Pondering of shopping for a Mac or MacBook for college, school or college? Right here, in our greatest Mac for college kids information, we check out Apple’s present line-up to guage which Mac is greatest for college kids. We’ll evaluate the MacBook Air vs MacBook Professional for school and study whether or not one other Mac may truly be a more sensible choice.
Selecting one of the best Mac for school or college is dependent upon what you’re going to be finding out in addition to how a lot you need to spend. Fortunately registered college students can lower your expenses on a brand new Mac by procuring at Apple’s Schooling Retailer, or with certainly one of Apple’s companions. We focus on How you can get an Apple pupil low cost at Apple’s Schooling Retailer individually, though we additionally speak in regards to the other ways it can save you cash as a pupil beneath.
It can save you a whole lot on a MacBook Air, MacBook Professional, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio and even a Mac Professional at Apple’s Schooling Retailer all 12 months spherical. Click on on the next hyperlinks for the Schooling shops within the international locations the place most of our readers reside:
Additionally, beginning in June within the U.S., July within the U.Okay. and Europe, and January in Australia and New Zealand, Apple runs a “Back To Uni” occasion, the place Apple provides folks seeking to purchase a Mac for college present vouchers (and sometimes a free pair of AirPods). You could have till September 30, 2024 within the U.S. and Canada to reap the benefits of this 12 months’s deal, and till October 21 within the U.Okay.
Should you’re a pupil, you can even get Apple Music for half worth with free Apple TV+ included.
Apple
We’ll run by means of precisely how a lot cash it can save you on a brand new Mac if you’re a pupil beneath, then we’ll assess which Mac to decide on primarily based in your wants as a pupil and the course you’re taking. Be aware that you just might be able to get much more cash off your Mac buy in the event you go straight to a reseller and reap the benefits of a reduction, you’ll see one of the best offers for every Mac beneath.
Should you’re doing a level in movie and video, or music, or graphic design then it’d make sense to additionally take a look at certainly one of our different Greatest Mac For… guides for that topic space:
We even have a information that will help you get one of the best MacBook offers for college kids.
How a lot can college students save on a Mac?
Earlier than we start let’s take a look at what is accessible and the way a lot it can save you with the training low cost.
College students can sometimes save $100 to $200 within the U.S., within the U.Okay. the financial savings are from £100 to £200, Australian college students can save between $150 and $330 and Canadian college students can sometimes save from $130 to $270. Financial savings are even greater on high-end merchandise just like the Mac Professional, though we aren’t positive that many college students want a type of.
Product | U.S. | U.Okay. | Australia | Canada |
---|---|---|---|---|
13.6-inch MacBook Air, M2, MSRP | $999 | £999 | $1,599 | $1,299 |
13.6-inch MacBook Air, M2, Pupil low cost | $899 | £899 | $1,439 | $1,169 |
13.6-inch MacBook Air, M3, MSRP | $1,099 | £1,099 | $1,799 | $1,449 |
13.6-inch MacBook Air, M3, Pupil low cost | $999 | £999 | $1,649 | $1,299 |
15-inch MacBook Air, M3, MSRP | $1,299 | £1,299 | $2,199 | $1,749 |
15-inch MacBook Air, M3, Pupil low cost | $1,199 | £1,199 | $1,999 | $1,599 |
14-inch MacBook Professional M3 MSRP | $1,599 | £1,699 | $2,699 | $2,099 |
14-inch MacBook Professional M3 Pupil low cost | $1,499 | £1,589 | $2,529 | $1,969 |
14-inch MacBook Professional, M3 Professional MSRP | $1,999 | £2,099 | $3,499 | $2,699 |
14-inch MacBook Professional, M3 Professional Pupil low cost | $1,849 | £1,939 | $3,239 | $2,399 |
16-inch MacBook Professional, M3 Professional MSRP | $2,499 | £2,599 | $4,299 | $3,299 |
16-inch MacBook Professional, M3 Professional Pupil low cost | $2,299 | £2,389 | $3,949 | $2,939 |
iMac M3 MSRP | $1,299 | £1,399 | $2,199 | $1,699 |
iMac M3 Pupil low cost | $1,249 | £1,349 | $2,109 | $1,629 |
Mac mini MSRP | $599 | £649 | $999 | $799 |
Mac mini Pupil low cost | $499 | £539 | $829 | $669 |
Mac Studio MSRP | $1,999 | £2,099 | $3,299 | $2,699 |
Mac Studio Pupil low cost | $1,799 | £1,889 | $2,969 | $2,429 |
Mac Professional MSRP | $6,999 | £7,199 | $11,999 | $8,999 |
Mac Professional Pupil low cost | $6,599 | £6,789 | $11,309 | $8,479 |
MacBook Air vs MacBook Professional for school/college?
