This quiz helps you decide which MacBook fits your work, travel, and budget. Answer a few quick questions about tasks, apps, and screen size to get a clear recommendation with power, battery, and price tips. For extra context, check our MacBook basics quiz or compare phones with the which iPhone should i buy guide.
How often do you travel with your laptop?
I only travel with it occasionally for work trips.
It stays on my desk nearly all the time.
I travel about once a week, balancing power and weight.
I carry it daily and need the lightest, most portable option.
I travel several times a week but still value portability.
What's your maximum budget for purchasing a MacBook?
I'd like to spend a bit more for updated features.
I'll pay top dollar for ultimate performance.
I'm aiming for the lowest price point available.
I can invest in mid-range performance and portability.
I'm okay spending up to premium professional pricing.
Which best describes your primary work tasks?
Web browsing, emails, document editing, and streaming media.
Large-scale 4K video production, simulations, or 3D modeling.
App development, moderate video edits, and spreadsheet work.
Professional photo/video editing, graphic design, and rendering.
Photo touch-ups, presentations, and light multitasking.
How critical is ultra-portability for your daily use?
Very important - I carry it around campus or cafes.
Not too critical - I mostly work from one or two locations.
Not at all - I need high power, not lightness.
Extremely critical - I need the lightest device possible.
Somewhat - I move desks at work or travel weekly.
How important is long battery life on a single charge?
Essential - I go all day without access to outlets.
Not too important - I'm near power most of the day.
Very important - I work remotely or in transit often.
Moderately important - I sometimes unplug for a few hours.
Least important - I mainly use it plugged into power.
How much video editing or motion graphics work do you do?
Frequent 4K edits and motion graphics projects.
None - just occasional clip trimming.
Heavy multi-cam 8K editing and rendering.
Light edits with short clips and transitions.
Regular edits in 1080p with effects.
Do you require multiple external ports and connectivity options?
I need HDMI or SD card slot occasionally.
I rely on several USB-C, HDMI, and SD slots.
No - I'm fine with just wireless connections.
I need every port type for peripherals and displays.
A couple of Thunderbolt or USB-C ports is enough.
How important is having the newest Apple silicon chip?
Somewhat - I prefer recent updates but can compromise.
Very important - I want the latest Pro-grade silicon.
Critical - I demand the fastest chip money can buy.
Important - I like balance of proven and fresh tech.
Not at all - I'm okay with last generation's performance.
Do you use your MacBook for heavy software compiling or data analysis?
No - I mostly use web apps and documents.
Regular coding sessions with medium-sized builds.
Constant high-intensity computing and simulations.
Frequent large builds or complex datasets.
Occasionally small projects or light scripts.
How often do you use GPU-intensive applications or gaming?
Sometimes moderate graphic work or occasional gaming.
Rarely - just casual photo filters or light games.
Extremely - continuous 3D rendering and high-frame gaming.
Never - I don't game or use 3D apps.
Often - regular design, 3D modeling, or serious gaming.
How much do you value the brightest, most color-accurate display?
Low priority - standard display is fine.
Highest - I need professional HDR and wide gamut.
Some priority - nice to have but not essential.
High - I do photo/video and need accurate color.
Moderate - I want good colors for images.
Are you planning to keep your MacBook for many years?
As long as possible with top specs.
Four to five years of high-performance use.
Probably within two to three years.
Around three years before I replace it.
I may upgrade in a year or two.
Is silent, fanless operation important to you?
Not at all - I prioritize maximum cooling power.
Yes - I want no noise at all.
Somewhat - I accept minimal noise under load.
Very - I dislike any fan sound.
Not much - I need performance over silence.
Will you regularly connect to an external monitor?
Often one or two monitors at home.
No - I only use the built-in screen.
Regularly multiple high-res monitors.
Constant docked setup with several 4K screens.
Occasionally one external display via adapter.
Do you work with large datasets or specialized scientific software?
Never - I use basic office and web tools.
Rarely - small CSV files or spreadsheets.
