Which MacBook Is Worth Buying in 2027? Best Models for Every Budget
by Vanessa Ricca, on Oct 30, 2026Apple is setting new standards with its latest MacBooks – and not just when it comes to performance. Prices are reaching new heights, too. With the new MacBook Pro featuring a touchscreen and PROLED XDR display, Apple has introduced one of its biggest MacBook upgrades in years. But that innovation comes at a price: the 14-inch model starts at €3,299 in the German market, while the 16-inch version starts at €3,899. Choose a top-end configuration, and you could easily spend more than €5,000.
So, in 2027, there's one question worth asking: Do you really need the latest MacBook, or could you get everything you need for a fraction of the price?
The good news? You don't have to spend a fortune on a MacBook. Whether you need a laptop for university, working from home, creative projects or demanding professional tasks, plenty of older models still offer excellent performance in 2027.
In particular, MacBooks powered by Apple's M-series chips stand out for their speed, impressive battery life and energy efficiency. And if you choose a refurbished MacBook, you can save even more without compromising on the Apple experience you love.
In this guide, we'll explore which MacBooks are worth buying in 2027, which models you might want to skip and how to find the right MacBook for your budget – without spending more than you need to.
What is the newest MacBook?
Before we explore which MacBook offers the best value for money in 2027, let's take a look at Apple's latest releases.
In October 2026, Apple introduced two new MacBook Pro options: the MacBook Pro with the M6 chip and the MacBook Pro with a touchscreen and PROLED XDR display.
The touchscreen model is particularly exciting. For the first time, you can interact directly with your MacBook's display. Add an impressive OLED screen, a slimmer design and a premium price tag, and it's clear that Apple is targeting users who want something special.
Here are the biggest upgrades to the touchscreen MacBook Pro:
- Touchscreen: Scroll, zoom, draw and interact with apps directly on your MacBook screen for the first time.
- PROLED XDR display: A new tandem-OLED display with vibrant colours, up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness and a 120Hz refresh rate.
- M5 Pro and M5 Max chips: Powerful processors designed for demanding tasks such as video editing, graphic design and professional creative work.
- Updated design: A thinner, lighter body featuring Dynamic Island instead of the traditional display notch.
- Battery life: Up to 24 hours, according to Apple.
- Price: Starting at €3,299 for the 14-inch version and €3,899 for the 16-inch model in Germany.
But is the higher price really worth it?
For creative professionals, a touchscreen MacBook Pro could be an exciting upgrade. But if you mainly use your laptop for work, studying, streaming or browsing, you probably won't need all those premium features.
That's why we're focusing on the MacBooks that offer the best value in 2027, including excellent options for smaller budgets.
Which MacBook offers the best value for money? Our 5 top picks for 2027
The most expensive MacBook isn't necessarily the best one for you.
In 2027, it's worth comparing your options carefully. While the latest MacBook Pro models can cost several thousand euros, more affordable MacBooks often provide everything you need for everyday use.
The MacBook Neo is an interesting entry-level option, while older MacBook Air models become particularly attractive when bought refurbished.
So, which MacBook offers the best value for money?
That depends on what you use it for. We've selected five models worth considering, each suited to different needs and budgets.
1. MacBook Neo – the best budget MacBook for beginners
Best for: School pupils, university students and anyone looking for an affordable MacBook for everyday use.
With the MacBook Neo, Apple introduced a particularly affordable entry-level MacBook in 2026.
Starting at €699 at launch in Germany, this compact 13-inch laptop features an A18 Pro chip, a premium aluminium body and up to 16 hours of battery life. For everyday activities like browsing, sending emails, watching Netflix, using Microsoft Office or joining video calls, it has more than enough power. However, there are some limitations. With just 8 GB of RAM and a maximum of 512 GB of SSD storage, the MacBook Neo may struggle with more demanding software or heavy multitasking.
Our verdict: If you're looking for the cheapest way to enjoy the Apple laptop experience and mainly need a device for simple everyday tasks, the MacBook Neo is a great choice. However, if you want more power and a laptop that can comfortably handle demanding tasks in the future, it's worth comparing it with a refurbished MacBook Air.
