These MacBooks for students might be cheaper than you think
The best MacBook for students is going to be the one that best serves their educational needs. It’s true that there aren’t as many choices in the MacBook family that budget-minded students can afford. At least not compared to what Windows have on offer. However, there are more than enough compelling options if you know where to look.
MacBooks are among the best laptops on the market. However, students, especially those in college, often need something affordable, and the best MacBook and Macs generally have a reputation for being expensive. However, there are ways around paying full price. First of all, Apple always offers discounts and promotions for students, especially during big sale events and back-to-school season. There’s also the fact that slightly older models can go on sale at online retailers whenever new models are launched.
Now that you know the tricks to getting a MacBook that’s affordable enough for students, it’s just a matter of figuring out which model is right for your matriculating needs. A lot of it depends on what program of study a student is planning to pursue. And, we’re here to help.
We’ve tested and reviewed every single MacBook that hit the shelves, and our top picks of the best MacBook for students below should set you off the a good start. Take a look at our picks for every type of student, as well as the best MacBook deals available right now.
If you think a MacBook isn’t for you, you should check out the best Windows laptop for school, since there are literally hundreds of Windows laptops to choose from. Or if you don’t need anything as robust, one of the best Chromebooks for students might do the trick.
1. Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
The best MacBook for students overall
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Apple M2 chip with 8-core CPU
Graphics: Integrated 9-core – 10-core GPU
RAM: 8GB – 24GB unified memory
Screen: 13.6-inch (diagonal) 2560-by-1664 LED-backlit display with IPS technology
Storage: up to 2TB
REASONS TO BUY
+
Great new design+
Very good performance+
Long battery life
REASONS TO AVOID
–
More expensive than the previous model-
New colors are a bit tame
While the MacBook Pros have the sheer performance suitable for power users and content creators, for the rest of us, there’s the MacBook Air (M2, 2022). That isn’t to say that it’s not powerful in its own right. On the contrary, we found its performance to be exceptional during testing, tackling 4K video editing and music production workflows fast and in silence (thanks to its fanless design). In some benchmark tests, its single-core performance is even on par with the MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022).
It isn’t just its specs that saw an upgrade over its predecessor. Its battery life got a 5-hour uptick, giving it 16 hours of use on a single charge, while its screen is bigger and its design is better. We may not have gotten those full colors that the iMac 24-inch is sporting, but you’re getting a far more modern design here. It’s even thinner and smaller while offering a bigger screen size.
Just keep in mind that this is an expensive. If you’re on a tighter budget, then there are other cheaper options on this list.
2. Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
The best budget MacBook for students
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Apple M1 chip with 8‑core
Graphics: Integrated 7-core – 8-core
RAM: 8GB – 16GB unified memory
Screen: 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600 Retina display
Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
REASONS TO BUY
+
Fast and responsive+
Battery life is great+
Silent in use
REASONS TO AVOID
–
Fanless design could impact performance
Apple rolled out their much-talked-about M1 silicon chip that’s so far been a real game-changer. And, the first laptop to receive it is the company’s thinnest and lightest, putting it on the list of the most exciting Apple laptops of recent years.
The MacBook Air (M1, 2020) came impressively close to the performance of the more expensive 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020) during our testing, and despite its fanless design, we didn’t notice any major incidents of throttling. It also lasts around four hours longer than its predecessor.
Even with the launch of the new MacBook Air (M2, 2022), the M1 MacBook Air is still plenty powerful and also much less expensive, especially if you can get it on sale. Touting excellent performance alongside brilliant battery life while staying reasonably priced, the M1 MacBook Air is hands-down overall the best MacBook for students in 2022.
3. Apple Macbook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020)
The best budget option if you want a MacBook Pro
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Apple M1 chip with 8‑core
Graphics: Integrated 8-core
RAM: 8GB – 16GB
Screen: 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600 LED-backlit Retina display
Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
Dimensions (H x W x D): 30.41 x 21.24 x 1.56 cm
REASONS TO BUY
+
Huge battery life+
Great performance
REASONS TO AVOID
–
Still lacks ports
The MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020) may not have gotten a massive design overhaul, but what it lacks in that department, it makes up for big-time in performance and battery life. Thanks to Apple’s groundbreaking M1 chip, the 2020 MacBook Pro 13-inch delivers excellent performance and exceptional battery life.
