Last time I chose a laptop, I thought I was being thorough. Hours of research, poring over spreadsheets of specs. Watching YouTube reviews from around the world. Checking each model's processor, its RAM, its storage, its display quality. 

What I didn't check—because it never crossed my mind—was whether I could plug the darned thing in from both sides.

Seems obvious now, doesn't it? But there I was, unboxing my shiny new MacBook Air, ready to replace my struggling, ageing machine, and super-excited. I placed it on my desk with care, reached for the charger, and then it hit me.

This model came with two USB-C ports, just two. Both on the left side. Mocking me. Because my previous laptop had plugged in from the right. And the cable from my new one wouldn't reach the single plug in my home office.

As far as I could tell, there were three potential solutions. I could snake a lengthy cable across the space; not great. I could rearrange my home office, so I was facing away from the window not towards it; not great at all. Or I could use my MacBook on battery power all day, then charge it at night. Which felt…. well, just ridiculous really.

Litany of frustration

And it wasn't just a problem using my MacBook at home. Worse still was working in a coffee shop, a railway station waiting room, the foyer of a hotel… anywhere where power outlets are in short supply, basically. 

Inevitably, I'd find the perfect spot, only to discover the power outlet was on the wrong side. I'd then face the choice of stretching my cable across the walkway, where people would trip over it with abandon; sit twisted at an unnatural angle; or give up and try another place entirely.

What's maddening is that none of this should have been an issue; plenty of laptops have charging ports on both sides. Yet too many manufacturers have decided, in their infinite wisdom, that most people don't need this. It's like you've bought a car, then discovered the steering wheel only works when you sit in the back seat.

As a result, there's now an extensive market of dongles, hubs and extension cables to make up for this oversight. Which basically means companies are profiting from selling solutions to a problem they created.

Oh well. Six months later, I've adapted. I've got a 3m cable permanently snaked around my desk like electronic ivy. I've memorized the best seats in every local cafe and pub for using a laptop. I've developed an unconscious habit of checking power outlets before sitting anywhere in public. But I shouldn't have to. This is 2025, not 1995. Come on, people!

So here's my advice if you're hunting for a new laptop. Tune out the sales rep as they talk excitedly about the neural processing unit, the graphics card, the amount of RAM. And ask yourself... how exactly does this thing plug in?

Check out our review team's guide to the best laptops for video editing, and our rundown of the best Macbooks

The switch to Apple silicon brought enhanced speed to Apple’s Air series, but the 2025 model is now twice as fast inside Photoshop compared to the original M1 chip. Announced on March 5, the Apple MacBook Air M4 upgrades the processor and camera while dropping the list price for the brand’s more affordable compact laptop series.

Announced alongside the desktop Mac Studio M4 Max and M3 Ultra, the MacBook Air M4 is a moderate update compared to the 2024 variant with the M3 chip. But, the company says the new MacBook Air M4 is up to twice as fast as the first Air with Apple silicon, the M1 variant, including doubling speeds in Photoshop and iMovie. Users that upgrade from an older MacBook Air with an Intel processor can see as much as 23x faster performance overall and up to 3.6x faster performance inside Photoshop.

Most of Apple’s recent launches include Apple Intelligence, and the MacBook Air M4 is no exception. Apple says the neural engine on the M4 chip delivers up to three times more speed at AI tasks compared to the M1 chip, including using AI to edit photos and videos. That focus on Apple Intelligence also includes the Image Playground software and Genmoji.

The built-in camera for videoconferencing also sees an upgrade. The 12MP camera includes a new “Center Stage” design. Center Stage is an Apple feature that keeps the user centered in the video when using FaceTime. Support for Desk View will allow users to share a top-down view of their desk during video calls as well.

While the specs for the laptop’s display remain the same as on the M3 variant, Apple says the new model now supports up to two external monitors. The laptop uses two Thunderbolt 4 ports (which also support USB-C connections). The new MacBook Air M4 also shares the same size, weight, keyboard, speakers, aluminum enclosure and battery life as the model released last year.

The new MacBook Air M4 comes with a starting list price that’s $100 less than the M3 version. The new laptop will be available in a 13-inch or 15-inch size and four different colors, including a new sky blue option. The 13-inch MacBook Air M4 starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,699, with the 15-inch starting at $1,099 / £1,199 / AU$2,099.

Pre-orders are already open, with shipping and retail store availability beginning March 12.

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Apple also announced the new iPad Air yesterday, and the new Mac Studio M4 Max today. While you're reading, browse the best laptops for photo editing or the best MacBooks for photo editing.

There’s nothing more frustrating than turning down well-paid work because your laptop doesn’t have the processing power to edit big video files. Over the last few months, I have had to say no to several videography jobs because my strained 2017 MacBook Pro struggles to buffer even proxy files.

The best full-frame cameras today are capable of outputting incredibly high-quality video. It’s impressive that the Panasonic Lumix S5 II, for example, can shoot 4:2:0 10 bit 6K video while the Sony Alpha A1 captured 4:2:0 10-bit 8K. To cope with such large files, you need a laptop with a fast processor, lots of RAM, and a large hard drive.

Sometimes, it feels like I’m stuck in a vicious circle. I need well-paid jobs to afford a new laptop, but for the same reason, I can’t accept them. I recently had to revert to editing a video shot on my camera using an app on my phone. Luckily, it was only ever intended to be a reel, so I got away with it, but for more in-depth projects requiring different transitions, graphic overlays, and beautiful color grading, in-app editing won’t cut it.

I’ve tried everything to make DaVinci Resolve work on my computer. I’ve deleted software I rarely use to free up space, downloaded a Mac clean-up tool to get rid of files clogging my hard drive, and always worked from an external hard drive.

The new M-series chip found in all Macbooks since the 2022 M2 Macbook Air is way more powerful than the previous dual-Intel processors used. With built-in video encoders, it's faster and uses a lot less power to perform the same tasks, resulting in a laptop that doesn’t get hot and slow down. Individual components are also soldered directly to the Apple-made motherboard which again cuts down on transfer time and makes the video editing process much more efficient. There really is nothing worse than having to wait for that spinning-colored cursor to disappear before you can move on to the next step.

Sadly for now all I can do is struggle on with my 2017 Macbook Pro hope that the photography jobs keep coming in. For the time being, I can just about run Photoshop and Lightroom at the same time so I guess I should count my blessings that I'm not entirely out of action.

Investing in a top-of-the-range camera that boasts big sensors, top-quality video, and huge RAW files might seem appealing, but there are a lot of other considerations you should factor in. Not only might your laptop not be powerful enough, but you’ll quickly start using up storage space, too, so it’s definitely something to consider.

Check out our guide to the best laptops for video editing, and the best hard drives for video editing

I own a 6th generation iPad which does an adequate job of letting me browse the web, check my email, and even edit the occasional Digital Camera World video review in iMovie. However, my iPad is now showing its age, as it doesn’t support the iOS Final Cut Pro app which was released in June 2024. I was therefore very happy when Apple loaned me an 11-inch iPad Pro (M4) so that I could test out iOS Final Cut Pro and its integration with the new iOS Final Cut Camera app (especially in relation to broadcasting live video from multiple iPhones to iOS Final Cut Pro on the iPad Pro - more on that workflow in the Performance section). Another exciting thing about testing the iPad Pro is that it is the first device to have an M4 chip powering it. I do my day-to-day video editing in macOS Final Cut Pro on a 15-inch MacBook Air which has an M2 chip. That’s still powerful enough to edit 4K movies in macOS Final Cut Pro, so I was therefore very keen to put the M4 chip through its paces in relation to video and photo editing. 

I tested the Silver incarnation of the iPad Pro, but it’s also available in Space Black. If I could afford one I’d go for Space Black as that fits the look of my iPhone 15 Pro Max, though the Silver iPad Pro does look great on the silver Magic Keyboard that I was also loaned for this review. I reviewed the cellular model which is the first time I’ve used an iPad that can connect to the web from anywhere. This was handy when I tested the iPad in a studio environment that didn’t have Wifi, as I needed to connect to the web to subscribe to iOS Final Cut Pro.  Oh - Apple also kindly popped an Apple Pencil Pro into my review kit, which I’ll cover in a separate review. 

iPad Pro 11-inch (M4): Specifications

iPad Pro 11-inch (M4): Design & Handling

The iPad Pro comes in two sizes - the 11-inch model that I’m reviewing here and a 13-inch version which is the thinnest product that Apple has ever created. Although not quite as thin as the 5.1mm deep 13-inch iPad Pro, the 11-inch model is impressively slim. Indeed at 5.3 mm it’s slimmer than my 8.25mm iPhone 15 Pro Max which was a surprise to me.  Like my iPhone 15 Pro Max, the iPad Pro has rounded corners. However, the iPad Pro’s edges are sharper than the iPhone’s and are almost bevel-free, which is a big contrast in design compared to the highly curved bevel on the edge and rear of my 6th generation iPad (which is also much ‘fatter’ at 7.5 mm - sorry to fat-shame my old iPad!). 

The iPad Pro’s M4 chip blows my ‘ancient’ 6th generation iPad out of the water when it comes to speed courtesy of its M4 chip, but what also sets the latest model apart from my old iPad is the iPad Pro’s Ultra Retina XDR OLED display. This kicks out 1,000 nits of brightness (or a peak of 1,6000 when viewing HDR assets), which is much brighter than my 15-inch MacBook Air’s 500 nits).  This makes 10-bit HDR Pro Res footage shot on my iPhone 15 Pro Max look amazing on the iPad Pro - with a striking contrast range of 2,000,000:1 that produces deeper blacks and whiter whites thanks to the combined light of two OLED panels. Thanks to ProMotion’s adaptive 10-120Hz refresh rate video footage looks smoother than ever. (At this stage in my review my fatter, slower, and duller 6th generation iPad is slinking quietly and forlornly out of the room). 

iPad Pro 11-inch (M4): Performance

Normally when I shoot a video review of a product for Digital Camera World I set up an iPhone on a wide shot and position another iPhone to get a close-up view of the product. After recording I then have to AirDrop the clips from both phones onto my MacBook Air and combine them into a Multicam clip in macOS Final Cut Pro. This can take a while, especially when I need to sync up the multiple takes to find my best performance. I can then tap keys to switch between the two iPhone-sourced camera angles in the timeline to jump cut from a wide to a close-up. This is a time-consuming workflow so I was keen to try out the iPad Pro’s ability to create a Multicam clip from the live stream of two iPhones running the new (and free) iOS Final Cut Camera app.

I popped both iPhones onto tripods and fired up the Final Cut Pro Camera app on each of them. I was able to send their feeds to iOS Final Cut Pro on the iPad Pro via Bluetooth. I placed the iPad Pro in my line of sight so that I could see the feed coming from the two iPhones. Normally I shoot ‘blind’ so using the iPad Pro as a monitor to show me the two iPhone camera feeds was very useful indeed. Occasionally I might move a gadget that I’m reviewing out of shot in the close-up view, but that didn’t happen now that I could see both camera angles courtesy of the iPad Pro’s OLED display.

As well as making my video review shoot much easier (I was recording a review of the Godox ML60II-Bi LED the iPad Pro sped up the editing process. I no longer had to spend time AirDropping footage from multiple iPhones to the iPad and then trying and combine them as a Multicam clip in Final Cut Pro (which can take ages if you’re dealing with multiple takes from different devices.)  The clips from both iPhones were already combined as a Multicam clip in iOS Final Cut Pro. All I needed to do was drop the Multicam clip into the timeline and then click on thumbnails to cut between the close-up and wide-angle footage. 

Editing in iOS Final Cut Pro was a pleasure on the iPad Pro. My iPad Pro review unit had 2TB of storage so I was happy to digitise the footage directly onto it. However, I was also pleased to use a USB-C cable to plug in the external SSD drive that I use when editing with macOS Final Cut Pro on my MacBook Air directly into the iPad Pro. I was then able to import footage from macOS Final Cut Projects into iOS Final Cut Pro projects on the iPad. After editing on the iPad Pro I could export the project (and all its Multicam media) directly to my MacBook Air and carry on editing using the extra tools in the macOS version of Final Cut Pro. 

Talking of Final Cut Pro the macOS version is available with a one-off purchase, but you need to subscribe to iOS Final Cut Pro for £4.99 a month. This may sway some editors to stick with editing on their Mac’s version of Final Cut Pro (which I’ll be doing once Apple takes back my iPad Pro review unit.)

Because I’m writing for Digital Camera World this review focuses on the iPad from a video maker and photographer’s point of view (I didn’t test games on it for example). As with all iPads the iPad Pro has a version of the Camera app. This boasts an optical 3x zoom for video shoots and a 5x zoom for stills (like the iPhone 14 Pro Max). 

The front camera feed looks fairly low-res and grainy compared to the FaceTime camera on my MacBook Air (M2). There’s also no option to shoot video in Cinematic mode on the iPad Pro Camera App. To be honest, I’ve never used any of the iPads I’ve owned as a camera (apart from FaceTime calls), so I don’t think this will change with the iPad Pro, which is much more effective at editing video rather than shooting it.

When docked with the Magic Keyboard the iPad Pro behaves like a mini laptop, and I enjoyed swiping on the Magic Keyboard’s trackpad to move a dot-shaped cursor around iOS Final Cut Pro’s interface to drag clips into the timeline and trim them, etc. I was also able to drag clips using the Magic Pencil and click it to undo an edit or summon a pop-up menu (more on that in my separate Magic Pencil review).  I could also of course tap and drag a clip using my finger on the iPad’s touch-sensitive screen, so I was spoiled for choice when it came to interacting with the iPad Pro.

iPad Pro 11-inch (M4): Verdict

If you’re a video maker who shoots on iPhone then the iPad Pro should prove an attractive purchase, especially if you need to sync multiple camera angles into a Multicam clip as you record them. HDR video footage will look amazing as you edit thanks to the Ultra Retina XDR OLED display. Photo fixers will also enjoy working with a display that makes their images look great - with a wide range of colors and tones on display. The M4’s 16-core Neural Engine should help you work faster when using AI-assisted apps. 

However for me, the iPad Pro is a luxury item as I can still get my photos and videos edited effectively on an M2 MacBook Air (which I’m still paying for on a monthly basis), but if you’ve got the cash then you know that you’ll be purchasing an 11-inch iPad Pro M4!

Alternatives

Apple makes MacBooks in two sub-ranges. Apple would probably prefer to put it differently, but you could say the MacBook Air range is designed for portability ahead of performance, while the MacBook Pro is all about performance, even if it means a slightly bigger machine. What confuses things is that the latest MacBook Airs are very fast, and the latest MacBook Pros are very light.

It's hard enough already to choose the best laptop for photo editing, without Apple itself offering so many choices!

So what are we to make of the MacBook Air 15-inch M3? On the face of it, you’re getting a super-slim premium quality laptop with a bigger screen than the baseline MacBook Air 13-inch M3 model (bigger even than the regular MacBook Pro 14-inch), the latest M3 processor, a 10-core CPU as standard and a 6-speaker audio system. Best of all, the price is well below that of the baseline 14-inch MacBook Pro and not a whole lot more than the 13-inch MacBook Air. On paper, the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 looks very, very tempting.

The devil, of course, is in the detail. If you're trying to work out which is the best MacBook for photo editing in 2024, there's a lot to think about. As ever with Apple, the base models have very modest RAM and storage which you will probably want to upgrade, and that really bumps up the price. We’ll talk about that more below, but first the specs.

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 (2024): specifications

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 (2024): price

The MacBook Air 15-inch M3 starts at $1,299 / £1,299, which seems a great price for a 15-inch laptop with this level of performance and a 15-inch Liquid Retina screen. But that’s for a baseline spec which might be fine for browsing, emails, presentations and a bit of dabbling in Apple Photos, but for any kind of serious creative work it doesn’t look enough.

So for a start you might want to bump up the RAM to 16GB (another $200 / £200) to allow for memory-gobbling photo end video editors, and the internal storage from 256GB to 512GB (another $200 / £200). 256GB storage will get you started, but it’s not long before it gets swallowed up by caches, libraries and other system overheads.

With 16GB RAM and a (still modest) 512GB storage, the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 now costs $1,699 / £1,699, but now at least you’ve got a machine with serious processing power and a more balanced blend of RAM and storage to go with it.

If you do the same calculations with the MacBook Air 15-inch M3, it comes out at $1,499 / £1,499, so there is always that $200 / £200 price differential. What you get for the extra money with the 15-inch version, though, is not just the larger screen, but a 6-speaker system (as opposed to a 4-speaker set-up) and a 10-core GPU as standard rather than as an upgrade.

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 (2024): key features

This is not the first 15-inch MacBook Air. In 2023 we got the MacBook Air 15-inch M2, so this just looks like a refresh with the latest M3 processor. Amongst other improvements, the M3 boasts a ‘next generation’ GPU with dynamic caching for improved performance. However, Apple’s online performance comparisons don’t include the M2 generation – it prefers to contrast the latest M3 performance with older M1 models or even Intel Macs. We have been told that Apple doesn’t expect M2 owners to upgrade, more M1 or Intel MacBook users.

What complicates things is Apple’s ‘Pro’ and ‘Max’ variants. The MacBook Air 15-inch M3 just has a regular M3 chip, while the latest M3 MacBook Pros have more powerful variants. So is a ‘vanilla’ M3 better than an M2 Pro or an M1 Max? When you combine Apple’s often rather selective comparisons with these multiple permutations… well, you get the maze of possibilities that can paralyze any Mac buying decision.

Let’s put that aside. Even with a ‘regular’ M3 processor, the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 is blazingly fast. It’s hard to imagine any stills photographer needing more power than this, and if you are a professional video producer handling multi-track, multi-cam 4K, 6K or 8K, then you should be looking at a specced-up MacBook Pro (at the very least) or a desktop workstation. 

What else have we got? Well, the 15-inch screen is not unusual in a laptop, but the resolution is, together with the real-world display quality. It is pretty exceptional. The 6-speaker audio system is pretty formidable, and the keyboard is terrific – and backed up by a big and rather good trackpad.

However, you only get two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports. No card reader, no HDMI. Of course, you can use dongles and adapters, but that doesn’t mesh too well with Apple’s beautifully clean, minimalist product design. If you are a photographer on the road then you will probably be using one port for an external SSD, the other for a card reader, and unless you get a plug-in hub – yet more clutter – then that’s all your ports used.

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 (2024): design and handling

The MacBook Air’s key selling point is portability, and this is where the 15-inch version takes a bit of a hit. The larger screen makes it just that little bit wider than the 13-inch version, and it’s just a little thicker to allow for a slightly beefier battery. These things are relative, and the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 is still remarkably svelte for a 15-inch laptop… but one of the key selling points of the Air range over the MacBook Pro range is size and weight, and the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 sails pretty close to the wind here.

But then if you’re looking for the best experience with a portable computer it makes a compelling case. Where else are you going to get a screen this big in a computer this light that can run so long on a single charge? And while the 6-speaker audio won’t match your home cinema setup, it delivers a rich and satisfying sound you wouldn’t expect from a laptop. 

The MacBook Air 15-inch M3 oozes quality. It looks great, it feels great, and it’s great to use. If you’re a Windows fan you will be incandescent with rage at the cost versus the specs, but if that’s how you feel then this computer is not for you. The world is big enough for all of us.

HOWEVER. The notch at the top of the screen is pretty horrible. Yes, phones have notches, but on the short side of the display where you don’t mind so much, but on the long side of the display, as it is on the MacBook Air 15-inch M3, it’s ALWAYS THERE.

The notch appeared in the M2 generation, so it’s not new, and it did ‘disappear’ into a black menu bar when we used Apple Photos, Davinci Resolve and iMovie in full-screen mode, so it’s probably not the end of the world. 

At the same time, though, I do wish Apple would find a way to incorporate a 16:9 ratio display, not the 16:10 ratio of many past MacBooks or whatever the ratio is on this screen (it’s a tad ‘squarer’  than 16:10). Apple has given us the biggest screen for the space available but only at the cost of a non-standard ratio and that ‘notch’.

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 (2024): performance

The benchmark figures confirm the impression you get from using the MacBook Air 15-inch M3. This is a very fast and powerful laptop. Apple’s own data shows it’s a lot faster than the first-generation M1 MacBooks, but in our table we compare it to M2 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, and these are closer. The M3’s single-core scores are definitely better, but the M2 Pro chip still offers superior multi-core and OpenCL performance.

In use, the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 feels fast, fluid and responsive. Occasionally some programs can drag their feet doing who-knows-what, but that’s more to do with the software than the computer. Adobe Lightroom launches in moments and runs beautifully, while native Apple software like Photos and iMovie work brilliantly. You could use the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 for quite serious work with the best video editing software too, whether it’s in Final Cut Pro, Apple’s own pro editor, Adobe Premiere or DaVinci Resolve.

