Whether you're buying a MacBook for the first time, or you've been using them for years, deciding to buy a cheap MacBook and then deciding which one to buy can be a hard choice. The main reason is that they are so much more expensive than the Windows laptops that are out there. So let's look if this extra cost is really worth it and then which MacBook is best suited to you.
One thing we can say is that when you've used a MacBook, or have just got one, you will not be disappointed. They are so slick and easy to use and some of the common issues you get with Windows laptops just do not occur on a cheap MacBook.
So with all this in mind let's have a look at the main benefits you get buying a cheap MacBook over a Windows laptop.
One of the singles biggest advantages and MacBook has over it's rivals is the great build quality. Apple makes great products and the MacBook are one of the best. The build quality is amazing. When you see the thin form of the MacBooks you can be forgiven for thinking that it won't be a very sturdy laptop. Nothing could be further from this. The aluminium feels dense, strong, and ready to stand up to everyday usage. The MacBook might be small, but no compromises were made concerning build quality.
With this in mind, a simple laptop case will be more than enough to protect your MacBook when out and about, but if you are still worried about damage, and who wouldn't when you consider how expensive the MacBook is, you can by a super rugged case for it. Urban Amrour Gear do an amazing case that will be great for protecting your MacBook if you work out and about with it. It's around £50, but when you consider the cost of the MacBook, it's a drop in the ocean.
The portability of a MacBook is also another one of it's advantages over the rivals. We mentioned the build quality, but they get that build quality and still make a lightweight and a low profile MacBook. It almost has a futuristic feel to it when you first start to use on of these amazing products.
Battery life is a big thing in Laptops. Especially the 13 inch laptops which are made to be more portable and light. Apple have managed to get in light, but still give it amazing battery life.
The new MacBook will give you an epic 10 hours of use. This is far better than other 13 inch rivals.
An amazing screen and resolution is another Apple trademark. And the MacBook is no different. Whether you're on the web or watching a 4K video, the MacBook screen has amazing depth of colours and retina display. Some of the newer MacBooks have an extra wide viewing angles too. So more people can watch the MacBook at the same time.
A good set of built in speakers can make the difference when watching videos or listening to music. And with a MacBook you get surprisingly good built in speakers. Speakers are usually notoriously bad in laptops, so it makes a nice change to find a quality cheap MacBook that has some decent speakers to it.
Not to high up on most peoples list, but it can be a distraction if working on your laptop all day is the noise of the fan. With the MacBook is practically silent. You really can not hear the fan unless you was to put your ear to where it is located in the laptop. With some of the MacBook models there is no fan so you can not hear this at all.
The trackpad on the MacBook is just about the best that you can get. It has so many functions that it can recognise. From 2 finger swipes to go back on a webpage, to 4 finger swipe that allow you to switch from window to window.
They can all take some getting used to, but once you've got the hang on them, you'll be wondering how you ever managed without them.
Different Models of Cheap MacBooks
There are a few different models of MacBooks to choose from. They range in size, but also have a few different specifications too.
Apple MacBook Air 11.6" is the base model Apple MacBook and still a great powerful laptop. Currys have 4 deals running on this MacBook right now. They are for trade ins and £100 off with a discount code. Both make for big savings on the cheapest MacBook. The specs of this MacBook Air are: OS X, Intel® Core™ i5 processor, Memory: 4 GB, Hard drive: 128 GB SSD and Battery life: Up to 9 hours batter. This is a great entry level MacBook for those not wanting to spend the big money on one.
Apple MacBook Air 11.6" This is the same as the previous one except for the Hard Drive is 256 GB SSD instead of 128 GB SSD. It's £150 more so it's best to ask your self if you'll be needing the extra HD space before buying it.
APPLE MacBook Pro 13" is the base model of the MacBook Pro range. It's got some great specs with it, and the same deals are on offer too. It has OS X, Intel® Core™ i5 processor, Memory: 4 GB, Hard drive: 500 GB.
Apple MacBook Air 13.3" is the base model of the 13.3 inch MacBook Air. AS well as a bigger screen it also has double the RAM and better battery life too. OS X, Intel® Core™ i5 processor, Memory: 8 GB, Hard drive: 128 GB SSD, Battery life: Up to 12 hours battery life.
Apple MacBook Pro 13" with Retina Display This is the cheapest MacBook with retina display that they do if you want the latest model. The retina display really does make a big difference in screen resolution quality and if you can afford it, it's well worth shelling out the money for it. It has MacOS, Intel® Core™ i5 processor, RAM: 8 GB / Storage: 256 GB SSD, Graphics: Intel® Iris™, Up to 10 hours battery life
Apple MacBook Pro 15" with Retina Display The price is starting to get pretty hefty now, but for that you're getting a serious piece of MacBook. Everything is beefed up in this model and the screen is a really good 15 inch. Specs of this are: OS X, Intel® Core™ i7 processor, Memory: 16 GB, Graphics: Intel® Iris™, Hard drive: 256 GB SSD
Apple MacBook Pro 15" with Retina Display & Touch Bar The creme de la creme of Apple MacBooks. This is the best model available and when you look at what it comes with it's easy to see why it blows all competition out of the water. MacOS, Intel®, Core™ i7 Processor, RAM: 16 GB / Storage: 512 GB SSD, Graphics: AMD, Radeon Pro 455, Up to 10 hours battery life.
All these MacBooks are available at Currys and Argos. Currys is great for being able to use and see the MacBooks before you buy. They also have some fantastic money saving deals. And Any saving on a MacBook is well worth grabbing.
Argos also have some fantastic deals and offers on all their MacBooks and you should always compare prices between the 2 when shopping for a cheap MacBook