The best MacBook for programming is an ideal device for coding. Apple’s line of MacBooks combine powerful components with thin, light designs. So, for coders who travel a lot or want flexibility in their workplace, these are great choices.
There are actually quite a few different MacBook models available to buy in 2022, but some of them are better for programming than others (if you don’t want an Apple-specific list, go to our best laptops for programming guide).
So what makes a MacBook good for programming? First, you’ll want something with a large screen that will make coding comfortable for long periods of time. The good news is that all modern MacBooks come with some of the best displays you’ll find on a laptop – and they’re available in a range of sizes, too.
You will also need a comfortable keyboard for typing. Apple’s history in this regard is a little less impressive, with older MacBooks having keyboards that weren’t pleasant to type on – and were even prone to failure at times. Things have improved dramatically with recent MacBooks featuring new keyboards that feel a lot better for typing — and more importantly don’t break as easily.
There needs to be enough processing power to quickly compile code and run simulations and demos to test your projects, and the next-generation MacBook delivers just that, running Apple’s new M1 and M2 chips, which offer superb performance.
To help you find the best MacBook for programming based on your needs and budget, we’ve put together the following guide to help you choose. Want something different? Check out our guide to best laptops for graphic design.
The best MacBook for programming
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The 14-inch MacBook Pro (2021) is in our opinion the best overall MacBook for programming. It has pretty much everything you want, including a choice of Apple’s extremely powerful M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, making it easy to compile even the most complex code, while
may be the best student MacBook for you. It’s lighter and more compact than the 16-inch device, but offers almost all of the same specs, only the battery life being slightly lower.
You get the same choice of processors, the same ports and the same 1,600 nits of maximum brightness as with the 16-inch but with a smaller screen. This makes the 14-inch MacBook Pro (2021) more comfortable for use on the go, such as in class or at a coffee shop. When we tested it, our reviewer found it worked brilliantly for everything from 3D modeling to image editing and video editing – we got instant results when performing complex tasks in Cinema 4D. We also got an impressive 11 hours of web browsing from the battery.
Read our full 14-inch MacBook Pro review to learn more.
The MacBook Air (M2, 2022) is Apple’s latest laptop and comes with the new M2 chip, giving it a power boost over the 2020 model (see below).
It is lighter and more compact than the previous MacBook Air, despite having a larger screen (13.6 inches). The screen is 25% brighter and the laptop also supports MagSafe, which means plugging and unplugging the power cable is easy and safe. We found the battery life to be superb (we got over 16 hours of video playback when we tested it).
The M2 chip simplifies compiling code, and the extra screen real estate makes it a pleasure to code. If the 14-inch MacBook Pro is too expensive and offers a level of performance you simply won’t need, we highly recommend the new MacBook Air instead.
See our complete MacBook Air (M2, 2022) review for more details.
The first two MacBooks above are great for programming, but they’re also very expensive. If you’re a coder on a tighter budget who just doesn’t need the kind of power offered by other MacBooks, the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) is still a great choice.
The 2020 MacBook Air still hits the sweet spot between value and performance because it’s the cheapest MacBook you can buy new, and it’s now often discounted since a new MacBook Air was released in July 2022. In our tests, we were impressed with how fast and smooth the laptop was to use, and we got through a full day’s worth of use on a single battery charge.
Another advantage of the M1 MacBook Air is that it is fanless which makes it quiet when in use. Although the M1 chip has been replaced by the M2, it still offers fantastic performance, especially when compiling code. Sure, there are more powerful MacBooks out there, but none of them offer the value of the MacBook Air M1.
See our complete MacBook Air (M1, 2020) review for more details
If you liked the look of the 14-inch MacBook Pro above, but thought the screen was a bit too small, then the 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021) will be a great choice. As with the 14-inch model, it comes with a choice of powerful Apple M1 Pro or M1 Max chips.
It offers essentially the same level of performance as the 14-inch model, but with a stunning 16-inch mini-LED display. For people who find it more comfortable to watch lines of code on a larger screen, you’ll love this device.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro also offers the best battery life of any MacBook. Apple says you should get around 14 hours of web browsing from a charge, but we saw over 17 hours for basic online work. You can also configure it up to 64GB of memory, up to 8TB of storage, making it an extremely powerful MacBook. While that might be a bit of a stretch for many programming tasks, it means you won’t have to worry about upgrading for very long.
See our complete 16-inch MacBook Pro review for more details.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro (M2, 2022) is a great MacBook for programmers who need more power than the MacBook Air, but don’t need the power (or can’t afford) the MacBook Pro 14 inches.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro is basically the entry-level model of the MacBook Pro and packs an M2 chip, which is more powerful than the M1 but not as fast as the M1 Pro or M1 Max that came with the MacBook Pros above. .
Like the MacBook Air (M2, 2022), it excels at compiling code and offers enough raw power to emulate various devices to help you test your apps and games while you work on it.
Unlike the MacBook Air, the 13-inch MacBook Pro comes with a fan, and while that makes it a bit noisier (though still incredibly quiet), it means it can run for longer periods of time under heavy loads. working without overheating.
Read our 13-inch MacBook Pro (M2, 2022) review for more details.
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