The end of the year is the time to upgrade your Mac or buy your first Apple computer. As always, in the lineup of Apple devices everything is very confusing and it will be difficult to immediately choose a computer for an untrained user.
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We offer a guide to choosing a poppy for the New Year 2025.
Briefly:
Apple Desktops
There are two rules when choosing a Mac today:
Forget about processor-powered Macs Intel and even on chips M1.
Take models with at least 16 GB RAM.
Everything is logical here, in the summer of 2025 or at most a year later, the Cupertino people will announce that new versions of macOS will not work on processors Intelthe systems will be fully adapted to the ARM architecture. And the M1 chip is still vigorous, but it will soon turn 5 years old. Another year or two at most and it will have to be changed.
The same goes for the amount of RAM; Apple finally realized that 8 GB of RAM is only suitable for basic tasks. The developers have transferred all lines to a minimum volume 16 GB RAM.
Taking into account these rules, we will recommend you Macs from the current line.
Mac mini on M2/M2 Pro. Apple themselves buried this model
Read the purchase history of this model on parallel import
Features:
▸ Processor: M2/M2 Pro, 8/10 CPU, 10/16 GPU
▸ OZU: 8/16 GB
▸ Memory: 256/512 GB
▸ Screen: No
▸ Price: from 65 thousand
On the one hand, the device still has good hardware, but configurations and prices make purchasing this generation an unprofitable idea. See for yourself:
M2, 8 RAM, 256 GB of memory – for 65 thousand, not enough RAM and memory.
M2, 8 RAM, 512 GB of memory – for 80 thousand, not enough RAM and a little expensive.
M2 Pro, 16 RAM, 512 GB of memory – from 115 thousand, expensive.
All models are losing competition to newer models based on M4 chips.
Quite powerful hardware, but only in configuration with M2 Pro. There in the base 16 GB RAM And 512 GB SSD.
The model is a little expensive. For the price of a good configuration you can get MacBook, iMac or “minik” on M4.
Who is this Mac suitable for: Only if you are looking for the most affordable Mac for office tasks or light work, you can consider the basic configuration.
Mac mini on M4/M4 Pro. Top for your money
Read our review of this model
Features:
▸ Processor: M4/M4 Pro, 10/12 CPU, 10/16 GPU
▸ OZU: 16/24 GB
▸ Memory: 256/512 GB
▸ Screen: No
▸ Price: from 85 thousand
Cupertino has released the long-awaited update to the Mac mini with an updated design. The computer has become more powerful and has a more compact body. The only nitpick might be the power button, everything else is top notch.
How the new Mac mini on M4 differs from the old Mac mini on M2. This is a breakthrough
Powerful top-end hardware even in the basic configuration. In the database from 16 GB RAMupdated design, ports on the front panel.
Only upsetting 256 GB memory in the database, but this can easily be solved using an external drive.
Who is this Mac suitable for: For most users, even a basic configuration will cover all their needs for the next 5-6 years for sure. This is an excellent desktop even for complex tasks, development, work with photos and videos. If you don’t have enough storage space or RAM, you can consider the next two models in the line, which will ultimately cost up to $1000 in equivalent.
And for the most demanding ones, you can take the M4 Pro model with 24 GB of RAM and a 512 drive; this will be an excellent alternative to Mac Studio.
Mac Studio with M2 Max/Ultra chip. Not worth buying until they update it
Features:
▸ Processor: M2 Max/Ultra, 12/24 CPU, 30/60 GPU
▸ OZU: 32/64 GB
▸ Memory: 512/1024 GB
▸ Screen: No
▸ Price: from 260 thousand
This is the next model in the line of desktops, but it turned out to be very niche. Now this is the choice of those who previously had no alternative to the Mac Pro. But the device has not received updates since 2023. With a high degree of probability, a new configuration for the M4 Max/Ultra will be released in 2025.
Powerful hardware.
An expensive computer without a monitor at the price of professional laptops. The model will probably be updated soon.
Who is this Mac suitable for: There is no point in taking a “studio” now. You can get by with a more affordable top-end “mini” or wait for the next generation.
iMac with M3 chip. Boring computer in bright colors
Features:
▸ Processor: M3, 8 CPU, 8/10 GPU
▸ OZU: 8 GB
▸ Memory: 256/512 GB
▸ Screen: 24″ Retina 4.5K
▸ Price: from 160 lynx
The second generation iMac with its new design is suitable for the role of a good all-in-one computer. There is no need to purchase an additional keyboard, mouse or trackpad, or the monitor itself. One box contains everything you need for work, and this is what attracts many people when they need to buy their first Mac.
A good desktop Mac with an excellent screen and powerful hardware.
In basic configurations only 8 GB RAM. And the base model is very different from the other two. It has only 2 Type-C ports, one less GPU core, no Ethernet adapter, fewer color options and does not include a keyboard Touch ID. If you don’t want to make such compromises, you need to overpay for advanced configurations.
Who is this Mac suitable for: a good Mac for a school student or office worker.
iMac with M4 chip. Minor update, not worth overpaying for
Features:
▸ Processor: M4, 8/10 CPU, 8/10 GPU
▸ OZU: 16/24 GB
▸ Memory: 256/512 GB
▸ Screen: 24″ Retina 4.5K
▸ Price: from 195 lynx
Third generation iMac with this design. The set of changes is very minor. The main innovation is 16 GB of RAM, the rest of the features are generally uncritical, even the new M4 processor.
A good desktop Mac with an excellent screen and powerful hardware, 16 GB of RAM in the base.
