We’re over halfway through the year and growing closer to the halfway point of the summer, which means that for millions of students, it’s time to prepare for the next school year. Whether the school year takes place on campus, in a classroom, or online is uncertain, but one thing that is for certain is that students need a powerful, reliable laptop or desktop to get them through the school years or semesters to come. While there are many computer options on the market, year after year, Apple computers offer students some of the best laptop and desktops available.
They’re not only powerful, but reliable, and can last for years. So if you yourself are a student or you’re a parent of a student looking for a new computer for this upcoming school year, look no further.
Our pick: Lenovo Yoga C740 (14″) Our pick. Lenovo Yoga C740 (14″) The Yoga C740 is the best. Best Mac for students depends on individual needs Ultimately, the best Mac for students is dependent on each person's particular needs, including grade level, college major, learning environment. Honor MagicBook 14 (2020) Best value Student Laptop. We continually check thousands of prices.
Best Apple Computers for Students
- Apple 16″ MacBook Pro with Touch Bar
- Apple 13″ MacBook Pro with Touch Bar
- Apple MacBook Air 13.3″ with Retina Display
- Apple 27″ iMac with Retina 5K Display
- Apple Mac Mini Desktop Computer
Here are some of the best Apple computers for students for this upcoming school year.
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Apple 16″ MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, Late 2019 ()
The Apple 16″ MacBook Pro with Touch Bar is the latest Macbook Pro, designed as a do-it-all, high-performance, mobile workspace, built to tackle any project or assignment out there. The biggest selling point for this latest MacBook Pro is it’s beautiful, brilliant 16-inch Retina display, that was built for rendering accurate, vibrant colors in images and video, making it ideal for color grading, photo editing, and graphic design.
But the 16″ MacBook Pro isn’t just a beautiful screen on the outside. It packs a powerful punch on the inside. Built with the option of a 9th-Gen 6-Core Intel i7 or i9 processor and AMD Radeon Pro 5300M or 5500M graphics card, these latest processors and graphics cards allow for the new MacBook Pro to run twice as fast as its predecessor, and run complex programs and software effortlessly.
In addition to its powerful processor and video graphics card options, the 16″ MacBook Pro also comes with customizable internal RAM memory, from 16 GB to 64 GB. Also, you have the customizable internal SSD storage, from 512 GB SSD to 8 TB SSD, so your MacBook Pro will never get bogged down from lack of storage, or not be able to run multiple programs at once, which is essential while in school.
Finally, Apple made the new MacBook Pro keyboard experience even more enjoyable, with it’s redesigned Magic Keyboard, built to ensure faster key response. This makes typing essays, reports, or articles even easier. The built-in TouchBar allows making manual adjustments while editing or color grading a breeze, and even the speaker and microphones are improved, making almost every feature of the popular MacBook Pro better.
The MacBook Pro has been an attractive option for students for years, but with the new improvements and features of the new 16″ MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, it’s hard not to take a serious look at this laptop that seems built as the perfect on-the-go workhorse, able to tackle any projects or assignments students will face in school.
Apple 13″ MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, Mid 2020 ()
If you love all the performance features and beautiful Retina display of the 16” MacBook Pro, but prefer a smaller, more portable option for carrying between classes, the 13″ MacBook Pro with Touch Bar is the perfect option. Featuring the same Magic Keyboard, Touch Bar, and stunning Retina Display as the 16” MacBook Pro, you still get the same amazing visual and tactile experience, just in a smaller package.
When it comes to power and performance, the 13″ MacBook Pro is one of the top Apple computers and is well equipped with high performance Intel Core i5 processors, and more. A customizable RAM memory, fast and reliable SSD storage, and top-of-the-line graphics cards are included so you can run any program, from Photoshop to Acrobat, or perform any task, from editing to writing, effectively and efficiently.
The 13″ MacBook Prohas been a fantastic choice for students for years, due to its size and performance features. The 10th Generation version seems well-equipped to continue being that reliable laptop companion for students, for years to come.
Apple MacBook Air 13.3″ with Retina Display, Early 2020 ()
The Apple MacBook Air has been known for its sleek, lightweight, portable design for years, and the latest MacBook Air 13.3″ with Retina Display was built to attract those who care just as much about looks as they do functionality. The biggest change with the newest MacBook Air is its variety of processor, memory, and internal SSD storage options that make it a more powerful laptop, performance-wise. With much larger storage and memory options, a faster processor, and a built-in Intel Iris Plus Graphics card, it’s built to not only look great, but perform well.
With the latest Apple MacBook Air 13.3” with Retina Display, you’re not just getting one of the beautiful Apple computers. You’re getting a capable performer, at a competitive price, making it a fantastic option for students going into the new school year.