Its performance is so impressive, in fact, that it can easily handle 4K – and even 8K – videos. It kept up admirably with Final Cut Pro, allowing us to scrub through the footage while showing a preview of the video at the same time. And, while it’s true that the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) is comparable in performance, the fact that the MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020) has fans means it can work harder and longer.
As for its battery life, it lasted 13 hours and 22 minutes during testing, offering users a 5-hour bump over its Intel counterpart. Whether you’re in high school or in college, this is the best MacBook for students if you’re looking for a powerful laptop that keeps things small and lightweight.
4. Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023)
Premium MacBook Pro for creative students
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Apple M2 Pro (10-core) – Apple M2 Max (12-core)
Graphics: Integrated 16-core GPU – 38‑core GPU
RAM: 16GB – 96GB unified memory
Storage: 512GB – 8TB SSD
Dimensions (W x D x H): 0.61 x 12.31 x 8.71 inches (1.55 x 31.26 x 22.12 cm)
REASONS TO BUY
+
New M2 Pro and M2 Max chips+
Almost 20-hour battery life+
Best screen on a laptop
REASONS TO AVOID
–
Expensive
Its 2021 predecessor may have been an almost perfect laptop, but the MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023) blows it out of the water in terms of power. It may have cemented the line’s status as the mobile workstation for content creators, but it’s also great for photography, film, and graphic design students with a more flexible budget.
During testing, it handled everything we threw at it from editing videos in 8K to recording numerous instruments at the same time and editing multi-track audio projects in Albeton Live 11. Meanwhile, its Liquid Retina XDR and mini-LED technology display delivered vibrant colors and rich, deep contrast, making our creative experience incredibly immersive.
It keeps the same design as the 2021 model, but given its solid build quality, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. It is eye-watering expensive, however, so only invest if you can justify the price with your demands and you won’t be forced into living off of instant noodles until you graduate.
5. Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M1, 2021)
The best MacBook Pro if you have a bigger budget
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Apple M1 Pro 8-core – M1 Max 10-core
Graphics: Integrated 14-core – 32-core GPU
RAM: Up to 64GB
Screen: 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
Storage: Up to 8TB
REASONS TO BUY
+
Brilliant performance+
Best screen on a laptop
REASONS TO AVOID
–
Screen may be a bit small for some
The MacBook Pro is now its truest self with the launch of the MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021) and its 16-inch counterpart. Armed with the new M1 Pro and M1 Max, MacBook impresses with breathtaking power and equally breathtaking battery life – just what every professional needs and deserves.
It really shines when it comes to heavy duty professional-grade creative work, allowing us to create complex 3D scenes in Cinema 4D and to edit 8K video in Final Cut Pro seamlessly during testing. Apple then rounds it all out with its XDR display with 1600 nits of peak brightness and a wide color gamut. It’s one of the most impressive displays we’ve seen in a laptop.
There’s also an SD card slot, an HDMI port, and three Thunderbolt 4 ports, all of which can stay available thanks to MagSafe charging being back. It’s among the most expensive MacBook Pros ever launched, but it’s also certainly among the best.
6. Apple Macbook Pro 13 (M2, 2022)
Apple’s most affordable MacBook Pro with powerful internals
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Apple M2 with 8-core CPU
Graphics: Integrated 10-core GPU
RAM: 8GB – 24GB
Screen: 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600 display with P3 and True Tone technology
Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
Dimensions (H x W x D): 30.41 x 21.24 x 1.56 cm
REASONS TO BUY
+
M2 chip is a brilliant performer+
Excellent battery life+
Almost silent in use
REASONS TO AVOID
–
No new design-
Still only two Thunderbolt ports
The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022) might not come with a new design update, which makes it look and feel a bit redundant, especially because the M1 version is pretty impressive in its own right. However, while there’s nothing exciting about its outside, Apple’s brand-new M2 chip certainly makes up for it in a massive way.
If you already have the M1 MacBook Pro 13-inch, this might not be worth an upgrade – unless, of course, you need a bit more power. In our tests, this 2022 model achieved better performance in both single and multi-core CPU tests. That means a noticeable boost in its multitasking capabilities, allowing users to open and utilize various applications open at once.
It also scored around twice as much as the Intel Core i7-1185G7-powered Surface Laptop 4, and lasted almost two hours longer than the M1 MacBook Pro 13-inch in our battery life test. That’s while keeping the same price tag as before.