Price on refurbed: Around €650 and up, depending on configuration, condition and availability.
👉 Discover the MacBook Neo 2026 on refurbed
2. MacBook Air M3 (15-inch) – the best MacBook with a large screen
Best for: University students, professionals, creatives and anyone who prefers working on a larger display.
Want a MacBook with plenty of screen space without paying MacBook Pro prices? The 15.3-inch MacBook Air M3 from 2024 could be an excellent choice. Its powerful M3 chip makes multitasking smooth, keeps everyday applications running quickly and offers enough performance for photo editing and occasional video editing.
The large display gives you plenty of room to work with multiple windows side by side. Despite its size, the MacBook weighs around 1.5 kg and operates silently thanks to its fanless design.
With up to 18 hours of battery life, it's also a great companion for long days at university, in the office or working remotely. This model becomes even more attractive when you buy it refurbished. You get a modern MacBook with a generous display at a considerably lower price than its original retail price. If you regularly work with multiple apps at once, we'd recommend choosing a configuration with 16 GB of RAM.
Our verdict: The 15-inch MacBook Air M3 is an underrated option for anyone who wants a bigger screen, reliable performance and a slim, lightweight design. Bought refurbished, it offers particularly good value for money.
Price on refurbed: Around €990 and up, depending on configuration, condition and availability.
👉 Discover the MacBook Air M3 (15-inch) on refurbed
3. MacBook Pro 2020 (13-inch) – the affordable MacBook Pro for smaller budgets
Best for: Budget-conscious Apple fans, students and anyone looking for an inexpensive MacBook Pro for everyday tasks.
A MacBook Pro for less than €600? It's possible with the 13.3-inch MacBook Pro from 2020 with Touch Bar, depending on the available offer. This model features a sharp, high-resolution display, a premium aluminium body and Apple's Touch Bar, which lets you access certain settings and functions directly from the keyboard.
Depending on the configuration, you'll find Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, between 8 GB and 32 GB of RAM and various SSD storage capacities. For everyday activities like browsing, emails, writing documents and video calls, the performance can still be sufficient. That makes it worth considering if you've always wanted a MacBook Pro but don't want to spend too much. However, there's one important thing to keep in mind. Unlike newer MacBooks powered by Apple silicon, this model uses an Intel processor. That means it's less energy-efficient, and its compatibility with future macOS versions is more limited.
Our verdict: The MacBook Pro 2020 can be an affordable way to get a MacBook Pro with Touch Bar. If your needs are fairly basic and the price is right, a refurbished model may be worth considering.
Price on refurbed: From under €650, depending on configuration, condition and availability.
👉 Discover the MacBook Pro 2020 (13-inch) on refurbed
4. MacBook Air M4 (2025) – the best all-round MacBook for most people
Best for: University students, professionals, creatives and anyone looking for a powerful everyday MacBook.
Looking for an Apple laptop that's powerful, lightweight and reasonably priced?
The MacBook Air M4 (2025) is one of the strongest options to consider in 2027. With its fast M4 chip, at least 16 GB of RAM and a beautiful 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, it's well equipped for university, working from home and creative projects. Whether you're juggling dozens of browser tabs, joining video calls, editing photos or occasionally working with video, the MacBook Air M4 can handle most everyday tasks with ease.
Other highlights include up to 18 hours of battery life, a lightweight 1.24 kg design and fanless cooling, which keeps the laptop completely silent. It also supports Apple Intelligence and can connect to up to two external displays.
Our verdict: The MacBook Air M4 strikes an excellent balance between price and performance for most users. It's significantly more powerful than older Intel-based MacBooks and offers enough performance headroom for the coming years.
Buy it refurbished, and you could pay considerably less than you would for a newer model. If you're looking for a reliable MacBook that handles almost everything, the M4 is hard to beat.
Price on refurbed: Around €1,050–€1,730, depending on configuration, condition and availability.
👉 Discover the MacBook Air M4 (2025) on refurbed
5. MacBook Pro M5 (14-inch, 2025) – the best MacBook for demanding tasks
Best for: Creative professionals, graphic designers, software developers and anyone who needs extra processing power.
Have a bigger budget and need a MacBook that won't slow you down during demanding projects?
