook could undoubtedly benefit from a set of full-on Core i processors. Check out our 12-inch MacBook release date, news and rumors article for all of the latest updates on potential upcoming models.
For now, though, Apple has the iPad Pro, which weighs 1.57 pounds and measures 6.9mm thick, for those who don't want the power of a Mac, meaning that the MacBook needs to be more powerful to remain attractive.
However, because it runs iOS, the iPad Pro isn't compatible with certain apps, namely legacy programs designed for OS X, meaning that there is still a market for a laptop that can also be transported easily.
Apple also has to consider the MacBook Air, which has a 13-inch screen and is aimed at professionals who are on-the-go but need a powerful laptop.
Read the full review: 12-inch MacBook
The MacBook Air is in an interesting spot. While it's still one of the most popular and well-known notebooks around, the launch of the slimmer, lighter 12-inch Retina MacBook has stolen some of its thunder, and we have to assume one of two things: either a major update is in the works, or it will soon be made obsolete by an expanding MacBook line.
We wouldn't recommend going for the 11-inch MacBook Air, which is well past its sell-by date, but the MacBook Air will still give you all-day battery life, USB 3.0, Thunderbolt ports and an SDXC card slot. Not that you should need all those ports once USB-C gains traction.
Even without a Retina display or Force Touch trackpad, the 13-inch MacBook Air is a very capable machine, complete with a 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 128GB flash drive.
Either model can be found for less than a grand, and with identical specs, choosing between the two sizes comes down to preference, with just $100 separating the $899 (£749/AU$1,249) 11-inch version and the $999 (£849/AU$1,399) 13-inch one.
What's next for the MacBook Air?
The MacBook Air, which launched in 2008 and was then updated in 2010, is in need of a refresh—and while rumours have long suggested Apple was going to give it one, it seems as though it's being phased out completely.
The Retina display, a branding term Apple gives to its highest-resolution displays, has not yet made it onto any of the Air models and the internals—which are currently made up of Intel's Broadwell CPUs from 2014—undoubtedly need the Skylake treatment.
The Air currently occupies an awkward, but necessary, spot in Apple's lineup between the Pro—which is aimed at people who don't need to use intensive applications like Photoshop or Final Cut Pro but do want to write or edit photos—and the MacBook, the less powerful option made for portability and longevity.
The Air is Apple's best selling model, according to supply chain estimates, and continues to be the cheapest (and now only) way of getting a laptop with a glowing Apple logo on the back.
The company is evidently not obsessed with keeping it bang up-to-date. However, the 13-inch model is still available in its current state – albeit with double the RAM at 8GB – at the same entry-level cost.
Read the full review: 13-inch MacBook Air
The Mac Mini is Apple's cheapest computer and has, for a long time, been its least powerful. However, thanks in large part to Intel's processor technology, the desktop can be used for heavier tasks and Apple has brought the low-end model up to a decent specification.
The desktop is popular both because of its price—which undercuts the cheapest MacBook Air by $400—and its design, which is small, sleek, and simple.
The Mini comes in three variants: a $499 option with a dual-core i5 CPU, a spinning hard drive, and 4GB of RAM; a $699 option with a more powerful processor, an SSD, and 8GB of RAM; or a $999 model which is comparable to the iMac at the same price.
The top-of-the-line Mac mini bumps the processor up to 2.8GHz and adds a Fusion Drive in place of the 5400-rpm spinner, but at $999, we wouldn't recommend it.
If you're willing to spend over a thousand dollars on a desktop computer, you'll be better served by moving up to an iMac. In the UK, the Mac mini runs from £399 to £799, while in Australia it starts at AU$699 and tops out at AU$1,399.
What's next for the Mac mini?
The Mac mini's internal hardware is nearly a year and a half old, and Apple could be looking to update it so that its low-end users get a decent experience when running macOS, which became more graphically intense with macOS 10.12 Sierra, the latest version.
A 2016 model would, while unlikely, would include Intel's Skylake chips, which would yield big performance improvements, alongside other, newer internals, like RAM and an SSD option for the low-end model.
Read the full review: Mac mini
Gabe Carey has also contributed to this article
October 29, 2016 at 01:11AM
Kane Fulton
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