Choosing the right Mac for you

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MacBook
This is the portable Mac for people who don't want to have to make too many decisions. First you choose the color - silver, gold, or space gray - and then you choose how much storage.

256GB MacBook:
- 12-inch 2304 x 1440 resolution LED-backlit display
- 1.1GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor
- 256GB of PCI-express storage
- 8GB of RAM
- Intel HD 5300 graphics
- Single USB-C port (for charging and connectivity)
- 9-hour battery life
512GB MacBook:
- 12-inch 2304 x 1440 resolution LED-backlit display
- 1.2GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor
- 512GB of PCI-express storage
- 8GB of RAM
- Intel HD 5300 graphics
- Single USB-C port (for charging and connectivity)
- Weighs in at 2.03lb
- 9-hour battery life
Price:
- 256GB model: Starting at $1,299, to $1,549 fully upgraded (processor upgrade)
- 512GB model: Starting at $1,599, to $1,749 fully upgraded (processor upgrade)
The MacBook is ideal for: General-purpose computing.
Published: January 14, 2016 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
MacBook Air
The MacBook Air is a step up from the MacBook. There are more options to choose from, more connectivity options, more battery life on the bigger version, and yet this comes in at a cheaper price.
Here are the models:

11-inch MacBook Air
- 11.6-inch 1366 x 768 LED-backlit display
- 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 or 2.2GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor
- 128GB of PCI-express storage
- 4GB of RAM
- Intel HD 6000 graphics
- 2 x USB 3, Thunderbolt 2
- Weighs in at 2.38lb
- 9-hour battery life
Price:
- 128GB model: Starting at $899, to $1,149 fully upgraded (processor and RAM upgrade)
- 256GB model: Starting at $999, to $1,649 fully upgraded (processor, RAM and storage upgrade)
13-inch MacBook Air
- 13.3-inch 1440 x 900 LED-backlit display
- 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 or 2.2GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor
- 4GB of RAM
- Intel HD 6000 graphics
- 2 x USB 3, Thunderbolt 2, SDXC
- Weighs in at 2.96lb
- 12-hour battery life
Price:
- 128GB model: Starting at $1,099, to $1,249 fully upgraded (processor and RAM upgrade)
- 258GB model: Starting at $1,199, to $1,749 fully upgraded (processor, RAM and storage upgrade)
The MacBook Air is ideal for: General-purpose computing. Small screen favour portability, but the larger screen allows the owner to get more done. The Core i7 processor allows this diminutive system to pack quite a punch. Also, the Air is Apple's cheapest portable system.
Published: January 14, 2016 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
MacBook Pro
We're now into the realm of a portable system that offers desktop levels of performance. These systems can handle pretty much anything you care to throw at them.

13-inch MacBook Pro
- 13.3-inch 1280 x 800 LED-backlit display
- 2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
- 4GB of RAM
- Intel HD 4000 graphics
- 500GB hard drive (SSD upgrades available)
- 2 x USB 3, Thunderbolt, FireWire, Ethernet, SDXC, and optical drive
- Weighs in at 4.5lb
- 7-hour battery life
Price:
- Starting at $1,099, to $1,999 fully upgraded (processor, RAM, and storage upgrade)
13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display
There are three models:
- 2.7GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 with 128GB of PCI-express storage
- 2.7GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 with 256GB of PCI-express storage
- 2.9GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 with 512GB of PCI-express storage
Apart from these differences, they are identical:
- 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600 LED-backlit display
- 8GB of RAM
- Intel Iris 6100 graphics
- Force Touch trackpad
- 2 x USB 3, 2 x Thunderbolt 2, HDMI, SDXC
- Weighs in at 3.48lb
- 10-hour battery life
Price:
- Starting at $1,299, to $2,699 fully upgraded (processor, RAM, and storage upgrade)
15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display
There are two models:
- 2.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 with 256GB of PCI-express storage Intel Iris Pro graphics
- 2.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 with 512GB of PCI-express storage and combination Intel Iris Pro and AMD Radeon R9 M370X graphics
Apart from these differences, they are identical:
- 15.4-inch 2880 x 1800 LED-backlit display
- 16GB of RAM
- Intel Iris 6100 graphics
- Force Touch trackpad
- 2 x USB 3, 2 x Thunderbolt 2, HDMI, SDXC
- Weighs in at 4.49lb
- 9-hour battery life
Price:
- Starting at $1,999, to $3,199 fully upgraded (processor and storage upgrade)
The MacBook Pro is ideal for: Users who want a portable system that offers desktop levels of performance, and where portability isn't high on the agenda.
Published: January 14, 2016 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
iMac
Apple's premier desktop offering. Power, performance, and an awesome display, all in one sleek package.

