How to buy your next Mac

Today, tomorrow, next year – at some point you’re going to need to replace your current Mac with a newer model, and who wouldn’t want a shiny new one? Discover how to make the right choice.

Macs are built to last, but there comes a time when yours starts to show its age. When that happens, you’ll find yourself looking for a new model, and these days the variety of Mac desktops and laptops on offer can be mind-boggling. It’s an expensive purchase, so it pays to take your time and get it right – computers are like cars in that in their value goes down and they’re quickly replaced in the showroom by a better model. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t allow yourself to be paralysed by fear – whichever Mac you buy, it’s almost certainly going to be faster than your current one, so even if it’s superseded a few months down the line, your new Mac will still feel like it flies compared to the trusty friend you’re moving on from. In this feature we’ll steer you through the buying process – from helping you find the right place to buy your Mac, to giving you the lowdown on options such as insurance and configuration. We’ll also debunk a few Mac-buying myths along the way. If you’re still stumped as to which model is right for your needs, then we compare four popular models – MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac 5K and Mac Pro – based on which person they’re best suited for. And don’t forget to check out our Upgrade section (see page 107), where you can compare all major Macs side-by-side. Think you’ve got a good idea of which one you want? Good, now turn the page to find out how to get it at the right price from the right supplier and with all the options and protection you’ll need…