Apple’s MacBooks are synonyms for speed, elegance, and chic aesthetics. These power-packed machines are everyone’s favorite for their ultra-premium designs, blistering performance, and remarkable displays. Although the company primarily targets high-end users, a huge section turns to MacBooks for entertainment, given the prominent Retina displays. Today, we will try to find the best MacBook to watch movies.
Before continuing, it’s important to understand that MacBooks are not affordable by any means, and they can be overkill for the sole purpose of watching movies. You will find a more powerful Windows laptop at a similar or lower price.
So, if you are seeking a laptop to enjoy movies, music, and TV shows, I’ll advise you to explore the Widows lineup. On the other hand, for those looking for a powerful business + entertainment machine to replace their desktop, check out our selection of the finest available MacBooks in 2023.
7 Best MacBooks to Watch Movies and TV Shows in 2023:
Picking the right MacBook can be a huge headache since most offer similar specifications. To make things easy for you, our team reviewed all the available models for 2023 and handpicked the best ones.
We considered four essential criteria to find the best MacBook to watch movies: display quality, audio capabilities, battery longevity, and pricing. Additionally, we considered user feedback from well-known e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Walmart, and eBay.
Here is an overview:
| Model | Display | Processor | Battery Life | RAM/Storage |
| MacBook Air 2023 | 15.3-Inch Liquid Retina | 8-core Apple M2 | Up to 18 hours | 16GB/512GB |
| MacBook Pro 2023 | 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR | 12-core Apple M2 Max | Up to 18 hours | 32GB/1TB |
| MacBook Air 2023 | 13.3-inch Retina | 8-core Apple M1 | Up to 15 hours | 8GB/256GB |
| MacBook Pro 2021 | 16.2-inch Retina XDR | 10-core Apple M1 Pro | Up to 21 hours | 32GB/512GB |
| MacBook Pro 2022 | 13.3-inch Retina | 8-core Apple M2 | Up to 20 hours | 8GB/256GB |
| MacBook Pro 2021 | 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR | 8-core Apple M1 | Up to 21 hours | 16GB/512GB |
| MacBook Pro 2023 | 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR | 12-core Apple M2 Pro | Up to 18 hours | 16GB/512GB |
1. MacBook Air 2023 15-inch:
Price – $1,659
- Display – 15.3-inch IPS LED-backlit display, 500 nits brightness
- Screen Resolution – 2880×1864 pixels (224 PPI)
- Processor – Apple M2 chip
- Storage – 256GB/512GB
- RAM – 8GB
- Weight – 3.3 lbs
- Battery Life – Up to 18 hours
- Ports – 2xUSB-4 (Thunderbolt), Display Port, 3.5mm audio jack
For $1,659, the MacBook Air is not the most affordable machine on the market, but it’s an ideal choice for those looking for a premium desktop replacement to watch movies. With a larger display, decent battery, and turbo sound – the MacBook Air 2023 has everything you expect from a truly powerful entertainer.
Powered by Apple’s in-house M2 CPU, it’s one of the fastest yet most power-efficient laptop laptops available today. It features the same Retina display that we’ve seen on recent MacBook Airs, just bigger. The pixel density is a respectable 224, enough to give you crisp visuals.
The display’s vibrant colors and True Tone technology ensure that every frame is a visual delight. Whether you’re streaming the latest blockbuster or indulging in your favorite TV series, the MacBook Air delivers an immersive viewing experience that’s hard to match.
The device has a six-speaker setup supporting spatial audio and Dolby Atmos. While the sound quality is excellent, don’t expect a true Dolby experience from this device.
The battery life is impressive, considering the portable size. We squeezed 19 hours of video playback time, more than Apple promises.
Rating – 8.7
Verdict – Buy this if you want a premium MacBook to watch movies without compromising display size.
2. MacBook Pro 2023 14 Inch:
Price – $1,999
- Display – 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, 1000 nita brightness, 120 Hz
- Screen Resolution – 3024 x 1964, 254 PPI
- Processor – Apple M2 Pro, Apple M2 Max
- Storage – 512GB, 1TB
- RAM – 16GB/32GB
- Weight – 3.6 lbs
- Battery Life – Up to 18 hours
- Ports – SDXC slot, HDMI, 3xUSB-C with Thunderbolt, Display port, 3.5mm jack
It is not much different between the MacBook Pro and Mac Air regarding battery and performance. However, it features a better display and sound, giving you an unforgettable movie-watching experience.
The display borrows the same Retina name. However, this one is a mini-LED panel with more pixels and brightness. Also, the ProMotion 120Hz technology takes the viewing experience to the next level.
While watching the HDR video, we noticed the peak brightness of over 1400 nits, almost double that of the MacBook Air. Many Windows laptops offer OLED screens at this price, but Apple managed to keep the color reproduction and black levels on the same level as OLED.