That is probably the query you might be hoping to get a solution to: ought to I purchase a MacBook Air or a MacBook Professional for school? We evaluate the MacBook Air vs MacBook Professional intimately individually. Beneath we’ll consider the completely different MacBooks from the attitude of a typical pupil within the order that we suggest them for college kids.
1. MacBook Air, 13-inch, M3, 2024
Worth When Reviewed:
$1,099 (base)
You may assume that the MacBook Air is low-powered compared to the MacBook Professional, however not solely does this 13-inch MacBook Air supply the identical M3 chip because the 13-inch MacBook Professional, it additionally has a much bigger and brighter display, higher FaceTime cameras, is thinner and lighter than the Professional, and has different advantages when in comparison with the choice.
Should you’re on the lookout for a MacBook that doesn’t break the financial institution and provides the final word in portability and nice battery life, then this MacBook Air is the right match. The mannequin we’re recommending right here isn’t the most affordable MacBook Air, however it provides one of the best worth for cash and the worth distinction between this and the older M2 mannequin is so small that it’s a type of circumstances the place spending slightly extra will get you much more.
This MacBook Air provides 18 hours of battery life, in line with Apple. That is lower than the 13-inch MacBook Professional’s 20 hours, however it’s positive to be sufficient to get you thru a day and an all-nighter at college.
There are not any USB-A ports on the MacBook Air or MacBook Professional, simply two USB-C, a headphone jack, and a MagSafe port so you possibly can cost your laptop computer and nonetheless have two USB ports free.
Chances are you’ll really feel that you just want extra storage than the entry-level mannequin provides, through which case, the 512GB mannequin prices $200/£200 extra. Beforehand there have been extra advantages to selecting the 512GB model as a result of Apple’s smaller SSDs weren’t as quick because the bigger ones, however for the M3 MacBook Air Apple appears to have addressed this challenge. Reasonably than fork out for further storage built-in it’s possible you’ll discover exterior storage, and even iCloud storage, works out cheaper. (When you’ve got a giant Music library, for instance, pay for iTunes Match so you possibly can preserve your music within the cloud. When you’ve got a giant picture library activate iCloud Images and get extra iCloud storage).
How a lot can college students save on the 13-inch MacBook Air, M3?
MSRP: $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,799 / CA$1,449
Pupil: $999 / £999 / AU$1,649 / CA$1,299
College students save: $100 / £100 / AU$150 / CA$150
You’ll see one of the best costs proper now within the block above, which can be even higher than Apple’s training pricing.
2. MacBook Air, 15-inch, M3, 2024
Worth When Reviewed:
$1,299 (base)
There is just one purpose to not purchase the 13-inch MacBook Air with M3: the 15-inch MacBook Air with M3. The 15-inch MacBook Air prices $200 greater than the entry-level 13-inch M3 mannequin, however it provides a greater M3 chip as customary with a 10-core GPU, somewhat than an 8-core GPU. And there’s additionally a much bigger display.
One other profit pertains to the audio system, that are higher than the smaller MacBook Air’s. Right here you get a six-speaker sound system with force-canceling woofers somewhat than the four-speaker sound system of the 13-inch M3 (and M2).
The 15-inch MacBook Air weighs slightly extra and can take up extra space in your bag, however if you would like a much bigger display then that’s a good worth to pay.
