The best business Mac is a bit of a misnomer as these days, Apple has been treading a fine line between pro and consumer, rolling out machines touting power ideal for business and a design ideal for regular consumers. The good news is that although Apple’s products have always found favor with creative professionals and prosumers, they boast a build quality and performance ideal for business use.
Apple is synonymous with innovative design and simple operation, not to mention creativity and reliability. And, with Apple constantly refreshing its Mac and MacBook lineup, there are many options for the best business Macs, complete with upgraded internals (and better keyboards) for often the same price as the previous year's models.
We've compared these business Macs, from their GPU and CPU to their RAM, storage, and connectivity ports. We assessed what types of business users they'd be best suited for, their dimensions, battery life, and pricing, among other aspects.
These are the best business Macs currently available, from the best MacBooks to the best AIO computers.
Don't forget to see how the latest Apple promo codes can help you save on your purchase.
Want peripherals for your business Mac? Check out the best business accessories.
The best business Mac of in full
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Best business Mac
While not the newest flagship laptop from Apple, the 2021 MacBook Pro provides incredible value for businesses looking to maximize the ROI on their investment. The M1 Pro and M1 Max system-on-a-chip still hang with some of the fastest processors on the market, and now that newer M2 options are available, we’re seeing prices drop on these powerful and portable machines.
Videographers will appreciate the Liquid Retina XDR display that features mini-LED, up to 1000 nits sustained (full-screen) brightness, 1600 nits peak brightness, and P3 Wide color.
There is also ProMotion technology for adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz. These are the first Apple laptops in a generation to go beyond USB Type-C Thunderbolt ports, for which there are three. The models also include MagSafe 3, an HDMI port, an SDXC card slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack to attach your favorite accessories.
If the 14-inch screen is too small, Apple also offers a larger 16-inch model worth checking out.
Read the full review: MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021).
You should also check out the best free video editing software of the year.
This model is the one to get when you're looking for a MacBook Pro and are on a budget. One of the first Apple silicon computers released, the 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020), has a lot going for it, starting with its Apple M1 system on a chip.
For a seamless video editing experience, upgrade the storage and RAM to the highest possible levels for the best results. In addition, this laptop is now the last current MacBook Pro to feature a Touch Bar, if that makes a difference. Be wary of its limited ports, however. You'll only get 2x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Although it has the same design as the non-M1 2020 Pro model that it replaced, it offers considerably better performance (2.8 times faster). Not to mention, the new Magic Keyboard presents a precise and comfortable typing experience.
Read the full review: 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020).
Released in 2022, the MacBook Air M2 is Apple’s latest offering of its featherweight business laptop for those who want a lightweight and powerful machine. With an upgraded M2 chip, larger screen, and new 1080p webcam, the 2022 Macbook Air takes portability to the next level.
Unfortunately, these new upgrades come at a cost, and you’ll be spending more than its predecessor. For some though, the upgrades will be worth it.
Read the full review: MacBook Air (M2, 2022).
Best all-in-one Mac for business
The iMac has long been one of the cheaper ways to get into the macOS ecosystem, and we’re glad that hasn’t changed. The 2021 model received a beautiful refresh, while still maintaining the iMac’s iconic all-in-one design. Apple managed to increase the size of the display while retaining the same physical dimensions of the previous model. Under the hood you’ll find the upgraded M1 processor that is fast and snappy.
Depending on your requirements, you might find the maximum 16 GB RAM and limited ports underwhelming for some business purposes. However, for the price, the 24-inch M1 iMac has a lot to offer businesses looking for an all-in-one product from Apple.
Read the full review: Apple iMac (M1 24-inch, 2021).
Best Mac workstation for business
Hands down, Apple is blowing away the competition with their latest Mac Mini (M2, 2023) model. With a new, lower price point for its base model and an upgraded and more powerful M2 Pro chip option, the Mac mini fits as easily on your desk as it does in your budget.
