My Top 5 Macs of the Apple Silicon Era!

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This has been really tough, but I’ve managed to pick my top five favourite Macs of the Apple silicon generation. Will it be the M1 iMac? What about the M1 MacBook Air? Does the M3 chip get a look in? What about the MacBook Pro? Let’s get stuck in!
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CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
01:28 - 5th place
02:56 - 4th place
04:19 - 3rd place
05:59 - 2nd place
07:14 - The winner is…

[@MarkEllisReviews]

What’s your favourite Apple silicon Mac?

[@autoacepro]

What’s the price for the MacBook 16”? I have a MacBook Pro 15.4”, with the Intel version, i9-9900, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Touch Bar, and want to go for the apple silicon. But it’s a bit hard with the prices out there.

[@lulesi9607]

There is no doubt, the Macbook Air 13 M2 with 16GB/1TB. What a pretty fantastic maschine.

[@Hammerfest-ot2yh]

Macbook Air m1. Hehe, I commented before watching video, and on the end of video I see we have same opinion :D

[@craigsketo]

Mine is the same as yours, I just watched your video on exactly the same machine, I do have an entry level M2 Mac mini as well which I use every day for web design and coding but the MacBook air is just a beautiful thing that I recommend to everyone who will listen lol

[@robertthurow9438]

MacBook Air M1 Base model is my first Mac after decades of Windows laptops. Best buy ever. In almost all aspects better than Windows models. Build quality, speed, battery, design, keyboard, trackpad, … M1 made the difference. So impressive and greatest value for money. It is in business usage every day. Now I need more SSD space … what shall I do? Again the Air M1 with 512GB or upgrade to M2 15’’ for productivity boost? What is your recommendation?

[@dimakonstanta1868]

1st place - brilliant choice!

[@danield1219]

Love the M1 Air - best laptop I’ve had for a long time

[@PeterSmith-yj6of]

Bought my M1 MBA 512gb storage 8 Gb unified memory on your recommendation…and have never looked back! No lag, no waiting, instant response, love it to bits! Great choice for 1st place Mark! 👍

[@Mbro-dq2do]

Great video Mark!!

[@williamburkholder769]

I absolutely agree with your choices. Earlier today, I ordered a refurbished 2020 M1 MacBook Air, 8 CPU, 8 GPU, 16 NPU, 16 GB memory, 1TB storage for my wife. I bought the exact same thing 28 months ago, for myself, and it has been worth every penny of the price. IMHO, it's one of Apple's classics. I cannot choke it with anything I need to do. I use it as my main computer, for photo processing in Lightroom Classic and Photoshop, for video edits in Final Cut Pro, and for all my general computing needs (MS 360, and all the Apple apps). It just works.

[@Applecore365]

5. Mac Studio M1 Max 4. Mac Mini M2 Pro 3. MacBook Air 13 M2 2. MacBook Pro 14 M1 Pro 1. MacBook Air 15 M2 My list ^

[@ernes4994]

i also have a macbook air m1 and till this day never disappointed me. I've been using it for 2,5 maybe 3 years and it still holds up, battery life is still great.

[@asan1050]

Mark Thanks Much!

[@TechJeofTV07]

I just purchased macbook pro 14” 2021 M1 Pro 16gb 1TB this 2023, but still a beast, the pro motion I loved it and battery performance 😀

[@TheEBrig]

I really loved the M1 MBA and I got it when it came out and was blown away! I wound up upgrading to an M1 MBP about year later when the base model was on sale for $1,599. Now that I have 16GB of RAM and the Mini LED display, that is my favorite Mac of the Apple Silicon era, but I cannot argue with your choice at all, great machine, and I would dare say maybe the most VALUE Apple has ever put out there specific to what you got for how much you paid (base model M1 MBA).

[@murtazachaudhary3339]

Nice video

[@PaulJacobs51]

Mark, I also have an M1 Mac mini 16Gb, and it is totally awesome, and you are right I cannot make it sweat. I am a web developer, and it handles everything I throw at it including virtual machines and docker containers.. So glad I purchased it...

