So you ’ve decided to buy that special someone on your holiday shopping list a brand name - newfangled Mac . Hooray ! A new Mac is guaranteed to put a very big smiling on your recipient role ’s side .
However , you might have a looking at of discombobulation as you try on to resolve which Mac you should buy . as luck would have it , we ’ve tested them all , from the $ 999 MacBook to the $ 4999 Mac Pro . We ’re quite familiar with Apple ’s Mac line , and we ’re here to offer our help .
In this buying guide , we ’ll cover all the Mac fashion model usable , tell you how they differ from their respective previous fashion model , and show you how well they did in our benchmark tests . If you want to read the full reassessment for each Mac , just snap on the “ study our complete review ” links . We ’ve also provided links to help you find the good price .
If you ’re concerned in morepersonaladvice — opinions on each Mac model from people who utilise them daily — readMac purchasing guide : Which Mac is correct for you?SixMacworldeditors and contributors talk about what they do and how that influenced their buying decision .
MacBook
The MacBook wasupdated in May , and the changes were welcome but not striking – a better processor , improved battery living , a trackpad with support for inertial scrolling , a Mini DisplayPort that bear out both audio- and video - out with a compatible third - party arranger , and a raw computer graphic chip .
Other than that , this yr ’s MacBook is similar to its predecessor . It still has the unibody white plastic case and a nonremovable battery . And it ’s still $ 999 .
Previous MacBook model did not have FireWire ; that ’s still true with the current MacBook . It has two USB 2.0 ports for connecting a severe thrust , a mouse , a television camera or another computer peripheral . It also has a gigabit ethernet embrasure , Wi - Fi , and Bluetooth .
Configurations : Only one form of the MacBook is available . For $ 999 , you get a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo CPU , 2 GB of DDR3 RAM , a 250 GB severe drive , an 8X SuperDrive , and the Nvidia GeForce 320 M unified art system , which uses 256 MB of main retentivity for video . ( Get practiced current cost . )
execution : Since the changes were relatively minor overall , the new MacBook provides a thin performance cost increase over its precursor ( 2.4GHz in the raw , compared with 2.26GHz in the quondam ) . The current MacBook ’s GeForce 320 M graphics chip does supply a significant cost increase over the GeForce 9400 M used in the quondam MacBook . Compared with the 13 - inch 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro , the MacBook was as fast as the MacBook Pro in many of our benchmark test .
Macworld ’s buying advice : People love the MacBook because it ’s low-cost and performs well for general purpose tasks . If you need FireWire or do processor - intensive tasks on a steady base , you might want to consider a MacBook Pro .
For a more personal account from a MacBook user , interpret Blair Hanley Frank ’s explanation as to why theMacBook is the ideal computer . It ’s an low-priced Mac laptop computer that does everything you take without sacrifice timbre .
Read our perfect review of the MacBook
MacBook Pro
The aluminium unibody invention of the MacBook Pro has n’t change since it was preface in 2008 . Like the MacBook , the major changes are to internal components .
The 15 - in MacBook Pro theoretical account kick upstairs from Core 2 distich processors to Core i5 and Core i7 processors . The 17 - column inch MacBook Pro upgraded from a Core 2 duet C.P.U. to a Core i5 processor . And both the 15- and 17 - inch MacBook Pros feature both an desegregate and a discreet artwork mainframe with unexampled robotlike graphics flip technology that decide when to seamlessly trade from the energy - saving mix graphics to the more hefty discrete graphics processor .
This year ’s 13 - inch MacBook Pros , like last class ’s models , use Core 2 Duo C.P.U. , though the processors in this year ’s models are riotous than those of its harbinger . The 13 - inch MacBook Pros still employ an structured graphics processor , but the Nvidia GeForce 320 M replace the GeForce 9400 M find in the honest-to-god model .
conformation : There are a total of six MacBook Pro standard configurations .