The speaker setup on the MacBook Pro consists of 4 force-cancelling woofers and 2 tweeters, and the output quality is just mind-blowing. Every instrument and vocal is crisp and clear, even at the highest volume level.
Apple has promised up to 18 hours of battery life (video playback). However, the results are not as optimistic when you switch to HDR streaming. In our test, the laptop lasted just above 11 hours, which is still better than most of the competition.
Rating – 9.5
Verdict – If you’re okay with the notch, it’s the best MacBook to watch movies in 2023 if you can afford it.
3. MacBook Air 2020 13 Inch:
Price – $749
- Display – 13.3-inch LED-backlit display, 400 nits brightness
- Screen Resolution – 2560×1600 pixels, 227 PPI
- Processor – Apple M1 chip
- Storage – 256GB
- RAM – 8GB
- Weight – 2.8 lbs
- Battery Life – Up to 18 hours
- Ports – 2xUSB-4 with Thunderbolt support, Display Port, 3.5mm audio jack
Despite being nearly 3 years old, this MacBook offers great value for money. It’s a perfect blend of power, portability, and efficiency, and it will still be a solid performer in 2023. But is it a good machine to watch movies?
Although the MacBook Air 2020 features an old design, with a compact size and a weight of just 2.8 lbs, it’s one of the lightest laptops on the market. It features our LED-backlit Retina display with a full HD+ resolution and reasonable brightness. Although Windows laptops, at the same price, offer higher resolution and brightness, Apple’s TrueTone technology makes up for that deficit.
It adjusts the color temperature and white balance according to ambient lighting conditions. Overall, the viewing experience is decent, but nothing compared to the latest MacBooks with XDR displays.
The speakers are surprisingly powerful for a laptop this small. We watched a few movie trailers and were truly impressed by the loudness and clarity of it.
The battery performance is good, though not outstanding. In our test, we played a 720p offline video at 50% brightness for over 15 hours straight. Although, don’t expect more than 9 hours with online movie streaming.
Rating – 8.0
Verdict – If you want a light and compact work laptop to watch movies, MacBook Air 2020 is the ideal pick.
4. MacBook Pro 2021 16-inch
Price – $1,899
- Display – 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR, 1000 nits brightness
- Screen Resolution – 3456×2234 pixels, 245 PPI
- Processor – Apple M1 Pro chip
- Storage – 512GB
- RAM – 32GB
- Weight – 4.7 lbs
- Battery Life – Up to 21 hours
- Ports – HDMI, SDXC slot, 3.5mm jack, 3xUSB-C (Thunderbolt), Display Port
The MacBook Pro from 2021 is a premium portable machine from Apple that can be a good replacement for your chunky desktop machine. Featuring a huge display with a nearly 4K resolution, it’s surely the best MacBook to watch movies on a big screen.
The display on this MacBook Pro is a 16.2-inch Retina XDR display framed by very thin bezels. The blacks may not be as dark as the OLED panel, but the color representation is amazing, thanks to P3’s wide color gamut coverage. Also, the mini-LED technology can brighten the screen to 1000 nits and up to 1,600 nits at peak. Although it’s not a 4K panel, watching high-definition movies on this ProMotion display is an experience you will relish.
The six-speaker setup under the hood delivers fantastic sound with extraordinary bass. The vocals and table sound warm and pleasant, while high-pitch notes are balanced beautifully. It also supports Dolby Atmos, which elevates the sound reasonably, but the difference is negligible.
The battery performance is commendable, thanks to the efficient M1 Pro chip. The laptop managed 14 hours of web browsing and 21 hours of continuous offline video playback.
Rating – 8.3
Verdict – With a little compromise on performance, it’s a good alternative to the 2023 MacBook Pro at $400 less.
5. MacBook Pro 2022 13 Inch
Price – $1,049
- Display – 13.3-inch LED-backlit with IPS technology, 500 nits brightness
- Screen Resolution – 2560×1600 pixels, 227 PPI
- Processor – Apple M2 chip
- Storage – 256GB
- RAM – 8GB
- Weight – 3.0 lbs
- Battery Life – Up to 20 hours
- Ports – 2xUSB-C with Thunderbolt, Display Port, 3.5mm headphone hack
The 2022 version of MacBook Pro is a decent blend of power and portability. Although its design looks the same as in 2016, the M2 chip and pressure-sensitive controls are the two big highlights of this device.
The 13.3-inch LED-backlit Retina display with a resolution of 2560×1600 looks outdated when compared to Windows laptops or even newer generation MacBooks. However, the overall display quality is good, and you will have no complaints while watching high-definition YouTube videos or Netflix movies.
The screen is bright enough, and the pictures appear crisp and colorful. It also features the TrueTone color optimization technology, which tweaks the brightness and color according to the lighting conditions.
