In a sea of various Apple Mac lineups, it can be quite messy to select the right machine for you. There are a lot of elements to consider from hardware to convenience factors to battery life and so on. All of these factors ultimately depend on what you need the Mac for. Your needs can greatly help define what model you need. Together with the budget in mind, we have outlined some of the best Mac computers for different purposes.
Video Editing – 16-inch MacBook Pro
One of the most powerful Mac devices designed by apple is the 16-inch MacBook Pro. It is an excellent partner for any content creator that enjoys video editing. Its internal machine can be outfitted with up to an octa-core Intel i9 processor. In addition, the machine supports up to 64 GB of DDR4 RAM and up to 8 TB of storage. Just the hardware is enough to run some of the best editing software like Autodesk Maya, Maxon Cinema 4D, and Logic Pro X for example.
Outfitted with a Touch Bar, an Esc button, and a 16-inch Retina display, you will be editing videos conveniently in no time. Its audio specifics are not too shabby either with a studio-grade six-speaker sound system. All of these smaller elements go hand in hand with the raw hardware power it offers for photo and video editing. A profession that notoriously requires a powerful machine.
Music Editing – 13-inch MacBook Pro M2
If you are producing music or editing it with a Mac there are some crucial elements to consider. Among these are sound quality, supported software, powerful hardware, and a smaller element which is portability. One of the best devices for music editing has to be the 13-inch MacBook Pro 12. It uses the latest M-series processor which is the M2. Similar to our previous entry this gives the device great performance for any work project.
The display is smaller which is a disadvantage but you do not need as big of a display for music editing anyway and it saves on the cost. The great performance for music editing is showcased through the efficient processing of multiple layered tracks, effects, VSTs, and smooth playback. We advise getting anywhere from 16GB to 24GB of RAM even though the device originally comes with 8. This is crucial for being able to process more complex music projects. The touch bar further increases the accessibility by allowing you to smoothly glide through the timeline.
Gaming – 14-inch MacBook Pro
Now Gaming is another activity that requires raw power from a device. We could recommend the 16-inch again, and this is a completely valid choice, but we want to offer you a cheaper alternative. The 14-inch MacBook Pro is an affordable version of the 16-inch version. It has a smaller display but similar internals for less.
To outfit it for gaming, you need to purchase as much RAM as possible accompanied by a high-core count CPU and a high-core count GPU. The initial purchase is essential as these parts cannot be changed later. When it comes to gaming, cooling is also important so make sure you are playing on a flat surface in a relatively cool area. The hardware specifics are pretty much the same as with the 16-inch version so choose between these two models depending on your budget.
Of course, if your gaming needs do not require powerful hardware you can always get a low-budget and reliable machine like a Mac Mini. These are great for more casual online Mac games like video poker or live casino games.
Programming – MacBook Air
The MacBook Air, specifically the M2 version, is an M2 chip power-boosted model compared to the 2020 model. It is a jack-of-all-trades machine, lighter and more compact than the previous version. It is highly portable and excellent for activities such as programming. The screen is larger than usual for Macs at 13.6 inches with a brighter display and MagSafe support for safe unplugging and plugging. This portability makes it easy to be on the move as a programmer.
Furthermore, the M2 chip is excellent for compiling code and the extra screen space is quite convenient too. The MacBook Air series in general is great for general activities like programming that do not require as much power as gaming or video editing. It is not the most powerful machine as is the case with previous entries but it provides convenience and modest power for a much lower price.
Of course, there are other Mac factors that come into consideration, but these are some of the best Apple machines for different purposes.