The unveiling - level 13 - inch MacBook Pro with a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor , 4 GB of RAM , and a 250 GB hard campaign costs $ 1199 . ( Get best current cost . ) There ’s also a 13 - inch MacBook Pro with a 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo CPU , 4 GB of RAM , and a 320 GB hard drive that be $ 1499 . ( Get best current price . )
There are three 15 - inch model . For $ 1799 , you get a 2.4GHz Core i5 processor , a 320 GB heavy effort , and an Nvidia 256 MB GeForce GT 330 M discerning graphics chip along with the integrated Intel graphics . ( Get best current price . ) The next example up ( at $ 1999 ) has the same artwork as the $ 1799 model , but with a 2.53GHz Core i5 processor and a 500 GB tough drive . ( Get beneficial current price . ) The eminent - end 15 - column inch MacBook Pro has a 2.66GHz Core i7 processor , a 500 GB hard drive , the Nvidia GeForce GT 330 M discreet graphics chip with 512 MB of video Aries the Ram , and the structured Intel graphics , all for $ 2199 . ( Get skilful current Leontyne Price . ) All of the 15 - inch models have 4 GB of RAM .
The 17 - inch MacBook Pro has a 2.53GHz Core i5 central processing unit , 4 GB of RAM , a 500 GB strong drive , the Nvidia GeForce GT 330 M discerning graphics cow dung with 512 MB of video RAM , and the incorporate Intel art . It costs $ 2299 . ( Get full current price . )
The 15- and 17 - column inch MacBook Pros are the only laptops in Apple ’s lineup that have a eminent - resolution antiglare sieve option usable . It ’s an extra $ 150 for the 15 - inch MacBook Pro , and an extra $ 50 for the 17 - inch MacBook Pro .
functioning : The 15 - inch 2.66GHz Core i7 MacBook Pro was the fastest in ourSpeedmark 6.5 testing . The $ 1499 , 13 - inch 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro offer performance that ’s similar to the $ 1799 , 15 - inch 2.4GHz Core i5 MacBook Pro . comparative to the execution of the 15- and 13 - inch MacBook Pros , the 17 - in poser ’s execution is n’t that impressive , but its big blind is a requirement for some exploiter .
The $ 1199 13 - inch MacBook Pro ’s performance is just somewhat faster than that of the MacBook . When you ’re settle between the MacBook and the 13 - inch MacBook Pro , the decision comes down to FireWire , and , to a less extent , your druthers for credit card or aluminum .
Macworld ’s purchasing advice : If you ’re on a budget and you ’re waffling between the $ 999 MacBook and the $ 1199 13 - inch MacBook Pro , count shelling out the extra $ 200 for the Pro . The supererogatory cash will bribe you have the MacBook does n’t have : FireWire , an SD circuit board expansion slot , and more Aries . If you need the fastest MacBook Pro , the 15 - inch 2.66GHz Core i7 MacBook Pro is what you ’re looking for .
Here ’s amore personal account as to why you should buy a MacBook Pro . It ’s the ideal Mac for anyone who take processing major power while out and about .
Read our pure reassessment of the 13 - inch MacBook Pros
interpret our double-dyed review of the 15 - inch MacBook Pros
scan our sodding review of the 17 - inch MacBook Pro
MacBook Air
When the young MacBook Air was released in October , it had been well over a twelvemonth since Apple ’s ultraportable line of laptops had seen an rise . Fortunately , the upgrade did not disappoint .
Apple introduced a new 11 - column inch MacBook Air along with an upgraded 13 - in model . The MacBook Air now sport a thinner , clear purpose and newsbreak storehouse instead of hard effort .
Configurations : There are now four MacBook Airs to choose from – two 11 - inch fashion model and two 13 - in models . All add up standard with 2 GB of RAM and Nvidia GeForce 320 M graphics .
The unveiling - grade 11 - in MacBook Air has a 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor and 64 GB of flash storage for $ 999 . ( Get salutary current price . ) The other 11 - in MacBook Air has the same processor and has128 GB of flash store for $ 1199 . ( Get good current toll . ) Both 11 - inch poser feature a in high spirits - firmness of purpose LED backlit glossy presentation with a 1366 - by-768 - aboriginal resoluteness .
