Best business Mac and MacBook of 2024: the top laptops and desktops from Apple

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REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
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REASONS TO BUY
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A Mac Studio, one of the best business mac models, against a blue techradar background
(Image credit: Future / Apple)

The best business Mac and MacBook are performance-focused machines that help all professionals stay productive. 

Our team of reviewers have expertly tested the best MacBook and Macs, and the best MacBook Pro laptops to find the one that's best for business. If you're looking for a computer, the Apple iMac 24-inch is possibly the best all-in-one system you can get. For a laptop, we recommend the MacBook Air 13-inch. Both machines are powered by the outstanding M3 chip, so everything feels fast and fluid. 

We've rounded up our top choice business Mac and MacBooks, going hands-on with each device to compare performance, specs, and design. For more on professional computing, see our reviews of the best business computers and the best business laptops

Quick list

Best Mac for business of 2024 in full

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Below you'll find full write-ups for each of our picks for the best business Mac in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted. 

The best business Mac overall

iMac

(Image credit: Future)
Our top-rated choice for professionals

Specifications

CPU: Apple M3 chip with 8‑core CPU
Graphics: Integrated 8-core – 10-core GPU
RAM: 8GB unified memory
Screen: 24-inch 4.5K Retina display
Storage: up to 512GB

Reasons to buy

+
M3 chip is very powerful
+
Display is still gorgeous
+
Still thin and light

Reasons to avoid

-
Lack of ports remains
-
Limited SSD and RAM options
-
Magic Mouse charging is still weird

The latest iMac, powered by the M3 chip, reigns supreme in the all-in-one computer market as the optimal choice for businesses. It significantly surpasses its M1 predecessor, combining stellar performance with a stunning 24-inch 4.5K display, making it the gold standard for AIO systems. 

Beyond its powerful internals, the iMac's design is both sleek and lightweight, perfect for professionals who value both power and space efficiency. It also offers customization through various color options, catering to businesses that prioritize a stylish workspace. 

Minor drawbacks like limited ports and peripheral design quirks do little to diminish its standing. With even the base model impressively equipped for business tasks, the iMac firmly establishes itself as the premier business computer, expertly balancing performance, design, and convenience.

Read our full Apple iMac 24-inch (M3) review

The best budget business Mac

Mac mini (2023) in a studio

(Image credit: Future)
Affordable business computer for Apple users

Specifications

CPU: Up to Apple M2 Pro (up to 12-core)
Graphics: Integrated GPU (up to 19-core)
RAM: Up to 32GB
Storage: Up to 8TB
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3, 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (configurable to 10Gb Ethernet)
Dimensions (W x D x H): 7.75 x 7.75 x 1.41 in / 19.7 x 19.7 x 3.58 cm

Reasons to buy

+
Even more powerful
+
Small form factor
+
Reduced price

Reasons to avoid

-
Can't upgrade after purchasing

The Apple Mac mini stands out as the ideal budget-friendly Mac for businesses, boasting a compact design paired with remarkable power. 

Whether it's everyday office applications or more demanding video editing, the Mac mini, equipped with either the M2 or M2 Pro chips, excels in performance, rivaling even the MacBook Pro. 

Despite its lack of upgradeability, which might concern some, its out-of-the-box readiness and macOS integration make it hard to critique. Offering excellent value, with starting prices around $600/£600, the Mac mini provides an affordable yet powerful desktop solution for businesses looking for Apple's renowned performance without the hefty price tag.

Read our full Apple Mac mini, M2 (2023) review

The best Mac workstation for business

best MacBook and Macs Mac Studio on wooden desk

(Image credit: Future)
Move over Mac Pro

Specifications

CPU: Apple 12-core M2 Max or 24-core M2 Ultra
Graphics: Integrated 38-core to 76-core GPU
RAM: Up to 192GB unified memory
Storage: Up to 8TB SSD

Reasons to buy

+
Compact
+
Powerful

Reasons to avoid

-
Pricey
-
Not upgradable

The Mac Studio, an upgrade from the Mac mini, is Apple's latest powerhouse, offering substantial capability in a compact form. 

With options for the Apple M2 Max or M2 Ultra chips, it handles intensive tasks effortlessly, from 3D rendering to managing large datasets, making it ideal for business applications requiring high memory, such as big data analysis and complex project management. 

While its high performance may be more than some need, for those seeking a robust Mac workstation for demanding business environments, the Mac Studio proves to be a valuable investment, despite its premium price.

Read the full Apple Mac Studio review

The best business MacBook

Apple MacBook Air M3

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Apple's latest MacBook Air is the best laptop money can buy right now

Specifications

Processor: Apple M3
Screen size: 13.6-inch
RAM: 8GB - 24GB
Storage: 256GB - 2TB

Reasons to buy

+
Performance is excellent
+
Very good value

Reasons to avoid

-
Base specs feel a little outdated

The Apple MacBook Air (M3, 2024) is the best MacBook for business users, blending portability with powerful performance. Its refreshed design offers a sleek, modern look, enhanced by a larger, vibrant display within a thinner, lighter frame. 