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 (2024): verdict

The MacBook Air 15-inch M3 is fast, sleek and beautifully made. The screen might not be the even more advanced Liquid Retina XDR (extreme dynamic range) used on MacBook Pros, but it’s so good anyway that you might not notice the difference. The keyboard is excellent and the large touchpad is smooth and responsive. There’s almost nothing to fault.

Except the complex pricing structure, the need for more RAM and storage than the base model supplies, and perhaps the whole idea of a 15-inch screen on a laptop designed for portability. I’ve used a 15-inch MacBook on trains, buses and airplanes and in general the screen is just that little bit too big to fold out properly against the back of the seat in front of you.

If I wanted a powerful, portable desktop replacement I would probably go for a MacBook Pro not an Air. But if I wanted a lightweight and portable type-anywhere laptop to use alongside my desktop workstation, I would choose the 13-inch version over this one. For me, the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 is just a fraction too large and just too basic in its connectivity.

Alternatives

Another spring, another MacBook Air. Apple’s new laptops are now coming like clockwork to align with the Cupertino giant's development and rollout of its latest processors. Do we need a new MacBook Air every single year? I am not sure, but clearly enough people’s wallets are opening to make Apple say yes for now.

With the relatively small time frame since the last model, the latest MacBook Air doesn't have much to make a song and dance about outside of its processor moving from an Apple M2 to an Apple M3 chip, which should in theory offer some increased performance but also some increased endurance, with a more economic use of power. Otherwise, the new model is a clone of what came before, although that might not be an issue, as Apple’s M2 MacBook Air was a fantastic device, and Apple has claimed that the Air is now the “world’s most popular laptop”, so clearly the old ‘if it ain’t broke’ saying comes into play.

However, if all this chip talk is a bit nerdy for anyone who isn’t fascinated by core counts and nanometer manufacturing, the only question worth asking is – is a newly numbered processor actually faster and more efficient at running the creative tasks I need than previous models? 

MacBook Air M3: Specifications

MacBook Air M3: Price

In Apple’s MacBook Air series, the M3 Air starts at only $100 / £100 over the M2 Air (which is staying in the lineup for now). However in the wider market, you can shop around and find regular deals on the M2 Air that bring the cost far below the newer model; and in my opinion, that is very much a deal you should take. The M3 Air does not make enough of a case for itself in terms of increased processing power over the prior model, and if the price is any sort of concern and you can find a deal, then you can absolutely buy the M2 Air instead without any major sacrifices. 

MacBook Air M3: Design & Handling

The newer M3 MacBook Air doesn’t make any changes from the prior model in terms of design, sticking to the same chassis, ports, and screen. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as the MacBook Air is one of the most well-designed laptops around, but it does compound the idea that this new model doesn’t really have much to offer over the previous generation.

This is also the first time that the MacBook Air has been released at the same time in both 13in and 15in sizes. Apart from the increase in screen size, there isn’t much to separate these models however, the biggest differential is the larger laptop managing to squeeze in a slightly more impressive sounding speaker setup. Although the 13-inch model still manages to produce some decent sound for quietly listening to music or editing video.

But as I have already asserted, the MacBook Air is arguably one of the nicest designed laptops you can buy. The wedge shape that was the hallmark of the Air up until the M2 design is long in the rearview mirror, with the more rounded and smooth corners and edges of the M3 MacBook Air being much more pleasant to hold, and much less prone to damage other things in a tightly packed bag. The Air continues to live up to its name, being a very lightweight device, and thin enough to slip into tight gaps in a rucksack. The design is also fanless, which means that the Air is much more comfortable to use on a lap or in bed without superheating its base.

There are the same color options available as last year’s models, although the new Midnight colorway has a new anti-fingerprint coating. I have the Starlight version here, but I tested the Midnight version of the 15in Air last year, and fingerprints were a continual nightmare. However, the new Midnight version uses the same coating as the Black version of the MacBook Pro which I did manage to test a few months ago, and is really effective and keeps grubby marks off the chassis.

The scissor-switch keyboard is a delight to type on, and like the last generation of Air, there is no more Touch Bar. As someone who never used the Touch Bar on their MacBook Pro for anything other than brightness and volume, I am not sorry to see this go and be replaced by a more practical row of function keys. Especially as custom keys are quite practical in a lot of editing apps, getting these to work on the touch bar was always a bit of extra work. 

In the top right of the keyboard, there is a very effective fingerprint reader, this is one of the best that I have used on any device, it’s very fast with few rejections, even when my fingers are wet or dirty.

The screen continues to be lovely, Apple laptops are renowned for their stunning displays and despite not much changing with this display it still looks wonderful, especially for photo and video editing, with smooth movement, balanced whites, and bright and accurate colors.

The only area that lets the MacBook Air down is in its port selection, which still has kept me trapped in a world of dongles and adapters. While the Air might be slightly too thin for an SD Card reader, it would be a very welcome addition for any creatives that want to use the Air as their primary device, but leaving it out of the Air feels like a cynical way to push users onto the MacBook Pro. 

The Air also is limited to just two USB-C ports, which are also both irritatingly located on the same side. I regularly use my MacBook with an external monitor (via USB-C), and I almost permanently have an external SSD connected, which with these two ports in use, I have nowhere else to connect any other devices – like my external SD card reader. 

I use a dock with multiple ports when I am at home, but the point of a laptop is I am not chained to my desk. Apple might be limited by the thin design here, but equally small Windows laptops manage to squeeze in many more ports. Again this feels like a way to sell me a MacBook Pro instead.

MacBook Air M3: Performance

As I have come to expect after testing the previous two generations of Apple’s in-house silicon – performance is a revelation compared to previous Intel MacBook models. Whilst it is very unfair to compare a new laptop to one designed around five or six years ago, in reality, there are a lot of people out there (I can count myself among them) who are still using Intel MacBooks. 

I still use an Intel Mac day-to-day as my work laptop, and while it doesn’t feel slow in isolation, it is only when I compare the same tasks I do regularly on Intel to those same tasks on the Apple M3 Air that it really becomes apparent how much of a jump the M3 is. And in many tasks like photo and video editing, there is an overwhelming gulf in performance between the two. 

In everyday use, the little things are just better, apps open faster and I can have more tabs open without my laptop grinding to a halt, but the real benefit of the M3 processor is when you actually push it. 

Adobe Lightroom Classic is probably my most used piece of software on my Intel Mac (outside internet browsing of course), but it is also the software that frustrates me the most, as it is often so slow and jarring. In areas like these, the M3 chip in the MacBook Air is just a huge boon. I can import RAW images and make previews without my laptop going into meltdown or just freezing up, flicking through the film strip actually feels smooth. I can’t praise enough how much better life is on these newer MacBooks if you are coming from an old Intel model.

Nonetheless, my personal laptop is an M2-powered MacBook Air, so I am pretty familiar with what that laptop is capable of in real-world use, and I can't really notice any perceptible difference between the M2 Air and M3 Air in terms of performance. Even more intensive tasks, for example, a Lightroom export of 100 RAWs into JPEGs were neck and neck in the time it took to complete.

Below are some benchmarks comparing the latest M3 chip against the previous generations. Benchmarks certainly aren’t everything and they don’t necessarily reflect real-world use, but you can see here how big the difference is between Intel model benchmarks. There is progress here over the previous generation of M2 processors, but it isn't noticeably faster in use. For multi-core and graphics tasks, the standard M3 is behind the older M2 Pro on benchmarks.

The MacBook Air I have been provided has 16GB of RAM, the base Air has just 8GB. While a lot of reviewers (myself included) found this controversial in the most recent MacBook Pro – because that MacBook was for pros – I am not going to bemoan the Air starting on 8GB as that suits the target audience much better. 

I will however still lodge a complaint here about Apple’s pricing for RAM and SSD upgrades over the actual value of these parts. Should 8GB of additional RAM cost $200 – I don't think so, and a similar upgrade on a Dell XPS is just $50. This can very quickly push the price of Apple’s “most affordable” laptop up until it makes spending just a little more on the MacBook Pro seem like a significantly better value option, funny that.

Battery life on the MacBook Air is outstanding. Just browsing the web, even using a lot of intensive traffic sites like Google Docs, Drive, Canva, and multiple tabs, I was getting a long day (and then some) easily out of the Air. 

When using more high-power drain applications like Lightroom and Photoshop, the battery did drain faster, but I could comfortably do several hours of editing out and about. I am pretty confident I could just leave the house with this laptop without even taking the charger, meanwhile, my five-year-old Intel model barely makes it through streaming a movie. 

MacBook Air M3: Verdict

While the MacBook Air with M3 is the best MacBook Air yet, it is not by a significant enough margin from previous generations that anyone using an M1 or M2 MacBook should really sit up and take notice. However, if you are still using an Intel-powered MacBook then it gets a little more interesting, as the improvements over those now quite old models are significantly more dramatic, and when it comes to photo and video editing, you will really notice the increased speed.

The rest of the MacBook Air is a familiar affair, with the same screen, keyboard, and ports as the previous incarnation, although while this isn’t particularly exciting, all these parts were already fantastic and the reason why I would call the MacBook Air the best laptop for most people, although I will still bemoan the stingy amount of ports Apple puts on its Air models.

The final consideration for anyone is the price, with the MacBook Air M2 still being sold, and often found at a significant discount, the performance gains of the M3 chip aren’t really enough that I would consider spending more money on this model if I could get the same specced M2 model for much less.

Alternatives

After weeks of speculation about new iPads, MacBooks, and other Apple gear, the tech community is suddenly reacting to the news there might not be an Apple event at which these rumors can crystallize. Yesterday's announcement of new M3 versions of the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air seems to suggest that – instead of assembling a pack of products to release at a choreographed event, Apple will instead be updating current models as-and-when.

The new MacBook Air not only gains a M3 processor, which boosts power up to 60% over the original M1 versions and add a more powerful Neural Engine, but Wi-Fi 6E and improved external display support. The starting price is $1,099 / £999 and the device is available from March 8th.

Since the M3 MacBook Air was one of the key predictions for the event, it puts a hole in the side of any chance of it taking place. Further cold water comes from none other than Bloomberg's Mark Gurman himself, which means that if you've watched several over-enthusiastic Apple YouTubers spouting their prophecies then you're allowed to feel a little cheated at this point!

Of course, in fairness, the products approaching market are probably still nearing completion. Instead of a specific event, we can expect a separate press release and launch video for each one. 

There has been a good deal of rumor about new iPad Pro models with M3 processors and OLED displays, and yet another Apple Pencil. A cheaper Apple Pencil came our recently, but the premium version might also need a re-design if Apple are to finally re-position the camera on the iPad Pro along the long edge of the screen so video conferencing looks more normal (because at the moment that's where the magnets charge the pencil). This is all widely predicted, alongside a special version of iOS to support the new hardware.

A giant 12.9-inch iPad Air is also anticipated, which begs the question "Just how expensive the iPad Pro is going to get with an M3 processor in it?" The anticipated OLED display might have some use, perhaps, to creators, but at the moment the starting price for the M2 12.9-inch XDR iPad Pro is $1,099 (same as that MacBook Air)  with just 128GB storage – and another $129 for the pencil. The Magic Keyboard (which has a trackpad) is another $349 if you're looking for a vaguely laptop-like experience.

Since the iPad Pro has 8GB RAM (in the bottom two storage configs), you're parting with a lot more cash than for a MacBook Air with 256GB storage. Oh, and you still need to do your work in iOS which many feel has limitations in contexts beyond pen use is limiting in a lot of contexts beyond pen use.

No Apple rumor sources have suggested these limitations will vanish with a new iPad Pro – though almost all have suggested the price will get higher. Forbes had even reported that prices as high as $1,500 and $1,800 had been floated by chattering fans. It's possible that the lowest storage options will disappear, but even then that would probably be enough to kill off the product line.

With no information, I'd be inclined to anticipate Apple will cover their costs and inflation, and ditch (at least) the lowest storage option, ergo 128GB $799 minimum becomes a 256GB $999 or $1,099 minimum depending on OLED costs. Remember, too, there was also talk of a more expensive iPhone Ultra without anything emerging.

On a tangental note, another reason Apple might want to avoid assembling a crowd of journalists on their turf is that – despite a few enthusiastic videos about the Vision Pro – the extremely expensive AR device is in a tricky place at the moment and there have been some social media posts about returning them.

See our guide to the best tablets for photo editing.

Over the last couple of weeks, I had come to feel a huge swathe of support in my irritation about Apple's variety of pricing options for the still new M3 MacBook Pro range. My digital in-box had been piled high with mail expressing similar discontent at the structure and teirs of the pricing which seem, to me (and others), to be designed to make overspending inevitable.

But I've laid out my theory on the MacBook Pro M3 pricing before, and already shared some voices of support suggesting I go the whole hog and buy a PC instead. I was a little more surprised to find Apple enthusiast – but Windows user at work – Mark Gillespie mailing me with a reasoned argument for the existence of at least four of the Macs I reference in my opinion (though not all of them).

So, in fairness to the Apple world that I'll almost inevitably return to, I'll share Mark's thoughts.

He first suggests that users who are new to Mac don't actually buy new; "Choose an M1 or M2 version of the model you prefer but with 16MB RAM and any storage size greater than the minimum config" he suggests. Personally, I take that as evidence that Apple is over-charging and/or under-specifying their entry-level machines. At the time of writing the MacBook Air M1 13-inch is still on offer for $999 with a paltry 8GB RAM and 256GB storage.

Upgrade to the newer M2 MacBook Air model and you'll find yourself another $100 poorer for the same memory specs (though this time it's a 13.6-inch screen rather than 13.3).

I agree that these entry specs are unacceptable – certainly for me – though no doubt suit some. I'm not sure Mark can easily get away with placing all hobbyists in the same boat though – he might say the best laptop for photography for that group is lesser than the pros, but in my experience that depends on ambition (or patience). In any case, the minimum entry point for a (true) current would seem to be the $1,499 MacBook Air 13 with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage.

For folk like me, who plan on buying Apple and have a case for buying new, Mark's advice is "DON’T start by working your way up Apple’s pricing ladder from the bottom. Start by configuring your ideal machine to suit the job and then cut features until it fits your true budget."

As established, for the ports, that's a MacBook Pro. Then we apply the advice about avoiding 8GB editions and the minimum spend in store is the M3 Pro-based 18GB/512GB $1,999 (we could, of course, specify 16GB to the absolute base model M3 machine 14-inch MacBook Pro and get that down to $1,799, but not only would we have to wait but the slower CPU would also only have one fan and still have 2GB less RAM).

Using the "Working down from the top-spec" is a bit off-putting in my view; the top off-the-shelf model is the $3,999 16-inch M3 MacBook Pro with 48GB RAM and 1TB storage. I can spec this up to 128GB RAM and 8TB storage for $7,199 but on my budget I'll drop below the initial $3,999 as part of my de-specing!

Interestingly Mark also ignored the base M3 MacBook Pro in the 4 categories of customer he envisaged, which were:

• MacBook Air Education; office productivity; hobby design and photography
• M3 MacBook Pro Productivity, beginner creativity
• M3 MacBook Pro with 18GB+ 2D pro design, video and creative, coding, scientific and hobby AI
• M3 Mac MacBook Pro 36GB+ 3D design and development, pro video, pro AI, pro creative, pro scientific, pro coding,CS research, (high-end gaming?)

Yes, he used the brackets on 'high-end gaming' too – hard for any Mac users to say that with a straight face, I imagine – and said he believed that 3, the M3 MacBook Pro with 18GB was the sweet spot, at least for the photo and video needs I had set out (as well as playing Civilazation V, of course).

I think I'm coming to my decision, but one thing I'd not taken into account that Mark cautioned me to think about is the needs of AI. He suggests the upcoming M3 Ultra in the Mac Studio will come with a boat load of memory. I'm less certain this will be a big part in my life. For one this I have no plans to ask Siri to write articles for me, and for another I can't imagine any technology which requires an 'Ultra' chip is going to be used for much other than development unless things change very fast in Apple's pricing structure.

The one bet that I probably am prepared to make this year is that doesn't happen (after all, the resale value is always a big part of the pro-Apple argument I make to myself).

Digital Camera World keeps guides to the best laptop for video editing and the best MacBook for photo editing.

I work with drones, which means I work with 4K video. I'm a photography writer, which means I work with photos. I'm just the kind of creative who ought to have a MacBook Pro. Indeed I have one from work, and I have a 2020 iMac – one of a long line of Macs. But it's starting to feel like it might be my last.

I set out to order a new MacBook Pro on the Apple site and I found the process so frustrating and irritating that I gave up. What irritated me, more than anything, was the way Apple has blurred the product range so there isn't a simple choice between entry, mid, and maxed-out. Now it's full of confusing compromises that all seem designed to persuade you to go, "Oh well, just another step up" until you've spent $4000.

My first hope was that perhaps a few Apple enthusiasts on YouTube could sort it out, but that proved a fool's errand. Instead I had to listen to people spouting fanboy nonsense about Apple's unified memory, suggesting it meant 

This isn't really the case. On a Windows machine you'll have faster, more expensive RAM devoted to graphics (GDDR 6) and still-very-fast (but not as fast) RAM devoted to memory (DDR 5). Apple's Unified memory is all the fast expensive type, which means the graphics will be borrowing your main memory (though it's the slightly slower and less power-hungry kind sort designed for laptops).

So, on realizing that I understood the tech better than most of the spec-sheet-spouting YouTubers, I went back to it and started working out what I'd need. 

I am hoping for another four years from this machine, which means – given modern Apple's enthusiasm for solder and lack of upgradeability – I need to get it right. That inflexibility is already very off-putting. There is a door on the back of my 2020 iMac for me, a user, to add new RAM. Some younger readers might not believe it, but this was once also the case with MacBooks – why DCW's James Abbot "Wouldn't touch a MacBook" now.

Fear of making a mistake takes a lot of the joy I used to experience from buying a new computer. I still live in hope, though, so I press on. Do I want a 14-inch or 16-inch? Well, this is actually an easy step for me, and it's instinctive. It's the big one. Or is it? I'll just check…

A look at the 14-inch range and I see it starts at $1,599 for a machine with an offensively low 8GB RAM and not an M3 Pro or M3 Max chip – just an M3, so there's three of them to choose from (and one wonders how far a standard M3 is from an M2). Oh, and 8GB memory shared between video and system on a computer with 'Pro' in its name is downright insulting. 

In the first example of a sneaky "Oh well, I'll just go up one", what you can do is add $200 to get the memory to what I'd regard as the minimum acceptable 16GB. Then the machine is $1,799, at which point you're only $200 away from the $1,999 M3 Pro – which also boasts 8GB RAM minimum rather than 16, so it's kinda okay, right? After all, you're also getting an 11-core CPU rather than 8-core, and 14 GPU cores rather than 10…

Dig a bit deeper for the $2,399 spec 12CPU / 18GPU model and the storage goes up to 1TB SSD rather than 512GB. Since that would have been an extra $200 for the storage, we can see it's $200 for the processor bump. Apple also 'threw in' the $20 upgrade to a 96W power brick, which will charge the machine faster / keep up with the power needs at this point.

Finally, the top tier is the M3 Max. Stripping everything else out, you're effectively paying $400 more for the lower M3 Max (with 14 CPU and 30 GPU cores), or $700 for the higher version (16CPU / 40GPU). The cheaper one has a minimum of 36GB unified memory – which I do consider a workable amount – but incredibly the cheaper Max chip will only allow one upgrade, for $800 to 96GB. The more expensive M3 Max chip, however, offers a mid-tier, so 48GB (minimum), 64GB, or 128GB are options.

Confused yet? Did I mention the balance of the CPU cores? Some of the CPU cores are 'efficiency cores' – prioritizing battery life over speed. In fact there are more of these in the newer Pro chips than in the M2 series – the 12-core M2 had 8 'performance' and 4 'efficiency' – so it was actually more performance-biased.

That's not all. The memory bandwidth for the Pro is lower than the M2 series – 150GB/s rather than 200GB/s. Is this deliberately throttled? It looks that way because the M2 Max had 400GB/s, while now the M3 Max has 300GB/s for the 'base' M3 Max (with 14CPU+30GPUcores) and 400GB/s for the highest (16CPU/40GPU). That's another $300 for some more cores because – it seems – Apple are deliberately turning down the memory's speed to make the more expensive one look, er, Max in benchmarks.

So, for the ultimate CPU performance – that in reality might take a few seconds off a long video render but I'll probably never need – I'm being nudged toward spending $400 more on the 'Max' series – a chip with ray-tracing designed for high-end 3D work and gaming (despite the software desert) – and then nudged again to spend another $300.