[@1BSDjunkie]

A great top 5 indeed Mark! Mine are different. I have the M1 iPad Pro with 2TB (that I’ll never use), an M1 Mac Studio with 2T and 32G memory and Studio Display with up down and (used to call it Matt Finish) screen. Couldn’t be happier! Just a casual user/gamer here.

[@medhavimiddha9882]

Hey Mark, I have never used stickers on my Macs but would love to. Do the stickers leave a residue? I have a Space Gray M1 MBP 14”.

[@gentleboy]

I upgraded from my 2017 MacBook Pro to the Mac Mini with M2 Pro (base) this summer after university and it has been lovely! Not more crashing or freezing Adobe apps, and all for much less then my MacBook was back in its day.

[@PolluxChung]

I still have the M1 (16GB RAM + 512GB SSD) Mac Mini. I bought it as a stopgap when my then 7-years old trash can no longer worked for me anymore. And I was shocked how well that "lowly" Mini performed. It's now used as a backup machine since I got my Mac Studio. This Mini, IMO, is the best bang-for-the-buck among all the Macs I have ever used. I just extended AppleCare on it and it should serve me fine for another 2 years.

[@amirulizzat7395]

I currently owned the M1 Macbook pro 13 with 8gb ram & 512gb storage. It was my first macbook after using a couple of windows laptop and wow its such an awesome machine for my use case. The battery was fantastic lasting me well over working hours, the performance was great given it is running using an arm base soc and one additional perks for me is the touchbar which i use to scrup videos & to skip youtube ads 😂. Im gonna miss the touchbar and well i might as well keep on using my macbook for as long as i can.

[@pythonantole9892]

Based on your reviews I bought the base M1 Air late in June open box off eBay for $699. I do some web dev freelancing and it has been the best value for money. It has replaced my ThinkPad and it has been a joy to use.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Awesome to hear!

[@hhoebeke1]

The M1 Air is indeed the deserved winner - what a machine it is..! And a great selection.. the one I am missing in your list is the Air 15 inch as I think it redefines the MacBook line-up considerably, making a large screen Mac accessible to most consumers...

[@tonyb92681]

I’m looking forward to your 24 GB M3 iMac review. That is probably going to be my next Mac. My current 2019 27” is slowly dying a slow and painful unalivement.

[@david9points]

I've currently got 2 macs, one Intel Mac Mini from 2012 - still going strong, but showing signs of slowing down, like me. My other is the base M1 Macbook Air, 8GB and 256Gb. Well worth the money I paid for it and very pleased with it.

[@dennisud]

I'm retired now and simply don't have the room for the M1 or M3 iMac, or I would LOVE to have one here. But my 16 gig M1 Mac Mini with a 32" Monitor makes the iMac redundant. I also have the M1 MacBook Air which I waited for "3 years" to get it new and at a great price this past August. So I agree with you on your picks here! So I have your #1 & #2 on your list working well and actually typing this post on the Air! 😁

[@adamburke4738]

I’m still using the M1 Mac Mini, it’s gotten me through uni for three years now, multiple applications, windows, and chrome tabs haven’t made it sweat. Also still on the Intel MacBook Pro 13 inch but hopefully the M3 comes to the 15 inch MacBook Air soon.

[@ricksmith3628]

I bought a 2021 M1 iMac, slightly upgraded to the four ports on the back and the Ethernet power adapter. Use it every day for work and personal stuff, never a problem AT ALL. I love Apple products, but this is the most problem free Mac I've owned. So enamored of the M1 chip that I bought an M1 iPad Air last year as well!

[@bzzerc]

I can't wait for the M3 mac mini myself or maybe I will get the M3 Pro mac mini instead this time round.

