Best MacBooks in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update March 8, 2024
If you have decided that it's time to buy a new laptop, Apple MacBook will be a great choice. Without any doubt, Apple MacBook has a distinctive look, efficient performance, and advanced capabilities. It is designed to satisfy the most sophisticated users, so make your pick! ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
CPU
RAM
GPU
Screen Size
Screen Resolution
Storage Capacity
Battery Life
Ports and Connectivity
Warranty
 
PROS
Thanks to Retina display technology, you are able to see the smallest details of your images and videos. The model is equipped with Thunderbolt 2 speed ports which allow transmitting information at the speed of up to 20 Mbps.
CONS
No CD / DVD drive.
OUR VERDICT
This model of laptop will be a great choice for those users who love playing computer games or have to work with multimedia file processing.
detailed parameters
CPU
Intel Core i5 2.7 GHz (Turbo Boost 3.1 GHz)
RAM
8 GB LPDDR3 1866 MHz
GPU
Intel Iris Graphics 6100
Screen Size
13.3 inches with LED backlighting and IPS technology
Screen Resolution
2560 x 1600 pixels, Retina display
Storage Capacity
SSD 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
Battery Life
10 h of Internet, 12 h of video playback, 30 days in stand-by mode
Ports and Connectivity
MagSafe2 charging, 2 x Thunderbolt 2, 2 x USB 3.0 ports, 1 x HDMI port, PC cartridge SDXC, audio 3.5 mm, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, Facetime HD video camera
Warranty
1 year
PROS
The butterfly mechanism makes typing much more comfortable. The keys are 17% larger and the key travel is considerably reduced.
CONS
You might need some time to get used to the keyboard.
OUR VERDICT
This ultra-thin MacBook is based on the Apple latest developments. It's the best all-purpose laptop suitable for the vast majority of people.
detailed parameters
CPU
Intel Core m5 1.2 GHz (Turbo Boost 2.7 GHz)
RAM
8 GB LPDDR3 1866 MHz
GPU
Intel HD Graphics 515
Screen Size
12 inches with LED backlighting and IPS technology
Screen Resolution
2304 x 1440 pixels, Retina display
Storage Capacity
SSD 512GB
Battery Life
10 h of Internet, 11 h of video playback, 30 days in stand-by mode
Ports and Connectivity
Charging and data transfer through USB-C, 3.5 mm of audio, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/n/g (ac), Bluetooth 4.0, 480p Facetime HD video camera
Warranty
1 year
PROS
A gesture-based sensor control panel provides excellent menu navigation and easy switching between open windows. The laptop comes with dual microphones, which perfectly transmit your voice.
CONS
Limited internal storage drive capacity.
OUR VERDICT
This MacBook Air laptop can come in handy for a modern DJ who has to carry his sound system from one club to another and needs to have lots of tracks in superb quality at hand.
detailed parameters
CPU
Intel Core i5 1.6 GHz (Turbo Boost 2.7 GHz)
RAM
8 GB LPDDR3 1600 MHz
GPU
Intel HD Graphics 6000
Screen Size
13.3 inches with LED backlighting
Screen Resolution
1440 x 900 pixels
Storage Capacity
SSD 128GB / 256GB
Battery Life
12 h of Internet, 12 h of video playback, 30 days in stand-by mode
Ports and Connectivity
Charging MagSafe2, 2 x USB 3.0 ports, 1 x Thunderbolt 2, 1 x SDXC smart card reader, 3.5 mm of audio, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/n/g (ac), Bluetooth 4.0, Facetime HD video camera
Warranty
1 year
PROS
Force Touch new technology allows the trackpad to recognize the pressing force, which offers you more opportunities in managing applications. Furthermore, this Apple laptop has very low energy consumption, which protects it from overheating due to energy-efficient CPU.
CONS
It cannot charge and transfer data simultaneously.
OUR VERDICT
Due to recent production developments, this laptop model will be appreciated by those users who value advanced technologies.
detailed parameters
CPU
Intel Core M 1.1 GHz (Turbo Boost 2.4 GHz)
RAM
8 GB LPDDR3 1600 MHz
GPU
Intel HD Graphics 5300
Screen Size
12 inches with LED backlighting and IPS technology
Screen Resolution
2304 x 1440 pixels, Retina display
Storage Capacity
SSD 256GB / 512GB
Battery Life
9 h of Internet, 10 h of video playback, 30 days in stand-by mode
Ports and Connectivity
Charging and data transfer through USB-C, 3.5 mm of audio, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/n/g (ac), Bluetooth 4.0, Facetime HD video camera
Warranty
1 year
PROS
The MacBook has a high-performance Intel's Ivy Bridge processor. A multi-touch trackpad ensures precise cursor control and offers immense possibilities.
CONS
Short battery life.
OUR VERDICT
This MacBook Pro laptop is ideal for handling a multitude of tasks. It's the best laptop for professional purposes.
detailed parameters
CPU
Intel Dual Core i5 3210M 2.5 GHz (Turbo Boost 3.1 GHz)
RAM
8 GB LPDDR3 1600 MHz
GPU
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Screen Size
13.3 inches with LED backlighting and IPS technology
Screen Resolution
2560 x 1600 pixels, Retina display
Storage Capacity
SSD 128GB / 256GB
Battery Life
7 h of Internet
Ports and Connectivity
MagSafe2 charging, 2 x Thunderbolt 2, 2 x USB 3.0 ports, 1 x HDMI port, 1 x SDXC smart card reader, audio 3.5 mm, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, Facetime HD video camera
Warranty
1 year
X

