What Mac to buy now in 2015 by Kim Komando

As technology continues to get faster and smaller, lots of users choose to replace older laptops and desktop computers with tablets or even larger smartphones, sometimes called "phablets." And I don't blame them. A tablet is more portable, generally has a longer battery life, and with a Bluetooth keyboard, can do nearly everything a full-blown computer can do. Note that I did qualify that with "nearly."

Depending on your needs, you may still need a "real" computer to run certain apps, to beef up your memory or for a larger screen as compared to even the biggest tablets. However, if iPad's smaller form nudges you toward a tablet over a computer, the all-new incredibly thin MacBook might be just enough to tip the scales back. I'll have much more about the new MacBook further down.

However, on the opposite end of the "smaller is better" scale, I understand some folks just don't feel as productive working with a tablet or laptop on the sofa or out on the patio. For those who appreciate having a defined "place" to sit down and get into work mode, a desktop iMac is a great solution. Plus, it's really hard to beat the expansive screen real estate that lets you line up two, three or more documents side by side. Lucky for desktop users there are some great deals on powerful iMacs these days.

Today, I am going to cover the current best buys among Apple's Mac line of computers. There really are some great bargains to be had if absolute cutting edge is not your highest priority. Plus, we'll look at what the newest ones have to offer to help decide whether they are worth the premium price tag for your needs. If you are on the fence as whether a Mac or a Windows-based PC is best for you, first read my Tip, "PC vs. Mac: Which should you buy?"

Apple's all-new MacBook is the lightest, thinnest, most innovative Mac ever. When it was unveiled in March, it garnered tons of buzz from media and Apple fans alike. But if you really like the new MacBook, there's just one problem, and I'm not talking about the controversy of the single USB-C port, either.

First, I must say that the new MacBook is simply elegant, bordering on a fashion statement. It is beautifully engineered, looking impossibly thin, and available in 3 colors to match your iPhone 6. At just one half inch thick, it hardly looks heftier than an iPad. Pick it up and feel its less-than-two-pound weight and I bet you won't want to put it back down. Open it up and soak up its vibrant edge-to-edge Retina screen. Tap the keyboard for a remarkable feel unlike any keyboard I've used, yet entirely comfortable and confidence inspiring. There is a very positive "click" feeling, yet requires just the right amount of pressure to not type random characters by accident.

The MacBook is a remarkable computer and unfortunately it also has a remarkable price tag. Starting at $1,299.00 (8GB RAM and 256GB flash storage) and maxing out at $1,749.00 for twice the storage and a faster processor, it is easily three times more expensive than a comparable-size PC notebook. Sure there are more expensive laptops out there, but remember, this is a 12" notebook.

But that's not even the worst problem with Apple's new temptation. At the time of this writing, MacBook is back-ordered about a month. The Apple rep I spoke with says MacBooks purchased today will ship or be available for in-store pickup "sometime in June."

One last serious consideration for MacBook is the single USB-C port. In case you are not yet familiar with Mac's USB-C, here's my earlier report on the pros and cons of Apple's choice. But briefly, if you go with the new MacBook, be prepared to buy additional adapters for any existing accessories you may already use. And please understand that this new USB port is also where the charging adapter plugs in, so you will not be able to charge your MacBook while using any other accessory.

So let's assume that squeezing the most value out of your hard-earned dollar is more important to you right now than cutting-edge cool. I'll step through options and prices to help you get the biggest bang for your computer budget. Your first big choice is whether you want a portable MacBook Air, or if you prefer the expansive screen of a desktop Apple iMac. I've found some great bargains in both categories.

MacBook Air

The least-expensive Mac right now is the 11.6" screen MacBook Air with 128GB drive storage and 4GB of RAM. Weighing in at less than 2.4 pounds, it fits perfectly on an airline seat back tray or other tight spaces. Apple claims you'll get up to 9 hours of battery life, which should last through a workday or an international flight. MacBook Airs feature two USB 3.0 ports, so you can keep using your existing accessories plus Apple's MagSafe 2 Power Adapter.
Here is Apple's entry-level MacBook Air currently offered for $799.00.

Also, in the same MacBook Air model lineup, you can boost your screen size to a more respectable 13.3-inches for about $75 more. This Amazon listing offers the 13.3-inch MacBook Air, 128GB drive with 4 GB RAM for just $874.00, also with free shipping.

Here you can see the difference between the 11- and 13-inch screen sizes.

Personally, I like having separate ports for power and accessories. I use my Mac at home and my office. On both desks, I have a large external screen, full-size keyboard and power adapters. With these, I can quickly plug in and get to work, while the portability lets me take my Mac on the go.

Best MacBook Air prices

• 11-inch MacBook Air (Early 2014): 1.3 GHz, 4 GB, 128 GB $799.00 (free shipping)
• 13-inch MacBook Air (Early 2014): 1.4 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 128 GB $874.00 (free shipping)
• 11-inch MacBook Air (Early 2015): 1.6 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 128 GB $889.00 (free shipping)
• 13-inch MacBook Air (Early 2015): 1.6 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 128 GB $949.99 (free shipping)

But if you need even more screen real estate to get the job done, then consider Apple's all-in-one desk-top iMac.

iMac bargains

iMacs are available in two screen sizes, 21.5 and 27 inches. The current iMac model was last redesigned in 2012 as the "ultra-thin" design, just 5 mm thick at the edge. There are four USB 3.0 ports, two Thunderbolt ports, an SDXC card slot, and a mini DisplayPort, along with dual microphones, a headphone port and stereo speakers.

Last fall, Apple rolled out an upgraded Retina screen available only in the 27-inch version at a premium price of about $2,400. Bargain hunters may want to avoid the Retina screen until those prices come down a bit. There are also rumors that Apple soon will have a 21.5-inch Retina model as well. Meanwhile, the still very capable current 21.5-inch model can be had for well less than half the price of the Retina version.

A note of caution: While researching this Tip, I found some online retailers still offering the "older" (late 2013) model and the "newer" (mid 2014) model. Paradoxically, the older model is more expensive than the newer ones. But you really need to look beyond price and release date. The older versions sport better specifications.

Best iMac prices

• 21.5-inch iMac (Mid 2014): 1.4 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 500 GB $1,084.00 (free shipping)
• 21.5-inch iMac (Late 2013): 2.7 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 1 TB $1,289.00 (free shipping)
• 27-inch iMac (Late 2013): 3.2 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 1 TB $1,689.00 (free shipping)

Unlike the new MacBook mentioned above, the newest Retina screen 27-inch iMacs are available now. If you want to take the pocketbook hit for Apple's stunning flagship desktop, the Retina 27-inch iMac ships with a 3.5 GHz processor, 8 GB RAM and a 1 TB fusion drive, all for $2,329.99.

Posted in: Mac OS