So I'm looking to upgrade either soonish or later in the year. I wouldn't say I do anything super strenuous on a laptop but also get sick of the slow speed of my current one (was a cheap hp laptop to get me through). I use a chromebook at school and I am not a fan.

Any recommendations?

Are macbooks truly the best? Also pro vs air if so

macbooks are awesome, i personaly like airs better for what i do.

Macbooks 100%. Only issues I have with Airs is lack off space, but if you only want it for school, airs are good! Pro would be even better.

It's going to depend on what your overall usage will be. My first MacBook Pro was an off-the-shelf and it lasted me 10 years with no issues. It did slow down/not accept updates the last several years but that was fine at the time.

I purchased my new MacBook Pro ~2 years ago and decided that I was going to splurge since the first lasted so long. I updated the graphics card/storage but the problem is that you can't upgrade fans. ~6 months ago I had to spend $800 to repair it because the motherboard cooked itself with the performance upgrades.

Personally, I would skip over the Air.

I'm a writer (mostly fun but I have done and do the odd commission), so it needs to hold up to having various things open and running zoom etc. I don't really use a laptop for more than that. It just needs to be reliable and last. Looking to upgrade for next year as I'll be at uni (if all things go well)

Also is there that much difference between the M1 and M2 chips?

I have a surface pro x it is AMAZING I often have 70+ tabs open three art programs, and used to have zoom going too lol

its a bit pricy but 100% worth it in my opinion

Ended up with the mac pro with the M2 chip

Good choice. Enjoy your laptop!

I will thank you! it's so much better than my last despite the learning curve from windows to mac lol