Plus the same goes for the 16-inch versions, which are bigger, which is also a $400 step, atop which they have a similar pricing scale. But a big screen is so useful... and that bit of my bag is big enough so... 

Okay, your point?

In summary, the choice facing me – and the potential cost of getting it wrong – is too stressful. Yes, I mentioned I do video, but 2D work doesn't automatically push me up to the max, or the Max. But all the upgrades are so small on their own that I end up looking at all of them. They're little steps, nothing feels big (except the price).

The upshot – for now – is that I've left the Apple site without buying anything, and I went there wanting to buy. Will I be back? Not until I've had a good look at the best photo editing laptops and best video editing laptops regardless of platform!

I have had a lot of responses to this M3 MacBook Pro debate starter (and have put some together here) you guys are helping me decide!

Apple had a strong 2023, with a raft of updates to their popular products, including the iPhone 15 Pro Max, MacBook Air 15-inch, and brand new M3-equipped MacBook Pros.

Apple's iPhone lineup continues to include some of the best camera phones out there, adding new sensors and an improved telephoto camera. Apple's iPad range still continues to dominate the tablet market as well as our list of best tablets for photo editing.

Last but certainly not least, Apple's latest M3 processors in its MacBook Pro range also bring even more power to photo and video editing, making the MacBooks some of the best photo-editing laptops on the planet. 

I can't wait to see what Apple has in store in 2024 and hope that it has a few shocking reveals for photographers and creatives alike. I have rounded up some of the most prominent rumors for what might be in store over the next 12 months, lets dig in.

iPhones

We are a very long way off the announcement of the iPhone 16 series of phones, with the iPhone 15s only just making its way into the hands of buyers just a few short months ago.

Apple's iPhone 15 devices, were another lineup of upgrades that have all made their way into our list of the best camera phones. Unless you are really into USB-C (which was finally added this year), it wasn't a headline year for Apple, with the regular iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro receiving just marginal improvements to the camera systems. The iPhone Pro Max was the only one to grab significant attention with the upgrade of its 3x camera to a 5x one, making it more competitive with the Samsung Galaxy S23 and Google Pixel 8 Pro.

What can we be sure of for 2024? Well, the release date of the iPhone 16 range is pretty much a certainty, coming at the end of October each year, so start saving now. Although this year Apple could potentially have a little more up its sleeve.

iPhone 16 Pro & Pro Max

The most significant change slated for the iPhone 16 Pro series might be increased screen sizes. Both the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max look set to receive a bump in size, with the iPhone 16 Pro apparently going to 6.3 inches from the 6.1 inches of the current iPhone 15 Pro model, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max will receive an increase to 6.9 inches (up from the 15 Pro Max's 6.7 inches).

Camera-wise, the ultrawide camera might get some love with a new 48MP sensor. Ultrawide cameras have always seemed to get the worst of the sensors, so it would be great if Apple brought it up to the potential of the main sensor. 

Periscope camera rumors that dominated last year continue to pop up everywhere, with a potential 300mm 'super periscope' camera allegedly in the works, although Apple is very conservative with big camera updates, and with the 5x camera just out of the gates, I would take that with a pinch of salt.

As you would expect if you follow Apple's phones, is there of course going to be a new Apple A-series processor, that will undoubtedly offer performance gains over the previous generation, and with current trends, offer lots of new and exciting AI features as Apple plays catchup with ChatGPT and Google.

There are also some potential changes to the body design with the volume, power, and Action Button looking like they might be changed to capacitive (non-click) buttons. There are also mentions of a new "Capture" button, although how this would be used or more useful than current methods remains to be seen.

iPhone 16

Don't expect a huge change from last year's standard iPhone models. Apple seems quite happy to just pass down upgrades slowly from the Pro models from the previous couple of generations, keeping the iPhone Pro and Pro Max as the latest and greatest.

Apple will likely still continue on with both the standard model and the larger Plus model, with both models keeping the same screen dimensions. The only other thing to look out for is a bump in processor from this year's 15 Pro, and possibly some new camera sensors inherited from this year's models as well.

iPhone SE

There is no concrete evidence of when we are going to see the next iPhone SE, or even if Apple is going to make another entry-level iPhone, as it seems quite content selling its older iPhone models for lower prices. Most speculation suggests that we won't see a new SE until 2025, but plans can change quite quickly, especially when a phone contains mostly old parts.

These unknowns haven't stopped people from speculating on what a potential new iPhone SE might include. The most prominent rumors suggest that the iPhone SE might re-use the iPhone 14 body, which would not only increase the screen size to a 6.1-in panel but would also be the first time an SE device has used Apple's Face ID instead of the fingerprint reader and home button.

Any iPhone SE would also have to ship with a USB-C port to comply with new EU rules, so this would mark the end of the final current Apple phone with a Lightning connector, and might expedite the SE 4's announcement.

iPads

Apple's iPads continue to dominate the tablet market, although there is very little giving them serious cause for concern with Microsoft's Surface Pro lineup becoming a little stale, and Google's Pixel Tablet going for the smart home entertainment angle rather than a serious computing device.

Going into 2024, it doesn't look like Apple with add or remove any devices from its current stable of iPads, with Apple's lineup continuing with the top-end iPad Pro range as a serious laptop replacement device, the mid-tier iPad Air for getting stuff done on the go, the iPad, the cheapest tablet aimed squarely at entertainment, and the little iPad Mini for note taking and pocket productivity. 

iPad Pro

The new iPad Pro looks set for a 2024 release to potentially coincide with the release of iPadOS 17.4 in March. 

The most notable change anticipated for the iPad Pro is the adoption of an OLED display compared to the existing mini-LED technology in the 12.9-inch model. OLED has the potential for crisper, brighter visuals, and more accurate color reproduction. There's talk of the 12.9-inch model making a slight shift to a 13-inch screen, however, reports suggest that the 11-inch tablet won't see a size increase.

Another potential upgrade on the horizon is a new glass back for the iPad Pro. Transitioning to a glass back could enable wireless charging for the upcoming iPad Pro and even introduce a form of reverse wireless charging. Could Apple be preparing a similar Google Pixel Tablet experience with a smart speaker dock?

The bad news, speculation also suggests a potential price increase for the rumored OLED iPad Pro, possibly reaching a steep $1,800 for a revamped 13-inch model, with all the models having some level of price increase. This put it over the price of the MacBook Air before even adding a keyboard or mouse, that better be one nice screen!

iPad Air

As I repeat every year, I am of course expecting Apple to bump its iPad Air processor one generation higher. The previous iPad Air is still holding onto the M1 Silicon, so it's likely that the 6th Gen iPad Air would include the M2 chip, which would separate it from the iPad Pro which is expected to get the shiny new M3 processor.

Rumors suggest Apple might be toying with the idea of a larger iPad Air version for 2024. The speculation gained traction due to two codenames associated with the new iPad Air: J507 and J508, a trend seen with the iPad Pro, which comes in two sizes. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo added fuel to the fire by claiming the iPad Air will come in the familiar 10.9-inch and an all-new 12.9-inch model.

Rumors also suggest that Apple will buck the price inflation that has been a hallmark of 2023 and will keep the 2024 iPad Air price the same as the current generation, and with a rumored price hike for the iPad Pro this might make the Air seem even better value.

Macs

In 2023 Apple continued its run of updating its usual stable of devices with its latest and most powerful chips – starting the year with the incredibly powerful M2 Max and M2 Ultra in the Mac Studio.

Apple also introduced the first brand-new MacBook in a few years with a 15-inch version of the MacBook Air, which alongside the 13-inch version was updated with an M2 chip. Finishing the year strong, Apple also updated its MacBook Pro range, giving us the first glimpse at the M3 chips that are sure to dominate Apple's update cycle in 2024.

MacBooks

We have probably seen all we are going to from the MacBook Pro range until next fall when Apple will likely be ready to show off the MacBook Pro with M4 Silicon.

Rumors are fairly quiet this far out from release, but we wouldn't expect much to change about next year MacBook's with Apple seemingly settled on a design it is happy with, banishing the final MacBook with the Touchbar from this year's lineup. 

Except for the expected newer processor, other upgrades would most likely be iterative, with bumps to screen technology, USB-C speeds, or some weight savings.

The MacBook Air got the M2 chip last year. Based on current rumors, don't expect much beyond an upgrade to the latest M3 chip, and maybe some fun new color options. 

If the 13-in and 15-in will get upgraded at the same time though remains to be seen, as the 15-inch with M2 is only a few months old. This would simplify Apple's updates going forward, and give customers better side-by-side comparisons, so I would argue its a good idea, but Apple and its supply chain might not agree.

Apple makes a lot more beyond what I have discussed here, and we are likely to see a lot of other updates coming to Apple's ecosystem, with potential upgrades to its Watches, AirPods range, Beats headphones, AirTags, and more.

What else might we see making its way from the depths of Apple's R&D department next year? Stay tuned for all the latest Apple rumors. 

In the meantime, you can also find all the latest Apple gear in our guides to the best camera phones, the best tablets for photo editing, and the best photo-editing laptops.

With the best laptop webcam built into your computer, you can enjoy great image quality, silky smooth performance and innovative features. And with remote work and virtual meetings as commonplace as ever, for many webcam quality is an essential consideration when choosing a new laptop.

Of course, you don't just buy a laptop for its in-built webcam: you want it to do all sorts of other things too. That's why we test all aspects of the best laptops, to make sure they deliver on all fronts.

In this article we've listed the best laptops that feature great webcams as well as fast performance, great picture quality, and more besides. However, if you'd prefer to stick with your current laptop, then you could alternatively connect a separate exterior webcam (or even mirrorless camera) to your PC, and perhaps use a ring light or other illumination device too.

Our top picks

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Best webcam laptops 

The best laptop webcam overall

The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is a 2-in-1 detachable tablet computer that blends the portability of a tablet with the versatility of a laptop, although the optional Pro Flex keyboard is a must, and it isn't cheap.

The Surface Pro 11 can be specced with a 2880 x 1800 OLED display so your images look the part. But where this 2-in-1 really takes some beating is webcam quality. It boasts camera with an incredible 12MP, 4032x3024 resolution. Thanks to the machine's AI-focused NPU, the webcam benefits from Windows Studio Effects - these provide handy video enhancements like automatic framing, eye contact correction, and advanced background blur during meetings.

Elsewhere, the Qualcomm Snapdragon X manages to be powerful without being power-hungry, and it can be specced with up to 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, making the Surface Pro deceptively potent.

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The best Apple laptop webcam

Our reviewer found a lot to love about the latest MacBook Pro 14 (M4, 2024). The screen is stunning, and the new M4 chip absolutely blows old Intel chip-equipped MacBooks out of the water. Plus when it comes to the webcam, it boasts a high quality 1080p camera.

Overall, this is a hugely powerful laptop, although may be overkill for some many, especially if you're not doing a lot of resource-intensive tasks like photo or video editing. So if you want a 1080p webcam, you may prefer to save a little money and opt for the previous 2023 M3 MacBook Pro, or even the latest M4 iMac.

See our full MacBook Pro 14 (M3, 2023) review

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The best 2-in-1 laptop webcam

A Windows 11 tablet rather than a laptop - the keyboard case is sold separately - the Surface Go 4 is underpowered in its Pentium incarnation unless all you’re doing with it is surfing the web. Luckily, there are upgrades to the CPU, RAM and storage available that turn it from a touchscreen triviality into a seriously useful machine - though you’ll pay for the privilege.

That goes for the webcam too. It’s a 5MP model that’s perfect for 1080p video calls and selfies, and as it’s a tablet there's another 8MP camera on the back too. You also get Windows Hello functionality, where the Surface Go is unlocked using facial recognition.

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The best Chromebook webcam

Chromebooks – laptops that run the lightweight ChromeOS from Google – tend to have lesser specifications than Windows laptops, as all they’re going to be asked to do is run web apps through the Chrome browser. This doesn’t mean they’re any less capable, as there are full office suites and image editing apps available for them, but they’re not expected to work as hard.

This model from HP has a spec that a budget Windows laptop would be envious of, and its 1080p webcam means your video calls should be clear and sharp.

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The best laptop webcam for gamers

The Razer Blade series are all gaming laptops, but having those powerful CPU and GPU chips also makes them better for doing other things, like intensive image or video editing. The 1080p camera found at the top of the Blade 16’s screen should provide excellent image quality, plus it enables Windows Hello functionality. Naturally with so much performance on tap, you'll pay a high price to get your hands on a Blade 16 (and that's before you get tempted by the options list!). But if you want a Windows laptop that'll stay as future-proofed as possible, it may just be a worthwhile investment.

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The best laptop webcam for business meetings

Lenovo’s ThinkPad line are business-oriented machines with a reputation for having everything you need to be an executive on the move, and that goes for the webcam too.

The display on the X1 Carbon Gen 14 is sharp and bright, with LCD or OLED options, and above it sits either a 5MP or 10MP webcam, depending on the spec you choose. It’s a Windows Hello compatible camera, so you can unlock your laptop with just your face, and it features a wide field of view, along with automatic distortion correction, so you and your colleagues should look your best in a meeting.

While this is far from the cheapest laptop out there, it has a very serious specification to match its serious status, easily performing all day in video conferences and office work.

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FAQs

How to choose the best laptop webcams

When choosing a laptop webcam, there are several key factors to consider. First, resolution: look for at least 1080p full HD resolution, as this will provide sharp, detailed video suitable for professional video calls and streaming. Low-light performance is important if you frequently have video calls in dimly lit rooms. Also, consider privacy features like camera shutters or kill switches to disable the webcam when not in use for security. Finally, prioritize laptops with high-quality microphones if you need excellent audio capture.

How we test the best laptop webcams

We put each webcam model through rigorous real-world testing to thoroughly evaluate its performance. We make video calls and participate in virtual conferences using each webcam to assess video and audio quality in real meeting environments. We stream live video using the webcams to judge their suitability for applications like game streaming. We record video of ourselves with the webcams under different scenarios to critically analyze footage quality. We don't just focus on video: audio quality from the webcam's built-in microphones is also carefully evaluated during testing for clarity and noise cancellation.

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The best budget webcam

The best MacBook screen protectors are essentially for anyone who's just spent a ton of money on an expensive Apple laptop. Because these thin, precision-crafted layers of protection offer more than just physical defence; they can also reduce glare, provide privacy and even enhance your viewing experience.

Whether you're a creative professional, a student or a casual user, the right screen protector can extend the life of your MacBook while maintaining its sleek aesthetic. To help you find the right one, we've asked our experts to draw up this list of the best MacBook screen protectors available today.

If you're short of time, you could just skip to our number one pick overall, the Spigen Full Coverage Screen Protector. You may also like our guide to the best MacBooks for photo editing, as well as our roundups of the best Mac webcams.

Our top picks

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Best MacBook screen protector overall

Spigen is one of the best manufacturers on the market when it comes to tech accessories. We've tested hundreds (not an exaggeration) of phone cases from Spigen for different device models, but the company is really well known for its reliable and super high quality screen protectors.

This tempered glass MacBook screen protector from Spigen is no exception, and offers full screen, high transparency edge-to-edge coverage for your MacBook display. It's comprised of reinforced layers that include release film, silicone resin, an OCA layer, tempered glass and anti-dust nano coatings.

Not convinced yet? This glossy screen protector also boasts anti-bubble and anti-scratch durability to keep your screen in top condition, and uses all-around adhesive to ensure that the entire screen is securely covered with no lifting. You only get one screen protector in this pack, but one should be all you need. Be sure to choose the correct size for your device, this protector is compatible with the latest 16" models, as well as older 13" MacBook models.

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Best MacBook screen protector for privacy

Why would anyone need a privacy screen protector? Even if you're not someone who looks at anything particularly risky during work hours, it can be super important to keep your screen guarded in public to protect sensitive information related to your company or business, or to protect your credit card number if buying online and having someone sneakily look over your shoulder. This might seem over the top – but you never think it will happen to you, until it does.

When it comes to privacy, our top pick is this screen protector from Belkin, which is certified by Apple, removable, and reusable. It offers full-screen privacy for your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro through a two-way side filter, and when you're done with this screen protector, you can simply remove it and store it in the included TruePrivacy panel to keep it safe and ready for reuse.

This might be a bit of a hassle when commuting, as you'll need to keep the TruePrivacy panel nearby to safely store the screen protector after you're finished with it. Although, if you only use it in the office then it could be left on your desk.

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Best for blue-light reduction

Blue light is the invisible light that gets emitted from our screens and can with prolonged use cause eye strain, worsening Myopia, and fatigue. It can even interfere with sleeping patterns. With a blue-light-blocking screen protector such as this one, you can filter and reduce the amount of harmful light reaching your eyes. This screen protector has a matte finish and is quick and easy to install.

The base material used to create this protector is imported from Japan and applied to your MacBook display using nano-silicone paste technology. The pack comes included with two screen protectors plus an installation tool kit.

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Best MacBook screen protector for durability

This privacy screen protector from CASETIFY is a little on the expensive side but it's worth the extra price, as CASETIFY is a trusted leading brand and uses the best quality materials in its production. It also offers great customer service and a no-questions-asked return policy.

The magnetic design of this protector allows super easy application and removal with a snap-on and snap-off like effect, with scratch and smudge-resistant coatings on the protector which also guards up to 30% harmful blue light. It has a two-way landscape privacy, meaning that only those directly in front of your MacBook display will be able to see what's on it.

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Best budget MacBook screen protector

This premium PET anti-glare screen protector pack from JTECH not only protects your MacBook from harsh sunlight, but also defends your display from daily scratches and abrasions that might occur while travelling to and from the office or commuting to coffee shops.

It doesn't have any other fancy features such as reducing blue light emittance or protecting your screen privacy, but the super affordable low price of this screen protector reflects this accordingly, especially for two protectors included.

You get what you pay for in this instance, and while it might not be the best glass on the market, JTECH are a brand we've tested products from before and have high-quality resilience. If you're on a budget but still want to protect your MacBook screen from daily damage, this is the screen protector for you.

See also best MacBook charger

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Best magnetic MacBook screen protector

This privacy screen from Kensington is very similar to the Belkin and Casetify ones above, but despite being a lesser-known brand, it actually has some more impressive features. First off, this screen protector attaches to the magnets in your MacBook's frame for super easy application, and is reversible with one glossy side that offers great clarity, and the other side has a matte finish to maximize glare reduction.

In terms of privacy, this magnetic MacBook screen protector is designed to narrow the viewing angle of your display to keep prying eyes away. The field of vision is narrowed to around +/- 30 degrees, reducing the chances of a data breach. It also features a low-reflective coating to reduce glare and increase image clarity.

If this weren't enough, the privacy screen protector is also equipped to deal with fingerprints and has a blue light coating which filters out harmful rays by up to 22%, easing your eye strain from staring at screens all day, and reducing the chances of blue light interrupting your natural sleep patterns.

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FAQs

How to choose the best MacBook screen protector

Choosing the best screen protector for you means asking yourself the question: What do you want it to do? If it's the bare minimum such as keeping your screen fingerprint free and safe from scratches, then any one of the options in the guide abve will do the trick. If, however, you want other features such as glare, blue light, privacy, clarity, and general hygiene, then there are plenty of advanced (and slightly pricier) options on the market to tick all these boxes.

As a photographer, do you prioritize webcam privacy and lens safety above anything else? In this case, you might want to look at choosing a MacBook screen protector that includes a camera slider for full control, has a hardness rating of 9H to protect against damage, or has HD clarity for a clearer picture in meetings.

One other thing to think about is compatibility. Every MacBook model can be slightly different in screen size and diameter, so be sure to find out exactly which MacBook model you own by going into your device settings to guarantee you get the correctly-sized screen protector.

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How we test the best MacBook screen protectors

When we test MacBook screen protectors, we assess them for durability, clarity, ease of installation, and compatibility. We carry out extensive research to identify the top-rated protectors and brands, and then carry out tests that simulate everyday use, evaluating their scratch and impact resistance. We also pay attention to their impact on display quality, how easy they are to install and how well special features actually work in practice.

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Samsung is best known for its televisions, phones, and home appliances, but it also makes a range of storage devices including a collection of external SSDs (solid state storage drives). The Samsung T series of SSDs are a collection of portable storage devices that are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and slip into a bag almost unnoticed. 

The Samsung T7 series is the latest in the range which includes the regular T7, the rugged T7 Shield, and the T7 Touch reviewed here. They each have the same storage technology and are capable of the same transfer speeds, but the T7 Touch adds a fingerprint sensor to the T7’s specification to keep your data safe if you need to.

Samsung T7 Touch: Specifications

Max read speed: 1050MB/s
Max write speed: 1000MB/s
Available capacities: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB

Samsung T7 Touch: Key Features

Samsung produces the T7 Touch in two colors, silver or black, and three capacities, 500GB, 1TB, or 2TB. However, the 500GB version is only available in silver while the 1TB and 2TB versions are only available in black.

