The 2021 release of Apple's latest M1 processors, the M1 Pro, and M1 Max gave buyers a lot of options when choosing a portable Apple-powered device.

However, it can also lead to confusion, especially if you're not familiar with which device is most suitable for you.

From premium-powered iPads to portable MacBook Pros, there's a wealth of choice when it comes to the best Apple M1 devices.

Here are the best Apple M1 devices available to purchase today.

The 2021 release of Apple's latest M1 processors, the M1 Pro and M1 Max, gave us a lot of options when choosing a portable Apple-powered device.

However, too many options can lead to confusion, especially if you're not familiar with which device is most suitable for you.

From premium-powered iPads to portable MacBook Pros, there's a wealth of choice when it comes to the best Apple M1 devices.

Here are the best Apple M1 devices available to purchase today.

Our Favorite Apple M1 Devices of 2023

The 14-Inch Apple M1 Pro MacBook Pro offers the best price-to-performance balance around. You have the option between an 8-core CPU and 14-core GPU or the more powerful 10-core CPU and 16-core GPU. This device is best for entry-level professionals who must work around a budget.

The higher-specced model is also a good choice for those who prioritize portability over power. Nevertheless, the lower variant still punches above its weight when it comes to performance.

Both models also come with the Liquid Retina XDR display, giving you 1,000 nits of sustained brightness and an astonishing 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. This 10-bit display also delivers one billion colors, giving you the most accurate color display.

If price isn’t a problem, and you want the most powerful M1 machine, the Apple Mac Studio M1 Ultra is the end-all be-all. The desktop is rocking the M1 Ultra processor, the pinnacle of the M1 family, featuring so many cores that it makes very intensive software a breeze to use.

Here’s the rub: the more cores you have access to, the more your PC can process multiple tasks. This is especially handy for editing and rendering software, whether it’s video, photo, or 3D modeling. The Apple Mac Studio M1 Ultra isn’t short on power, either; you can pick between 48 or a 64-core GPU, along with a choice between 64 or 128GB of RAM.

While it doesn’t have a display, there is a silver lining. Seeing as the Apple Mac Studio M1 Ultra is built for intensive software, you’ll need as much room as possible. Luckily, there are six Thunderbolt 4 ports available, in addition to HDMI, allowing you to connect several monitors of any size.

"Budget" and "Apple" usually don't share the same space, but if you're looking for the quickest route to the M1 chip, then consider picking up the 13-inch Apple M1 MacBook Air. It's a light, thin, powerful, and quite efficient, making it an equally great choice for portability.

However, if you plan on working with the most demanding apps, the 512GB 13-inch Apple M1 MacBook Air is the slightly better option given its 8-core GPU. Still, the 256GB model's 7-core GPU hardly lags behind, making it the optimal choice if your budget is really tight. Both offer impressive performance, without thermal throttling, despite its lack of fans.

Not a fan of the screen size? Well, interestingly enough, the 13-inch Apple M1 MacBook Air is also powerful enough to support an external display at 6K@60Hz.

For professionals after power, portability, and customization, the Apple M1 iPad Pro is the perfect marriage. With its 11-inch screen and 2388x1668px resolution, you still have ample room for productivity while maintaining a sharp, colorful image.

In fact, the 11-inch Apple M1 iPad Pro is compatible with many of Apple’s external accessories, such as the Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard, and Smart Folio. Any one of these transform your tablet into something more, especially altogether.

Additionally, the built-in ultra-wide camera utilizes Center Stage, keeping your beautiful mug in focus when you’re having video chats with family, friends, and co-workers. You can even do it on the go if you opt for the model with cellular capabilities.

What if you plan on dealing with resource-hungry software, something you know that’ll push the M1 processor to its limits? Well, then meet the little brother to the Apple Mac Studio M1 Ultra, the Apple Mac Studio M1 Max. It also doubles as a budget option if you need a more stationary setup.

Sure, the M1 Max is a step down from the M1 Ultra, but it’s still a powerhouse, largely due to the extra hardware you get compared to the limits of Apple’s laptops. With the Apple Mac Studio M1 Max, you have access to 32GB or RAM, a 24-core or 32-core GPU, and the M1 Max, which itself is a 10-core CPU. It’s the perfect work station if, say, you provide video or photo editing services on a contract-by-contract basis.

You’ll need plenty of storage space for those files, though. The Apple Mac Studio M1 Max has several options, from 512GB to a massive 8TB SSD. If that’s not enough, you can connect external storage devices using any of the four Thunderbolt 4 ports at the back.

When you must have the largest possible display on your laptop, yet you have no use for the over-the-top computing power of the M1 Max, the 16-Inch Apple M1 Pro MacBook Pro will deliver. This laptop comes equipped with a 16-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, which offers an extreme definition range with a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. It also has ProMotion technology, letting you enjoy refresh rates of up to 120Hz as needed.

Despite having less power than the M1 Max, it still offers a potent 10-Core CPU and 16-Core GPU via the M1 Pro chip. You also get an astounding 100Wh Li-Po battery, delivering up to 14 hours of wireless internet use on a single charge.

For users who are in the market for one of the best M1 devices, the 16-Inch Apple M1 Pro MacBook Pro is an absolute beast. You'll be able to enjoy a large display, decent power, and plenty of battery life when working away from a power source.

On the other hand, if you need that maximum power on a large screen, the 16-inch Apple M1 Max MacBook Pro is the way to go. A 10-Core CPU and 32-Core GPU powers this laptop. It also sports 32GB RAM, expandable up to 64GB, making it an incredibly versatile Mac device.

Despite all that power, it's still efficient enough to sustain up to 14 hours of continuous wireless web use. It also comes with a 140W MagSafe 3 charger, allowing you to fast-charge your device up to 50 percent in just 30 minutes.

The 16-Inch Apple M1 Max MacBook Pro features a six-speaker sound system, a 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and a whole lot of other features. Professionals who demand portable power will definitely get it from the M1 Max-powered 16-inch MacBook Pro.

Picking the Best Apple M1 Device For You

The good news is that Apple made it rather easy to decide which device is best for you given that all possess some form of the M1 chipset, whether it's the base M1, the M1 Pro, M1 Max or the M1 Ultra. What that means for you as that no matter which model you choose, you're always getting powerful hardware. It essentially comes down to what you plan on using for.

For that reason, the 14-inch Apple M1 Pro MacBook Pro is the perfect option, overall. It's portable, the display is a good size, and it utilizes the M1 Pro. Whether it's personal or work-related, the laptop can fit any mold.

Of course, we understand if budget is a concern, in which case you'll have to go back a few generations to the 13-Inch Apple M1 MacBook Air. Sure, it's a few years old, but you still gain access to the M1 chipset, along with 8GB of RAM, a sizable display featuring beautiful colors, and a fast SSD.