Battery life is identical 18-hours as the opposite 13-inch MacBook Air fashions.
How a lot can college students save on the 15-inch MacBook Air, M3?
MSRP: $1,299 / £1,399 / AU$2,199 / CA$1,749
Pupil: $1,199 / £1,289 / AU$1,999 / CA$1,599
College students save: $100 / £110 / AU$200 / CA$150
You’ll see one of the best costs proper now within the block above, which can be even higher than Apple’s training pricing.
Learn our full
Apple 15-inch MacBook Air (M3, 2024) evaluation
3. Apple 14-inch MacBook Professional, M3, 2023
Worth When Reviewed:
$1,599
The 14-inch MacBook Professional with M3 is kind of a leap up from the MacBook Air by way of worth and now that each are furnished with the identical M3 chip, it’s possible you’ll be questioning why anybody would need to pay extra for the MacBook Professional.
There’s a purpose to purchase the MacBook Professional somewhat than the MacBook Air although and that’s principally if the MacBook Air received’t be highly effective sufficient on your wants. The factor in regards to the MacBook Air is that it lacks a fan, which signifies that in the event you actually push it then the Mac may decelerate to keep away from overheating. For that reason, if you wish to use your Mac for heavy processing then you definitely may be higher off with a MacBook Professional. On this case, you probably have the price range, you may truly need to take into account the M3 Professional possibility (mentioned subsequent).
One different advantage of the MacBook Professional is the broader number of ports than on the MacBook Air, together with HDMI and an SDXC card reader. However in the event you aren’t doing something too demanding then the MacBook Air goes to be greater than highly effective sufficient on your wants and we’d counsel that you just save the cash you’d be spending on the MacBook Professional and purchase an exterior show to plug into if you find yourself again in your dorm room, or one thing equally as helpful (like meals).
How a lot can college students save on the 14-inch MacBook Professional, M3?
MSRP: $1,599 / £1,699 / AU$2,699 / CA$2,099
Pupil: $1,499 / £1,589 / AU$2,529 / CA$1,969
College students save: $100 / £110 / AU$170 / CA$130
Learn our full
Apple 14-inch MacBook Professional (M3, 2023) evaluation
4. MacBook Professional, 14-inch, M3 Professional, 2023
Worth When Reviewed:
$1,999
It’s unlikely that college students want the ability of the M3 Professional within the 14-inch MacBook Professional (or 16-inch MacBook Professional for that matter) and the worth is prone to be prohibitive anyway. However we do see some good MacBook Professional offers, so if you will get a discount then these extra highly effective MacBook Professional fashions are price contemplating.
Should you want a extra highly effective Mac as a result of your course requires it, or maybe as a result of you’re a gamer on the lookout for a machine that may meet these calls for, then it can save you a bit of cash by selecting the 14-inch MacBook Professional over the 16-inch mannequin. Each fashions supply the identical specs, so that you aren’t forfeiting any high-power choices. Learn: 14-inch vs 16-inch MacBook Professional.
How a lot can college students save on the 14-inch MacBook Professional, M3 Professional?
MSRP: $1,999 / £2,099 / AU$3,499 / CA$2,699
Pupil: $1,849 / £1,939 / AU$3,239 / CA$2,399
College students save: $150 / £160 / AU$260 / CA$300
Learn our full
Apple 14-inch MacBook Professional (M3 Professional, 2023) evaluation
5. MacBook Air, 13-inch, M2, 2022
Worth When Reviewed:
$1,099 (present worth at $999)
College students seeking to spend as little cash as potential might be contemplating the M2 MacBook Air, which is simply $899/£899 for college kids. That’s $100/£100 lower than the scholar worth of the newer M3 MacBook Air.
That’s not an enormous saving although, so we advise you store round a bit before you purchase: it’s possible you’ll discover a low cost on the M3 13-inch MacBook Air that beats Apple’s Pupil low cost on the older mannequin.