Whichever capacity you opt for, the drive uses PCIe NVMe technology to enable read/write speeds of up to 1,050/1,000MB/s, respectively. That means it's almost twice as fast as its predecessor, the Samsung T5. The drive has a USB-C (3.2 Get 2) port and it comes with USB-C to USB-C and UBC-C to USB-A cables. Consequently, it can be used with new and old computers.

Samsung’s Portable SSD Software for Mac, Windows, or Android devices is supplied on the T7 Touch to enable the security system, set a password, and register fingerprints.

Samsung T7 Touch: Build & Handling

The T7 Touch’s exterior is made from metal, probably aluminum, which means it’s strong but it weighs just 58g. It also measures just 85 x 57 x 8mm, so it’s very slim and neat.

One of the advantages of solid state storage over a hard drive is that there are no moving parts, and this plus the metal casing of the T7 means it can survive drops from up to 2m. Unlike the T7 Shield, the T7 Touch is not sealed against moisture, but there is a 3-year warranty. 

As I mentioned earlier, the SSD is supplied with two cables for connecting it to a computer or other device. These are around 45cm long, which means the drive won’t be hanging from your computer.

Samsung T7 Touch: Performance

Samsung quotes data transfer speeds of 1050MB/s (read) and 1000MB/s (write) for the T7 Touch. However, when I fired up the Blackmagic Disk Speed test software on a 2022 MacBook Air with the M2 chip I measured speeds of around 584MB/s and 385MB/s respectively. As is often the case, that’s slower than the claimed speeds. 

Nevertheless, I was able to transfer 9.74GB of images comprising 100 Jpegs and 100 raw files from the 45.7Mp Nikon Z7 II to the T7 Touch in around 24 seconds. Transferring the same folder of images to the drive from the MacBook Air’s desktop took just 15 seconds. Consequently, the drive performs very well as a temporary storage device, freeing up your memory cards when you’re away from home. It’s a great way of housing your files until you have the opportunity to transfer them to a permanent store, but you could always have a collection of T7s to use for long-term storage. 

The Samsung T7 Touch also performs well as a working drive when editing 4K video, and with a suitable computer. you get a stutter-free experience.

You can just connect the T7 Touch to your computer and use it like any other SSD, but if you want to protect its contents, you need to install the Samsung Portable SSD software. This proved problematic as when attempted to install the version supplied on the drive, I kept getting an error message saying that I needed to uninstall a more recent version from my computer. I was unable to find or uninstall the claimed version, but after a bit of searching on the internet, I found a version on Samsung’s website that would install.

With the software installed on the computer, it’s easy to turn on (and off) the drive’s security mode and set a password and/or register a fingerprint. The fingerprint reader works well, unlocking the drive promptly. 

Samsung T7 Touch: Verdict

Measuring just 85 x 57 x 8mm and weighing only 58g, the Samsung T7 Touch solid state drive (SSD) is perfect for slipping in your bag when you’re going to be away from home or the office and you need some storage space for your images and videos. There are now faster drives available, but it can read data at up to 1,050MB/s and write at up to 1,000MB/s, making it suitable for temporary storage or use as a working drive.

The fingerprint recognition system has a negligible impact on the price of the T7 Touch in comparison with the T7, in fact, you may find the 500GB version is a little cheaper, and it could come in handy occasionally. 

Read more: find the right external storage for your photos or videos with our guide to the best portable SSD or the best hard drives for video editing.

If you're seeking the best MacBook chargers then we're guessing you've either lost or damaged the one that came with your laptop. Alternatively, maybe you want a spare for travel, or separate chargers for your home and office.

Whatever the reason, you don't need to pay the high prices Apple charges for their official chargers. Chargers from third parties typically cost less, are often lighter, and some have some pretty cool features too. We've tested out a range of the best MacBook chargers on the market today, and we've brought together the best of the best in our list below.

Before we get started, there are two important things to note. Firstly, these are chargers only: you'll also need a USB-C to USB-C charging cable or USB-C to MagSafe cable to connect them to your MacBook. And secondly, you'll need to consider wattage. Typically, you'll want to match the wattage on the adapter your MacBook came with. (If you've lost it, you can find out here.) However, if you want a multi-port adapter you can use to charge other devices at the same time as your MacBook, you'll want a higher wattage.

The best MacBook chargers in 2026

Best laptop charger overall

This charger stands out as my top pick when considering its size-to-power ratio. It's a compact, high-powered charger that liberates you from the burden of lugging around cumbersome chargers or, even worse, chargers with separate bulky power bricks. With this charger, you can easily keep your non-gaming laptops running at full throttle throughout the day from a single port, and it even offers three ports to rapidly charge all your devices when the need arises.

What truly amazes me is the reduction in size that Anker has achieved with this charger. It's incredibly lightweight, and you can effortlessly slip it into your pocket when necessary. It boasts a sleek design and sturdy construction, although it does tend to heat up when operating at maximum capacity.

Equipped with two USB-C ports supporting Power Delivery (PD) up to 67W, it can efficiently charge most laptops, tablets, and smartphones at their optimal speeds. Additionally, it features one USB-A port for older or lower-power devices that still rely on this connection. The charger also incorporates a smart chip that detects connected devices and adjusts the output to ensure safe and efficient charging for all your gadgets.

Read more: Anker Prime 100W GaN charger review

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Best charging station overall

The Anker Prime 250W is my top pick if you need serious power to charge multiple devices. This intelligent charger can deliver up to 140W from a single port, making perfect for fast-charging even the 16-inch MacBook Pro. And what sets it apart is its ability to simultaneously power multiple laptops and devices without breaking a sweat, with impressive dual-port output of 140W + 100W when needed.

What truly impressed me, though, was its smart display system, which proved incredibly useful for monitoring power consumption and ensuring my devices were charging at optimal speeds. You can easily see how much power each one is drawing, helping you manage energy usage more effectively.

This charger features four USB-C ports on the front and two USB-A ports on the side for legacy devices. Its power management system intelligently distributes power between ports, though you can manually prioritize specific ports if needed. The detachable power cable is a thoughtful touch for easier cable management, and the low-profile design helps it fit neatly under monitor stands or on crowded desks.

While you can find cheaper chargers with similar power output, the Anker Prime 250W's smart features and reliable performance justify its premium price for anyone who needs to power multiple MacBooks and accessories. Just note that it's designed for horizontal placement only, and takes up a fair amount of space.

Read more: Anker Prime 250W full review

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Most powerful desk charging station

If the 250W of our number two pick isn't enough, then check out this Ugreen charger. It leads the way in terms of both power and connectivity, boasting an impressive combined charging capacity of 300W spread across its five USB ports.

The Nexode 300W charger adeptly supplied power to and charged all the devices on my desk, including MacBooks, phones, tablets, and cameras. While the charger did generate some heat, it remained well within acceptable levels, and not once did it experience any power interruptions or drops during testing.

Although many of your current devices may not fully utilize the rapid charging speeds this Ugreen charger offers from each port, it provides excellent future-proofing for upcoming devices that can take advantage of its capabilities.

The Nexode charger exhibits an attractive design, but it's worth noting that it's somewhat weighty, and its lengthy power cable may not be the most convenient for those needing portability on the go. This charger is better suited as a permanent addition to your desk, serving as a reliable power hub.

Read more: Ugreen Nexode 300W GaN charger review

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Best laptop charger for travel

For those who are constantly on the move, I recommend considering the Ugreen Nexode 65W 3-Port Travel Charger, a great solution to solving your power needs around the globe. This charger's straightforward and user-intuitive design, equipped with click-in and out international plugs, ensures hassle-free charging and compatibility with a variety of global wall outlets. Furthermore, the included soft case not only keeps all components organized but also safeguards the charger and its accessories during travel, reducing the risk of misplacing these crucial items.

While there are smaller and more potent chargers available, I've found that the Nexode 65W charger strikes an excellent balance between size and functionality. It delivers a 65W power output, suitable for a wide range of devices, from smartphones and tablets to certain laptops.

Whether you're a frequent traveler like me or simply in search of a multi-device charger for home use and occasional getaways, I believe the Ugreen 65W charger is a clever choice for a more streamlined and efficient portable power solution.

Read more: Ugreen Nexode 65W 3-Port Travel Charger review

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Best laptop charger with MagSafe wireless

The Ugreen Nexode 100W GaN charger is a delightful addition to my meticulously arranged desktop setup, thanks to its 15W MagSafe feature that brings a touch of elegance when I place my iPhone on the MagSafe charger in landscape mode, it transforms into a beautiful desktop clock, merging functionality with style. In general, the charger’s design is visually appealing and enhances the overall look of my workspace.

The charger’s robust 100-watt output provides ample power to charge my MacBook or phone through its two USB-C ports or lower-powered devices through the single USB-A port, which makes the charger very versatile. However, the 100W single port rating does drop quite a bit when multiple ports (or the MagSafe pad) are in use at the same time.

The only feature I find missing is a second wireless charger beneath the top surface, which would have been ideal for charging my AirPods or Apple Watch, thereby increasing its versatility. Nevertheless, given the rarity of chargers that offer both wireless charging and a powerful desktop charger combination, this is one of the best desktop chargers I’ve used.

Read more: Ugreen Nexode 100W GaN with 15W MagSafe Charging Station review

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Best power bank for charging a laptop

Charging your MacBook need not be confined to a fixed wall socket; there are now chargers that offer remarkable mobility and prowess to keep your laptop powered on the go. One such standout is the Anker Prime power bank, featuring an impressive 20,000mAh battery capacity, which is sufficient to charge even a 16-inch MacBook Pro a couple of times over. What's even more noteworthy is its substantial 200W maximum output, ensuring your MacBook operates at full throttle wherever you are.

This power bank's display is more than just a flashy feature. It serves as an invaluable tool, providing precise information such as the remaining power percentage and a countdown timer for monitoring battery charging and discharging. Furthermore, the display offers real-time insights into your devices' charging speed, helping you determine which devices to charge with optimal output. This feature enhances the overall efficiency and usability of the power bank, and makes it my favorite power bank right now.

Read more: Anker Prime 20,000mAh Power Bank (200W) review

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How to choose the best laptop charger

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How we test laptop chargers

We choose the best laptop chargers on a number of different criteria. Firstly, the charger needs to be powerful enough to power even the most low powered laptops. In this guide we have included options that cover the whole spectrum of power-draw, from low-power devices like the MacBook Air, to the big daddy of the Macs – the MacBook Pro 16 M2 Max.

We also judge chargers on how useful they are at simultaneously charging other devices that you might use around your laptop, like a phone or keyboard, woth multiple ports. And lastly, we look at build quaility, looks and reliability to ensure the charger looks good and stays safe.

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Apple's MacBook Air 13 has for the last decade at least been the default MacBook to recommend for the widest range of users. The cheapest model in the MacBook family, it was the best laptop for students, work, casual browsing, entertainment, and even some light photo and video editing. 

With the introduction of Apple Silicon starting with the M1 chip, Apple really kicked the MacBook Air up a notch and made it a serious contender as the best laptop for photo editors who wanted the most portable machine possible that also had the power to get things done.

For years, Apple users have been asking for a larger version of the MacBook Air, and finally, Apple has relented to pressure (or market forces) and given fans what they want with the introduction of the MacBook Air 15-inch model, which Apple's current M2 generation of Apple Silicon.

Specifications

Processor: Apple M2 chip with 8-core CPU and up to 10-core GPU
Display: 15.3-inch LED-backlit IPS display, 2880x1864, 224 PPI, 500 nits brightness, Wide color (P3) True Tone technology
Memory: Up to 24GB unified memory
Storage: Up to 2TB SSD storage
Battery: 66.5 mAh ( approx 18 hrs Apple TV, 15 hours wireless web)
Ports: MagSafe 3 charging port; 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports
Camera: 720p FaceTime HD camera

Key Features

The headline feature of the latest MacBook Air is of course its increase to a 15-inch screen. Otherwise, the 15-inch MacBook Air has a lot in common with its little 13-inch brother. The screen is Apple's tried and tested Liquid Retina LED-backlit IPS display with 1 billion colors and the full P3 color gamut, so is perfect for color-critical editing. The screen can also reach 500 nits of brightness for working outside.

Apple has also included the latest Apple M2 silicon, which according to Apple's own metrics (which will undoubtedly be on the more generous side) the M2 chip is up to 1.4x faster than MacBook Air with an M1 chip, and an incredible up to 12x faster than the fastest Intel‑based MacBook Air. Not only this but the efficiency improvements of the chip and MacOS mean you can score up to 18 hours of battery life. However, the caveat; this is measured by playing video from Apple TV, so don't expect that kind of figure for intensive programs like editing. 

There is Apple's newly updated MagSafe charger for charging the laptop, as well as two Thunderbolt 4 compatible USB-C ports for high-speed transfers, and Apple is also keeping the headphone jack alive for now at least. The keyboard on the Air 15 is the latest scissor-switch keyboard, and there is still a fingerprint reader in the top corner for biometric login and approvals in apps. The MacBook 15 also has newer 1080p webcams, Apple's previous shoddy webcams being a sore point for quite a long time. The speakers have Spacial Audio and are Dolby Atmos compatible, so should offer rich and immersive sound.

Build & Handling

The MacBook Air 15 doesn't break any new ground when it comes to design or build. If you have ever touched a MacBook before, then the MacBook Air 15 will be instantly familiar to you. Essentially, this is the exact same laptop as the Air 13, but the corners have just been stretched out. The keyboard remains as Apple's absolutely heavenly to type-on scissor-switch keyboard from the Air 13, with (love it or hate it) no touch bar to be seen here, although the keyboard still inherits the fingerprint ID button in the top right-hand corner which is one of the best I have used, it is very fast and with almost no rejections. 

The port selection is also the same as the MacBook Air 13, which is to say, it's quite disappointing. There is the new MagSafe power adapter port, which I still dislike over having a third USB-C that handles charging when needed. For a portable laptop with sensational battery life, having a dedicated charging port seems redundant as in my week with the laptop I barely used the MagSafe port and would have been much better served by a more versatile connection.

There are also only two other USB-C ports, thankfully these are the latest Thunderbolt spec so can handle offloading images to external SSDs with serious speed. However, with a 15-inch chassis, I would think there might be space to squeeze in just one or two more ports, or even better for creators – an SD card slot. It is pretty clear Apple wants creators to spend on its MacBook Pro lineup, but when the M2 chip in the Air series is this good, anyone except high-end creators would be more than catered for by either size of the MacBook Air. 

Apple continues to knock it out of the park with its screens. The 15-inch screen on the Air 15 is simply stunning, full of deep rich color and showing off MacOS' blend of smooth yet sharp UI. The 15-inch screen is a dream to edit photos and videos on, with the additional space, it is easier to get Photoshop, Premiere, and Lightroom's ever-expanding selection of panels and windows all on screen at once, making it faster and more convenient to edit more directly from the laptop. I am still not completely into the notch at the top of the screen, but it looks like it is here to stay, so I should stop probably moaning about it.

Specific side note about the "Midnight" version of the MacBook Air 15, which is the one I am testing. Wow, this thing is a magnet for fingerprints. It took me about five minutes of polishing and a pair of white gloves to take the images for this review. Thankfully the silver-colored MacBooks don't share this problem.

Performance

If you have read any reviews of products powered by Apple's latest Silicon then you will know just how capable they are, and of course, the Air 15 is no different, as it shares the same acclaimed M2 chip found in the MacBook Air 13 and MacBook Pro 13 and Mac Mini. 

The M2 chip in the Air 15 handles all the day-to-day stuff with ease, MacOS has always felt silky smooth to use, even on older Intel chips, but with M2, everything opens that bit faster, especially Microsoft Office and Adobe software, which feels like it takes an age to just load on my Intel i7 powered MacBook Pro. 

When it comes to actually using creative software, the difference between the M2 and older Intel systems is dramatic. I spend most of my time in Adobe Lightroom Classic, which isn't really renowned for its speed at the best of times, but where my i7 MacBook Pro frequently gets hung up on the most simple of tasks like speeding through previews of images, the M2 Air just doesn't really get bogged down. The Air 15 is also fanless, which makes a huge difference to my working environment (and the environment of those around me) when currently creative software makes my laptop sound like a jet engine.

If you are coming from an M1 chip then you probably won't notice a real terms difference between the two, and unless the 15-inch screen is appealing enough to change, I would recommend you stick with what you have as the chip alone is not worth the upgrade. But if you are coming from Intel models of the MacBook Air or Pro, welcome to editing paradise. 

Apple is almost certainly creating a dilemma for itself here, the M2 chip in the Air 15 was so good for the level of photo and video editing that I perform as a solo portrait and event photographer/videographer, it is hard to recommend buying anything more powerful. I have tested the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, and while their power is unreal, so is their cost. The MacBook Air 15 hits the sweet spot between power and price. Previously I wouldn't have hesitated to buy the latest MacBook Pro model, but now, I will have to second-guess my intentions.

The battery on the MacBook Air 15 just keeps going and going. As you'd suspect, high-intensity programs like Lightroom or Premiere make the battery drain significantly faster, but I am still getting hours more power than older systems. And when it comes to just productivity and internet browsing, things get even better. On a recent full day of traveling involving typing up work on Google Docs, some light photo editing, and a fair amount of YouTube streaming, I still came home with battery life to spare. My charger anxiety is almost alleviated with this laptop.

Lastly I am just going to mention the speakers, which are decent enough, there is plenty of power, and some good separation from the bass although you don't get near the rounded sound and incredible audio quality from the MacBook Pro models. It is a shame with the increased space afforded in the 15-inch Air that Apple couldn't have done just a little more.

Verdict

The MacBook Air 15 is probably the best laptop currently on the market for most people, and a superb decision for any photographer, videographer, or creative who wants a larger gorgeous screen, combined with enough power to comfortably run the latest editing software, and all wrapped up in a lightweight package that can easily slip into a backpack. 

There are more powerful Apple options for the most demanding editing situations, but for most people, the M2 chip inside the Air 15 will provide more than enough oomph to edit comfortably. The lack of abundant ports and an SD card slot holds this laptop back from being the ultimate laptop for content creators though, with the MacBook Pro holding a dongle-free existence hostage for now.  

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If you want a little more power than the MacBook Air 15, but in a smaller (although slightly chunkier) package, then look no further than the MacBook Pro 14 M2 (2022). Offering all the things that make the Air 15 great but in a more travel-friendly size with no compromises. 

If you are looking at the world of Windows computers, then the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is the perfect anti-Apple machine. Offering a stunning design that gives Apple a run for its money, the Surface Laptop can also handle editing comfortably, although with not quite so much gusto as the M2-equipped Air.

Read more: find out more about the best photo-editing laptops or the best laptops for video editing.

I am a big fan of the MacBook Air 13-inch laptop. It combines the perfect balance of processing power, gorgeous screen, and long battery life that I need as a photo editor. The one thing that was missing was that the 13-inch screen was just ever so slightly too small when working on multiple programs or large images.

With Apple launching a 15-in version of the MacBook Air, It looks like they've solved this problem and in the process might have made my dream editing machine, and perhaps the best photo-editing laptop.

Except for the increase in screen (and overall) size, the new version of the MacBook Air is near identical to the 13-inch version, which is no bad thing, the M2 processor inside the MacBook Air 13in simply flies and is more than capable of handling Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and even light video editing on Adobe Premiere. Sure, there are more powerful processors that will get the job done faster, but none in such convenience with the MacBook Air's incredibly small and light portable form factor.

The MacBook Air 15-inch also looks like a bargain next to the considerably more expensive MacBook Pro. Sure, the MacBook Pro has some better hardware, and that more powerful processor, but for many of us who don't edit large volumes of images on a tight turnaround, the power the MacBook Pro provides is often unnecessary.

The screens on MacBooks have traditionally been unbeatable for editing, they are clear, sharp, and color-accurate, and I certainly wouldn't expect Apple to mess up now. Windows laptop manufacturers can keep adding even longer acronyms to their screen technology, but still very few can keep up with the beautiful retina screens that Apple chooses for its laptops.

The one thing I wish Apple did put on the 15-inch version is an SD card slot, I know they use this as another thing to separate between the Air and the Pro, but with that big 15-inch chassis you to think there would be enough space to squeeze in an SD card reader, I mean come on, there's nothing on one side except for a single 3.5mm headphone jack!

That shortcoming aside, I can't wait to try out the 15-inch MacBook Air for myself when I get it in for review, but I expect the hardest part of the review will be giving it back.

Find more of the best photo-editing laptops or the best laptops for video editing in our guides.

Apple's WWDC – World Wide Developer Conference – is when the company opens its heavy curtains to reveal what it's been working on, and how it sees tech moving. In theory, it is to help developers prepare, but we're all looking – and Apple knows it!

