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We right here at Macworld are at all times providing causes and suggestions for purchasing a brand new Mac—however maintain on! With the Apple Silicon transition in full swing, there’s so much happening with Apple’s desktop and laptop computer computer systems, and if you happen to purchase one now, you would possibly miss out on the following large factor with higher options, improved velocity, and longer battery life. Let’s check out what Macs it is best to assume twice about earlier than shopping for.
Editor’s be aware: Up to date on 10/12/21 the 13- and 16-inch Intel MacBook Professional and Intel Mac mini sections with details about the upcoming Apple “Unleashed” occasion.
Don’t purchase!
13- and 16-inch Intel MacBook Professional
Present customary configurations:
- $1,799: 13-inch 2.0GHz Intel Core i5 Quad-Core Processor, 512GB SSD
- $1,999: 13-inch 2.0GHz Intel Core i5 Quad-Core Processor, 1TB SSD
- $2,399: 16-inch 2.6GHz Intel 6-Core Processor, AMD Radeon Professional 5300M, 512GB SSD
- $2,799: 16-inch 2.3GHz Intel 8-Core Processor, AMD Radeon Professional 5500M, 1TB SSD
Doable upcoming alternative: 14- and 16-inch M1 Professional MacBook Professional (2021)
Roman Loyola/IDG
Our recommendation: If a MacBook Professional is in your plans, it’s in your greatest curiosity to attend a minimum of till after October 18. A number of experiences have said that Apple might launch new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Professionals in the course of the “Unleashed” occasion. These laptops will in all probability have the next-generation Apple silicon chip, the M1X, and it ought to provide a pleasant efficiency increase over the primary Apple silicon laptops, the M1-equipped 13-inch MacBook Professional and MacBook Air. Apple might additionally outfit these laptops with mini-LED shows, extra ports, a magnetic energy adapter, and a greater FaceTime digicam. These are a variety of new options—purchase an Intel-based MacBook Professional now, and also you’ll have critical purchaser’s regret later.
21.5-inch Intel iMac
Present customary configuration:
- $1,099: 21.5-inch 2.3GHz Twin-Core Intel Processor, 256GB SSD
Doable upcoming alternative: None.
Our recommendation: This iMac was initially launched in March 2019 and has not been up to date since then. Apple retains this mannequin as its low-price providing ($1,099), however the firm doesn’t make it very seen on its web site—it’s a must to use Apple’s examine Mac web site to search out and purchase it. Because it’s so outdated, we don’t advocate shopping for this iMac even if you happen to’re searching for the most affordable all-in-one. It’s higher to attend and save an extra $200 to get the entry-level 24-inch M1 iMac, or purchase a $699 Mac mini with an exterior show, keyboard, and mouse.
27-inch Intel iMac
Present customary configurations:
- $1,799: 3.1GHz Intel 6-Core Processor, 256GB SSD, Retina 5K Show
- $1,999: 3.3GHz Intel 6-Core Processor, 512GB SSD, Retina 5K Show
- $2,299: 3.8GHz Intel 8-Core Processor, 512GB SSD, Retina 5K Show
Doable upcoming alternative: 27-inch M1 Professional/M1Max iMac (2022)
Roman Loyola/IDG
Our recommendation: Stories say that Apple will exchange the 27-inch Intel-based iMac with a design that’s much like the 24-inch mannequin, with a a lot bigger display screen. A lot of the display screen measurement enhance is a results of smaller bezels, so a 32-inch iMac may very well be near the identical total measurement because the 27-inch mannequin. The Apple processor may very well be an M1X or M2X; both chip shall be quicker than the M1 within the 24-inch iMac and the present Intel iMac. And the larger iMac might have extra ports. The one drawback is that we’ll in all probability not see a brand new large-screen iMac till 2022, and experiences haven’t been very particular concerning the timeline. Even with a longish wait, however we extremely recommend you maintain out.