[@jorisvanbalkom7518]

I’m curious, I’ve got an intel 16gb ram. I’m working dual screen everywhere. Do you agree on a base m3 pro? Or 18gb m3 pro? Based on the 16gb

[@ExistentialPerplexity]

Yay! I actually have the bae version of the M1 Macbook Air (was my first jump to Apple in terms of a laptop and it is still my go to over my windows laptop)

[@Tech-Amigo]

I have the base model M2 Mac Mini and that is a best for my video editing and some gaming! But I LOVE my M2 MacBook Air base model!!

[@squibblespawpaw7124]

Love my M1 Mac Mini!

[@guyjordan8201]

We just got a 16” m2max with 64GB unified and 2TB storage- a magnificent machine

[@Jason_N_Paradise]

This was a great countdown and awesome video, my favorite Apple Silicon has to be my M1 Pro 16' MacBook Pro it is the best piece of tech I have owned since my 2019 27' iMac, I love the performance, the mobility and the amazing design. It's the only one in the Apple silicone that gets me happy every time I'm using it. 👍👍

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Thank you!

[@arlencarlson]

Same with me. 16” M1 Pro MBP first, and M2 MB Air in second place.

[@bab1671]

I've had a number of Intel and M series Macs over the years, but my favorite by far is the 15" M2 MBAir. I upgraded memory and SSD,

[@D37fit]

What colour did you go with?

[@davidjacobs6244]

My favourites are the M3 iMac, (in Yellow) a big speed upgrade from my Intel 27” iMac from 2017 and the M2 MacBook Air 13” that I got last year when it first came out.Would have loved the 15” for the bigger screen but couldn’t justify the upgrade so soon afterwards.The Pro MacBooks are overkill for my use and the ones I’ve got do everything I need.

[@DrumsbyAshWells]

My M1 ultra 32 GB Mac studio is the best computer I’ve ever owned. Second place for me is my M2, MacBook Air, 15 inch. It’s beautiful in midnight

[@janscott9151]

8GB with 512GB SSD M1 MBA is all the Mac I will ever need. Love it to bits. And I love the wedge shape.

[@gatodelaspampas]

Great video concept, Mark. I really enjoyed it. Does the base model M2 Pro Mac Mini not have 512 GB of SSD space?

[@denisleblanc4506]

I was going to mention that yes the base one has 512 Gig SSD.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Glad you enjoyed it. And yes it does!

[@denisleblanc4506]

I got the base M2 Pro Mini more for some futur proofing. It's been very good with one bug. My trackpad would go a little crazy and oversensitive maybe once a month. A restart would fix this but is hard to do with a crazy trackpad. Haven't noticed it lately. I also noticed you have to turn of the bluetooth keyboard and trackpad before you shut down the computer or they will not reconnect on start up properly. If you do this, after startup they will connect properly when you turn them on.@@MarkEllisReviews

[@parster2010]

I have 1st and 2nd exact same specs😊

[@OregonDad]

I'm not an all in Apple person. I had an iPad and Air Pods but that was it. When I started splicing together 2 hour long softball videos from GoPro footage I needed a better tool so I purchased the M1 Mac Mini, base model. That was a couple of years ago and that is what I'm using to writeup this comment. It is a wonderful machine and I have had no issues with it as all. When I replace it, it will be with another Mac Mini.

[@marcustmusic]

I only had one Mac and that’s the M1 MacBook Air. I have done some YT video editing and Logic Pro music making and it’s been real solid.