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Apple MacBook Pro (MF839LL/A)

Type

This model refers to the range of MacBook Pro products, which is characterized by high performance and allows you to handle multiple tasks efficiently. For instance, you can play games with awesome graphics as well as edit multimedia files. Thus, this laptop will be suitable both for work and for personal use. This model is also available with a 15.6-inch display and a more powerful Core i7 processor.

Review of Apple MacBook Pro (MF839LL/A) Laptop with Retina Display, 128GB

Performance

Intel Core i5 is a powerful dual-core processor with the clock frequency of 2.7 GHz which provides MacBook with appropriate performance. Moreover, this CPU can work even faster (up to 3.1 GHz) thanks to Turbo Boost technology. Intel Iris Graphics 6100 is an integrated graphics card which provides you with stunning graphics. This MacBook model has 8 GB of DDR3 RAM (running at 1866 GHz) and the adjusted solid thumb drive with the capacity of 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB which allows storing a lot of data.

Apple MacBook Pro (MF839LL/A) Laptop with Retina Display, 128GB in the use

Image Quality

The screen size of this Apple model is 13.3 inches with the high resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. Due to the Retina display technology, the image has an incredibly high resolution, natural colors, as well as high viewing angles. The MacBook display has almost 2 million pixels - more than a typical HD TV has. Therefore, the more pixels on the screen, the higher resolution, and the better image quality will be.

Detailed review of Apple MacBook Pro (MF839LL/A) Laptop with Retina Display, 128GB

Battery Life

It should be noted that the laptop battery will be sufficient for up to 10 hours of operation with an active wireless connection. Film fans can enjoy watching their favorite films or series for almost 12 hours. In case you leave your laptop switched on for 3 hours, it will keep your laptop battery working up to 30 days in a sleep mode. For many people, the battery life is a very important criterion when buying a laptop.

Apple MacBook Pro (MF839LL/A) Laptop with Retina Display, 128GB application

Usability

Despite the fact that this MacBook model has quite an impressive technical specification, its size is 8.62x12.35x0.71 inches and it is rather lightweight - just 3.48 pounds. This Apple model is equipped with an OS X Yosemite system with pre-installed iLive and iWork packages which contain such apps as Pages for creating documents, Numbers for spreadsheets and Keynote for making presentations and other useful features.

Apple MacBook Pro (MF839LL/A) Laptop with Retina Display, 128GB application

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B00UY2U93W

VIDEO
Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch with Retina Display (2015): Unboxing & Overview
 

Apple MacBook

A Whole New Look at Ordinary Things

Back in 2015, when Apple launched a new series of MacBook 12" laptops, it was a real engineering ingenuity. The company's engineers and designers have used the latest technology inventions in computing, making this all-purpose laptop ideal for everyday use and suitable for the vast majority of people. This ultra-compact MacBook 12" Retina is 13.1mm thick and weighs only 0.9 kg. A distinctive feature of this MacBook is its unique Apple butterfly mechanism keyboard. The full-size keys are 17% larger and the key travel is significantly reduced. The space between keys is also reduced that makes typing much more comfortable. If you work at night, you will definitely appreciate the keyboard with per-key illumination that makes it quicker and easier for users to find the necessary keys. The Retina display has a generous 2304 x 1440 resolution, which is the thinnest ever on a MacBook at only 0.88mm.