Often heavy statistical or engineering computations.
Constant large-scale simulations and data modeling.
Sometimes medium-sized data analysis projects.
How much internal storage do you think you'll need?
4TB+ for extensive video libraries and backups.
2TB to handle large video and design files.
256GB or less - I use cloud storage primarily.
512GB suits my documents and a few apps.
1TB for photo libraries and moderate media files.
How portable does your daily laptop need to be?
Highly portable but with extra performance.
Portable but I don't mind slight weight.
Ultra-portable - I carry it in a small bag daily.
Moderately portable - fits in a backpack well.
Portability isn't a concern at all.
Do you prioritize raw CPU and GPU performance?
Somewhat - for occasional heavier tasks.
Not really - I need basic responsiveness.
Highly - for pro apps and rendering.
Absolutely - for top-end computational workloads.
Moderately - for regular creative projects.
Which best fits your workstation setup?
Mobile - I work mainly from cafes or lounges.
Hybrid - cafes, home, and office equally.
Home studio and occasional travel.
Dedicated desk setup, rarely move the machine.
Office first but I move desks often.
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MacBook Air M2
You want a sleek design with enhanced performance. The MacBook Air with M2 chip delivers better CPU and graphics, a brighter Liquid Retina display, MagSafe charging, and an updated look. It's ideal if you prioritize ultra-portability but also need extra power for photo editing and multitasking. You'll enjoy its balance of speed and compact form factor.
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MacBook Air M1
You value affordability and portability. The MacBook Air with M1 chip offers long battery life, silent fanless design, and enough power for everyday tasks. It's perfect if you need a reliable companion for browsing, writing, and light work. You'll appreciate its lightweight feel and dependable performance.
MacBook Pro 16-inch
You demand maximum performance for intensive, large-scale projects. The 16-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Max chip offers the biggest display, greatest thermal headroom, and highest GPU throughput. It excels at multi-camera video editing, advanced simulations, and professional software development. You'll appreciate its desktop-class power and immersive visual workspace.
MacBook Pro 14-inch
You need top-tier power for professional creative work on the go. The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro chip features a Liquid Retina XDR display, multiple high-speed ports, and strong GPU capabilities. It's perfect for photo/video editing, 3D rendering, and complex design tasks. You'll love its brilliant screen and exceptional processing headroom.
MacBook Pro 13-inch M2
You seek a blend of portability and sustained performance. The 13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 chip includes active cooling, Touch Bar, and excellent battery life. It's great if you perform moderate video editing, coding, or heavy spreadsheets. You'll benefit from its ability to maintain peak performance over longer workloads.
Profiles
The Creative Powerhouse -
You're all about tackling complex projects, from video editing to 3D rendering, so the MacBook Pro 16-inch with M1 Pro/Max is your ideal match. With its unmatched performance and expansive Liquid Retina XDR display, it's perfect for power users; tip: configure with extra RAM to handle heavy multitasking seamlessly.
The Portable Pro -
You demand professional-level speed on the move, making the MacBook Pro 14-inch the answer to which MacBook is right for me. Balancing portability with power, its compact design and long battery life keep you productive anywhere; quick tip: grab a USB-C hub for maximum connectivity on-the-go.
The Everyday All-Rounder -
If you seek a blend of efficiency and simplicity for daily tasks, the MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2) is your go-to. It handles spreadsheets, coding, and light media work effortlessly; tip: pair it with Apple's Magic Keyboard for an even smoother workflow.
The Ultra-Light Traveler -
For those prioritizing slim design and portability, the MacBook Air 13-inch (M2) answers what type of MacBook should I get. Featherweight and fanless, it delivers impressive performance for on-the-go productivity; pro tip: invest in a sleek sleeve to keep it safe during travel.
The Value-Minded Student -
Budget-savvy yet performance-focused, the MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) is perfect for coursework, online classes, and everyday browsing. It's energy-efficient and cost-effective; tip: include AppleCare+ for extra peace of mind through the academic year.