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MacBooksJuly 11, 2026By Rob Seccareccia6 min readMethodology

MacBooks Compared in 2026: Which Model Should You Buy?

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TL;DR

MacBook prices span from the $834 renewed 13-inch M4 Air to the $3299 M5 Pro workstation. The $834 entry model handles routine tasks, while the $3299 model fits heavy development workloads.

  • The renewed 13-inch M4 Air is the lowest-priced option in this guide at $834.
  • For a larger display under $1000, the 15.3-inch MacBook Air costs $954.95.
  • The $3299 MacBook Pro has an 18-core CPU, 20-core GPU, and 64GB of memory for compiling and rendering.
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Table of Contents

Buying a new laptop usually prompts you to spend thousands on the most popular pro models. You don't have to. A renewed M4 MacBook Air costs $834. Avoid the 13-inch M4 Air if you need a factory-new machine, since it is a renewed unit. We ranked these options using current Amazon availability, lifecycle status, and street prices.

2025 Apple MacBook Air with Apple M4 Chip (13-inch, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) Silver (Renewed)

2025 Apple MacBook Air with Apple M4 Chip (13-inch, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) Silver (Renewed)

This renewed 2025 model sells for $834. It is the cheapest configuration in this guide.

Amazon Renewed

2025 Apple MacBook Air with Apple M4 Chip (13-inch, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) Silver (Renewed)

$834.00MSRP $834.00

Price Last Checked Jun 27, 2026

SPEED OF LIGHTNESS — MacBook Air with the M4 chip lets you blaze through work and play. With Apple Intelligence,* up to 18 hours of battery life,* and an incredibly portable design, you can take on anything, anywhere.
SUPERCHARGED BY M4 — The Apple M4 chip brings even more speed and fluidity to everything you do, like working between multiple apps, editing videos, or playing graphically demanding games.
BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
See today's best priceVerified affiliate link

The Highs

  • The current pricing purchase price is the lowest entry point among all configurations listed.
  • It includes an Apple M4 Chip and 16GB RAM to handle productivity workloads.

The Lows

  • It comes in renewed condition from the seller instead of being factory new.
  • Skip this model if you need storage exceeding 256GB or want a larger display.

Who is this for?

Freelance writers on a strict budget

For those who need a portable laptop with an Apple M4 Chip and 16GB RAM for under $850.

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M4 Chip

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Starlight

A 15.3-inch model priced at $954.95, bridging the gap between the budget model and desktop units.

Amazon Renewed

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Starlight

$954.95MSRP $954.95

Price Last Checked Jun 27, 2026

SPEED OF LIGHTNESS — MacBook Air with the M4 chip lets you blaze through work and play. With Apple Intelligence,* up to 18 hours of battery life,* and an incredibly portable design, you can take on anything, anywhere.
SUPERCHARGED BY M4 — The Apple M4 chip brings even more speed and fluidity to everything you do, like working between multiple apps, editing videos, or playing graphically demanding games.
BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
See today's best priceVerified affiliate link

The Highs

  • An expansive 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display offers plenty of area for viewing several open windows simultaneously.
  • An M4 chip combined with 16GB Unified Memory handles work applications easily.

The Lows

  • This model is only available in refurbished condition, which may not appeal to buyers wanting a brand-new laptop.
  • The 256GB SSD Storage is the entry-level capacity, which may limit local media collections.

Who is this for?

Remote office workers needing side-by-side windows

The 15.3-inch screen provides ample space for spreadsheet columns side-by-side, while the M4 processor and 16GB of RAM run productivity apps smoothly.

Apple 2024 iMac All-in-One Desktop Computer with M4 chip with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU: Built for Apple Intelligence, 24-inch Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage; Silver

Apple 2024 iMac All-in-One Desktop Computer with M4 chip with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU: Built for Apple Intelligence, 24-inch Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage; Silver

A stationary 24-inch all-in-one iMac priced at $1899.00 for dedicated home workspaces.

Apple

Apple 2024 iMac All-in-One Desktop Computer with M4 chip with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU: Built for Apple Intelligence, 24-inch Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage; Silver

$1899.00MSRP $1899.00

Price Last Checked Jun 27, 2026

BRILLLLLLIANT — iMac is the ultimate all-in-one desktop computer, powered by the M4 chip and built for Apple Intelligence.* With a stunning 24-inch Retina display, iMac gives you the space you need in an iconic, colorful design that livens up any room.
FITS PERFECTLY IN YOUR SPACE — The all-in-one desktop design is strikingly thin, comes in seven vibrant colors, and elevates any space with style.
BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
See today's best priceVerified affiliate link

The Highs

  • The 24-inch Retina Display gives you a spacious built-in workspace.
  • It has a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU built for Apple Intelligence.

The Lows

  • Lacks portability, permanently confining your workspace to a single desk.
  • Costs $1899.00 on Amazon, which is a higher price point than the portable M4 MacBook Air models.

Who is this for?

Remote writers needing a fixed workspace

Choose this iMac over the 13-inch MacBook Air if you need a spacious, stationary workspace, because it provides a 24-inch Retina Display and a 10-core CPU.