Intel Mac mini
Present customary configurations:
- $1,099: 3.0GHz Intel Core i5 6-Core Processor with Intel UHD Graphics 630, 512GB SSD
Doable upcoming alternative: M1 Professional Mac mini (2021/2022)
Our recommendation: Don’t purchase the $1,099 Mac mini with an Intel CPU. Stories have mentioned that this mannequin will get upgraded with the identical speedy M1X Apple chip that may even be within the upcoming 14- and 16-inch MacBook Professionals. The M1X Mac mini may very well be unveiled on the “Unleashed” Apple occasion on October 18, so wait a minimum of till that day. There have additionally been rumors that this new Mac mini may have a slimmer, redesigned case and still have 4 Thunderbolt ports as a substitute of two. However the swap to dramatically quicker Apple silicon alone is sufficient to look ahead to a brand new mannequin.
You would possibly wish to wait
13-inch M1 MacBook Professional
Present customary configurations:
- $1,299: Apple M1 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU, 256GB SSD
- $1,499: Apple M1 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU, 512GB SSD
Doable upcoming alternative: 14-inch MacBook Professional (2021); MacBook Air (2022)
Our recommendation: The 13-inch M1 MacBook Professional was launched final November, nearly a 12 months in the past, and with experiences of a brand new 14-inch mannequin on the best way, it’s not clear what the long run holds for Apple’s smallest MacBook Professional. We don’t know if Apple will discontinue the 13-inch M1 MacBook Professional, however with a near-identical processor, show, and ports because the MacBook Air, it doesn’t appear as if the 13-inch MacBook Professional is lengthy for this world, particularly with a brand new MacBook Air doubtless on the best way. The 13-inch MacBook Professional is a superb performer, however until you may get one at a deep low cost, you would possibly as effectively simply get the MacBook Air.
M1 MacBook Air
Present customary configurations:
- $999: Apple M1 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 7-Core GPU, 256GB SSD
- $1,249: Apple M1 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU, 512GB SSD
Doable upcoming alternative: Redesigned MacBook Air with M2 chip (2022)
Our recommendation: Regardless that we simply beneficial the MacBook Air over the 13-inch MacBook Professional, it’s been nearly a 12 months because it was final up to date with the M1 chip. It’s nonetheless a great worth, and if it’s in your procuring checklist, you received’t be dissatisfied along with your buy. Nonetheless, there are sturdy rumors that Apple shall be updating the Air with a whole redesign, however experiences say that it could not occur till mid-to late-2022. Nevertheless it may be well worth the wait—the following Air might have a mini-LED show an M2 chip, and are available in quite a lot of colours. Nonetheless, even when value is your precedence, you’ll actually get your cash’s value out of the present MacBook Air by the point the brand new one comes round.
M1 Mac mini
Present customary configurations:
- $699: Apple M1 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU, 256GB SSD
- $899: Apple M1 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU, 512GB SSD
Doable upcoming alternative: M1X Mac mini
Our recommendation: Apple launched the $699 and $899 M1 Mac minis in November of 2020. We actually just like the $699 mannequin and it doubtless received’t be upgraded within the subsequent few months, so that you don’t must hesitate to drag the set off on shopping for one. However with a brand new high-end mannequin doubtless on the best way (see above), Apple could improve the present mannequin with a quicker chip and a brand new case as effectively inside the subsequent few months.
You’re secure for some time
24-inch M1 iMac
Present customary configurations:
- $1,299: Apple M1 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 7-Core GPU, 256GB SSD
- $1,499: Apple M1 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU, 256GB SSD
- $1,699: Apple M1 Chip with 8-Core CPU and 8-Core GPU, 512GB SSD
Doable upcoming alternative: None.
Our recommendation: The 24-inch M1 iMac was launched this previous spring, so it’s not going to be up to date for some time. Until you wish to wait for a bigger show, the M1 iMac will fulfill your entire all-on-one wants for years to return.
Mac Professional
Present customary configurations:
$5,999: 3.5GHz 8‑core Intel Xeon W processor, Radeon Professional 580X, 32GB of RAM, 256GB SSD
Doable upcoming alternative: Apple silicon-based Mac Professional (2022/2023)
Our recommendation: The Mac Professional goes to be the final Mac that Apple switches over to its personal processors. Apple mentioned its transition would take two years, and it began in November of 2020. We in all probability received’t see the announcement Mac Professional with Apple silicon till late 2022 on the earliest. Nonetheless, that new Mac Professional may very well be a processing beast with a 20- or 40-core processor, so if you happen to don’t want one until then, your endurance shall be rewarded. However when you’ve got the cash and wish to take a position now, accomplish that with out regrets. You’re getting probably the most highly effective Mac cash can purchase.
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