Apple 27″ iMac with Retina 5K Display, Late 2018, 2020 Upgrade ()
When you think of an iMac, you think of a powerful, easy-to-use, all-in-one desktop workspace solution. The latest Apple 27″ iMac Retina 5K Display continues that legacy, and is one of the best desktop options out there. Ideal for students or any young professionals needing a desktop computer that can handle anything, from rendering 4K video to editing large megapixel photos, or operating multiple softwares at once.
Externally, the iMac continues to trim down its slim, sleek aluminum design. It offers a large, vibrant, 5K Retina display with accurate and brilliant colors, making it a joy to work on, and easily one of the best desktop displays on the market.
However, the best feature of the new27″ iMac is its ability to be customized to fit the performance needs of any user. You can build your iMac with the latest Intel processors and Radeon Pro Graphics Cards, as well as plenty of internal RAM memory and SSD storage, so you never run out of space or see your iMac’s performance decline. They can be built to perform any task, while operating at the highest level. That is a beautiful thing, especially for students who primarily focus on photo, video, and design, and need a powerful desktop option.
So if you have a student in your life that is needing one of the best Apple computers create, design, or perform at a high level, check out the new Apple 27″ iMac with Retina 5K Display. It is a game-changer, and one of the most impressive desktop options on the market today.
Apple Mac Mini Desktop Computer, 2019 ()
Last but not certainly not least, we have the Apple Mac Mini Desktop Computer. If you’re looking for the power and performance of an Apple desktop, with the ability to customize your screen display and workspace, the Mac Mini is a perfect option for you. Built with increased power and storage options, from 8th generation Intel Core processors and Intel UHD graphics cards, to customizable RAM memory and SSD storage options, Mac Minis are powerful desktop options for any student.
However, the biggest selling point of the Mac Mini is it allows users more control over their desktop layout. Apple built the latest Mac Mini to connect to most external displays, with four Thunderbolt 3 ports, dual USB 3.0 ports, and a built-in HDMI 2.0 port. These output options are fast and reliable, and allow for total customization for your desktop display setup. This makes the Mac Mini an attractive choice for those who prefer control over their display layout, or want a bigger screen than the 27” iMac.
If you’re looking for a powerful desktop option for a student, that allows for a more custom external display experience, then the latest Mac Mini may be the best option for you.
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Whether you’ve received your first college homework or just opened that letter of acceptance to the university of your dreams — it means the best time to buy a MacBook has arrived. Studying at a university or college today has become more challenging than ever before, but there are ways to make your efforts less strenuous, by surrounding yourself with good and reliable technology.
Many students around the globe consider Apple to be providing some of the best laptops for college students, and rightfully so. Apple’s operating system has established itself as the most intuitive, trusted, and fastest platform around — it’s highly appreciated by anyone who doesn’t want to take the risk of their work going missing due to a hardware malfunction. Not the least important feature of Mac computers is their immunity to viruses, which comes with a benefit of saving on antivirus software. Pretty good news so far.
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How To Find The Best Mac For Education
The process of choosing the best MacBook for college depends on the kind of student you are, the type of assignments you get, and what you’ve generally come to expect from your computers. Apple is known for making their products to last, so even if you decide to buy a cheap Mac laptop for university, it should still be in good shape long after your graduation.
Since your studies will include both theory and practice, it’s crucial for your laptop to be able to support all the apps necessary during your time in college. If you’re not anticipating to be working on any complex projects over the course of your studies, then a cheap Mac laptop will be a reasonable purchase for you.
To ease the process of finding the best Mac education pricing and quickly resolve the age-old question of whether to get MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro for college, take a look at the following aspects.
What you need to know about Mac laptop prices
When you first start comparing Mac laptop prices, it might seem as though MacBook deals for college students are not that cheap. However, once you dive deeper into your search for the top computer on the market, you’ll not only find many cheap Mac laptops, but realize that even the most expensive models are completely worth their price, due to their exceptional longevity and overall efficiency.
Besides, if you’re a registered student, you’re eligible for the Apple college discount to use towards your new Mac from Apple’s Education Store. Occasionally, there are some back-to-school deals too, usually during the summer months — the right time to buy a MacBook.
Want to find additional ways to save money but still get the best MacBook for college? Consider shopping at Apple’s refurbished store or buying a cheap Mac laptop secondhand.
Now that you know everything about Mac education pricing, let’s explore some of the best laptops for college students on the market right now.
Performance: 16-inch MacBook Pro (2019)
If you’re looking to get the most power in a portable package, this is the best laptop for college, period. MacBook Pro runs on the latest Intel processors and could be configured with up to 8 TB of storage. Depending on your needs, this can be seen as an advantage or drawback, since as an average student you might not need all that power and hard drive space. A larger display is another great feature of this Mac for students, but it also makes the laptop heavier than the competitor models. It even looks more expensive than other Mac laptops, but arguably the price is fully justified by the myriad of expansion options.