[@bklyncyclist]

My one and only experience is with the M1 MBA in base config. And that experience isn't good. I have twins and I bought each of them one of these to replace their broken 2016 MBPs where the screens would go out, and with the butterfly kb that jammed so easily. Both of those MBPs had both of those issues. After I bought each of them the new M1 MBAs I brought both of the older computers to Apple and they repaired them free of charge under whatever program it was. (and they weren't repaired, they were swapped.) So now, having bought two new M1 MBAs, they again BOTH experienced the same problem, the screens cracked in what we would call ordinary use. They weren't dropped, they weren't hit with a baseball bat, and they weren't in some luggage. One of them was closed for the evening and when it was opened the next day it was cracked, the other had a bracelet on and it touched the screen and boom. I had one fixed and it costs half the price of a new one, which is pretty steep. I decided not to fix the other and instead buy a used M2 15" MBA to replace it, and I use the cracked one myself with a 27" UHD monitor to run my cycling app. It's pretty nice this way but no longer portable. For portability I use one of the old MBPs. And what am I typing on right now? A late 2015 27" 5k iMac. It's still too nice to give up even if slow compared to the M1. I'm still waiting on Apple to repair these computers. They were sued but I haven't heard anything about it.

[@Halo9K]

Mark, your M2 Pro stress tests helped me choose the M2 Pro MM base model as a replacement for my Intel MM which I gave to my son. To be clear, I will never ever be doing anything like you and thus I see my new MM as my very long term computer. Icing on the cake is that I got $100 off via Best Buy price matching! So, it cost me $1199 plus tax. Not bad! So far, I really like it. I just wish the Pro came in Space Gray!

[@flanerpete2040]

Base M2 Max Studio gets my vote!

[@francisstellitano9801]

iMac M3 thus far. Mine is 16GB memory with 1TB SSD; it is quite snappy.

[@Hektormydog]

Not sure I missed something and you did touch on it with the MBP 16” M1 being too large… the 2021 MBP 14” M1 base model has it all; ports, display, power, portability, design. It has enough RAM, [enough and] fast storage, the display is gorgeous and out puts to 2 external displays, SD card slot.., basically everything you need in a laptop at a reasonable price.

[@Hektormydog]

Oh ya, it also runs cool and quiet, I've never heard the fans.

[@genericreference6969]

One thing - doesn’t the Mac Mini M2 Pro come with 512 GB RAM, not 256 GB?

[@jasongriffiths6522]

I absolutely love my m1 MacBook Air ❤

[@Qoonutz]

I love my M2 Pro Mac Mini.

[@KevinMillard68]

the m2 mac mini pro base is 16x512 not 16x 256

[@greccoox]

I think your mac mini pro base model 4th place is 512GB not 256G. By the way your stress test video for music production, you should receive a golden plate for that video cause was so good, and fun you trying to break the thing and was not possible 😂Epic!

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Yep, sounds like I made an error there! Thanks for the kind words, too 😆

[@jasonliles2629]

m1 MacBook Air love it still going strong.

[@chennyye28]

I thought your top pick would be MacBook Pro 14 inch, but glad to see the MacBook Air M1.

[@jim_bocho]

Could only be the M1 Air. Just had to give back my M1 Pro 16" Macbook Pro I had as a loaner and picked up an M1 Air to also replace my M1 Ipad Pro. Still a magnificent machine, especially used (needed 512GB and also went for 16GB).

[@RamonVaqueroImage]

Completely agree, M1 MBA is the best balanced Apple Silicon product.

[@irensaga561]

My M1 MacBook Air is still going strong. Best computer I ever had.

[@Applecompuser]

Apple lap tops are amazing now. I think long term (there is economic woes at present), this is going to be strong area for Apple. As with most purchases however, no need to buy latest and greatest. Big money to be saved if you wait a year or so after release. PS In my eyes, bigger monitor on MBP is better, but I am sure there are valid exceptions. PSS I hope Apple brings back the larger iMacs, but I can see why there might be a delay. I can't get excited about one of those for me.

[@Eric-qi9us]

I never knew I was "Pro" until I got myself a MacBook Air

[@DojoOfCool]

Your #5 us is my #1 MBP M1 Max with 32GB RAM and 4TB storage purchased used so price was better than a M3 or same config. My only regret is it is a 14" and for the audio work I do the 16" would be so much better. My #2 is Macbook Air M2 13". Being I came from working as a SysAdmin for 35+ year I was used to buying fully tricked out computers so buying a entry level MacBook was strange for me, but the MacBook Air M2 24GB RAM and d2TB storage is an incredible computer extremely portable. Also MacBook Pros have great screen and speaker system so for me that's hard to pass. I wouldn't by any base model Mac bump up the RAM to at least 16GB. Apple only puts 8GB of RAM so their base prices compared to other computer isn't so scary, but you you really need at least 16GB so you don't lose performance due to the computer swapping.

