This breakdown is focused on the MacBooks currently for sale on Apples website.

Buying used is a great way to pick up a solid MacBook for a very reasonable price.

(Note: When discussing pricing, Im going off of Apples MSRP.

It ships with the M2 chip, the next generation of Apple silicon.

In addition to the new chip, this MacBook Air sports a refreshed design.

Gone is the devices signature wedge-shaped chassis, replaced with a look that resembles an ultra-thin MacBook Pro.

To some, the best new feature is the return of MagSafe for magnetic charging (thank goodness).

TheM2 MacBook Airseems like a no-brainer, until it comes time to configure it.

The base model ships with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB hard drive.

If you choose to increase the GPU from eight cores to 10, thats another $100.

Apples not playing around here with pricing; even the MacBook Air is an expensive machine these days.

Another drawback is the Airs fanless build.

Apple chose to let the MacBook Air cool passively, meaning the heat moves out on its own.

Thats not a bad thing: For most workflows, passive cooling keeps things humming along fine.

However, under intensive workloads, this method of cooling shows its limits.

Again, however, thats under sustained, intensive workloads.

An M2 will perform fine under smaller loads.

Apple has a solution for you thatnoanonymous internet commenter will recommend: The M2 MacBook Pro.

The workhorse:M2 MacBook Pro($1,299)

TheM2 MacBook Prois an interesting machine.

Theres also no MagSafe, which is confounding.Why, Apple?

What Apple decided to keep, however, is the controversial Touch Bar.

The big difference is the Pro has fans.

Heres the kicker: The M2 Pro is $100 more than the Air.

That places you in one of two camps.

Really, theyre just mad when people dont listen to their advice.

Always buy the machine that fitsyourneeds best, and ignore the haters.

Even though the M2 chips are newer than theM1 ProandM1 Max, the latter are still superior SoCs.

However, Apples current pricing for M2 devices makes this situation a bit more complicated.

Applecurrently sells a 14-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro on its refurbished storefor $1,799, only $100 more.

You might find a better laptop than you ever thought you could without breaking your budget.

So, which MacBook should you buy?

If not, youll be happy with the Air.

The extra $100 will net you a significant upgrade over Apples M2 offerings.