A select few are invited to Apple Park, in Cupertino, California, but the main event is online. The highlight is always the Keynote, where we expect to see product announcements and new software for the developers to get their teeth into. Since the iPhone is arguably the world's most popular camera, and the company has the power to change industries, everyone should be interested in what happens at WWDC23.

You can watch the keynote live here at 1pm EDT / 6pm BST (today, June 5, 2023) and follow along with our live build-up and analysis of the products, especially from photographers' eyes. 

It's fair to say that the rumor mill – which started with some discussion of a 15-inch MacBook Air (which could be a very nice tool for photographers indeed) – has now reached a fever pitch. Some are expecting to see Apple's long-awaited mixed-reality headset. Who knows what that could mean for photography – some say it has 12 cameras in it, while others point out it was expected last year and never appeared!

We've also seen some price cuts on Apple's monitors, which suggests the Mac Studio (rumored to be getting a refresh of its own) might get a new partner on the desk. That could be very interesting for photographers.

What you definitely won't see is a new iPhone – they are always announced at a separate event. We also suspect that, despite the invites using the tag "Swiftly developing," a new film camera is unlikely!

Stay tuned to this page to find out.

Apple monitors come along fairly infrequently, but it's a little interesting that Amazon – in the US, at least – is discounting the Apple Studio Display by 16% – big for a discount on an Apple product. Back in April we did hear some talk of a new Apple display, thought to sit between the $1,599 / £1,499 27-inch Studio Display and the $4,999 / £4,599 32-inch Pro Display XDR. Perhaps it's coming, or does this mean the Studio Display is just getting a refresh?

• Apple Studio Display discount on Amazon (US only)

Mark Gurman of Bloomberg has gone as far as to put a codename – J475 – to the next iteration of the Mac Studio. The current desktop is called J375, and is powered by M1 processors, but the M2 Max has been available in MacBook Pros since January. Could this be the final piece of evidence that we're going to see an M2 Max and perhaps even M2 Ultra-powered Mac Studio on Monday?

Apple fans have been waiting a long time to see the not-yet-revealed AR headset, so you'll have to forgive them this. Made me smile too, though in all fairness the Meta Quest 3, just announced, will ship this fall and the Quest 2 can be picked up for about a tenth of what some say Apple's offering will cost... soooo.... which door will people really choose (if they ever get the choice)?
Definitely click the See More on this Tweet box so this makes sense!!

Looking at AR / mixed reality / goggles a little more seriously, we do find ourselves starting to ask about their potential usefulness in the real world. Reaching out, grabbing, and manipulating part of a data set looks great in the movies, and might actually make a lot of sense in Photoshop. Or would your arms end up getting tired?

Click the See More to see clips of how the system might work.

OK, one more on the goggles then I'll leave it for a bit. None other than Morgan Stanley reports that Apple will begin production on the goggles this October, suggesting they'll have to tell WWDC (and developers) about it at WWDC23.

There is also a bit of a show of faith in the tech – an increase of $5 to $190 as a target prices for Apple stock. Oh, and they're calling it 'Reality Pro' and projecting that Apple will be shipping 3.4 million in financial year 2026 (but initial sales as early as December this year, at least for developers, in the low hundreds of thousands).

One more thing... they say invest in the competition too (Apple's interest in a tech is good for others in the space... like Meta Quest!)

Looking over the various WWDC23 bingo designs I'm disappointed to see that almost nobody is considering a new QuickTake digital camera. Apple has done it before... in 1994. (Cue swirling mists of time music if you click that link!)

I can't keep away from Twitter, from nostalgic pictures of developers in deck chairs watching WWDC on big screens, to the seemingly thousands of announcement summary graphics, Apple style, which enthusiasts have been working on. Some show aMacBook Air 15", a stubby Mac Pro (a bit less likely), there is a 'next-gen CarPlay occasionally, much speak of updated OS and – of course – an all-new xrOS / Reality Pro.

Less frequent but perhaps more sensible we see ARKit 7 and RealityKit 2 – updates to Apple's existing augmented reality systems are bound to be in there.

USB-C Airpods? Nah, probably with the new iPhones later in the year.

OK, doing my morning (yes, it's morning where I am) Twitter trawl as WWDC hoves into view and it seems most folk are happy to just wait/sleep until the big event kicks off now! Some might not be able to sleep though...

Fans of industrial action might enjoy some fireworks at Apple Park today. The Writers Guild of America will be holding an "Apple Day of Action" targeting the Apple TV+ streaming platform. If nothing else, this might expose – as if you didn't know – the fact we'll all be watching a pre-recorded keynote, as Apple has done since 2020. Yes, that means an editor somewhere knows something you don't... but not long now...

Journaling on your iPhone? Some tell us there will be an Apple 'Journal' app announced with the iOS update at WWDC – with very tightly integrated location services. An exclusive social media tool, a diary, or a mental health feature? No one seems completely sure but be prepared for some lovers and some privacy freak-outs!

Just a bit over an hour to go. What would you sell, if anything, to buy an Apple headset? Remember it'll apparently cost about the same as a Sony A7 IV and a decent lens or two (and might not be available outside the US at launch).

Something we've not talked about yet – will Apple find a way to mention HomeKit today? We all know that it could be better, even without AR! 50 mins to go...

Drone users, and especially FPV fans might already be asking "Will Apple's goggles work for me?" It's possible they will out of the box – several people have mentioned the idea of all existing iPad apps working. So, as you use a phone as a monitor with the radio control, could it connect to the goggles? Will there be a USB-C port... or Lightning...

People are taking their seats at Apple Park now. Skies are sunny, excitement is in the air. Not a lot of chatter about potential improvements to the camera app on the iPhone!

OK... get your drink of choice to hand and take your seats, it's nearly go time! You've got 5 mins.

Ooo... quick thought for videomakers – iPad Final Cut Pro a week or so ago, and the headset running iPad apps means could mean you can edit video simply by waving your hands around. Hope no one stood next to me on the train does that though...

Oooo.... it's started. Sort of.

By which I mean the animated Apple has started doing something different and there is music now... the stage is set...

Tim Cook and Craig are on the stage, promising incredible announcements. The video hasn't started yet.

Correction!!!!! It has!!!
There's a developer... he's imaging, with bubbles...

Lovely intro. Now Tim is promising a "Very special day of announcements" by the Apple rainbow (and telling developers they're lovely).

Biggest announcements ever promised. Exciting new products. But we're gonna start with the Mac...

John Ternus starts talking about Apple silicon, and the Macbook Air 13"... I wonder what's coming...

...Yep! a 15-inch MacBook Air. Doen't look like there's a SD Card port though.

MacBook Air 11.5mm thin / 3.3 pounds, two USB-C on the left, headphone on the right. There's a notch. 1080P camera, 3-mic array, 6 speakers (inc woofers), and M2 chip – 12x faster than Intel. 18 hours battery (not 24 folks, sorry).

15-inch is still fanless, 500-nit brightness, 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU
Starts at $1,299 or $1,999 for education – available next week.

OK, well that's one prediction ticked off, now we're on the pro products – and there is a real sense of rush here in the Mac section. Must be something coming. We're on the Mac Studio, which is getting M2 Max – a 25% boost they tell us.
Also as predicted, M2 Ultra arrives with 24 cores, 76 GPU cores and 32 core neural engine. Up to 192GB unified memory supported (bet that'll cost you)!

See our full Apple Mac Studio M2 (2023) review

22 Streams of 8K Pro Res... OK, I that'd really help me out reviewing the DJI Inspire 3!!

Ah... seems like a Mac Pro is coming too... or something with PCI...

...Indeed, but no new box. A Mac Pro with M2 Ultra, which they tell us beats the Intel equivalent 3x, but adds the PCI expansion ports.
Intel does it with Afterburner. M2 Ultra will do that off the bat. But there are 8 thunderbolt ports too and 6 open gen-4 PCI ports.
Tower and rack mount versions of the cheese grater are on offer.

Mac Studio still starts at $1999, Mac Pro $6,999.

OK, that's it for Mac. Tim is back, strolling in the park. What's next? Some praise for developers... and then software platforms...

Craig stands with his legs very wide apart as he announces iOS before shifting a little for comfort. The 'Phone' app is getting an update. Looks like you can choose your own 'poster' – what the person sees at the other end – and appears on your contact card.

Phone is also getting 'Live Voicemail' – it'll transcribe, on screen, what is being said to your voicemail. Hope no one is watching the screen!

Messages is getting a refresh too... search will be less bad. Some other refinements. And 'check in' to automatically let people know you're home safely. It can even share your battery level so people will know not to bother you(?) / if your excuse about battery was true!

Photos can be turned into stickers for messaging, and Live photos into animates stickers, which you can now add to messages. Could be fun, and it's added system-wide. And it'll be there for 3rd party apps.

"NameDrop" as a way to pass content or contact data between devices like AirDrop. Better idea than name!

Oh, please, please let this one be true: auto correct to be – I'm gonna say "less bad." Apparently. It won't fight you repeatedly.

Ah, so Journals is going to be connected to the 'Memories' thinggys that Photos shows you. It will offer you 'suggestions' from your photos as well as your music – and developers can get in on the act too. You can assemble them into a Journal entry, and follow prompts like "What was the highlight of your visit?"

Sounds a bit junior school...?

Standby. A horizontal mode with a kind of alarm clock view which will go well with my Anker 3-in-1 magnetic charging point.

It's going to be a lot easier for your TV to set off all your devices. You won't need to say "Hey" before you say "Siri."
OK, on to the iPad...

Craig again. It's almost like this is edited (oh, it is). iPad OS17 will have interactive widgets. And you'll be able to personalize the lock screen like iPhone. 

Was he just a bit sarcastic about the iPad – as he shows 'multiple timers' he added "We truly live in an age of wonders." Don't break the aura, Apple.

Ooo... looks like the iPad will be able to use an external camera like the one on an Apple monitor. Nice add. OK, that's it for iPad. Now Mac OS...

Mac OS Sonoma will be the next edition. It's where wine is from. Californian wine. The first thing on the list is 'stunning new screensavers' which look a lot like a few more of the gorgeous drone videos seen on Apple TV.

Desktop widgets... that sounds a bit, well, historic. Though they can be run straight from the iPhone – example being turning on your car's AC from your iMac.

Jeremy Sandmel is now talking to me about gaming. On Macs. Sounding a bit pleading already as he asks developers to bring games to the Mac, which will have Game Mode that can optimise the game's control of the system. Stray and No Man's Sky - big Playstation Games - on the list.
And a Game Porting Toolkit. Wow, Apple really want developers to run games on Mac.

Ah and as hinted at Hideo Kojima is bringing Death Standing to the Mac (so the presentation is now subtitled). Looks nice. Me, I like to compartmentalise – I have a PS5 for games – but I could be persuaded to part with it.

Video conferencing is next – apparently the AI will let you make yourself a bubble in front of your presentation. Also gesture-based fireworks animations can be triggered behind you with two thumbs up. Hmm.....

Coming up on the hour and we're now on Safari – the lovely if less-than-popular web browser. Privacy is the big play here. And, finally, profiles for the work and play sides of your life.

Web Apps could be handy though – basically a link to the website that can have an app icon in the dock. Handy in an era of web based apps.

Audio & Home next. Might not be much for photographers here as they talk AirPods...

OK, so home cameras are going to be a bit easier to find – we're told – from a revised tvOS. But the big change is that FaceTime – using your phone as a camera – will work on Apple TV. Yep, family calls on the big screen.

Looks like it might also be a way of trying to get people to watch TV together remotely. Of course they'll all need subscriptions to Apple TV+
On to WatchOS...

Again with the widgets. Slightly different designs, bit more room for developers to play with on the bigger watches. Yet more watch faces. And Snoopy. That's fun. But show me a new product. It's been 8 years since Apple entered a new product category (and that was the watch...)

OK, I take that back – cadence sensors can now be connected to my watch. Time to sell my Garmin!

Hikers / nature photographers might find the 'remembers the last place you had cell coverage' feature being added to Watch's Compass app. Not to mention the contour map. That's pretty cool and could help a lot of outdoor photographers.

Chat windows that I'm following are not being quite so enthusiastic though. People really want to see a new product.... but we're on to health...

...perhaps they're really not going to do it. Perhaps everyone was wrong. Or perhaps mental health is the last thing before.

Oooo.... now Vision Health. Now why might Apple be thinking about that? Glasses do, after all, make it difficult to wear goggles.

It'll tell you to old your iPad further away too, if it thinks you should. That's going to be annoying. Anyway....

Right, that's it for software. We're back with Craig and he looks and sounds like he's done... but he's gonna have to hand back to Tim. 

Big stage now... is this it?

ONE MORE THING!!!!!!!!!

New AR Platform - this is it! OK, it's got some cameras - looks like snowboarding goggles mixed with an iPhone.

Those renders weren't so far off. Wow!

Vision Pro

"See, hear and interact with digital content just like it's there"

Your surroundings become an infinite canvas.

Well, no need for that big TV now – if you live alone anyway. Spatial audio and a massive screen is one of the examples.

Tim very clear that this "Marks the beginning of a journey" which suggests that this is gonna be pricey and hard to get hold of.

The home view is new - round app icons, a bit like WatchOS meets iOS.
Things 'cast shadows' on furniture. You can place apps nearer or further.
OK, this looks properly amazing.

I'm wondering how much some used Google GLASS are worth right now...

So the 'digital crown' lets you block some or all of the view in front of the screen, so AR or VR or somewhere in between is an option.

No hand controllers – browse by looking, or with hands. Tap and flick.

Ah - your eyes are displayed using 'EyeSight' – it's just a screen on the front that shows your eyes, but helps people nearby see whether you're looking at them - or you're in Cylon mode.

Which suggests you can't actually see the room through them, AR style. You must be seeing everything in video. What is the latency, right? Possibly very weird?

Virtual keyboard or dictation options for typing. Or the real keyboard with bluetooth. You can also bring your Mac into play by looking at it, then expand your own 4K display in the air (was that the monitor we hard heard about?))

I saw a trailing cable in that Apple Vision Pro shot – presumably you wear a battery at belt / pocket level like a lot of FPV goggles (you know what I mean, drone fans).

If this is Apple Vision Pro, how much less with Apple Vision Studio, Apple Vision Mini, and Apple iVision cost? And how long before they come out?

Vision Pro is Apple's first 3D camera we're told!

It's easy to capture a spacial video of a fun moment, we're told, and they can be experienced afterward, though obviously you have to wear the thing to take the photos. The screen on the front will flash the Cylon eye.

Cinema environment lets you turn any room into a cinema. OK, not that surprising a feature. Is starting to make me wonder about the resolution. And which streaming services will provide an app.
Oh, and 3D movies (Avatar clip shown) will be supported.

You can play your favourite Apple arcade games. Oh, sorry, Apple Arcade. So there are 100 but most of them probably don't benefit from a big magical floaty screen!

Bob Iger of Disney joins Tim on stage... seems they're getting in on the act...

Disney have some ideas for glasses, apparently. Which means Star Wars games. View basketball from the drone camera. Have Mickey Mouse run around your house. Have DisneyWorld on the kitchen table. Hmmm... I'm actually getting less excited about the goggles already...

Only actual announcement - Disney Plus will be there on Day 1. Well, that must have kept the developers up nights.

OK, back to actually finding out about the Vision Pro:
Lightweight materials. Front is 3D laminated glass as a lens for eyesight and polished for all the cameras that perform eyesight.
Custom Aluminium frame around face.
Computer inside the front, cooled 'by performance thermal design'
Thousands of human heads studied.
Spatial audio pods
3D-knitted headband attaches with secure lock, and it can be changed (for size and, possibly, style).
Zeis lens attachments with magnets
External high performance battery connected by woven cable (did I hear 2 hours?)

Pixel time – micro OLED – 64 pixels in same space as iPhone pixels. 23 million pixels across both panels. Custom 3 element lens. Video can be true 4K at massive scale and sharp fine text, we're told.

Sound has a new integrated dual-driver system. Matches to room using audio ray-tracing from sensors.

2 cameras per eye track eyes. A lot of cameras on the outside too! Two below each eye, one on the side, and others. Total of 12 as we've heard.

M2 processor gets a friend, called R1 to process the input and 'virtually' eliminate lag. 12 milliseconds, apparently – less than a blink. To be fair that is very good, if true.

visionOS (not xrRS) it is. And it sounds like we'll hear 'Spatial Computing' a lot.

The 'digital persona' sounds a bit like a Canon idea we reported on recently, but clearly it'll be all about a more 3D version of telepresence – so popular with big bosses for international conference calls. It is 3D variant of FaceTime.

We're onto the developers tools, and 'Reality Composer Pro' – seems like a tool to help developers have a go even if they can't afford the Vision Pro!!
We're also going to get Unity games natively on Vision Pro, apparently.
And a new App Store.

Optic ID security – it looks at your Iris – takes the place of Face ID.

Ahh... feels like we're getting to the price.
And it's $3,499 – even more!
And only in the US early next year. Other countries later.

Well, that's it. Wow. That was exciting. And expensive. Very, very expensive. But I still want one. Apple can still do it. (Except the Disney bit – that was a wasted few moments).

Now Tim is doing a real wrap up...

Watching the ad for Vision Pro at the end. Already wondering how they'll show these things at Apple Stores!

OK, I'm off for a rest – will check back in with other WWDC events later.

The morning after... OK, well it's been fun listening to or watching non-tech reporters  (and even a few tech reporters) trying to get their heads around the Vision Pro and why it matters).

Lot of discussion from Apple Park about how they're not as light as you might imagine, and so perhaps that 2 hours is enough. 

Oh, and it's USB-C charging.

And, finally, despite showing Avatar 2 as a 3D movie, it's worth noting that the film is 3h12 – so the experience won't be immersive unless you sit within reach of a power point (you can connect directly to a Mac, apparently).

ASUS has launched what it says is the world's slimmest 13.3-inch OLED laptop. We've got no reason to doubt that claim, as not only is the new Zenbook S 13 OLED (UX5304) incredibly thin at just 1cm, but also OLED laptops are still relatively new and uncommon, with ASUS being the major player in the market. Maybe there are even thinner non-OLED 13.3-inch laptops out there, but there'd likely be fractions of a millimetre difference. For reference, a 13.6-inch M2 MacBook Air may as well be a cinder block, as it's a whole 1.3mm thicker than the ASUS.

To achieve such a slim, lightweight design, the chassis has been precision CNC machined to best utilize the space inside, while individual circuit boards with fewer layers, a higher wiring density and more transistors result in better performance with less weight in a more compact space. The motherboard has also been engineered to house an additional, ultra-thin fan that increases airflow for better cooling. A magnesium alloy keyboard deck is said to be rigid enough to not require any additional support, while an extremely thin layer of glass covers the touchpad, resulting in a further 25% reduction in thickness in the keyboard deck.

Not only is the Zenbook S 13 OLED super-slim, it's also super light, tipping the scales at just 1kg. Despite the crash diet, somehow ASUS has managed to cram in respectable processing power, as the Zenbook S 13 OLED can be specced with 13th-gen Intel Core i7 processors, up to 32GB of RAM, and up to a 1TB PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD. A 63Wh battery is also incorporated, powering up to 14 hours of video streaming.

But let's face it, unless you're a neurosurgeon, the odd millimetre here or there isn't exactly going to make or break a laptop: what's really special about the Zenbook S 13 OLED is that OLED display. OLED screen tech is fundamentally different to traditional LCD panels, in that the pixels themselves emit light, rather than requiring an additional backlight to shine through them. This in part explains how OLED laptops can be made so thin, but it also results in superior image quality - great news for color-critical image and video editing. The Zenbook S 13's screen boasts a 2880 x 1800 resolution - super high for a screen this size - along with an excellent 550-nit peak brightness and an equally incredible 100% coverage of the wide-gamut DCI-P3 video color space. No surprise then that the screen gets Dolby Vision certification, Pantone Validated color rendering and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification.

ASUS also says the Zenbook S 13 OLED is the most eco-friendly Zenbook it's ever made, incorporating post-industrial recycled (PIR) magnesium-aluminum alloy in the keyboard cover, chassis and lid. The keycaps and speakers also incorporate post-consumer-recycled (PCR) plastics, while the speakers use ocean-bound plastics. The packaging is 100% recyclable, with reusable and compostable materials, and even the paper packing inserts can be transformed into useful laptop stands.

All this size-, weight- and world-saving doesn't come cheap though, as the Zenbook S 13 OLED starts at $1,400/£1,499.99, making it considerably more expensive than some of ASUS's other OLED laptops like its Vivobook OLED offerings. Expect availability in the next couple of months.

