This guide is based on 少数派’s Mac buying guide, first published in January 2024 and updated in November 2026. Prices below are the China-market prices stated in that update; check current configurations and checkout prices before buying.
Apple’s late-2026 Mac range spans the A18 Pro-powered MacBook Neo, M5 MacBook Air, several MacBook Pro configurations, and three desktop lines. The most useful first question is not which chip is fastest, but whether you need a portable computer—and whether your work requires sustained performance, more memory or additional ports.
For everyday portable use
MacBook Neo is the budget entry point. It has 8GB of memory, a choice of 256GB or 512GB storage, and a fingerprint reader only on the 512GB model. Its A18 Pro chip should suit browsing, documents and video calls, but the source notes limitations in heavier editing and extensive multitasking. The November update says its starting price rose from ¥4,499 to ¥5,499.
MacBook Air with M5 is the more flexible everyday laptop. It comes in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes and starts with 16GB of memory. Its fanless design keeps it silent, but sustained rendering, large builds or games can cause performance to drop as the chip heats up. It has two Thunderbolt 4 ports; consider whether that is enough for your desk setup. The guide says the Air’s starting price rose to ¥9,999.
When a MacBook Pro earns its price
A MacBook Pro makes more sense if you regularly need sustained performance, more connections or its higher-spec display. The guide distinguishes the base M6 model, with three Thunderbolt 4 ports and a mini-LED screen, from M5 Pro and M5 Max configurations with Thunderbolt 5. It also describes a redesigned, more expensive Pro with a touch-enabled PROLED XDR OLED display. A touchscreen alone is not a strong reason to upgrade if your work remains keyboard- and pointer-based.
For a concrete comparison, the guide lists the 15-inch M5 MacBook Air at ¥11,999 with 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage. The 14-inch M6 MacBook Pro is listed at ¥15,999 with 16GB and 1TB. If you do not need the extra storage, ports, display capabilities or sustained performance, the price difference may be better left unspent.
Choosing a desktop
An iMac combines a 24-inch display with the computer and is the simplest fixed-desk option. A Mac mini lets you reuse a display and peripherals; the updated range includes M6 and M5 Pro versions, but neither is an all-in-one setup. Mac Studio, offered with M5 Max or M5 Ultra, is aimed at demanding workflows that can use its greater performance, memory capacity and connectivity. Its internal memory and storage are not upgradeable later, making configuration especially important.
Before paying for more memory, the guide suggests checking Memory Pressure in macOS Activity Monitor during your normal work. It also recommends comparing the final price of the same configuration across available channels rather than assuming an education discount or refurbished machine is cheapest. Subsidies, eligibility, stock and return terms can change.