The M3 chip ensures smooth operation, even with intensive multitasking, and the improved keyboard design facilitates comfortable document creation and email composition. 

Notably, its 16-hour battery life supports a full day's work or long flights without the need for recharging. 

Although slightly pricier than its predecessor, the enhancements in design, display, and performance justify the investment, making it an optimal laptop for professionals on the move.

Read our full Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) review

The best MacBook Pro overall

The best MacBook Pro overall, the MacBook Pro 14-inch with M3 Max

(Image credit: Future)
The top MacBook Pro

Specifications

CPU: Apple M3 – M3 Max
Graphics: Integrated GPU
RAM: Up to 128GB
Screen: 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
Storage: Up to 8TB
Dimensions: 12.31 x 8.71 x 1.55 in / 31.26 x 22.12 x 1.55 cm

Reasons to buy

+
Brilliant performance
+
Long battery life
+
Plenty of ports

Reasons to avoid

-
Screen may be a bit small for some
-
Overkill for regular users

The MacBook Pro 14, featuring Apple's cutting-edge M3 chip, particularly in its high-end M3 Max form, redefines performance standards for business laptops. 

With configurations boasting enhanced CPU and GPU cores alongside up to 64GB of memory, it excels in demanding business environments, supporting advanced computational tasks with ease. 

Its design, including a fingerprint-resistant finish and a responsive keyboard, coupled with the macOS Sonoma, makes it highly versatile for professional use. 

Despite its premium pricing, the MacBook Pro 14 M3 series represents the pinnacle of business laptops, offering unmatched performance and utility.

Read the full MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3, 2023) review

The best big-screen MacBook for business

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 REVIEW

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
For a productivity boost

Specifications

CPU: Apple M3 chip with 8-core CPU
Graphics: Integrated 10-core GPU
RAM: From 8GB unified memory
Screen: 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone
Storage: From 256GB SSD

Reasons to buy

+
Big screen
+
Midnight finish
+
Excellent performance
+
AI-ready

Reasons to avoid

-
Internally identical to the 13-inch model
-
Less portable than 13-inch model

For business users prioritizing screen size without sacrificing portability, the MacBook Air 15-inch (M3) is the ultimate choice. 

Despite its larger, heavier frame compared to the 13-inch model, it offers identical functionality and power with the M3 chip, enhanced by a more spacious keyboard and superior sound system with two additional speakers for an immersive experience. Its design remains sleek, incorporating recycled aluminum and a fingerprint-resistant finish. 

The significant advantage lies in the larger display, providing ample space for multitasking and detailed work, justifying the modest price increase for those valuing productivity on a larger screen. 

This model stands out in the 15-inch market for its blend of aesthetics, performance, and value, making it the best large-screen MacBook for business professionals seeking a balance between functionality and portability.

Read our full Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M3) review

  • Whichever Apple product you decide is best for you, you could save on your purchase with our Apple discount codes.

How to choose the best Mac for business

When choosing the best business Mac for yourself, start with assessing the nature of your business, the kind of work you'll primarily do on the Mac, and whether you'll be on the road a lot. 

If your work mainly involves using office apps, email, web browsing, or data entry, an entry-level MacBook should work perfectly well. If you're in graphic design, video editing, architecture, or any other field that demands resource-intensive apps, then it's best to select a powerful Mac with an impressive processor and graphic capabilities. See our reviews for the best photo editing PCs and the best video editing PCs for more Apple Mac options. 

You'll want to select the RAM based on how much multitasking you do and how resource-heavy your apps are. Look out for the connectivity ports on the device, especially if you plan to hook your laptop up to an external display. 

For those who're on the road frequently, the laptop's size and weight are essential considerations. Lastly, check how much storage the laptop offers and whether your budget can accommodate all the features and upgrades you need.

Despite Apple laptops offering arguably the best screens you can get, we'd recommend investing in a decent second screen for serious work sessions. We've reviewed the best monitors for MacBook Pro, the best monitors for Mac Studio. and the best monitors for the Mac mini

How we test the best business Mac

Our team of reviewers have tested a wide range of professional hardware, including the best video editing Mac and MacBook laptops, best business monitors, and the best business tablets

To test the best business Macs, we started by considering their specifications, like the GPU, CPU, RAM, storage, and dimensions. We evaluated the types of businesses they'd be suitable for and how well they ran resource-heavy apps and multitasked. 

We assessed the dimensions and weight of the products to see how much space they take up and whether they were light enough for easy carrying during travels. 

We also checked their connectivity ports, wireless connectivity features, battery life, and pricing, among other things. 

Today's best business Mac deals

Collin Probst

Former TechRadar Pro B2B Hardware Editor, Collin has been in journalism for years, with experience in small and large markets, including Gearadical, DailyBeast, FutureNet, and more.

With contributions from
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