Read more:

• The best photo-editing laptops
• The best 2-in-1 laptops
• The best laptop docking stations
• The best laptops for video editing

Larger laptops with their increased screen size often make for the best photo-editing laptops and the best laptops for video editing. Apple's top entry in this category has for the past several years been the MacBook Pro 16 and now they are back with a refresh with an all-new and all-powerful chip.

Since its announcement in November 2020, with the M1 chip in the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini, Apple Silicon has been upending the world of computing, with its headline-grabbing speeds and efficiency due to its tight integration between hardware and software. Apple ditched Intel and moved on to a mobile architecture based on designs from ARM, this opened up its devices of all sizes to share one processor, and allow native iPhone apps to run on Mac.

As we saw in the first generation of Apple Silicon, the M1 Pro, and an M1 Max chips were big spec improvements on its base chips, aimed at creative professionals. Apple has repeated history with the new and improved versions of its second generation M2 chip – the M2 Pro and M2 Max. The latter of which will be tested out in this review in the latest MacBook Pro 16.

MacBook Pro 16 (2023) Specifications

Processor: Apple M2 Max chip with 12-core CPU and 38-core GPU
Configurable to: M2 Pro with 12-core CPU and 19-core GPU, Apple M2 Max with 12-core CPU and 30-core GPU
Screen: 16.2in Liquid Retina XDR display, 3456x2234 native resolution at 254 pixels per inch
Display Technology: 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 1,000 nits sustained brightness, 1 billion colors, Wide color (P3), True Tone technology, ProMotion 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
Memory: 32GB unified memory
Configurable to: 16GB (M2 Pro), 32GB (M2 Pro or M2 Max), 64GB (M2 Max), or 96GB (M2 Max with 38-core GPU)
Battery: 100wH battery, 140W MagSafe power adapter
SSD: 1TB
Configurable to: 512GB (M2 Pro), 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB (M2 Max)
Ports: SDXC card slot, HDMI port, 3.5mm headphone jack, MagSafe 3 port, 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports
Connections: WiFi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3
Size: 1.68 x 35.57 x 24.81 cm
Weight: 2.16 kg (M2 Max), 2.15kg (M2 Pro)

MacBook Pro 16 (2023) Key features

Apple has designed what it is calling the most powerful chip yet in its just over two-year-old endeavors into making its own in-house processors, and on paper, the M2 Max is a beast. Able to be configured up to an absolutely monstrous 38-core GPU, 96GB of unified memory, and 400GB/s memory bandwidth.

The Macbook Pro 16 can also be configured with a less powerful M2 Pro or M2 Max processor, sharing the same 12 CPU cores, but differing in graphical power, with the M2 Pro having a 19-core GPU or the M2 Max with a 30-core GPU option. The M2 Max has a base level of 32GB of unified memory, although there is the option to upgrade this all the way to 96GB of RAM, which is incredible, but more than almost anyone will need.

Apple claims that the new 16-inch M2 max can be up to 2.5x faster in photo editing in Adobe Photoshop and 6.5x faster in video editing in Final Cut Pro than the previous Intel i9 model with a Radeon Pro 5600M graphics card from AMD.

The model I am testing here is the MacBook Pro 16 with M2 Max with a 12-core GPU, 38 graphics cores, and 32GM of RAM. This calibration currently is listed on Apple’s store for $3,499/£3,749.

The clue is in the name, the MacBook Pro 16 screen measures 16.2in, with a pixel count of 3456x2234 and a density of 254ppi. The screens use Apple's Liquid Retina XDR panels, which enable a much more comprehensive dynamic range and a broader range of colors. Each screen is color-calibrated at the factory for accurate color grading, photography, and design work. ProMotion, a technology found on the latest iPhone Pro models, boosts the screen refresh rate to 120Hz, making movement on the screen much more fluid and videos smoother.

After a very long time of Apple putting very sub-par webcams in its premium laptops, it has got the message, and the MacBook Pro 16 has a 1080p webcam and a studio-quality three-mic array. The Macbook Pro 16 is also equipped with a six-speaker setup that supports Dolby Atmos.

Port lovers everywhere will be thrilled that Apple has also decided to get go back on its all-USB-C designs. While the laptop still features 3 Thunderbolt 4 enabled USB-C ports, it also has a 3.5mm headphone jack, HDMI output, and for creatives everywhere, the MacBook Pro 16 has a full sizes SD card slot.

MacBook Pro 16 (2023) Build and handling

Apple overhauled the look of its top-end MacBook Pros last year, and it has stuck to those design principles in this year's iteration. Again, the laptop is an aluminum unibody design, although it differs from past generations by being much more rounded instead of wedge-shaped. 

This makes the laptop look and feel considerably thicker and more substantial than the previous design of the MacBook Pro 16 from the Intel era. Although the design still looks and feels very nice, with premium finishes everywhere, it is just noticeably bulkier when placed next to the older 16-inch model.

Unsurprisingly for anyone who has used Apple's scissor-switch keyboard before, the keyboard on the new MacBook Pro 16 is excellent. Keys are really well spaced, and have a good amount of travel and spring to them, with the additional size of the chassis providing more wrist rest, this really is one of the best laptops to type on for long periods.

Banished hopefully forever is the touch bar, with the standard function keys of MacBooks past returning to the top row, which is a much better solution. The fingerprint reader and power button combo have remained, which has proved to be a very fast and easy method to sign in, and it hasn’t given me any rejections yet. It also has a larger key and indented center which makes finding the reader that much faster and easier. 

The keyboard uses black keys on a painted black background, which looks pretty stylish, but I found in dimmer light or at quick glances I find it makes the keys harder to distinguish from one another. Backlighting helps, but the MacBook Pro 13 or MacBook Air’s body-colored borders around each key is much easier to see in a pinch.

It is still disappointing to not see Apple's FaceID make its way to its laptops, which arguably there is space for in the increased size of the MacBook Pro notch.

The notch at the top of the screen has proved pretty divisive, but it is still around. Other manufacturers such as Dell in their XPS 13 range of laptops have demonstrated that a webcam (and facial recognition system) can be squeezed into the tiniest of bezels, so it really does just feel like this MacBook Pro has a notch just because it is an Apple design 'thing'.

The return of the ports on MacBook Pros might be just as important as the new all-powerful processors. The MacBook Pro 16 still sports three Thunderbolt 4 capable USB-C slots, but the fourth port from previous devices has been replaced with a MagSafe magnetic connector for charging.

This makes sense to me as a heavy editor, I spend so much of my time with my MacBook connected to power that I always had a dedicated USB-C port for charging anyway. Those in a pinch (most likely forgot to pack their MagSafe charger) can also still charge the latest MacBooks with any USB-C charger, with varying results based on its power.

The addition of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a huge boon for audiophiles and audio editors, who want to connect headphones via a dedicated wire. And most exciting for content creators, in one of Apple's smartest moves, the MacBook Pro 16 welcomes back the full-sized SD card slot, which will free a lot of camera users from their dongle nightmares.

If a HDMI port is really necessary is up for debate, with USB-C becoming the default way to connect to most monitors while also powering them through the same cable, there are no specific benefits to HDMI. But it does offer a level of backward compatibility that I am sure some people will appreciate. 

MacBook Pro 16 (2023) Performance

We ran a series of benchmarking tests on the new MacBook Pro 16 with M2 Max, the results of which you can find below:

In the benchmarks, you can see that the M2 Max has slight gains on the M2 Pro in the CPU tasks, which will offer slightly faster over the cheaper chip, on normal processing tasks, although you can see huge gains when it comes to graphical processing power, with the M2 Max racking up a colossal score on the Geekbench OpenCL test.

It gets more interesting when you compare the M2 Max to the base level M2 in the most recent MacBook Air, with the M2 Max (and the M2 Pro) making huge gains on multi-core performance. And compared to the i7 and AMD Radeon combo in the older MacBook Pro 16 from 2019, there is really no competition, with even the base M2 beating it on scores, and the M2 Max destroying it in both processing and graphics power.

Leaving behind the benchmarks, when using the M2 Max, you can feel its power. After using Intel-powered MacBook Pros as my daily driver for the past few years, it was immediately noticeable how fast the new chips are. Just simple tasks like opening Safari or Pages, which would usually take a few seconds, are now almost instantaneous.

I performed my usual content creator tests, exporting a batch of 200 edited RAW files to JPEG in Adobe Lightroom, exporting a 10-minute 4K video in Apple ProRes using iMovie, and opening 10 RAW files at once in Adobe Photoshop. The M2 Max performed all of these with unbelievable ease. Usually, on my Intel i7 MacBook, exporting photos or videos dominate the processing power so much that there is nothing to do except walk away until it is finished, on the MacBook Pro 16 with M2 Max, I carried on working as if it wasn't even exporting.

I found the hard drive speeds to be fine, in my tests they were not better than rival machines or even older MacBooks, but they were not worse. It copied files at about the same rate as the Surface Studio Laptop. And this might be a problem to some who expect all areas of the MacBook Pro to advance at the same rate as Apple Silicon, but unless absolute speed is critical to your work, then this is not something you will likely notice.

The speakers on the MacBook Pro 16 blew me away, they are the best speakers I have personally heard on a laptop. They offer a very rounded sound, with good treble, and clear highs and lows, vocals in songs are very clear and the bass is surprisingly strong, although still lacks that pounding you get from a dedicated speaker.

The webcam is a huge improvement over the terrible webcams that Apple continues to put in their 13-inch Macbook Pro, with a sharp, clear, and well-lit picture that no longer smudges and smooths all my features in Meet calls. I also had no complaints from anyone on my call about my audio, but it also didn’t come off as better than anyone else’s on other devices.

MacBook Pro 16 (2023) Verdict

The MacBook Pro 16 with M2 Max is an absolute monster of a laptop, it will tear through anything you can throw at it and still be ready for more. Unfortunately, it also comes with a monstrous price, with the M2 Pro Max starting at $3,299/£3,499 for the 30-core GPU version and $3,499/£3,749 for the maxed-out 38-core GPU. Figures that are truly quite hard to recommend spending. 

What the M2 Max gives you in terms of raw power for content creation is amazing, but I am reluctant to say it is a worthy upgrade over what can be achieved with Apple's M2 or M2 Pro chip, both of which can save you a lot of money. Only users who need the absolute no compromise best for their workflow will use the M2 Max to its full potential. The MacBook Pro is also available with an M2 Pro processor, which is a better option for photographers and videographers who want a bigger MacBook, but don't have deep pockets.

Processor debate aside, the MacBook Pro 16 is a fantastic laptop, with a lot going for it from the beautiful color-accurate screen, booming speakers, sharp webcams, and excellent keyboard and trackpad, it is a very worthy upgrade for anyone using Intel-based MacBooks.

If the latest MacBook Pro isn't right for your needs (or budget!) these are the best photo editing laptops, and the best laptops for video editing. Or if you want the additional power a desktop can bring, check out our guide to the best desktop computer for photo editing. 

The question of the best laptop for photo editing used to be simpler, with most of the top computers using a lot of the same internal components, including processors from behemoth Intel, with the separation in devices coming either in design or operating system preference.

Apple Silicon refers to Apple ditching Intel's x86 processors and instead using its own custom-designed ARM-based processors for its Mac computers. Apple Silicon has set the world of computing alight, with its headline-grabbing speeds and efficiency.

The first Apple Silicon Mac was the M1 chip which debuted in November 2020 in the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini. Apple Silicon has already delivered improved performance and battery life, due to better integration and optimization between Mac hardware and software. Apple Silicon also allows Mac computers to natively run iOS (iPhone) apps.

Apple is now back with the new and improved versions of its second-generation M2 chip, with the latest evolutions of the M2 Pro and M2 Max. In this review, I'll be testing out the M2 Pro chip in the latest Apple MacBook Pro 14.

MacBook Pro 14 (2023) Specifications

Processor: Apple M2 Pro chip with 10-core CPU and 16-core GPU
Configurable to: M2 Pro with 12-core CPU and 19-core GPU, Apple M2 Max with 12-core CPU and 30-core GPU, or M2 Max with 12-core CPU and 38-core GPU
Screen: 14.2in Liquid Retina XDR display, 3024x1964 native resolution at 254 pixels per inch
Display Technology: 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 1,000 nits sustained brightness, 1 billion colors, Wide color (P3), True Tone technology, ProMotion 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
Memory: 16GB unified memory
Configurable to: 32GB (M2 Pro or M2 Max), 64GB (M2 Max), or 96GB (M2 Max with 38-core GPU)
Battery: 70wH battery, 67W/96W MagSafe power adapter
SSD: 512GB
Configurable to: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB
Ports: SDXC card slot, HDMI port, 3.5mm headphone jack, MagSafe 3 port, 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports
Connections: WiFi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3
Size: 1.55 x 31.26 x 22.12 cm
Weight: from 1.60 kg

MacBook Pro 14 (2023) Key features

The headline feature of the latest Macbook Pro 14 is its new M2 Pro or M2 Max processor, this is the absolute latest silicon from Apple’s own in-house chip design team. Both chips have up a to 12-core CPU, with the M2 Pro also being able to be configured with up to 19-core GPU, 32GB of unified memory, and a 200GB/s memory bandwidth. The M2 Max is able to have an absolutely monstrous up to 38-core GPU, 96GB of unified memory, and 400GB/s memory bandwidth.

By Apple’s own metrics, it claims that the latest M2 chips are up to 3x faster for photo editing and 15.7x faster for video editing than the last Intel-equipped MacBook Pro, which admittedly was released three years ago.

The model I am testing here is the M2 Pro with a 12-core GPU, 19 graphics cores, and a boosted 32GM of RAM. This calibration currently is listed on Apple’s store for $2,899/£3,099.

As the name suggests the MacBook Pro 14 screen measures 14.2in, with a pixel ratio of 3024x1964 and 254ppi. The screens have been upgraded too, now using Liquid Retina XDR panels, this enables a much wider dynamic range and a broader range of colors, with each display being factory-calibrated color grading, photography, and design. The screens also feature ProMotion found on the latest iPhones, which boosts the screen to 120Hz, making movement on the screen much more fluid.

For those of us that now spend a lot of our work day on video calls, the Pro 14 has a 1080p webcam and a three-mic array, with what Apple claims are professional-level microphones. The laptop is also equipped with a six-speaker setup that supports Dolby Atmos.

Creatives everywhere rejoiced last year at the news that Apple was adding an SD card slot back on its Pro models, as well as a headphone jack for sound editors and audiophiles. The laptop also features the return of MagSafe charging, three USB-C cables with Thunderbolt 4, and a 2.1 spec HDMI connection.

MacBook Pro 14 (2023) Build and handling

The new MacBook Pro 14 is very stylish as expected from an Apple device. The laptop is almost physically unchanged from last year's revamped 14in model, which is fine, redesigns don’t need to happen every generation. For those coming from Intel models, the shape is much more rounded than the 13in Pro with all sharp edges nixed.

The shape just feels chunkier than the 13in M2 model. If this is entirely a design choice or a necessity for the M2 Pro or M2 Max chips being physically larger, or requiring more cooling it is unclear, but the rounded shape and thicker body make it feel much more substantial in size than the 13in MacBook Pro with its more svelte wedged design.

The keyboard is excellent, and MacBook keyboards really are some of the best around for typing on, (let's confine the butterfly keys to history). Also banished hopefully forever is the touch bar, with Apple continuing to use the tried and tested row of function keys. The fingerprint reader is very fast and hasn’t given me many rejections yet, the larger key and depressed center make finding the reader that much easier.

The keyboard still continues to be black keys on a painted black background, which I find a divisive choice, I don't dislike the look, but I find it makes the keys harder to distinguish from one another, sure they have backlighting, but the MacBook Pro 13 or MacBook Air’s border around each key is much easier to see in dark environments.

The notch at the top of the screen, while doesn’t really affect use all that much, is still just an annoying addition. Dell has already shown several years ago that a webcam (as well as an entire Windows Hello array) can be tucked into the tiniest of bezels, so it really does just feel like this MacBook Pro has a notch just because it is an Apple 'thing'.

The port selection continues to be terrific, with three separate Thunderbolt-equipped USB-C slots, I never found myself without enough connections, especially as the power has returned to the MagSafe connector, freeing up a USB-C that would usually be used for power. The SD card slot is also a hugely welcome addition for a photographer and videographer who is constantly forgetting to pack dongles.

I question the need for a HDMI port, with both video upstream and downstream, and power over one USB-C cable starting to become the norm with modern monitors. For connecting to other screens HDMI to USB-C cables are cheap and effective.

MacBook Pro 14 (2023) Performance

We ran a series of benchmarking tests on the new MacBook Pro 14 with M2 Pro, the results of which you can find below:

You can see in the benchmarks that not only has the M2 Pro managed to make gains on the M2 released less than a year ago in the MacBook Air, but when you compare it to an Intel i7-powered machine from 2019, the improvements are truly incredible, with it being absolutely creamed on CPU benchmark tasks, especially when it comes to graphics tasks, with the Intel Iris Plus looking very obsolete.

Benchmarks are one thing, but how does this translate to real-world experience? Well, this Mac simply flies! I threw a couple of tests at it, exporting a batch of 200 edited RAW files to JPEG in Adobe Lightroom, exporting a 4K video in Apple ProRes using iMovie, and editing 10 RAW files at once in Adobe Photoshop. The M2 handled all of these with uncanny ease, still allowing several other tasks to be completed at the same time. The Intel i7 MacBook I compared it to ground to a halt several times during the same task, rendering the whole computer unusable until it finished.

Much of the negative press around these latest MacBooks seem to be complaining about the 'slow' SSD hard drives. I copy a lot of folders of mixed media files both to and from external drives and on the internal SSD as well as export photos and videos. Anecdotally, I cannot notice any perceptible difference between the write speeds of this MacBook Pro 14 and other machines I regularly use. Unless minor speed differences are absolutely critical for your work, I would say this is just not a problem.

The speakers on the MacBook Pro 14 are some of the best I have ever used on a laptop, or really any device, and are only surpassed in quality by the larger MacBook Pro 16. They offer a very rich sound, with a lot of nuisance between the highs and lows, vocals in songs are very clear and the bass is punchy but lacks a true rumble.

The webcam is a huge improvement over the terrible webcams that Apple continues to put in their 13in Macbook Pro, with a sharp, clear, and well-lit picture that no longer smudges and smooths all my features in Meet calls. I also had no complaints from anyone on my call about my audio, but it also didn’t come off as better than anyone else’s on other devices.

MacBook Pro 14 (2023) Verdict

If I was rating this based solely on the M2 Pro silicon that resides inside the MacBook Pro 14 then I would not hesitate to give this laptop the full five stars, as the processor is just unbelievably good. Apple has a habit of going overboard with its marketing claims, but in this case, there is just nothing that competes in the same league as the M2 Pro in this form factor. For photographers and videographers, this will just power through your work, all without completely tanking your battery life.

A lot of the overall design of the MacBook Pro 14 bothers me. I don’t like the rounded thicker feeling chassis, the notch, or the keyboard color scheme, and small touches like the laser cut ‘Apple MacBook Pro’ on the base feels a little tacky. But the abundant port selection and return of the function keys go some way to making up for its other design shortcomings.

However, it is clear the MacBook Pro 14 with M2 Pro is the ultimate creator's companion, probably the best small-ish laptop on the market right now, and an almost necessary upgrade for anyone working on Intel-powered machines from previous generations. However, this power does not come cheap starting at over $2000/£2000 for the base model, start saving now.

If the latest MacBook Pro isn't right for your needs (or budget!) these are the best photo editing laptops, and the best laptops for video editing. Or if you want the additional power a desktop can bring, check out our guide to the best desktop computer for photo editing. 

Our aim in this guide is to help you find the best 2023 Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch deals available with the top-performing M2 Max chips.

It's not always easy finding the best deal on Apple products, but if you buy at the right time or from the right retailer you can often find a saving on Apple's range of premium laptops. 

We know that the best MacBooks may never be as cheap as their PC equivalents, but that extra investment gets you a device that regularly sits atop our list of the best laptops available today. They also offer excellent value for money in the long run over other laptops that you may need to replace every couple of years.

And the good news is that MacBook deals are relatively regular. The most significant reductions are often saved for the biggest sales events of the year, but you can usually find a discount or two every so often that takes a decent amount off the high starting price. After all, every little helps!

Preorder MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Max at Apple US

Pre-order MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Max at Apple UK

The new MacBook Pro 16-inch with the M2 Max chip is capable of transforming pro workflows across a wide range of applications, from art to science to app development. Users looking to upgrade from Intel-based Mac models will experience even more dramatic improvements in performance, battery life, connectivity, and overall productivity. MacBook Pro also maintains performance whether users are plugged in or on battery.