Review of Apple MacBook MLHF2B 12-inch

One for All

The distinctive feature of this Apple MacBook with Retina display is that it comes with a single USB 3.1 Type-C port instead of USB, HDMI, charging ports, and etc. You need only one cable to charge your Mac, connect it to external devices for data transfer at up to 5 Gbit/s, sync to other devices, and connect an external monitor. This universal port helps to increase your laptop’s multi-tasking capabilities.

In this regard, cutting-edge technologies allow creating high-performance laptops, yet making them compact and convenient to use. The Apple MacBook MLHF2B 12-inch laptop gained popularity among thousands of people due to the integration of new technologies. 

Apple MacBook MLHF2B 12-inch in the use

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A female digital AV adapter allows using the USB-C port to connect different devices to your Mac to handle a multitude of tasks.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01EMR4YFI

 

Apple MacBook Air (MMGF2LL/A)

Type

This upgraded ultra-thin 13.3-inch MacBook laptop refers to compact MacBook Air models of the previous generation. You can use this laptop for web browsing, watching your favourite movies online/offline or doing your work wherever you go. If you cannot do without a laptop at your studies or work, you will see the true value of this MacBook model! This super-fast high-performance laptop can easily handle any task for achieving your goals.

Review of Apple MacBook Air (MMGF2LL/A)

Performance

That's a quite powerful 5th generation Intel Core i5 dual-core processor with the clock frequency of 1.6 GHz per each core. Moreover, Intel's proprietary Turbo Boost technology can automatically boost the performance of the CPU and run at a frequency of 2.7 GHz. Intel HD Graphics 6000 integrated video card offers fairly decent graphics opportunities and produces low heat. This MacBook Air laptop comes with an SSD storage drive with 2 available capacity options: 128 GB and 256 GB. Thus, you can pick the capacity that suits you best.

Apple MacBook Air (MMGF2LL/A) in the use

Image Quality

Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of rich and high-quality picture owing to the state-of-the-art 13.3-inch display with the maximum image resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels. The LED-backlit display ensures rich colour saturation, displaying images in bright and lively colours. It is widely agreed that this laptop's screen resolution is wide enough for watching movies, as well as for editing photos, creating presentations, and so on.

Detailed review of Apple MacBook Air (MMGF2LL/A)

Battery Life

The incredible battery performance of this MaсBook Air laptop will not leave indifferent even the most demanding users who are rather skeptical about the possibility of working away from the power supply. Сontrary to the popular belief, this model can provide up to 12 hours of wireless connection or last up to 30 days in standby mode without being connected to a power outlet. Notably, no other laptop manufacturer can boast such a remarkable battery life. The laptop is charged via a 45W MagSafe 2 power adapter.

Apple MacBook Air (MMGF2LL/A) application

Usability

This ultra-compact, highly portable MacBook Air laptop has the following dimensions: 12.8 х 8.94 х 0.68 inches. The weight of the unit amounts to 2.96 pounds, which gives you an opportunity to take it with you anywhere you go, carrying it even in a small laptop bag. The device has several USB 3.0 ports allowing you to connect removable USB drives to free up your laptop's internal storage drive. Also, this MacBook Air laptop features a Thunderbolt port to connect monitors and other peripheral devices. Much like most other laptops, this model uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless technologies.

Apple MacBook Air (MMGF2LL/A) application

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01ELG6B38

VIDEO
Apple Macbook Air 13' Unboxing-IN 2016!
 

Apple MacBook (MLHE2LL/A)

Type

This model offers the ultimate combination of MacBook Pro high performance and MacBook Air portability. Due to advanced manufacturing technologies, this Apple laptop has become a desirable device for many users. As an added benefit, it has low energy consumption, which results in lower heat generation, keeping your laptop cool. Thus, this model is designed for a wide range of office and home applications. What is more, this is the only model available in three wonderful colours - gold, silver, and space grey.

Review of Apple MacBook (MLHE2LL/A) Laptop with Retina Display, Gold, 256 GB

Performance

Intel Corporation has developed its fifth-generation 14 nm manufacturing process CPU to show the highest performance, yet made it as energy-efficient as possible. So, the processor consumes only 5 Watts of energy and doesn't need any active cooling. In addition to the powerful processor, this MacBook model has 8 GB of RAM and its SSD flash drive has the capacity of 256 or 512 GB. Intel HD Graphics 5300 GPU is used to create a high-quality graphics. Thus, if you're looking for a high-performing laptop, this one is certainly worth buying.