It also features the controversial pressure-sensitive controls above the keyboard. Although heavily criticized, you might enjoy the haptic feedback using the touch bar.
The audio quality is nothing to boast about. It has enough clarity and punch to do the job for you. You can fire up Dolby Atmos for an enhanced experience, but the difference is visible only when using the headphones.
The battery life lives up to its promise. We managed to continuously loop a 720p video at 50% brightness for an impressive 21 hours and 50 minutes.
Rating – 8.6
Verdict – Apart from the thick bezels, it’s the best sub $1000 MacBook to watch TV shows and movies.
6. MacBook Pro 2021 14 Inch
Price – $1,629
- Display – 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR, ProMotion, 1000 nits brightness
- Screen Resolution – 3024×1964 pixels, 254 PPI
- Processor – Apple M1 Pro chip
- Storage – 512GB
- RAM – 16GB
- Size and Weight – 3.5 lbs
- Battery Life – Up to 17 hours
- Ports – SDXC slot, HDMI, 3.5mm jack, 3xUSB-C with Thunderbolt, Display Port
It’s the smaller of the two flagship MacBooks launched by Apple in 2021. Although the performance is nearly identical to the 16-inch variant, it offers a more balanced display size, ideal for work and entertainment, without sacrificing screen space or portability.
The device is fitted with Apple’s trademark Liquid Retina display, which is 14.2-inch and has a resolution of 3024×1964. It’s one of the best, if not the best-looking, laptop displays in terms of color accuracy, contrast levels, and brightness. Apple also trimmed down the bezels to maintain the laptop’s overall size. However, the camera notch may ruin your movie-watching experience.
The videos look stunning, thanks to the ProMotion technology, which can boost the refresh rate to 120Hz. The display also supports P3 wide color gamut, capable of displaying over a billion colors.
The MacBook Pro features the identical six-speaker setup in the 16-inch model. The audio-visual experience on this device was among the best we’ve encountered in a long time.
The battery performance is exceptional. In our test, it gave us 11 hours of wireless web browsing and a remarkable 16 hours of 1080p video playback.
Rating – 8.3
Verdict – Buy only if you need a powerful work laptop to watch movies on.
7. MacBook Pro 2023 16 Inch:
Price – $2,299
- Display – 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, 1000 nits brightness
- Screen Resolution – 3456×2234 pixels, 245 PPI
- Processor – Apple M2 Pro chip
- Storage – 512GB
- RAM – 16GB
- Weight – 4.7 lbs
- Battery Life – Up to 22 hours
- Ports – 3xUSB-C (Thunderbolt), 3.5mm audio jack, HDMI, SDXC, Display Port
My final recommendation is the bigger MacBook Pro from 2023 – A versatile powerhouse that will serve nearly any purpose, including entertainment and productivity tasks. But, for $2,299, is it the best MacBook to watch movies?
It features the familiar 16.2-inch Liquid Retina display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 3456 x 2234. Yes, the display is not much different than what we’ve seen on recent MacBooks, but why change when you have the best one?
The display on the 2023 MacBook is the best non-OLED panel we’ve tested this year. The blacks are surprisingly deep, and the colors look just stunning. The videos look silky smooth, courtesy of 120Hz ProMotion technology.
It features a similar six-speaker setup, with 4 force-cancelling woofers and 2 tweeters. The sound is remarkably good but a touch lower than the 14-inch counterpart. It also supports spatial audio and Dolby Atmos, but you’ll have to use headphones to enjoy the difference in quality.
The battery performance is better than the smaller model, lasting for nearly 4 more hours under standard usage. We were able to squeeze in 18 hours of continuous 1080p video playback.
Rating – 9.1
Verdict – Buy it only if you need a powerful machine for video editing, sound mixing, or other resource-hungry tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions:
MacBooks are expensive machines and may not be an economical choice for movie-watching. However, you can pick one if you want a powerful laptop with decent entertainment capabilities.
The 2023-released MacBook Pro (16 inch) is the best laptop to watch movies and TV shows. However, if you need a laptop solely for entertainment, consider checking some affordable Windows laptops.
Netflix, Amazon Prime, and HBO Max are the best apps to watch movies on MacBook Pro.
The MacBook Air 13 from 2020 is the best choice for students. You can watch movies and perform basic computing, typing, and productivity tasks.
Final Word:
I hope this guide will help you pick the best MacBook for watching movies. In 2023, nearly all MacBooks feature similar Retina displays with varying brightness levels, resolutions, and refresh rates. However, for the common eye, the difference in viewing experience is not too significant.
While the latest models offer thin bezels and advanced ProMotion technology, the camera notch might not appeal to everyone. Conversely, the older model has thick bezels and an outdated design. Overall, their performance is nearly similar, depending on your preference.
I am an engineer by education, tech writer by profession, and a motor sport fan by heart.