With the new MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Max chip users are able to take advantage of lightning speed in render-heavy applications, while image processing is up to 80 percent faster.

This new MacBook Pro 16-inch with M2 Pro features a 12-core CPU with up to eight high-performance and four high-efficiency cores for up to 20 percent greater performance over M1 Pro. 

This new MacBook also allows for up to 32GB of unified memory to in installed, users can tackle large projects and run multiple pro apps with blazing speed and thanks to its next-generation GPU with up to 38 cores, it can deliver up to up to 30 percent more graphics performance, and the Neural Engine is 40 percent faster, speeding up machine learning tasks like video analysis and image processing, making this the perfect machine for professional content creators on the go.

Read more:

Best MacBooks
Best iMacs
Best Macbook Air docking stations
Best monitor for Mac mini
Best Macbook screen protectors
The best Mac webcams
The best Mac printers
Best Mac keyboard 

Our aim in this guide is to help you find the best Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch deals available on the M2 Max chips.

It's not always easy finding the best deal on Apple products, but if you buy at the right time or from the right retailer you can often find a saving on Apple's range of premium laptops. 

We know that the best MacBooks may never be as cheap as their PC equivalents, but that extra investment gets you a device that regularly sits atop our list of the best laptops available today. They also offer excellent value for money in the long run over other laptops that you may need to replace every couple of years.

And the good news is that MacBook deals are relatively regular. The most significant reductions are often saved for the biggest sales events of the year, but you can usually find a discount or two every so often that takes a decent amount off the high starting price. After all, every little helps!

Preorder MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Max at Apple US

Pre-order MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Max at Apple UK

The new MacBook Pro 14-inch with the M2 Max chip is capable of transforming pro workflows across a wide range of applications, from art to science to app development. Users looking to upgrade from Intel-based Mac models will experience even more dramatic improvements in performance, battery life, connectivity, and overall productivity. MacBook Pro also maintains performance whether users are plugged in or on battery.

With the new MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Pro chip users are able to take advantage of lightning speed in render-heavy applications, while image processing is up to 80 percent faster.

This new MacBook Pro 14-inch with M2 Pro features a 10 or 12-core CPU with up to eight high-performance and four high-efficiency cores for up to 20 percent greater performance over M1 Pro. 

This new MacBook also allows for up to 32GB of unified memory to in installed, users can tackle large projects and run multiple pro apps with blazing speed and thanks to its next-generation GPU with up to 19 cores, it can deliver up to up to 30 percent more graphics performance, and the Neural Engine is 40 percent faster, speeding up machine learning tasks like video analysis and image processing, making this the perfect machine for professional content creators on the go.

Read more:

Best MacBooks
Best iMacs
Best Macbook Air docking stations
Best monitor for Mac mini
Best Macbook screen protectors
The best Mac webcams
The best Mac printers

The best photo-editing laptops won't just be the perfect tool for photographers needing to do some photo editing. A machine with a fast processor, plenty of RAM, and a large storage drive will give you a computer ideal for home-working too. And the addition of a quality screen with consistent color and contrast will not only bring images to life, but can also help reduce eye strain and fatigue.

So which are the best? The latest MacBook models are still a force to be reckoned with, but don't ignore the latest crop of Windows laptops. The market is fierce right now, producing some excellent all-rounders like the Asus ProArt P16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5.

To help you make the right choice, our experts have reviewed and tested thousands of laptops. And in the article below, we present the very best laptops for photo editing on the market today.

The best photo-editing laptops

Most powerful laptop for photo editing

The MacBook Pro equipped with Apple's M5 Max chip is quite simply the most powerful laptop you can buy today. That makes it a good option if you edit a lot of large image files, and especially if you also do a lot of video editing.

Performance-wise, the M5 Max chip delivers impressive results in photo editing applications. However, you do pay a premium for this performance, so if you don't need a massive amount of power, you may be better off with one of the cheaper laptops featured below.

It's not just about power, though. Another top feature of the latest MacBook Pro is the optional nano-texture display. This could be a revelation for anyone who edits photos in a variety of lighting conditions; virtually eliminating glare while maintaining high color accuracy. Meanwhile the peak HDR brightness of 1,600 nits ensure your photos look spectacular.

Another plus point is the MacBook Pro's 17-hour battery life, which means you can edit all day without hunting for a power outlet. We're also big fans of the 12MP Center Stage webcam, which will make your remote client meetings more professional. Finally, the inclusion of an SD card slot, three Thunderbolt 5 ports, and the ability to drive multiple external displays makes this a versatile mobile editing station for photographers.

The MacBook Pro M5 Max is also available as a 16-inch model. That'll give you a more comfortable editing workspace, but the price you pay goes up significantly. We'd prefer to spend the difference on one of the best monitors for MacBook Pros, which you can use as a large second screen when editing at home.

See our full Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5 Max) review

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Best photo editing laptop for most people

The 15-inch Apple MacBook Air M5 is probably the best laptop currently on the market for most people, who don't need the huge amount of performance offered by the MacBook Pro.

That makes it a superb choice for any photographer, videographer, or creative who wants a larger gorgeous screen, combined with enough power to comfortably run the latest editing software, and all wrapped up in a lightweight package that can easily slip into a backpack.

There are more powerful Apple options for really demanding editing situations, but for most people, the M5 chip inside the 'Air will provide more than enough oomph to edit comfortably.

Only a lack of ports, and the absence of an SD card slot, holds this laptop back from being the ultimate laptop for content creators.

See our full Apple MacBook Air M5 review

The Apple MacBook Air 15 M4 is probably the best laptop currently on the market for most people, who don't need the huge amount of performance offered by the MacBook Pro.

That makes it a superb choice for any photographer, videographer, or creative who wants a larger gorgeous screen, combined with enough power to comfortably run the latest editing software, and all wrapped up in a lightweight package that can easily slip into a backpack.

There are more powerful Apple options for really demanding editing situations, but for most people, the M4 chip inside the 'Air 15 will provide more than enough oomph to edit comfortably. Best of all, Apple recently upgraded the base RAM from 16GB to 32GB, without increasing the price.

The lack of abundant ports, and the absence of an SD card slot, holds this laptop back from being the ultimate laptop for content creators though. So the MacBook Pro is a slightly better all-rounder, if you're happy to pay more and carry more bulk.

Read our full MacBook Air 15-inch M3 (2024) review

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Best Windows photo editing laptop

Portable power like this is ideal for anyone shooting photos or videos in the field. The ProArt P16 has everything you need in one package, including enough storage to empty your memory cards.

In our comprehensive testing, the P16 performed incredibly well in Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and Davinci Resolve. We also noted that the 24 addressable CPU threads of this laptop allow parallel tasks in Lightroom, such as exporting and generating smart previews, are given an extra speed boost.

However, all this power comes at a price, with the laptop, especially at higher spec models troubling most bank balances. Although as a laptop that’s versatile, portable, powerful, and with the Dial and touchscreen, it ranks as one of the best laptops for photo and video editing right now.

Read our full Asus ProArt P16 H7606WX review

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Best budget laptop

A laptop that can handle serious photo editing will never be really cheap, but we reckon the Asus TUF A16 strikes a great balance of offering fast performance at an accessible price. Firepower comes from a potent 8-core AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS processor, teamed with 16GB of RAM.

Screen specs haven't been skimped on, either. There's an excellent 16-inch IPS display with a healthy 2560 x 1600 resolution, plus it covers a hugely impressive 100% of the demanding DCI-P3 color space. That resolution may be lower than 4K, but it's already more than sharp enough to give you a super-crisp viewing experience.

During our time reviewing the TUF A16 we found it to also have a surprisingly good battery life for a laptop this powerful. Expect around 10 hours of light use and video playback, though inevitably if you work those 8 CPU cores hard, you'll need to plug in much sooner.

If you're after a laptop that gives you maximum bang per buck, the Asus TUF A16 is just that: exceptional value for money.

Read more: Asus TUF A16 full review

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Best for photo editing on the move

The latest MacBook Air (above) is already a great choice if you want a thin and light laptop for photo editing on the go. However, you'll pay a premium for that Apple logo, and not everyone is familiar with macOS. Fortunately there are plenty of Windows laptops that are just as travel-friendly and cost less, with the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Aura being one of the best.

It's based around a modern Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor - a CPU that's been designed for AI workflows, and which provides ample speed while running cool and preseving battery power. It's not going to break any speed records, but we found it to easily cope with some heavy-duty image editing in Photoshop, while still managing almost 22 hours of continuous video playback on a single charge. Screen quality is also excellent, with incredible color accuracy and impressive color space coverage.

You will have to make some compromises to have such a svelte machine, however. There are only two USB-C ports, and one of those will be used by the power cord when you need to recharge. Graphical processing is handled by the CPU, so this is no gaming powerhouse.

Read our full Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Aura review for more details

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Best MacBook alternative for photo editing

Microsoft's Surface Laptop 5 is a fantastic option for anyone design-conscious, who wants a traditional clamshell design Windows laptop that is oozing with style.

With a big, sharp, and colorful screen, a fantastic keyboard, and a large trackpad, the Surface Laptop 5 is a joy to use. Although a design overhaul wouldn't go amiss, with its chunky bezels needing reducing and a couple more ports squeezed in.

The Surface Laptop 5 performs very well at productivity tasks, easily handling Office apps for work or school, intensive web browsing, and video streaming, and photographers can be confident in performing light photo editing in Lightroom or Photoshop.

When it comes to video, the Surface Laptop struggles and keen filmmakers might want to look at options with a dedicated graphics card - or that sport an Apple logo.

Read our full Surface Laptop 5 review

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The Acer Predator Helios 300 represents an awful lot of laptop for a relatively affordable price. Despite its accessible cost, we found during our testing that you still get respectable photo-editing performance, courtesy of Intel Core i7 power paired with up to 32GB of RAM. In fact, there's enough speed here to rival laptops costing much, much more. Factor the healthy amount of built-in storage (up to a 1TB SSD, or a SSD+hard drive combo) and you can store thousands of high-res raw files without running out of space.

The Predator Helios 300 is marketed as a gaming laptop, so there are extras like a Turbo button that'll give you an overclocked boost for intense editing bouts, plus there’s custom control over the cooling fan, so you can balance cooling performance with fan noise. Granted, they're not essential features for photo editing, but this laptop is great value regardless.

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How to choose the best photo-editing laptop

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How we test the best photo-editing laptops

When reviewing a laptop, we assess its internal hardware features, build quality, ergonomics, performance in a variety of usage scenarios, value for money, and its overall suitability for its target buyer. Although we'll evaluate a laptop with a typical user in mind, we will also pay particular attention to the perspective of photo and video enthusiasts, with special focus given to screen quality and color space coverage. Where possible, a monitor calibrator will be used to measure a laptop's display performance to assess whether it matches a manufacturer's claims, and software benchmarks like Geekbench and Cinebench are used to measure a laptop's processor and graphics card capabilities.

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Compare prices

The latest MacBook Pro may look just like its predecessor, but it's the first to pack Apple's second-generation 'M2' System on Chip, promising up to a 40% performance increase over the original 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro. The Apple M2 silicon is an 8-core design with a unified 10-core GPU, available with 8GB, 16GB, or 24GB RAM (a useful increase from the original M1 MacBook Pro, which topped out at 16GB).

Could the 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro be the best photo-editing laptop?

Specifications

• CPU: Apple M2 8-core CPU
• Graphics: Integrated 10-core GPU
• RAM: 8-24GB Unified memory
• Screen: 13.3-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone
• Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
• Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB 4.0 Type-C), 3.5mm headphone jack
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0
• Camera: 720p FaceTime HD webcam
• Weight: 2.7 pounds (1.24kg)
• Size: 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.61 inches (30.41 x 21.24 x 1.4cm); W x D x H

Key features

If you're familiar with 2020's M1 MacBook Pro, the latest M2 version is, superficially at least, more of the same. You still get a huge trackpad with pressure-sensitive Force Touch, Apple's backlit Magic Keyboard with scissor key switches, and perhaps surprisingly, a Touch Bar. Despite waning support for this once-flaunted feature, it's still present on the M2 MacBook Pro, providing an interesting alternative to a 'conventional' touchscreen display.

Also carried over from the M1 'Pro is the 720p FaceTime camera - an odd choice, given the M2 MacBook Air gets a 1080p camera. The lower-res camera does mean there's no notch in the top of the screen viewing area though - a 'feature' that is present on the 'Air, and one which can take some getting used to.

Elsewhere, the increased power efficiency of the M2 chip enables up to 20 hours battery life – impressive, given Apple claims the power of the M2 can handle up to 11 streams of 4K ProRes video, or 2 streams of 8K footage.

Storage ranges between 256GB and 2TB, but most impressive for photographers is the gorgeous 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600 Retina display. This is an IPS LCD panel capable of a high 500-nit maximum brightness and extensive DCI-P3 color space coverage. The only potential drawback is the relatively small 13.3 inch size, which regardless of the high resolution could still prove uncomfortably small for longer image/video editing sessions.

Build and Handling

As we've come to expect from modern MacBook Pro's, this is an exceptionally svelte and portable machine. At 1.4kg light and 1.56cm in thickness, it's barely more than the 1.24kg/1.13cm M2 MacBook Air. Despite being so slim, Apple's build quality is sublime as usual, with no discernible flex or creaks in the device.

However, while the slimness may be great news for portability, it does result in pathetic physical connectivity: just two Thunderbolt/USB 4 Type-C ports. Given that one of these is required to connect the charger, this leaves you with just a single port for connecting peripherals. Realistically a separate dongle will therefore be required, at a hefty extra expense if you go for Apple's own USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter, and carrying this around will somewhat negate the slim form factor of the laptop itself.

Of course this isn't an issue unique to the M2 MacBook Pro, but what is distinct to the new 'Pro is its somewhat strange screen setup. Perhaps due to the mixed feedback on the M2 Air's notched display, the M2 Pro actually has a slightly smaller 13.3 inch panel (compared to 13.6 inch for the Air). This does away with a need for a notch, as the webcam is contained completely in the top bezel, but it also means those bezels are necessarily thicker and therefore more unsightly. It also means the 13-inch MacBook Pro now has a slightly smaller screen than the 13-inch MacBook Air, in addition to its lower resolution webcam.

But in the Pro's favour, you do get Apple's Touch Bar. This thin touch-sensitive strip dynamically changes its touch buttons according to the open app, giving you buttons and sliders relevant to what you're currently working on. A few years ago the Touch Bar was Apple's next big thing, touted as being a worthwhile alternative to a conventional full-on touch screen. However these days Apple is gradually omitting it from its laptops, and now the 13-inch M2 Pro is the only current MacBook to include the Touch Bar. Whether that's a benefit for you of course depends on whether you've learnt to incorporate it into your workflow, but I find it a genuinely useful feature when using the laptop on the go.

Performance

With a supposed 40% performance increase over the original M1 MacBook Pro, I had high hopes for the speed of the M2 'Pro. In terms of simple benchmark performance, a Cinebench R23 score of 8720 is impressive, though not as fire-breathingly fast as Apple's marketing hype may lead you to expect. I benchmarked the M2 Pro alongside my own desktop PC daily driver. Though approaching 10 (yes, 10!) years old, its quad-core Intel Core i7 2700K processor was once the pinnacle of desktop PC performance, and thanks to being overclocked from 3.5GHz to 4.6GHz, this PC is still able to do everything I need it to in 2022. It's also interesting to see how a modern ultra-portable laptop can compare in performance to a hulking great performance-centric desktop tower. For perspective, the PC scored 4407 in Cinebench, making the little MacBook nearly twice as fast.

For a more real-world performance test, I installed the latest version of Photoshop on both machines and loaded up a massive 885MB, 538-megapixel stitched panorama to really put the 'Pro through its paces. The MacBook took 14 seconds to open the file (versus 20.77 seconds for the PC). However, the M2's performance truly came to the fore when I applied an HDR Toning adjustment. This took a painfully slow 2 minutes 19 seconds on the PC, but the MacBook managed it in just 52.45 seconds. I also tried opening 50 12MP JPEGs all at once into Photoshop, which the MacBook again performed over twice as quickly, taking 14.71 seconds, compared to the PC's 33.81 seconds. With the M2's processing cores pegged at 100% usage, the chip's cooling fan did spin up to an audible level, but was always quiet and never distracting.

Given that both machines pack 16GB RAM, and the PC is equipped with a reasonably fast Samsung 850 SSD, it's clear that the M2 silicone and its integrated memory offer clear performance benefits. And not just in raw performance. What's perhaps most remarkable is the smoothness of the M2 Pro. Simply zooming in and out of a high-res JPEG photo is silky smooth, with no lag or rendering delay when switching between different image magnification sizes. Contrast this with the PC, where the same image would take half a second to display when changing magnification, and would render more gradually, in distinct tiles.

Screen quality has always been a particularly strong aspect of MacBooks, and the M2 Pro is no exception. Color accuracy, backlight consistency and color space coverage are all excellent, and the 2560 x 1600 resolution is exceptionally high for a screen of this size, easily hiding the outline of individual pixels at normal viewing distances.

Another laptop performance metric that often receives little attention is audio quality. The M2 Pro's sound processing produces a particularly expansive effect that results in a sound stage far larger than you'd expect from such a compact laptop. Of course there's no getting around the fact that the speaker drivers are inevitably small and therefore cannot produce any real bass, but listening to music on the 'Pro's built-in speakers is still a surprisingly pleasing experience.

Verdict

If you're after an ultra-portable, yet high-performing laptop that can take on pretty much any image or video editing task you could throw at it, the M2 MacBook Pro is well worth considering. It's got impressive reserves of raw performance, but also offers a wonderfully smooth, effortless computing experience when you're not demanding every ounce of firepower. It's also an exquisite item in its own right, with top-notch build quality, a sublime screen and surprisingly decent sound quality. Even the Touch Bar is a welcome inclusion for us, though likely not for everyone.

However unlike some previous MacBook Pros, the 13-inch M2 Pro isn't something we can unreservedly recommend. Its selection of physical ports is, frankly, appalling. While a laptop like the MacBook Air can get away with this on account of its super-thin portability, a MacBook 'Pro' should place greater emphasis on usability and practicality - factors which simply can't be satisfied by just two Type-C ports, one of which is required for the charger.

Having a slightly smaller screen, and a lower resolution webcam, than the M2 Air is also a difficult pill to swallow when the Pro should, in theory, be better specced to compensate for its extra bulk. That 13.3 inch screen size is also something you need to seriously consider before buying. If you're going to be using this on the go, it makes a lot of sense, but if you’ll be spending a lot of time working at home/in the office, and without an external monitor, a larger 16-inch MacBook provides a significantly more comfortable viewing experience for pallet-heavy apps like Photoshop and Lightroom, albeit for a lot more money.

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The Macbook Air released in 2022 is the direct replacement to the Macbook Air of 2020 and, while it looks incredibly similar to its predecessor, it has been redesigned and is now powered by a more powerful M2 CPU chip (rather than 2020’s M1).

The base package includes an Apple M2 chip with 8‑core CPU, 8‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine powerbox which can be upgraded to a 10-core GPU for an additional cost. It also ships with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage as standard, but photographers and other creatives will almost certainly want to get at least 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage, with the option to then run libraries of images off an external hard drive via USB-C.

The magic behind the Macbook Air is that it runs silently. No more sounding like the laptop’s about to take off into the sky like a helicopter every time you run heavy processes in Lightroom or Photoshop. We’ve thrown a lot at this laptop for our initial review and we’ve yet to feel it get warm during use.

• Best Macbooks for photo editing • Best Macbook Air docking stations

Specifications

• CPU: Apple M2 8-core CPU

• Graphics: Integrated 8-core GPU (10-core GPU option)

• RAM: 8-24GB Unified memory

• Screen: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone

• Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD

• Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB 4.0 Type-C), 3.5mm headphone jack, MagSafe 3

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0

• Camera: 1080p FaceTime HD webcam

• Weight: 2.7 pounds (1.24kg)

• Size: 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches (30.41 x 21.5 x 1.13cm; W x D x H

Key features

Almost identical in shape and size to the M1 version, the Macbook Air M2 has a large trackpad to make editing on the go easier and more precise. We were concerned that it was going to be too big, expecting to trip up on it while typing or hitting keyboard shortcuts, but it fits almost perfectly, ending in the cleft of the palm.

One of the major features to point out straight away on the Macbook Air M2 is that users won’t be getting the touch bar that the Macbook Pro has. This is good news for some and bad news for others. It shouldn’t really affect photographers and image editors too much because keyboard shortcuts form the foundation for editing, regardless of the inclusion of a touch bar, and professional image editors will have their own external controllers should they require them.

The biometric fingerprint login is lightning fast and one of the best we’ve ever experienced on either a laptop, tablet, or smartphone and works consistently every time.