Apple MacBook (MLHE2LL/A) Laptop with Retina Display, Gold, 256 GB in the use

Image Quality

Users will appreciate the impressive image quality delivered by the GPU due to a marvellous 12-inch Retina display with the resolution of 2304 x 1440 pixels. The screen creates really natural images, and the colours are very natural and vivid. Furthermore, energy consumption of LED backlighting has been reduced compared with previous models, because the panel allows more light to pass through it. Therefore, if you are going to buy this MacBook model, you'll be fully satisfied with it.

Detailed review of Apple MacBook (MLHE2LL/A) Laptop with Retina Display, Gold, 256 GB

Battery Life

This MacBook laptop is fitted with a lithium polymer battery which has the capacity of 39.7 Watt-hours. That's enough to ensure a decent battery life. For example, the MacBook can work for up to 9 hours in a row with the active wireless connection, and you can watch movies for up to 10 hours before the battery runs out of charge. Also, you can use Apple iTunes program for downloading, playing and managing audio and video files. The universal USB Type-C connector is used for charging your laptop while a 29-Volt power adapter is connected to the mains.

Apple MacBook (MLHE2LL/A) Laptop with Retina Display, Gold, 256 GB application

Usability

This Apple laptop is the most compact among all the devices represented in our comparison. Its size is 7.74x11.04x0.52 inches and the weight is just 2.03 pounds. So, the laptop is slightly bigger than iPad Air 2. The users will appreciate a unique full-sized keyboard with individual backlighting of every button, as well as a specially designed trackpad which allows using additional features depending on pressure force. You will be surprised with superior tactile feedback. This MacBook model is equipped with a Yosemite operating system with a pre-installed program pack. So, it's a good reason to pick this Apple laptop.

Apple MacBook (MLHE2LL/A) Laptop with Retina Display, Gold, 256 GB application

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01ELG6A2K

VIDEO
Apple MacBook 12-inch: Unboxing & Review
 

Apple MacBook Pro

For Managing Important Tasks

Similarly to the very first versions of Apple MacBook Pro laptops, the MacBook Pro MD212 13-inch is designed for work and is fit for its primary purpose. This MacBook Pro series with Retina display was released in 2012. Then it was a really great achievement. The third-generation MacBook Pro has 4 times higher screen resolution than the previous generation models. The hard drives have been replaced with SSDs that ensured the laptop faster operation. Moreover, all the newest MacBook Pro models have been updated with the high-performance Ivy Bridge processor instead of the old Sandy Bridge one. The model has an Intel Core i5 processor with operating frequency of 2.5 GHz (Turbo Boost, 3.10 GHz) and 8GB DDR3 1600 MHz laptop memory. The company claims that the third-generation MacBook Pro has 4 times higher performance compared to the previous models. Therefore, it’s obvious that those people who need laptops for professional purposes will choose this model.

Review of Apple MacBook Pro MD212 13-inch

Interior and Exterior Changes

In addition to the solid-state drives and high-performance processor, the third-generation MacBook Pro has received a completely new design. The new model is more compact as it comes with no Ethernet port. The laptop new dimensions are 31.4 cm wide x 21.9 cm deep x 1.9 cm high. The MacBook Unibody case is made from a single piece of milled aluminium, yet the device weighs about 1.62 kg, depending on the configuration. The updated MagSafe adapter has become thinner and wider. So, if you plan to use earlier versions of power adapters, you’ll need to get a special converter. Also, the laptop is equipped with HDMI, Thunderbolt, and USB ports to connect additional devices and improve your MacBook performance. Besides, the laptop cooling system has been changed.  The exhaust fans are located on the sides of the device.

Without any doubt, this model is ideal for professional purposes, since it’s hardly possible to find a program or process that this laptop fails to cope with.

Apple MacBook Pro MD212 13-inch in the use

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Laptop shoulder briefcase case will be handy when travelling with your laptop as a carry-on item.

Additional Info

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Last updated price $0.00
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ASIN B009XCJ1C4

 

What is a Macbook

MacBook is a line of Macintosh laptop computers, manufactured by Apple, which became a benchmark of quality for portable electronics. The laptop case contains the hardware which ensures excellent performance in combination with a distinctive design and a good battery life. From among all MacBook models, you can choose the one that will fulfil any task ranging from studies and paperwork to the latest computer games and multimedia file processing. Also, it's worth mentioning that OS X operating system has been specially designed for Apple laptops. Mac OS has a high level of protection against all kinds of malware and scumware. Moreover, Apple OS is optimized in accordance with the technical specification of a laptop.