Balance: MacBook Air (2019)
One of the best features of the new 2019 MacBook Air model is its 12-hour battery life — enough to finish your homework after a day of classes without the need to carry a charger. MacBook Air is often named the best laptop for college by students because it’s light and portable, allowing for an effortless transfer between classes. Given the substantial power of its processor, this Mac laptop is almost unbeatable in terms of the price-to-quality ratio. A minor flaw to mention, however, is lack of extensive customization.
Price: MacBook Air (2017)
If the two previous MacBook models are not something you’re really into, you can try to turn to an older laptop and get a good MacBook deal for college students that way.
A MacBook Air model from 2017 is still a pretty good Mac for students, even though it doesn’t have a Retina display or Touch ID. And, of course, it being a few years old, you could argue that its processor is old or that storage space is limited. But if those things don’t concern you, this Mac is a solid performer overall, despite its age.
Buy MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro for college?
As one of the most frequently asked questions from students, getting MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro for college has no definitive answer — it all depends on your specific requirements and needs. MacBook Air, for example, is generally considered the best Mac for college students at large, due to its light configuration and long battery life. It’s also one of the cheap Mac laptops that nevertheless covers all the basics.
Those who anticipate spending lots of time working on complex projects need to look for an advanced processor, large storage capacity, high-resolution display, or all at once. MaBook Pro is a great option here, since it offers much more power without sacrificing portability and lightness. On the other hand, it’s safe to say that if you need a laptop simply for research and written assignments, then a MacBook Pro might be a waste of money. But don’t let that stop you just yet, since you could be eligible for the Apple MacBook Pro student discount.
How to speed up your learning
Now that you’ve settled on the best laptop for college to satisfy all your needs, you can look at some of the best apps out there that can make your learning process more interesting and productive, supporting you through your university years.
Studies is an indispensable tool used by students who are adamant about customizing their education to get the best results. Fully synchronized with iCloud, this flashcard creator allows students to easily maximize their learning experience. In addition, Studies has a convenient calendar for effortless class management.
To create your own stack of flashcards via Studies:
- Click New Stack in the top left corner
- Add a title to your stack
- Click Save
How to organize your study notes
Regardless of the program you’re in, all college majors require you to work with an abundance of information. Paper notes are mostly inconvenient and irritating, so having the best MacBook for college is a really sound idea. But you need a proper all-in-one solution.
MarginNote takes a new approach to note-taking, by creating flashcards to optimize your learning and organize your textbook storage system at the same time. This app is perfect for students who want to save time on scribbling notes and keep them organized — easily search through the MarginNote’s smart system, and access any material on the go. MarginNote saves all your entries in one place and allows access from any Apple device, whether it’s a Mac for students or an iPhone.
To start using MarginNote:
- Open the Document menu
- Click Import in the top-left corner
- Import a book
- Now you can start reading and annotating as you go
How to optimize document and textbook search
Learning is always associated with the need to efficiently save useful clips, drawings, photos, or graphics — that’s why every student needs a good scanner app.
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Prizmo is the perfect way to quickly convert all those physical documents (or PDFs) sitting on your desk to searchable digital material with very little effort. This smart app not only corrects the curvature of your photos and scans, but also has an incredible feature of translating any document to 59 different languages.
Here's how to turn any picture into a document file with Prizmo:
- Click New Document
- Drag and drop a picture of a page into the new window
- Use Curvature Correction to crop the area that you need
- Edit the text if needed
- Click Export in the top-right corner to save the new PDF document
How to excel at math and science easily
Students majoring in sciences have to solve complex math problems on a regular basis and are often able to find the answer faster if they scribble the formulas on a piece of paper first. But since we live in the 21st century, it’s a good idea to hand in assignments digitally and keep a copy on your Mac just in case.
MathKey makes a students’ life easier by providing a way to write any formula on your MacBook using a trackpad, mouse, or an Apple Pencil. The app will then import your writing into any digital format like LaTeX, MathML, or images.
While math is not always easy, working with MathKey is refreshingly simple:
- Launch the app and start drawing formulas using any input device
- Click Convert
- Save your work into your preferred format
In the end, a carefully selected Mac for students, with the right apps to enhance it, will not only provide immense support during your college years but will also be a useful tool when you go off to work in the professional field of your choice.
Mac Computers For College Students
And it’s a positive bonus that Studies, MarginNote, Prizmo, and MathKey mentioned above are all available to you right now for a free seven-day trial through Setapp, a platform of over 170 of the best Mac apps, including some of the most essential ones for students. Now that you know how to pick the best MacBook for college and how to get the best apps, nothing can stop you from learning.
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