It’s built for all-day use and that’s exactly what we get out of it in real-world use. It will happily last all day doing basic image editing, while using it as a general laptop (browsing the internet and streaming videos online) sees it last at least a couple of days if not longer depending on how much it’s used throughout the day. Consequently you don't really have to worry about charging it fully before heading out for the day or on location during a shoot, as we've yet to have our M2 Air run out of charge before completing crucial work.

 Build and handling

Ever so slightly larger than the Macbook Air M1, the M2 still has the same strong build quality with an entirely metal casing, though in this iteration its edges are more rounded. This is particularly noticeable when handling the laptop when closed. The opening lip is now bevelled upwards which we really like as it retains a continuous line on the lower front edge of the laptop. The outside edges instead of being hard and sharp as in the M1, are now smooth making it more comfortable to carry.

One thing we are a little disappointed by with our laptop is the fingerprints and oil/sweat marks one can leave on the casing. We are basing this on the midnight black color variation and haven’t tested this with any other colors as yet.

Everything on the M2 is bigger than the M1 model, all except the bezel around the edge of the screen which is now smaller, giving 13.6 inches to play with on the Liquid Retina display with True Tone. It’s a fantastically bright, sharp screen with a good viewing angle and is slightly better to edit images on than the M1.

There’s now a Magsafe connector once more, making it a big upgrade over the M1 which only uses USB-C charging. That means if you accidentally trip over the cable or it’s tugged from the mains socket the cable will detach from the Macbook to keep ‘air’ as part of the name and not what it goes flying through. We also like the charging cable itself which is of a fabric non-tangling material, though we’d recommend upgrading to the dual USB-C charger which makes it easy to charge a phone and the laptop simultaneously.

Performance

For those that don’t use the cloud all that often (we’re looking at pro photographers running from external drives) we decided to test the import speed in Lightroom Classic. 5.5GB of wedding photos imported in under 20 seconds, but it was seemingly instant as every photo appeared immediately (from what we could see). We waited a further 1min 20secs for Lightroom Classic to fetch the initial previews for a total of 1min 43secs of import time. That's seriously impressive considering this is the Air and not the Pro, and that it remains silent and cool to the touch.

By comparison we did the same test on a Windows Dell XPS 15 9570 which, although it’s now a few years old, our model has a 6-core Intel i9 CPU running at 2.9GHz, 32GB RAM and an SSD and it still took 2mins 34seconds - nearly a full minute longer.

Most photographers will likely be running a combination of Adobe Lightroom Classic and Photoshop simultaneously (or other comparable software) in order to process batches of images and then finish them off before publishing or saving. So we exported 20 photos at a resolution of 24MP from Lightroom Classic and opened them as layers on a single document in Photoshop which took 1min 5secs. The Dell XPS 9570 again took longer at 1min 54secs.

Editing the 20-layer stack in Photoshop on the Macbook Air, even with Lightroom Classic still open, was instant. We ran the same test on the Dell XPS 9570 again and it took the laptop 1min 54secs to open it and running edits like patching and opening neural filters felt laggy and unresponsive in comparison, not to mention it sounded like it was about to take off with all the fans whirring over the CPU and graphics card.

Giant patched areas stitched as soon as we let go of the trackpad and editing in Neural filters (something photographers will no doubt continue doing more of) was similarly speedy. Flicking back to Photoshop to make edits also saw no slowing down even with a large PSD open, all while running several internet tabs open in both Firefox and Chrome browsers (which are known to hog RAM).

Unless you’re working with 50/60MP stills and huge 8K video files, we’re not quite sure why anyone would need to opt for the Macbook Pro considering the big price difference. Even as professional photographers who, admittedly, don’t shoot a lot of video, we found the Macbook Air M2 to be so quick that, unless it got struck down with buggy software and failing internal components, we could see using for many years to come.

Trying to push this laptop to its limit we decided to run Photoshop and Lightroom Classic simultaneously, then we opened ten 45.7MP 14-bit photos into one document to edit and process. After 5-10 minutes of trying every edit we could think of, there was still no visible real-world lag.

For those that are into numbers, the Geekbench 5 score for our Macbook Air M2 gave us 1919 for the single-core score and 8936 for the multi-core score and the OpenCL performance reached a score of 27558. Something to bear in mind for users running their own comparison Geekbench 5 tests is that ours was fitted with 16GB RAM and 512GB of SSD storage.

The downside to owning a Macbook Air M2 is shelling out for it in the first place. The base model (8-Core CPU, 8-Core GPU, 8GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD storage) is reasonably priced. But realistically you'll want a larger SSD, more RAM and maybe a different power charger, and then the price gets much more serious. This isn't a laptop designed to be worked on, either, meaning upgrading components in the future is all but impossible. Take extra care to spec wisely at the time of purchase!

Verdict

If you’re in the market for a new photo editing laptop and want something cool, silent, well-built and fast, then the Macbook Air M2 is the perfect companion. While its midnight black colour variation does love to show fingerprints and handling marks, the inclusion of the Magsafe 3 connector, its lag-free Lightroom and Photoshop performance, and that crystal clear screen, make this our new favourite laptop for photographers.

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Apple is notoriously secretive about new releases. But a recent series of leaks contain some intriguing details about a new MacBook Air, set for launch at the end of this year. So if you're thinking of updating your laptop for Christmas, this looks like being a strong contender.

We're big fans of the MacBook Air: in our MacBook Air 13-inch M1 review last December, we wrote: "If you look at the design quality, the performance, the screen and its everyday ergonomic finesse, the MacBook Air M1 is just phenomenal. And for what you get, it’s not even very expensive." But could the next iteration be even better?

• Best Macbook Air cases

The biggest excitement around the new leaks, shared by YouTuber Jon Prosser in this video, centers on the new colors. Let's face it, the classic silver-and-grey color scheme of Apple's laptops is wearing a little thin these days. So claims that the new models will come in a variety of pastel hues are welcome indeed. 

Prosser is generally a man to trust; for instance, his earlier claims about the new iMacs coming in several colors turned out to be accurate. And to give us an idea of what the new device will look like, he's generated these artist renderings (below and main article image), based on what he was shown by his source.

The new colors – which include blue, yellow, orange, pink, purple, and green, as well as the trademark silver – will be a handy shortcut to let others know you're using the latest tech. And for any photographer out to impress clients, that's certainly a factor worth considering. 

Also note that the keyboard will be white, the previous wedge shape will be swapped out for a flat style; and the chassis will be even thinner than before.... which is thin indeed. There'll still be enough space to fit a USB port, but only just, making this one sleek-looking machine.

Under the hood, too, we're expecting big things from the next MacBook Air. While details are as slim as the promised device itself, Prosser does report that it will contain Apple's M2 chip. 

This next-generation processor hasn't actually been launched yet, but leaks suggest it's going to offer ground-breaking performance enhancements, which will be great news for any photographer struggling to deal with huge RAW image files and the like.

Of course, none of this has been confirmed by Apple, so we'll have to wait until the new MacBook Air arrives before we know for sure. If you need a new laptop before then, though, check out our guide to the best photo-editing laptops. 

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The MacBook Air 13-inch M1 is Apple’s thinnest and lightest notebook. Its wedge-shaped design looks super-slim and it feels light to pick up. If you need to carry your laptop around all day (and have the battery last all day) and be able to use it anywhere, the MacBook Air is ideal.

In the past, though, this small size and portability has brought a performance compromise. The Air has always been a bit of a lightweight, and not just physically.

This has changed. The Air now has Apple’s revolutionary all-in-one M1 CPU/GPU chip with its shared memory and promises of spectacular performance. The MacBook Air is a fanless computer, so the M1 chip can’t necessarily be run at the same speeds under the same loads as it can in the MacBook Pro, but this may only prove a factor for heavy duty 3D and video rendering.

• Best Macbook Air cases Best monitors for MacBook Pro
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Specifications (as reviewed)

Processor: Apple M1 8-core
Graphics: 7-core GPU
Neural Engine: 16-core
RAM: 8GB (configurable to 16GB)
Storage: 256GB SSD (configurable to 2TB)
Connectivity: 2x USB 4/Thunderbolt, headphone socket, WiFi, Bluetooth
Battery life: 15hrs (wireless Internet)/18hrs (movie playback)
Dimensions: 304.1 x 212.4 x 161mm
Weight: 1.29kg

Key features

The base model MacBook Air M1 creeps in just below the $1,000/£1,000 barrier, which is very impressive for a computer with these specifications, design quality and performance. That price, however, is for a machine with an 8-core CPU but a 7-core GPU (graphics processing unit). If you want an 8-core GPU you have to pay a little more. 

A 7-core CPU? That’s an odd number, surely? The only explanation we’ve seen is that Apple is using slightly less than perfect M1 chips off the production line with, effectively, one core not working, to produce a perfectly effective and functioning – but slightly cheaper – entry model. Unlikely as that sounds, it’s the only answer we have right now.

You can configure your MacBook Air at purchase to have more RAM (up to 16GB) or more storage (up to a 2TB SSD). This is the only chance you’ll get, since MacBook Airs are not user-upgradable. It has to be done at the point of manufacture and sale. 

Other features include a 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600 IPS Retina display, a revised ‘scissor’ keyboard design, Touch ID and Apple’s latest Big Sur operating system. Because of the new M1 chip architecture, the Air can even run iOS apps.

The battery life is an impressive 15hrs for wireless Internet use and 18hrs for video playback, though of course these figures are in ideal conditions; expect the battery life to be shorter than this if you are using lots of disk access and processing power.

Build and handling

The MacBook Air does look and feel extra-slim… though all is not as it seems. The case tapers to a thickness of just 41mm at the front, but the subtle ‘wedge’ design means it’s a much thicker 161mm at the back. In fact, while it feels slimmer overall than the MacBook Pro, it is a fraction thicker at the back. The Air is usefully slimmer and lighter than the Pro, but there’s nowhere near as much in it as the name suggests.

Apple got some criticism for its first ‘scissor’ keyboards. We didn’t have issues ourselves, but plenty of people did. The latest design in the MacBook Air feels really good. The keys have a short, light travel but feel very positive – perfect for quiet, unobtrusive typing.

The Retina screen is, as ever, just beautiful. Apple says it has a 25% wider color range than sRGB, but doesn’t mention Adobe RGB, which leads us to assume it’s somewhere in the middle. The contrast, definition and brightness are stellar, and while the 2560 x 1600 resolution isn’t 4K, it’s an important step up from a regular 1920 x 1080 screen. It has that ‘Retina’ effect where you just don’t see the dots any more and makes a surprising and subtle difference to the way you view, edit and evaluate digital images.

The 16:10 aspect ratio is a little odd. It’s a little taller than regular 16:9, which could be a nuisance for screen grabs and video, say, but it does provide a little extra vertical height for regular browsing, writing and so forth.

The two USB 4/Thunderbolt ports are enough, arguably, but what happened to the HDMI and SD card slots you used to get on Apple laptops? Grrr. It seems you can only connect a single monitor to a USB port, too, which has caused consternation amongst some users, but wouldn’t bother us especially.

Performance

We used GeekBench 5 to test the MacBook Air’s multi-core and single-core processing performance, and its GPU performance for OpenCL and Apple’s own Metal graphics processing. We’ve put the figures for the MacBook Pro M1 alongside for comparison and, just to show how far things have come, the results from a 2013 MacBook Pro 13-inch.

The Apple M1 chip’s performance is pretty spectacular for a laptop, especially at this price point. These are just benchmarking tests and different software applications will bring their own processing and disk access bottlenecks, but this is at least a standardised test for comparing different machines.

The CPU performance of the M1 MacBook Air is very close to that of the M1 MacBook Pro, but the Pro's GPU graphics performance is noticeably better. And if you're wondering whether MacBooks really have come on very far, note the figures from our 2013 MacBook Pro – it feels fairly fast in normal use, but its benchmark performance is several times slower than todays' M1 models.

Verdict

The MacBook Air 13-in M1 is impressive in three main areas: first, its design, finish and ergonomics; second, its sheer performance for a lightweight laptop; third, its value for money given those other two things.

There are just two USB ports, which is annoying, it’s not really a lot smaller than a regular MacBook, even though it looks like it, and the 7-core entry level model is a bit of an odd proposition, but these are pretty minor complaints. This is a beautifully made notebook computer with a price and performance level you just wouldn’t expect.

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The November Apple event saw the new MacBook Air, Mac Mini and MacBook Pro launched, complete with the brand new Silicon M1 chip. See below for our live blog of the event!

The November Apple event is almost underway, with Apple expecting to be launching computer-based products, such as a new MacBook, in their special 'One more thing' event. While Apple has been pretty tight-lipped on official details for its latest event, we've heard plenty of rumors about some of the potential products we could be seeing.

We've already seen the new Apple Watch products and new iPads launched in September – not to mention the iPhone 12 family and the new HomePod Mii launched in October. Logically, all that seems to remain is Apple's computer-based products. 

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The main product we're potentially expecting in this November Apple event is a new 12" ARM processor-based MacBook. ARM-architecture is usually found in mobile devices, such as handsets and tablets, and is known for being energy efficient but not overly powerful. If Apple is able to pull off making a switch to ARM-architecture, we could potentially see a price-drop across all MacBooks. 

Another product we could also be seeing is the Apple AirTags – although we'd advise taking this with a pinch of salt. AirTags have been rumored at every Apple event this year, but are yet to appear. However, this is their last-chance saloon to make an appearance before 2021, so fingers crossed!

You can watch the November Apple event live here.

17:55: We're only five minutes away from the latest Apple event, where we'll be finding out exactly which new products Apple will be launching in (what we assume to be) its final event of the year. We're keeping our fingers crossed for an appearance from the Apple AirTags, which would be a great way to keep tabs on your phone, wallet – or perhaps even your camera kit!

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18:05: Tim Cook reflects that this is the third major event in just three months, including the Apple Watch products, Apple Fitness Plus, Apple One, 8th gen iPad and iPad Air, HomePod Mini and, of course, the iPhone 12 family. Now there’s just ‘One more thing’ – predictably, the Mac. Apparently, the Mac business grew by 30% last quarter, which is admittedly impressive!

18:06: It seems that this event will be focusing on the previously promised first Mac with a Apple Silicon chip – the brand new Apple M1. 

18:07: The Apple M1 chip has been optimized for energy efficiency, delivering a 'giant leap in efficiency'. Until now, a Mac needed multiple chips for all of its features. However, the M1 replaces all of these chips. Its also the first chip build using the 5 nanometer technology, packing the largest number of transistors (16 billion to be exact) on a single chip.

18:09: Interestingly, the M1 is being billed as having the world's best CPU performance per watt, the world's best integrated graphics and the world's fastest machine learning. 

 18:14: This will be the first time that MacOS has been designed for Apple's own chips. The latest MacOS is called Big Sur – doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, but hey ho! The new Apple M1 chip combined with Big Sur is billed as making responsiveness 1.9x faster. 

18:15: Not only can users expect quiet performance and better battery life with the new M1 chip, Apple is also pushing how secure the latest MacOS will be. Apple has also reengineered each of its native apps in accordance with the new M1 chip's capabilities. Users will also be able to run a wider range of apps than before.

18:18: Adobe will be bringing out a 'universal' version of the Lightroom app at the end of the year, with Photoshop following in 2021. 

18:20: Interestingly, users will also be able to run their favorite phone and tablet apps on their Mac! Influencers everywhere will be holding their breath to see whether this means that Instagram will finally have a desktop version…

18:23: The first Mac with the M1 chip will be… the new MacBook Air with M1.

18:25: It seems that the M1 chip is perfectly suited for the MacBook Air – giving Apple's slimmest laptop a little extra power. Apple bills the new MacBooks Air as having 5x faster graphics and being 3x faster than the best-selling Windows laptop – and even being faster than 98% of PC laptops sold in the past year. 

18:27: The new MacBook Air has a silent design, meaning that it comes without a fan. It also has 15 hours of wireless browsing and 18 hours of watching videos, making it the longest battery life ever for a MacBook Air. 

18:28: The MacBook Air with the M1 chip will feature TouchID for added security. Excitingly, with all of the new updates, the MacBook Air will still begin at $999 for general consumers and $899 for education.

18:30: And the second M1-enabled product announced is… the Mac Mini. 

18:32: The Mac Mini will have 6x faster graphics. Compared to the top-selling PC desktop, it's 5x faster – and a tenth of the size. It also has 15x faster machine learning performance. 

18:33: The Mac Mini will begin at $699 – which is $100 cheaper than the previous generation!

18:36: And the next product is the new 13" MacBook Pro with the M1 chip!

18:37: The new MacBook Pro will have 2.8x faster CPU performance, meaning photographers can use Photoshop to edit photos faster than ever. The new MacBook Pro will also have 5x faster graphics. Compared to the best-selling Windows laptop in its class, it's 3x faster. 

18:39: Machine learning is 11x faster on the 13" MacBook Pro than the previous generation. It also has an active cooling system to keep it working efficiently and the longest battery life ever in a Mac. 

18:20: The MacBook Pro will begin at $1,299 for general consumers and $1,199 for those in education. 

18:42: All three products are available for pre-order today and will be in stores next week. Meanwhile, Big Sur will be available at some point this week. 

And it looks like that's it! As predicted, the long-awaited Apple AirTags didn't make an appearance. It seems like they'll likely be here in 2021, which would make them almost a full year behind when they were first expected. However, the three Mac products announced today certainly look very exciting and the M1 chip powering all three could potentially be a game-changer for the industry. We'll be interested to see how these new products perform in real-life scenarios, but we'll have to wait to get our hands on them for that.

In the meantime, thanks for reading along and that's all from us tonight!

Apple has announced its latest version of its 13-inch MacBook Pro, which promises  double the storage,  faster performance, and a new  Magic Keyboard for 2020.

The MacBook Pro family is one of the best photo-editing laptops, and is loved by photographers and videomakers the world over. And although some of the best MacBooks have larger screens, the 13-inch baby of the Pro range has a great deal of appeal for those of us that want to carry around their laptop in a messenger bag or camera backpack.

The  13-inch MacBook Pro 2020 doubles the storage offerings across the whole range, so you start with 256GB minimum, with read speeds up to 3 GB/s. But options allow you to set yourself up with a whopping 4TB of SSD storage.

• See also: Best monitors for MacBook Pro

As we would have expected, Apple's new Magic Keyboard makes its way onto the 13-inch model for the first time (having already been incorporated into the latest MacBook Air and 16in MacBook Pro). This replaces the unpopular butterfly keyboard - and is generally accepted as giving a much better typing experience.

In terms of graphics, the news MacBook Pro offers Intel Iris Plus , which is promises 80 percent faster performance over the previous 13-inch MacBook Pro – which will be particularly useful when editing 4K video.

The basic 13in MacBook Pro 2020 comes with quad-core 8th-Gen processor, but there is the option of 10th-Gen quad-core chip with turbo boost speeds up to 4.1GHz. The 13-inch MacBook Pro continues to have two Thunderbolt 3  in its most budget form, and you need to opt for the £1,799/$1,799 configuration if you want four ports.

The starting price  is $1,299 / £1,299 / AU$1,999 for 13-inch model with a 1.4GHz quad-core 8th-Gen Intel Core i5 processor, 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. The new MacBook Pro can be bought now, with shipping due to commence later this week. 

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At a big launch even in New York, Apple has taken the wrappers off of some shiny new products - some of which may well make their way into your kit bag soon.

The biggest for photo-editing nuts is the launch of a new MacBook Air with Retina display. 

Apple has revealed that the new MacBook Air has 50 percent narrower screen bezels around its 13.3-0inch screen. The screen is packing 4 million pixels which is 4x the resolution of the previous Air. And the pixel push means that the screen offers 48% more color reproduction, which is great for those who want to make photo edits.

• Best Macbook Air cases | Best monitors for MacBook Pro

No SD card slot

The Mac doesn't have a Touchbar, like its MacBook Pro counterpart, but has been given 2x USB-C ports and TouchID and much more security. 

As for measurements, the new Air is has 17% less volume than the current one on the market, is 10% thinner and weighs just 2.75 pounds. When it comes to thickness, it's a mere 15.6mm thick at its thickest point. That is impressive and, again, good for the kitbag. 

The new MacBook Air with Retina display is made from 100% recycled aluminium, has a Force Touch trackpad (the keyboard is 3rd gen), comes with 8th-gen Intel chip and up to 16GB RAM. Its storage is up to 1.5TB SSD which means A LOT of pictures. And for those that like to blast music out while editing, the speakers have been made 25% louder.

Unlike previous models, the Air doesn't have an SD card slot (taking a leaf from the new MacBook Pros) so be prepared to add additional accessory adaptors to the price of the thing. 

The MacBook Air with Retina is out November 7th, with pricing from $1,119. 

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