For those users who prefer other operating systems, we recommend paying attention to touchscreen laptops. Gamers will definitely appreciate one of the models of gaming laptops. We also advise you one of the laptop backpacks or laptop bags for convenient transportation of your digital gadgets.

What Features to Compare

Type

When choosing a MacBook, you should pay attention to the models available. Currently, the product range is presented by 3 main models, such as MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro. If you often have to take a laptop with you, then it's better to choose the MacBook Air model which is compact and lightweight, but with a high battery life. If you are interested in a high-performing Apple laptop that has an impressive hardware, it's worth paying attention to the MacBook Pro. However, if you are looking for the golden mean, you should take a close look at MacBook models which combine high performance, thin casing, and amazing design.

Performance

When choosing any MacBook, you shouldn't forget about such a feature as the performance. It's worth mentioning that all the Apple models have high-performing CPUs designed by Intel. Powerful CPUs such as Core i5 and Core i7 allow coping with any tasks that your MacBook faces. Furthermore, due to the fact that all up-to-date models are equipped with a solid state drive, their response speed is awesome, so you can launch applications immediately and switching between the tasks is fast and smooth. Besides, the RAM capacity also influences the overall laptop performance. The majority of modern MacBooks have at least 4 GB of RAM.

Image Quality

Another important feature is the image quality. The screen resolution influences the image quality, so the models with a higher resolution display images more accurately. If you mainly do paperwork or surf the Internet, then the laptops with the resolution of 1366x768 pixels will suit you perfectly. If you plan to use a MacBook to view photos and Full HD videos, you need to choose a model with the resolution of at least 1440x900 pixels. However, if you want to use a laptop to work with graphic editors or process multimedia files, it's better to choose a MacBook with the resolution of at least 1920x1080 pixels. It's worth mentioning that the most functional models are fitted with Retina displays, which have a very high pixel density, providing the stunning resolution of 2304x1440 pixels.

Battery Life

One more extremely important feature is the battery life of every MacBook. The majority of modern laptops can provide you with 5-6 hours of continuous operation on a single charge. Since MacBooks come with cutting-edge energy-efficient processors and SSD drives, they have a high-capacity battery inside which can provide a long-term autonomous operation. If you often go on a trip, you can choose one of MacBook Air models, which will provide you with up to 9-12 hours of operation on a single charge. And if you choose one of MacBook Pro models, you will enjoy your favourite films from 10 to 12 hours.

Usability

Regarding the usability, the size of a laptop is another essential feature. The more compact the model is, the more convenient it is to take a laptop with you. However, compact models lack performance. Also, it's important to note that these models have a pre-installed operating system. Moreover, all MacBook models are equipped with OS X system optimised in accordance with technical specifications. Mac OS comes with some pre-installed software application packages which help you use your MacBook for all kinds of tasks. Furthermore, you have an opportunity to connect various peripheral devices to your Apple laptop. Although today, thanks to wireless technology, many manufacturers remove some ports from the computer casing in favour of cloud services and synchronisation via the Internet, thereby reducing the laptop size.

Sources:

1. Roman Loyola Which Mac should you buy? Macworld. November 29, 2016.

2. Scott Stein The MacBook mess: Or, why it's so hard to choose an Apple laptop, CNET. May 13, 2016.

3. Rene Ritchie MacBook buyers guide: How to pick your perfect Apple laptop! iMore. November 10, 2016.

4. Brandt Ranj How to choose the right MacBook for you, Business Insider. November 23, 2016.

5. Matt Smith and Brad Bourque What’s the Best MacBook for Your Money? Hint — You Can Forget the Touch Bar, Digital Trends. December 12, 2016.

6. Roman Loyola MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro: Which Apple Notebook to Choose, MacRumors. January 29, 2015.

7. Kenny Hemphill How to Choose the Best Processor for a Mac: i5 or i7? Broadwell vs Skylake vs Kaby Lake. What is Turbo Boost? Macworld. October 27, 2016.

8. MacBook, Wikipedia.

9. Avram Piltch Laptop Buying Guide: 8 Essential Tips, Laptopmag. December 13, 2016.

10. Elyse Betters Buying a Mac? Here Are the Essentials to Know, Pocket-lint. November 24, 2015.

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