Then the 14-inch MacBook Pro M5 from 2025 is an excellent choice. Powered by Apple's M5 chip, with at least 16 GB of RAM and an impressive 14.2-inch display, this MacBook delivers serious performance for professional applications.
Whether you're editing 4K videos, working with large image files, writing code or running multiple demanding applications at once, the MacBook Pro M5 is designed to keep up. Its display supports refresh rates of up to 120Hz for smooth visuals, while active cooling helps maintain performance during longer, more intensive workloads. You also get up to 24 hours of battery life and a useful selection of ports, including HDMI, Thunderbolt 4 and an SD card slot.
Of course, the MacBook Pro M5 costs more than a MacBook Air. But in return, you get better sustained performance, a more advanced display and extra connectivity options. Choosing a refurbished model can help reduce the cost while still giving you a highly capable laptop for the years ahead.
Our verdict: The MacBook Pro M5 is our recommendation for anyone with a larger budget who regularly works with demanding professional software. For everyday Office tasks, it's probably more power than you need. But for creative projects and professional workflows, it can be a worthwhile investment.
Price on refurbed: Around €1,850–€2,550, depending on configuration, condition and availability.
👉 Discover the refurbished MacBook Pro M5 (14-inch, 2025) on refurbed
Should you buy a refurbished, used or new MacBook in 2027?
There's something exciting about buying a brand-new MacBook. But do you really need the latest model?
If you want the most performance for your money, a refurbished MacBook is often the smarter choice.
While buying new means paying the full retail price, a professionally refurbished MacBook can offer excellent performance for significantly less.
What's the difference between used and refurbished?
A used MacBook is typically sold in its existing condition, often by a private seller.
Refurbished MacBooks, on the other hand, are professionally inspected, cleaned, tested and repaired where necessary before being made available for sale again.
When you shop on refurbed in Germany, you can also enjoy several advantages:
- Save compared to buying new: Find MacBooks at prices up to 40% lower than new devices and get more for your budget.
- Professionally checked: Devices are tested by experienced refurbishment partners and repaired if necessary.
- Minimum 12-month warranty: Enjoy added reassurance after your purchase.
- 30-day free returns: Try your MacBook at home and return it within 30 days if it isn't right for you.
- Different cosmetic conditions: Choose from Premium, Excellent, Very Good and Good, depending on how important the device's appearance is to you.
Our tip: It's particularly worth exploring refurbished offers for models such as the MacBook Air M3 and M4. That way, you can enjoy modern Apple technology without paying the full price of a new device.
A refurbished MacBook is also a more sustainable choice compared to new
Choosing a refurbished MacBook isn't just good for your wallet. It's also a way to make a more sustainable choice. Producing a new laptop requires valuable raw materials, water and energy. By choosing a professionally refurbished device instead, you help extend its useful lifespan and reduce the demand for new resources.
Research and calculations carried out by refurbed in collaboration with Fraunhofer Austria highlight the potential benefits.
Compared with buying new, refurbished smartphones, tablets and laptops can, on average:
- Avoid 80–85% of CO₂ emissions
- Use 82–92% less virtual water
- Generate 59–96% less electronic waste
The actual environmental savings depend on the device, its specifications and other factors.
💚 Want to find out how much CO₂, water and electronic waste you could save with a specific MacBook?
With the refurbed Product Footprint App, you can explore the estimated environmental impact of different devices and compare refurbished products with equivalent new ones.
So, when you choose your next MacBook on refurbed, you can save money while helping to conserve valuable resources.
Final verdict: Which MacBook is worth buying in 2027?
The best MacBook isn't necessarily the newest or most expensive model. It's the one that fits your needs and budget. If you're looking for an affordable laptop for everyday tasks, the MacBook Neo is a great starting point. For a combination of performance, portability and value, the MacBook Air M3 and M4 are excellent choices.
And if you regularly use demanding creative or professional software, the MacBook Pro M5 is worth considering. Our recommendation? Explore refurbished MacBooks before buying new. You could save money, get a professionally checked laptop and make a more sustainable choice at the same time.
Discover the latest refurbished MacBooks on refurbed Germany and find the one that's right for you!
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