[@bort7258]

After owning Macs since the PowerBook G4 days, I think the Apple Silicon Era Macs are easily the best Macs ever made, not just this era. Best Value Computer (Mac or Windows) EVER: M1 MacBook Air base model. Especially in year 2 or 3 when the pricing has dropped. Best Every Day Laptop Mac EVER: 15 inch M2 MacBook Air in 16GB RAM variant. Best Pound for Pound / Inch for Inch Desktop Mac EVER: M2 Pro Mac Mini

[@boredgrass]

How would this lineup turn out if you had to take into account the performance of Bluetooth and Wifi?

[@adamburke4738]

What’s your point? I’m very confused.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

It would be the same.

[@boredgrass]

@@MarkEllisReviews Hey thanks for the reply! But does Bluetooth and Wifi work on the M2 Mac Mini?

[@rockstar6790]

I'm not surprised that M1 MacBook Air took the top spot. As an owner of an M1 MacBook Air, it has replaced my iPad Pro as my main companion. It's the perfect MacBook for anyone who wants to experience using macOS for the first time. I'm also impressed with the battery life that I don't charged it so often due to how well it retain its battery charge.

[@thomasbain3013]

Number one looks like a 15 inch screen. How about the 13 inch?

[@irensaga561]

A 15 inch M1 MacBook Air isn't a thing.

[@Variel007]

M2 Macbook air. M1 was great too but the modern design put M2 air over the top.

[@Mbro-dq2do]

Ive got the M1 Mac Air but the 512GB version thats 8/8 8core cpu and 8 core gpu. Its amazing. It will easily last a decade. I have a collections of Mint unibody Macs that Ive open core legacied to Ventura and even those things run perfectly anbd are still VERY usable today with Ventura patching. So an M1 Mac. Fuck man skys the limit.

[@Legendary_noob123]

Hi

[@CO8848_2]

The only macbook 95% people need is the m1 macbook air. That's the only mac I ever recommend to people, and really the only computer I recommend to people, including over the $500 mac mini m2, by a large margin. The other stuff, extraneous, you don't need it, you don't really want it.

[@medunkt]

M1 MacBook Air, 512GB, SSD 8Gb unified memory.

[@sglatitude]

Brand new 14” MBP with M3 Pro 12 core CPU and 18 core GPU, 36GB RAM and 1 TB SSD cost $200 more than refurbished 14” MBP with M2 Max with 12 core CPU and 30 core GPU, 32 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD. Which one should one choose between the two? 🤔🤭

[@gefthetalkingmongoose]

Disagree about the maxed-out M3 iMac: You only need 24gb if you're doing creative work, and if you're doing creative work a 24" screen is too small.

[@jimtipton8888]

I think if we're all honest, our first M chip computer will always hold a very special place in our heart. Mine was a M1 Max 10/24/32/2TB in space gray. It was marvelous and everything I always thought a computer should be. Powerful, great screen, all day battery, just a sexy beast! Unfortunately for me, it was the wrong size (thermals blah blah blah). I'm really loving the younger computer who replaced her!🤪 The space black M3 Pro MBP 12/18/18/1TB. Both are exceptional devices.

[@jimtipton8888]

@@mavfan1 🤣

[@RealtyWebDesigners]

M1 max

[@alvilda09]

my winner is MacBook Pro M1 13"

[@Legendary_noob123]

Hihihiha

[@elphidieus]

You can pick your least favorite “child” and send it my way…

[@MarkEllisReviews]

I really hope you’re talking about the Macs.