Like the 11 - inch MacBook Air , the only dispute between the two 13 - column inch MacBook Air poser is the amount of flash storage . Both 13 - column inch models feature a 1.86GHz Core 2 duad processor , but the $ 1299 13 - inch MacBook Air ( get best current cost ) has 128 GB of flash repositing , while the $ 1599 13 - inch MacBook Air ( get sound current toll ) has 256 GB .
Performance : The flash storage and the Nvidia GeForce 320 M in the MacBook Air help boost the laptop ’s performance . The 11 - inch MacBook Air is the slowest Mac in Apple ’s batting order , but it ’s still a vast improvement on last twelvemonth ’s 13 - inch MacBook Air . The 13 - inch MacBook Air , which has the same 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo processor as last year ’s 13 - column inch MacBook Air , doubled the performance of its herald .
Macworld ’s purchasing advice : The MacBook Air may not be an telling hurrying demon , but it ’s fast enough for general - purpose utilisation — World Wide Web access , e - mail , office software , and even idle icon and video redaction . The MacBook Air is all about portability , and the 11 - in MacBook Air is especially invoke for on - the - go drug user .
Read our complete review of the 11 - inch and 13 - inch MacBook Airs
Mac mini
The Mac miniskirt depart from two models last twelvemonth to a individual framework this class . It also had a major redesign ; an all - aluminum unibody case replaces the white plastic . The fresh Mac mini is much smaller than its predecessor , too .
raw features include an SD card slot and a power supply inside the computer itself — no more might brick . The Mac mini also has a obliterable bottom panel so you’re able to advance the RAM yourself .
Apple also extend a new Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server ( get best current price ) with a 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo CPU and a brace of 500 GB hard drives that you could configure as a foray . This mannequin does n’t have an optical driveway .
Configurations : The $ 699 Mac mini has a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor , a 320 GB hard drive , and Nvidia ’s GeForce 320 M nontextual matter . ( Get best current price . ) You have to supply your own keyboard , mouse , and showing . The Mac miniskirt has both Mini DisplayPort and HDMI connectors , and Apple let in only an HDMI - to - DVI adapter .
Performance : The Mac miniskirt , with its 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo mainframe , is about 13.5 pct faster overall than the honest-to-god 2.26GHz Mac mini example . In our tests , the fresh Mac mini hold stride with last year ’s 2.53GHz model .
Macworld ’s buying advice : The Mac mini is a decent , low-priced computing machine for new Mac users and shoppers on a budget . It has enough power for everyone except professionals who ask top performance . It ’s even small enough to comprise into a home plate amusement center .
elderly Contributor Kirk McElhearn ditched his gigantic 2006 Mac Pro for a Mac mini . And he ’s smitten with Apple ’s low desktop data processor . Learn how he get along to his purchasing decision .
understand our complete review of the Mac miniskirt
iMac
Apple ’s all - in - one estimator was update in July with raw processors and graphics chips . The iMacs are useable with widescreen 16:9 display at 21.5 and 27 inch .
The iMac come with Apple ’s Wireless Keyboard and the Magic Mouse , but if you range online from the Apple Store , you’re able to tack the keyboard to a wired version with a numeric computer keyboard and interchange the mouse to an Apple Mouse , both for no supernumerary fee . you’re able to also summate Apple ’s newfangled Magic Trackpad for $ 69 .
All iMacs amount standard with 4 GB of RAM , a SuperDrive , Wi - Fi , Bluetooth , an iSight tv camera , four USB 2.0 ports , a FireWire 800 port , an Coyote State bill of fare slot , and built - in verbalizer .
