The Best MacBooks for College Students

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Apple laptops are an excellent option for college students of all subjects. Different models suit different needs, and choosing the right one can save you a lot of money. There are two MacBook types, the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro, and each has a model to suit different fields of study. Ultimately, choosing the right MacBook for college depends on your own research, budget, and major.

Here are the best MacBooks for college available today.

The Best Apple Laptops for College in 2023

MacBook Air 13-Inch M2 2022

Best Overall

A Fine Balance Between Price and Power

The M2 chip in the 2022 edition of the 13-inch MacBook Air makes it the best overall value you can find in a MacBook. While there are more powerful options, this one certainly suffices for most students. It’s a little more expensive than the 2020 M1 laptop, but it does sport the M2 chip, a bigger and sharper display, and a superior webcam.

Pros

1080p camera
MagSafe 3 charger
Bright, vibrant display
Slimline and lightweight
18-hour battery life

Cons

Only one external screen support

If you need a little more power than the M1 chip offered by the 2020 model, the 2022 iteration of the 13-inch MacBook Air boasts the mighty M2. With an 8-core CPU, up to a 10-core GPU, a 16-core neural engine, up to 24GB of unified memory, and up to 2TB of SSD storage, there’s plenty of performance in this laptop for most students.

However, you also get an upgrade on the screen. The Liquid Retina Display offers thinner bezels for a more immersive edge-to-edge experience. It also produces slightly sharper and more detailed images and is even 0.3 inches bigger despite the laptop being marginally lighter.

You also get the return of the MagSafe3 charging port, which is a far safer option if you are recharging your laptop in class. It will simply drop out if someone walks into the wire, leaving your laptop safe on the desk.

One more pleasing aspect is the webcam upgrade. Gone is the disappointing 720p camera found in the 2020 edition. In its place is a brand-spanking-new 1080p marvel. If you need your laptop for video conferencing, online classes, or even job interviews after you finish your studies, you’ll look dapper and leave a good impression with this webcam.

MacBook Air 13-Inch M1 2020

Most Affordable

Affordable Apple M1 Power

$750 $999 Save
$249

The M1 chip in the MacBook Air 13-Inch laptop is still a force to be reckoned with. Due to the release of more premium laptops with the M2 chip, this laptop is now at a more affordable price point. However, you shouldn’t underestimate its performance; it’s still an excellent choice for most students and will save a few dollars in the process.

Pros

Compatible with iPhone and iPad apps
Silent and fanless with no overheating
Slimline and lightweight
Excellent battery life
Great performance

The M2 chip found in MacBooks nowadays took Apple laptops to a new level of performance. However, that doesn’t mean the M1 chip suddenly became a poor performer. In fact, the M1 chip boasts good enough performance for most college students. And, since the release of the various M2 chips, the M1 now comes in at a more-than-fair price point.

The base configuration of this model boasts a superfast 8-core CPU with a 7-core GPU, 8GB of unified memory, and 256GB of storage. These specs should be plenty enough for most college students, but if you need more power, you can configure it to 16GB of unified memory and up to 2TB of storage—for an extra cost, of course.

The MacBook Air M1 can also brag about having comparable battery life to more premium MacBooks, despite being an older model. You’ll easily get through a full day of studies, with a second day also likely for good measure. The display is stunning, too. Your documents and notes will be crisp and sharp, and the 13.3-inch Retina display is gorgeous. With vibrant color, deep contrast, and surprisingly good audio, you’ll enjoy the three-month free subscription to Apple TV+ when you’re not busy studying.

MacBook Pro 14-Inch M2 Pro/Max 2023

Best Performance

Pro and Max Power on a 14-Inch Display

The MacBook Pro 14-Inch M2 Pro/Max is a true step up in power. The specs on offer could even be too much for some students. But if you’re a student who needs a laptop to handle creative tasks such as 3D rendering or music production, or if you work with large datasets like those that study AI, machine learning, or data science, you can max out the power output on this machine.

Pros

Incredible performance, especially the M2 Max
Excellent battery life
Stunning display
Fantastic audio
Comfortable keyboard and trackpad

Cons

Expensive, especially for better configurations

Once you step into the realm of the MacBook Pro 14-Inch, you’re not only leaping up in display size, but you’re also taking a giant stride in performance and features. To begin with, you have the choice of either the M2 Pro or the M2 Max chip. With the M2 Pro, you have the option of a 10-core CPU with a 16-core GPU or a 12-core CPU with a 19-core GPU, with both choices offering 16 or 32GB of unified memory. You can also choose from 512GB up to 8TB of SSD storage and a 67 or 96W USB-C power adapter.

If you choose the M2 Max, you’ll get a 12-core CPU and a 30- or 38-core GPU. From there, you can select 32, 64, or 96GB of unified memory and up to 8TB of storage. Power indeed. If you are considering this option, you need to contemplate the costs and your need for such power. It could be overkill for some students, but for others, especially those studying creative subjects, it will be your driving force.

In addition to all that (do you need more?), you get a stunning Liquid Retina XDR Display and some of the best speakers you can find on a laptop. Entertainment in your free time is a treat, and you also get a plethora of ports, including three Thunderbolt 4s and an HDMI.

