Over the past decade, MacBooks have become the go-to student laptop, dominating lecture halls and study sessions. Data reveals that more than 70% of students in higher education prefer Mac.
This article will explore whether that popularity is justified, especially when there is a sea of laptop options available running Windows and ChromeOS. It’ll also have a breakdown of the different MacBook models and which are best for someone looking to study.
The Benefits of MacBooks for Students
A reliable and efficient laptop is critical at all stages of education, whether you’re in middle school or studying at university. MacBooks delivers a range of benefits for students, as well as delivering on being a powerful and accessible device. These include:
Portability
MacBooks are considered the world’s thinnest laptops, which is a significant advantage for students. They are incredibly lightweight, making carrying around campus and between classes effortless. Their thin design makes it easier to fit in bags without being too bulky.
Battery life
MacBooks offer exceptional battery life, with most models lasting between 12 to 18 hours, depending on how it’s used. They won’t have any trouble surviving a full day at school or university.
Ease of use
MacBooks run on MacOS and are renowned for their user-friendly interface and intuitive design. The main appeal of the MacOS is its simple and clean design, which makes it easy for any student to pick up, learn, and navigate.
Software support
As MacBooks have become the go-to for students and professionals in many industries, software developers always target the device for specialised programs and tools. So, MacBooks are often better supported than alternative laptop operating systems, like ChromeOS and Linux.
Seamless integration
If you’re already part of the Apple ecosystem, the seamless integration between MacBooks and Apple’s other products is a massive advantage. For example, you could take a photo on your iPhone of lecture notes, and it’ll immediately be accessible from your MacBook.
What Is A Good MacBook For A Student?
For a student juggling classes, assignments, and social life, having a reliable and portable laptop is critical. It’s also important to have a device that can handle any specialised university software, cloud integration, and a long battery life.
When it comes to balancing performance, portability, and affordability, Apple’s MacBook Air line is consistently the best pick for students. Below, we’ve outlined the different MacBook Air models available and how it compares to the Pro.
MacBook Air M2 (2023)
For most students, the Air M2 released in 2023 would be the ideal MacBook. It balances performance with affordability with its powerful M2 chip and lower entry price. The internal specifications are also configurable if you need extra performance.
The Air M2 features a well-sized 15.3-inch display, ideal for students. The screen strikes the perfect balance where it isn’t too big where it impacts portability, and it isn’t too small, where it could be hard to multitask or read text comfortably.
The screen itself is an LED-backlit display powered by IPS technology with a native 2880-by-1864 resolution. It also offers support for 1 billion colours and has True Tone technology, ensuring you get vivid and crisp visuals.
When it comes to battery life, the laptop can easily last a full school or university day without a recharge. The Air M2 can last up to 15 hours browsing the web or 18 hours of Apple TV movie playback.
The Air M2 also has plenty of storage space, starting at 256GB SSD and can be configured up to 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB. The device also has ample enough memory to cover the needs of any course, with starting options at 8GB configurable to 16GB or 24 GB.
This model can also support an additional external display, which is great for increasing productivity. The M2 chip also has a 16-core Neural Engine supporting Apple’s new AI tool, Apple Intelligence, which can be useful when studying.
MacBook Air M3 (2024)
If you want to upgrade from the Air M2 (2023) without having to move up to the premium-priced MacBook Pro models, the Air M3 (2024) is the best. The laptop is still within the realm of affordability for students, sitting in the mid-high price range, depending on the configuration.
The MacBook Air M3 offers two size options: 13-inch and 15-inch. If you’re interested in the M3 model, there are a few things you should consider:
-
The processor: The M3 chip is configurable. If you’re just writing reports and essays, you can stick with the standard 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU option. If you need more power for tasks like video editing, you might consider getting the 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU upgrade.
-
Unified memory: MacBooks have unified memory, which is more efficient compared to traditional RAM. The Air M3 has various unified memory options ranging from 16 GB to 24 GB.
-
Storage: The Air M3 has various storage capacity options available. If the device is only for writing reports and you rely on cloud storage, it’s possible to stick with the base-level 256GB SSD.
The main advantage of going from the Air M2 to M3 would be the performance. If your course requires a powerful computer, like for editing or game development, then the M3 is a worthwhile upgrade.
The Air M3 is also more ‘futureproof’ than the M2. So, if you want a laptop that’ll last you longer, the M3 will receive more support.
Why not a MacBook Pro?
While the MacBook Pro is a powerhouse and a fantastic laptop, the best student laptops are still Apple’s MacBook Air models. This is because the Air model is more affordable and designed for educational use.
For most students, the specifications of the MacBook Pro are overkill. In most degrees, students just need a lightweight device that can handle note-taking, essay writing, multitasking, web browsing, and emails.
The only time the MacBook Pro’s additional power may be handy is for students studying film or graphic design. The additional processing power and RAM are useful when utilising specialised editing and creative design software.
The MacBook Pro also sacrifices the Air’s lightweight design in exchange for power, making it thicker and heavier. It isn’t as easy to carry between classes and across campuses.
Why Buy Refurbished MacBooks Is A Good Idea for Students
Deciding whether to buy a refurbished MacBook is a big decision. It’s a huge investment, not only in a new piece of technology but also in your education. So, we understand having the hesitance of buying refurbished.
It’s important to understand that refurbished isn’t the same as a second-hand or preowned device. Refurbished laptops undergo refurbishment processes to ensure the device delivers the same quality and performance a brand-new one would.
Being a student can also get expensive—textbooks aren’t cheap! Refurbished MacBooks can be significantly cheaper than buying the same model new. This can mean saving hundreds of dollars for a product like a laptop.
The money you save can then be put toward educational resources, like textbooks or learning software. If you are planning to purchase a refurbished MacBook, we recommend buying them from a trusted source. You should consider:
Retailer reputation
Check reviews to get a better idea of product quality and other customer’s experiences. Only shop from stores with 4/5 ratings or higher.
Warranty policies
A trustworthy seller is always willing to stand behind their product. A warranty policy is a green flag when looking for a refurbished device.
Customer support
Responsive customer support options are another green flag that a place is trustworthy. Also, the last thing you want is to wait for long turnaround times during the study periods if something goes wrong.
Buy Refurbished MacBooks at OzMobiles
Interested in buying a MacBook for studying without a hefty price tag? Consider buying refurbished. You can often find the machines at a fraction of the original cost. Here at OzMobiles, we offer a wide selection of refurbished MacBook models, from the study-ready Air to the powerful Pro.All the MacBooks we sell come with a free 12-month warranty and a 30-day risk-free return policy. So, if you have any concerns or a change of heart, the OzMobiles team is here for assistance.
Every MacBook also undergoes a comprehensive, 72-point certification refurbishment process by a qualified technician. They are also Phonecheck Certified, ensuring the device is fully functional, securely wiped, and has a healthy battery life. So you can rest assured your MacBook will last you for years to come.
If any replacements are needed during the reconditioning process, only genuine Apple parts are used. We also have a price-beat guarantee, so if you find a better deal elsewhere, we’ll beat it by $10* (terms and conditions apply).
If you have any questions about our refurbishment process or need assistance finding the right MacBook for you, contact us today. Our team can help you find the right laptop that suits your studying needs.
