For most users, the "sweet spot" is finding a balance between modern Apple Silicon performance and a depreciated price. Best Overall Value: MacBook Air (M1, 2020) Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
An M1 Max with 64GB of RAM can often be found for half the price of a base M4/M5 Pro with only 24GB of RAM, making it a "RAM-heavy" beast for video editing or coding. Best Modern Budget: MacBook Air (M2, 2022) Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
In 2026, experts strongly advise against buying Intel-based MacBooks unless they are extremely cheap (under $200) for basic web browsing. The performance gap between Intel and the first M1 chip is monumental. 2. Best Used Models to Buy
It is critical to distinguish between "Used" and "Refurbished" to manage risk.