iMac 21.5-inch
There are three models:
- 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 with Intel HD Graphics 6000
- 2.8GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200
- 3.1GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200
Apart from these differences, they are identical:
- 21.5-inch 1920 x 1080 LED-backlit display
- 8GB of RAM
- 1TB hard drive
- 4 x USB 3, 2 x Thunderbolt 2, Ethernet, SDXC
Price:
- Starting at $1,099, to $1,928 fully upgraded (processor, RAM, storage and peripheral upgrade)
iMac 27-inch
There are three models:
- 3.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with 1TB hard drive and AMD Radeon R9 M380 graphics
- 3.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with 1TB Fusion drive and AMD Radeon R9 M390 graphics
- 3.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with 2TB Fusion drive and AMD Radeon R9 M395 graphics
Apart from these differences, they are identical:
- 27-inch 5120 x 2880 LED-backlit display
- 8GB of RAM
- 4 x USB 3, 2 x Thunderbolt 2, Ethernet, SDXC
Price:
- Starting at $1,799, to $4,228 fully upgraded (processor, RAM, storage and peripheral upgrade)
The iMac is ideal for: Ideal replacement for a PC and where portability isn't a factor.
Published: January 14, 2016 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
Mac Pro
Apple's monster workstation Mac. These systems can handle anything you care to throw at them!

Quad-core
- 3.7GHz quad-core Intel Xeon E5
- 12GB of RAM
- Dual AMD FirePro D300 graphics
- 256GB PCI-express storage
- 4 x USB 3, 6 x Thunderbolt 2, 2 x Ethernet, HDMI
Price:
- Starting at $2,999, to $4,228 fully upgraded (processor, RAM, storage and peripheral upgrade)
6-core
- 3.5GHz quad-core Intel Xeon E5
- 16GB of RAM
- Dual AMD FirePro D500 graphics
- 256GB PCI-express storage
- 4 x USB 3, 6 x Thunderbolt 2, 2 x Ethernet, HDMI
Price:
- Starting at $3,999, to $9,728 fully upgraded (processor, RAM, storage and peripheral upgrade)
The Mac Pro is ideal for: Those who want the ultimate OS X workstation.
Published: January 14, 2016 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
Mac mini
Apple's smallest Mac.

1.4GHz Mac mini
- 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
- 4GB of RAM
- 500GB hard drive
- Intel HD Graphics 5000
2.6GHz Mac mini
- 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
- 8GB of RAM
- 1TB hard drive
- Intel Iris Graphics
2.8GHz Mac mini
- 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
- 8GB of RAM
- 1TB Fusion drive
- Intel Iris Graphics
Price:
- Starting at $499, to $2,199 fully upgraded (processor, RAM, and storage upgrade)
The Mac mini is ideal for: Those who want a small desktop Mac without the huge displays. Ideal for those upgrading from Windows PCs had have their own monitor and peripherals. Apple's cheapest desktop system.
Published: January 14, 2016 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

1 of 6 NEXT PREV

Here's everything you need to know if you're planning on buying a new Mac.

MacBook

This is the portable Mac for people who don't want to have to make too many decisions. First you choose the color - silver, gold, or space gray - and then you choose how much storage.

256GB MacBook:

12-inch 2304 x 1440 resolution LED-backlit display
1.1GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor
256GB of PCI-express storage
8GB of RAM
Intel HD 5300 graphics
Single USB-C port (for charging and connectivity)
9-hour battery life

512GB MacBook:

12-inch 2304 x 1440 resolution LED-backlit display
1.2GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor
512GB of PCI-express storage
8GB of RAM
Intel HD 5300 graphics
Single USB-C port (for charging and connectivity)
Weighs in at 2.03lb
9-hour battery life

Price:

256GB model: Starting at $1,299, to $1,549 fully upgraded (processor upgrade)
512GB model: Starting at $1,599, to $1,749 fully upgraded (processor upgrade)

The MacBook is ideal for: General-purpose computing.

Published: January 14, 2016 -- 13:14 GMT (05:14 PST)

Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

1 of 6 NEXT PREV

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Choosing the right Mac for you

MacBook

MacBook Air

MacBook Pro

iMac

Mac Pro

Mac mini

MacBook

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