MacBook Air 15.3-inch M2 2023

Best 15-Inch

The Only 15-Inch MacBook

$1234 $1299 Save
$65

The MacBook Air 15.3-Inch M2 is Apple’s only 15-inch MacBook. It’s the perfect balance between screen size and portability while performance is as good as ever. It even boasts an excellent audio system for movies, music, and online classes and can also brag that it has the same excellent battery life and outstanding webcam as its siblings.

Pros

Bright, vibrant 15-inch screen
Slim and portable
Fast M2 performance
Excellent audio quality

Cons

Support for only one external display
Limited ports

This version of the MacBook Air, released in 2023, has a 15.3-inch display. Some students may prefer the larger screen, which also has a better resolution for more detail and clarity. The base configuration also has a more powerful 10-core GPU, making it a better choice for demanding tasks. It’s also the only 15-inch MacBook you can find, and if this is the optimum size for you, then this could be the one.

In addition to a larger, sharper display and more powerful GPU, you also get better sound thanks to its 6-speaker sound system with spatial audio. This addition may not always be beneficial during class time unless you take online classes, but it certainly enhances your downtime when it comes to movies and music.

Like other models, the battery life is truly impressive at up to 18 hours, while the webcam is the new 1080p version. And, despite its larger size, it’s still very slim, light, and easy to carry around.

MacBook Pro 13-Inch M2 2022

Best Battery

Extended Battery Performance for Students in the Field

$1149 $1299 Save
$150

While the 13-inch MacBook Pro offers much the same as better-priced MacBook Airs, it does give you an incredible battery performance. At up to 20 hours, you can easily get through two whole days of class without needing a recharge. Performance-wise, it offers the same dependable specs as other MacBooks in its price range.

Pros

Comfortable backlit keyboard
Touch Bar for controlling various functions
Fast M2 performance
Colorful and detailed display
Exceptional battery life

Cons

720p webcam
Limited ports

There’s not a massive amount of difference between the MacBook Pro 13-Inch M2 and its MacBook Air 13-Inch M2 counterpart. In fact, you might even say the MacBook Air is slightly better value for money. You get the same 8-core CPU, 24GB of unified memory, and up to 2TB of storage. One point where it does differ is the base configuration in the MacBook Pro has a 10-core GPU, while the MacBook Air has an 8-core which you can configure to a 10-core.

What you do get, however, is the best battery life of any MacBook, save for the premium MacBook Pro 16-Inch M2 with Pro and Max chips. Using your laptop in class for research and note-taking is worry-free, with a battery performance lasting up to 20 hours. This lifespan is ideal for students using laptops in class or those who frequently collect data and conduct research in the field. Whether you are a student of geology, archaeology, or environmental science, the MacBook Pro 13-Inch M2 won’t let you down.

MacBook Pro 16-Inch M2 Pro/Max 2023

Best for Creatives

The Ultimate MacBook for Creatives Needing Power

The MacBook Pro 16-Inch M2 Max is Apple’s most powerful laptop. It boasts a performance that will satisfy even the most power-hungry students and a stunning display that you can lose yourself in during your downtime. On top of an extensive battery life, comfortable ergonomics, and a decent number of handy ports, it’s almost the perfect laptop—if you don’t mind the eye-watering asking price.

Pros

Good ergonomics
Extreme power
Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display
Amazing battery performance

If you study computer science, graphic design, engineering, or any other subject that requires the smooth running and multitasking of powerful software, the MacBook Pro 16-Inch M2 Max has you covered. It’s, quite simply, the company’s most powerful laptop to date. If it’s all a bit too much for you, you can opt for the M2 Pro chip, which still offers exceptional performance and is more than enough for most students.

The M2 Max chip model boasts a 12-core CPU, a 38-core GPU, 32GB of unified memory, and 1TB of storage. However, it’s not a cheap laptop. In fact, it’s incredibly pricey. But it is a true powerhouse that will never let you down. If you need more, you can upgrade to a bountiful 96GB of unified memory and a colossal 8TB of storage at hefty additional costs.

Yet, power isn’t the only strength this laptop has. Beauty is also among its characteristics, especially its astonishing display. After finishing your homework in the evening, you can relax and watch movies in a dazzling exhibition of vibrant, natural color, deep blacks, and outstanding brightness, all complemented by its room-filling 6-speaker audio system.

Not only that, but you get a battery life that is one of the best you can find on any laptop. Furthermore, there are plenty of ports, including HDMI 2.1, a roomy keyboard, and a responsive touchpad.

What to Consider When Deciding Which MacBook is Best for You

There are two primary considerations when choosing an Apple laptop for college. The first is cost. Some MacBooks are seriously pricey. The second is power. Some MacBooks are seriously powerful. Of course, the two considerations are related. The more muscle you need, the more you have to pay.

You can consider a MacBook at the lower end of the power and price scale if you study business, social sciences, education, or similar subjects. The 13-Inch MacBook Air M1 is still a good shout for many majors and won’t add too much to your already considerable college fees.

However, if you need serious power, you will have to opt for a pricier model. The MacBook Pro 14-Inch with the M2 Pro chip should give most students enough muscle. But, if you need more and money is of no concern, go all out and choose the M2 Max chip. You can select your configurations and really spoil yourself, and if you need a bigger display for more accurate visuals, you can opt for the 16-inch model.

Yet, most students will likely seek a nice balance between cost and performance. The regular M2 chip offers this, and if you don’t mind the smaller screen and a 720p webcam, the MacBook Air 13-Inch M2 provides superb value and has enough power for the majority of students.