shape : There are two 21.5 - inch iMacs . The first 21.5 - inch iMac has a 3.06GHz Core i3 processor , a 500 GB hard effort , and a 256 megabit ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphic calling card for $ 1199 . ( Get adept current damage . ) The second 21.5 - inch iMac has a 3.2GHz Core i3 processor , a 1 TB hard drive , and a 512 MB ATI Radeon HD 5670 graphics card for $ 1499 . ( Get best current price . )
There are two 27 - in iMacs . The 27 - in with a 3.2GHz Core i3 C.P.U. has a 1 TB gruelling drive and a 512 MiB ATI Radeon HD 5670 graphics batting order for $ 1699 . ( Get best current price . ) Then there ’s a 27 - inch iMac with a quadruplet - core 2.8GHz Core i5 central processing unit , a 1 TB hard drive , and a 512 MB ATI Radeon HD 5750 nontextual matter card . It cost $ 1999 . ( Get best current cost . )
public presentation : Our bench mark show that the three novel iMacs with the Core i3 central processor are very close in public presentation . The upper difference between the three Core i3 iMacs and the 27 - column inch quad - heart and soul 2.8GHz Core i5 iMac is significant , however . In fact , the Core i5 iMac is n’t that far behind the unveiling - horizontal surface Mac Pro in term of performance .
Macworld ’s purchasing advice : Since their performance is exchangeable , choosing between the two 21.5 - column inch iMacs comes down to the laborious - drive capacity . The 27 - column inch quadruplet - kernel 2.8GHz Core i5 iMac is obviously the one to get if speed is your top concern . In all , the iMac continues to be an attractive all - in - one computer for the phratry , home position , and business . If you ’re appear for a young Mac or you ’re consider about upgrading a desktop Mac that ’s at least a mates of years old , you ’ll be slaked with the lineament and performance .
record our complete review of the 21.5- and 27 - inch iMacs
Mac Pro
Apple ’s top - perform workstation was update last August . The Mac Pro occupation expanded from two to three standard - shape models . The entry - level Mac Pro features a quad - nitty-gritty processor , while the top configuration has 12 processing burden . In between is a Mac Pro model with eight processing substance .
The Mac Pros also have a new computer graphic lineup : all the standard configuration models feature a 1 TB ATI Radeon HD 5770 .
contour : The first Mac Pro has a quadriceps femoris - core group 2.8GHz Xeon Nehalem central processor , 3 GB of RAM , and a 1 TB concentrated drive . It cost $ 2499 . ( Get best current price . )
The second Mac Pro has two quadriceps - core 2.4GHz Xeon Nehalem processors , 6 GB of RAM , and a 1 TB hard crusade for $ 3499 ( Get secure current price . )
The third Mac Pro has two six - core 2.66GHz Xeon Westmere processors , 6 GB of RAM , and a 1 TB hard drive for $ 4999 .
The Mac Pro has a short ton of build - to - order selection . you could add more Aries – up to the 16 GB limit for each Mac Pro . Apple fills only one of the four hard - drive bays with the standard configurations , but impart you the alternative to contribute more drives or flash - storehouse drives , and even configure them as a RAID . you may also summate a 2d SuperDrive or upgrade the computer graphic lineup . A utter list of pick is available on theMac Pro tech specs connection page .
Performance : The Mac Pros are tight — they more than doubled theSpeedmark 6.5score of a 2.4GHz Mac miniskirt . To get the most performance out of a Mac Pro , it help to habituate software that can take full advantage of the multiple processing substance .
In our benchmark test , the eight - essence Mac Pro showed an overall marginal improvement on the quad - core Mac Pro . The eight - core indicate turgid gain on the quadriceps femoris - sum in programs that are designed for multiple Congress of Racial Equality . The 12 - effect Mac Pro is one of the fastest Macs we ’ve ever tested .
Macworld ’s buying advice : The Mac Pro is ideal for the most demanding user , one who needs processing powerand hardware expandability . Yes , they are expensive machine , but they are well deserving it for professionals , and they ’ll still be very operational four or five years from now . If you do n’t need expandability but still want focal ratio , conceive a 27 - inch 2.8GHz Core i5 iMac .
Senior Contributor Rob Griffiths is a very demanding exploiter . The Mac Pro is fast , has room to grow , and can drive more than two exhibit . Here ’s why he is a Mac Pro addict .
Read our complete review of the quad - inwardness and eight - burden Mac Pros
Read our complete review of the 12 - core Mac Pro
[ Roman Loyola is a Macworld fourth-year editor in chief . ]