You’ll also find plenty of ports (even more are available on the M2 Pro model) for connecting all of your desktop peripherals. Put together, we can’t find a better mini PC option on the market right now.
Read the full review: Mac mini (M2, 2023)
Apple’s newest Mac Pro (unofficially named the ‘cheesegrater’) has just been completely revamped. This is the older model (very unofficially named the trashcan) from six years ago, which Apple is no longer selling, but it still has something to offer business users if you can pick it refurbished or in the sale.
Its cylindrical design feels a bit stale these days, but it’s second only to the mac Mini in terms of its compactness. And, while still powerful, its specs across the board are inevitably outdated today.
That said, the machine was given a healthy 8 (out of 10) for repairability from iFixit – so you can upgrade the CPU and RAM, at the very least. And it comes with plenty of expansion ports and runs quietly.
Read the full review: Apple Mac Pro.
Best mobile workstation for business
While we are sad that Apple has retired the 15-inch MacBook Pro, we’re more than happy to see the MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019) on the shelves. As thin, light and sleek as ever, this doesn’t feel like a 16-inch behemoth. If you’re worried that this was going to be bulky and awkward to use, don’t be.
Yet, despite its svelte frame, you’re still getting that extra real estate on that stunning display, as well as the latest and greatest components behind it. Apple then rounds those out with amazing (and loud) speakers and a much, much better keyboard.
There are plenty of ports on board — 4 Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It also has Bluetooth 5.0 and 802.11ac Wi-Fi, so you can expect seamless wireless connectivity.
If you're after the best workstation MacBook for your business, this is it.
Read the full review: MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019).
The new MacBook Pro 16-inch (2023) was a surprising, though somewhat expected, release earlier this year. Apple has upgraded its previous model to the new M2 Pro and M2 Max chipsets that they claim provides 30% faster GPU performance over the M1 predecessor. Additionally, Apple has continued to refine the efficiency of the chip resulting in an incredibly long-lasting battery for all-day performance.
With an incredible range of upgrade options, users can spec out a wickedly fast machine that can handle all kinds of graphics- and processor-intensive tasks. Pair a beautiful screen, a long-lasting battery, and new M2 chipsets together, and you’ve got a machine with the performance we used to dream about.
Read the full review: 16-in MacBook Pro (M2, 2023)
Best Mac laptop replacement for business
Best Mac laptop replacement for business
Apple’s largest iPad is the closest yet to replicating the feeling of a laptop in a tablet, especially when paired with a full-sized keyboard dock.
Featuring a gorgeous design, a laptop-worthy M2 chip, an unparalleled mini-LED touchscreen display with 120 Hz refresh rate, and support for the Apple Pencil, this iPad is as enticing as it is powerful. iPad OS offers a unique middle ground between tablet and laptop workflows and access to the vast library on the App Store.
If you’re in the market for a laptop but need the functionality and portability of a tablet, look no further than the most capable tablet on the market.
Read the full review: iPad Pro 12.9 (2022).
Apple’s 10.2-inch iPad shares many of the 12.9-inch iPad’s best features, all for a much cheaper price. It will prove the most attractive for businesses who want to equip their workers with an Apple tablet that boasts a large display and Apple Pencil support, while finding a good balance between great features and cost-effectiveness.
This iPad also has had its front-facing camera upgraded to 12MP, a plus for those on video conference calls and a new A13 Bionic processor.The Smart Keyboard works quite well and is durable — it's water and stain-resistant and impervious to debris. But it's expensive and lacks backlit keys, which can be bothersome for those who need to work in dark environments..
The 10.2-inch iPad also has the traditional Apple home button, which you'll hardly find on Apple products now.
Read the hands-on review: iPad 10.2 (2021).
Looking for more recent Macs? These are the best Macs of 2023
The best business Mac: Frequently Asked Questions
How to choose the best business Mac for you?
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 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. But if your work mainly involves using an internet browser or data entry, an entry-level MacBook should work perfectly well.
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.
The best business Mac: How we test
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.
