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The best MacBooks, tried and tested by an expert
All of the MacBook models featured in this guide have been used for at least two weeks to determine which is the Best Buy overall, as well as the Best Value and the best MacBooks for specific disciplines.
I compared each MacBook’s RAM (the short-term memory, an indicator of speed), their CPUs (central processing units, in this case, either Apple’s M3, M4 or M5 chips), their GPUs (graphics processing units), their storage in gigabytes, screen resolutions and their screen display technologies, which affect colour, contrast and brightness.
I ran the same tasks on each MacBook, ranging from picture and video editing to streaming content, browsing the web and everyday office work. To complete my testing, I took each MacBook on public transport to get an indication of battery life and see how its dimensions and weight affected its suitability when commuting, travelling or when being used in more restrictive spaces.