It is expensive and almost no different from its predecessor.
Who is this Mac suitable for: if you really need an iMac, but with an increased amount of RAM. In other cases, you can buy an Apple computer more profitably: take a more powerful Mac mini + buy a good monitor.
Mac Pro with M2 Ultra chip. Specific system unit in an old building
Features:
▸ Processor: M2 Ultra, 24 CPU, 60/76 GPU
▸ OZU: 64/128/192 GB
▸ Memory: 1/2/4/8 TB
▸ Screen: No
▸ Price: from 600 thousand
When Mac Studio and powerful Mac Mini models appeared in the Apple computer lineup, the firmware became a very niche device. Only a few need to pay such a high price for a huge system unit. And then the hardware with the M2 Ultra begins to age.
Very powerful.
Outdated design, difficult to upgrade, high price.
Who is this Mac suitable for: practically no one.
Apple laptops
The situation with laptops is similar to the situation with desktops. Models on the M1 and newer models that have 8 GB of RAM are difficult to recommend for purchase. It seems that the hit of recent years, the MacBook Air on the M1, is living out its last year or two as a typewriter with advanced capabilities.
MacBook Air 13″/15″ on M2. An excellent choice for most users
Read our review of the 2023 15-inch Air
Features:
▸ Processor: M2, 8 CPU, 8/10 GPU
▸ OZU: 16 GB
▸ Memory: 256/512 GB
▸ Screen: 13″/15″ Retina
▸ Price: from 96 thousand
Apple made the good “air” generation even better when they updated the base and added 16 GB of RAM. From now on, there is little point in paying extra for newer M3 laptops. Prospective buyers of the Air line generally don’t need a lot of processing power.
Good laptops with sufficient power, 16 GB of RAM after updating the line.
There is a bang above the display (there was none in the generation with M1), a 60 Hz screen, no 15-inch bases and no 16 GB of RAM – only a more expensive custom one.
Who is this Mac suitable for: The best Apple laptop in terms of price/quality ratio for today. Just check the specifications carefully when purchasing; sellers have many older models with the same chip and 8 GB of RAM.
MacBook Air 13″/15″ on M3. It’s not worth overpaying for hardware
Features:
▸ Processor: M3, 8 CPU, 8/10 GPU
▸ OZU: 16/24 GB
▸ Memory: 256/512 GB
▸ Screen: 13″/15″ Retina
▸ Price: from 115 thousand
This was already a minor update to the line, and after the increase in RAM in the previous generation, there is little point in looking at it.
What is the difference between different MacBook Air models? Compare MacBooks M1, M2 and M3
Good hardware, 16 GB of RAM even in the 15-inch model.
60 Hz screen, few differences from the previous generation.
Who is this Mac suitable for: if for some reason the previous model is not suitable and you are ready to overpay for this one.
MacBook Pro on M3/M3 Pro/M3 Max. Not a bad choice, but not in the database
Features:
▸ Processor: M3/M3 Pro/M3 Max, 8-14 CPU, 10-30 GPU
▸ OZU: 8/36 GB
▸ Memory: 512/1024 GB
▸ Screen: 14/16″ Retina with ProMotion 120 Hz
▸ Price: from 160 thousand
Cupertino oversaturated the MacBook Pro line when they began releasing more than one generation of laptops per year. Now, because of this, the difference in price between devices is small; only the new products are clearly different, and the remaining models are sold with small increments in price.
Because of this, it turns out that only devices on M3 and M4 chips are worth considering; older, but still quite peppy M2s are almost impossible to find, and the price will not be much different from the M3.
On topic: What is the difference between MacBook Pro on M3 Pro/Max and MacBook Pro on M2 Pro/Max
Good filling, excellent screen.
High price, there is a basic model on M2 with 8 GB of RAM, which you definitely don’t need to buy.
Who is this Mac suitable for: A great choice for anyone who lacks the Air’s power or needs a higher-quality 120Hz display.
MacBook Pro on M4/M4 Pro/M4 Max. Overrated New Products
Features:
▸ Processor: M4/M4 Pro/M4 Max, 8-14 CPU, 10-30 GPU
▸ OZU: 8/36 GB
▸ Memory: 512/1024 GB
▸ Screen: 14/16″ Retina with ProMotion 120 Hz
▸ Price: from 215 thousand
This year’s update, as always, became a little more powerful than its predecessor, but did not receive any more significant improvements. And the difference in price between generations is noticeable. Whether to overpay or not, everyone decides for themselves.
Good filling, excellent screen.
High price, few differences from the previous generation.
Who is this Mac suitable for: if for some reason the previous generation is not suitable.
What to choose in the end
Here are the lights and recommendations for all the models on the market.
We don’t take models with M1 processors, these are already quite old computers.
Mac Studio is expensive and will be updated soon.
Mac Pro with the M2 Ultra chip is the most powerful and expensive Mac for the most demanding professionals.
Mac mini on M2 – take it if you find it at a good price.
iMac with an M4 chip is a minor update that is not worth overpaying for.
MacBook Air 13″/15″ on M3 – a controversial update, with minimal differences from its predecessor.
MacBook Pro on M4/M3 Pro/M3 Max is an overrated new product.
Mac mini on M4 is a great computer for most tasks.
iMac with M3 chip is a good all-in-one computer with a great screen.
MacBook Air 13″/15″ on M2 – wonderful laptops for every day.
MacBook Pro on M3/M3 Pro/M3 Max – powerful hardware, but at a more affordable price than the last generation.
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We are waiting for your corrections and advice in the comments.
Source: www.iphones.ru