Apple MacBook Pro Laptop with M5 Pro, 18‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU: 16.2-inch Display, 64GB Memory, 1TB SSD; Space Black

Apple MacBook Pro Laptop with M5 Pro, 18‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU: 16.2-inch Display, 64GB Memory, 1TB SSD; Space Black

Flagship M5 Pro laptop priced at $3299 that has the highest memory and storage specs in this roundup.

Apple

Apple MacBook Pro Laptop with M5 Pro, 18‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU: 16.2-inch Display, 64GB Memory, 1TB SSD; Space Black

$3299.00MSRP $3299.00

Price Last Checked Jun 25, 2026

BUCKLE UP—Along with a next-generation CPU, faster unified memory, and up to 2x faster SSD storage, M5 Pro and M5 Max feature a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance and on-device training capabilities. So you can blaze through demanding workloads at mind-bending speeds.
BUILT FOR AI—Apple silicon, and every major component that powers it, is designed to run demanding on-device AI workloads like LLM inference and training. And Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.
ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE—MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.
See today's best priceVerified affiliate link

The Highs

  • Offers 64GB of memory alongside a 1TB SSD, enabling users to process massive datasets locally.
  • Features the M5 Pro chip.

The Lows

  • Costs $3299 on Amazon.
  • The M4 Air entry model is limited to 256GB of storage, which is much less than the 1TB SSD provided here.

Who is this for?

Software engineers compiling massive codebases

Provides 64GB of memory, an 18-core CPU, and a 1TB SSD for executing complex local simulations.

Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overbuying the $3299 M5 Pro model for simple work.

Why it hurts: You pay for an 18-core CPU, a 20-core GPU, and 64GB of memory. Web browsing will never use those specs.

Do instead: Buy the $834 renewed 13-inch Air or the $954.95 15-inch Air.

Jargon Decoder

Apple Intelligence
The marketing name for Apple's local AI features on macOS.

Why it matters: Every M4 and M5 computer in this guide comes with at least 16GB of memory to run these features.

Frequently Asked Questions

3
Yes. This model is sold in renewed condition on Amazon for $834. It is the most affordable configuration listed to include M4 performance and 16GB of memory.
The $1899 iMac is a stationary desktop option. It suits buyers who want M4 power and a 24-inch Retina display but do not need a portable laptop.
Probably not. Avoid the $3299 model unless you run heavy virtual machines or local AI models. Web browsing and writing will not run faster with that much memory.

Get an M4 MacBook Air for $834

The renewed 2025 Apple MacBook Air with Apple M4 Chip has 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage for $834.

Compare Deals
Amazon
Price Last Checked Jun 27, 2026

Prices can change without notice. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

Top Picks at a Glance

Best Value
2025 Apple MacBook Air with Apple M4 Chip (13-inch, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) Silver (Renewed)

Amazon Renewed

2025 Apple MacBook Air with Apple M4 Chip (13-inch, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage) Silver (Renewed)

Price
$834.00Upper Mid-rangeChecked Jun 27, 2026
Best for Top Pick

This renewed 13-inch laptop is the cheapest option in this guide at $834, offering an M4 chip and 16GB RAM.

See price at Amazon

Verified retailer. Prices update frequently.

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Starlight

Amazon Renewed

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Starlight

Price
$954.95Upper Mid-rangeChecked Jun 27, 2026

This model features a 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display for $954.95.

See price at Amazon

Verified retailer. Prices update frequently.

Apple 2024 iMac All-in-One Desktop Computer with M4 chip with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU: Built for Apple Intelligence, 24-inch Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage; Silver

Apple

Apple 2024 iMac All-in-One Desktop Computer with M4 chip with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU: Built for Apple Intelligence, 24-inch Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage; Silver

Price
$1899.00PremiumChecked Jun 27, 2026

This desktop computer provides a 24-inch Retina display and a 10-core GPU for stationary workspaces.

See price at Amazon

Verified retailer. Prices update frequently.

Apple MacBook Pro Laptop with M5 Pro, 18‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU: 16.2-inch Display, 64GB Memory, 1TB SSD; Space Black

Apple

Apple MacBook Pro Laptop with M5 Pro, 18‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU: 16.2-inch Display, 64GB Memory, 1TB SSD; Space Black

Price
$3299.00PremiumChecked Jun 25, 2026

This high-end configuration includes an M5 Pro chip, 64GB of memory, and a 1TB SSD.

See price at Amazon

Verified retailer. Prices update frequently.

Quick decision tree

Start at step: budget

Step 1: What matters most in this category?

  • Price: Buy the renewed 13-inch M4 Air at $834 to minimize upfront cost.
  • Specs: Choose the M5 Pro model at $3299 for its 16.2-inch display and 64GB memory.

More MacBooks Buying Paths

Browse more macbooks reviews and buying guides.

Best Overall

Data-driven top picks ranked across the full category.

Quick Summary

TL;DR

"MacBook prices span from the $834 renewed 13-inch M4 Air to the $3299 M5 Pro workstation. The $834 entry model handles routine tasks, while the $3299 model fits heavy development workloads."

The renewed 13-inch M4 Air is the lowest-priced option in this guide at $834.
For a larger display under $1000, the 15.3-inch MacBook Air costs $954.95.
The $3299 MacBook Pro has an 18-core CPU, 20-core GPU, and 64GB of memory for compiling and rendering.

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