Should you can spare the additional cash, we suggest spending the additional $100/£100 as a result of the M3 MacBook Air is the higher buy due to the newer M3 chip and sooner storage. Our recommendation is to keep away from the 256GB M2 MacBook Air as a result of the storage is thought to be slower. We’d suggest upgrading to the 512GB mannequin, however by that time, you may as effectively spend the cash on the M3 MacBook Air which isn’t hampered by the identical storage challenge.
However, in the event you can’t spare the additional cash the M2 MacBook Air can be greater than ample for a pupil, particularly these predominantly writing essays and conducting analysis. This mannequin got here with a much bigger and brighter display, and higher FaceTime cameras than its predecessor, and nonetheless has a whole lot of advantages in comparison with the MacBook Professional.
The M2 MacBook Air provides 18 hours of battery life, similar to the M3 mannequin. That’s lower than the 13-inch MacBook Professional’s 20 hours, however it is sufficient to get you thru a day and an all-nighter at college. It provides the identical ports because the M3 MacBook Air: two USB-C, a headphone jack, and a MagSafe port for charging.
How a lot can college students save on the 13-inch MacBook Air, M2?
MSRP: $999 / £999 / AU$1,599 / CA$1,299
Pupil: $899 / £899 /AU$1,439 / CA$1,169
College students save: $100 / £100 / AU$160 / CA$130
Learn our full
Apple 13-inch MacBook Air (M2, 2022) evaluation
MacBook vs Mac desktop for college kids?
Pupil life usually includes a good quantity of mobility – touring to lectures, libraries, the occasional espresso store, after which probably house for weekends and time period breaks–so it is smart to contemplate a laptop computer somewhat than a desktop Mac.
Whereas the display sizes in MacBooks are smaller than iMacs, you possibly can all the time purchase an inexpensive display and use that along with your laptop computer if you find yourself house. Or, in the event you even have an iPad, you may have the ability to hyperlink your iPad to your MacBook and use the iPad display too (right here’s methods to use your iPad as a second display on your Mac). You could possibly additionally use that iPad for taking notes if you find yourself at lectures (learn our information to one of the best iPad for college kids).
Nonetheless, there are some advantages to purchasing a Mac desktop. Usually, it’s the case that you just pay extra for a Mac laptop computer, in comparison with the identical specs on a desktop. The Mac mini, for instance, is Apple’s most cost-effective Mac regardless of having some fairly spectacular specs. Nonetheless, in the event you evaluate the 24-inch iMac with a equally speced Mac laptop computer the iMac is significantly dearer.
iMac vs Mac mini vs Mac Studio for college kids
Whereas we admire that there are many advantages related to selecting a laptop computer for college, it’s possible you’ll be higher off with a desktop.
1. Mac mini, M2, 2023
Worth When Reviewed:
From $599
The Mac mini was final upgraded in January 2023 when it gained the M2 chip (and the M2 Professional chip possibility mentioned beneath). Apple additionally decreased the worth to $599/£649 so the most affordable Mac going is now even cheaper! The one actual compromise is the dearth of monitor and keyboard.
The Mac mini is about as transportable as a desktop Mac can get. You could possibly, in idea, take it house on the practice, so long as you had a spare monitor ready for you while you obtained there.
In case you are on a price range the Mac mini is the best way to go. Get an entry-level Mac mini and ask round for an previous keyboard, mouse and monitor.
How a lot can college students save on the Mac mini, M2?
MSRP: $599 / £649 / AU$999 / CA$799
Pupil: $499 / £539 / AU$829 / CA$669
College students save: $100 / £110 / AU$170 / CA$130
Learn our full
Apple Mac mini (M2, 2023) evaluation
2. Apple Mac mini (M2 Professional, 2023)
Worth When Reviewed:
$1,299
The M2 Professional Mac mini provides all the advantages of the Mac mini mentioned above together with the extra highly effective M2 Professional chip which brings extra GPUs and help for extra RAM (unified reminiscence).
Should you want an M2 Professional chip the Mac mini with M2 Professional is lots cheaper, at $1,199 (pupil worth) than a 14-inch MacBook Professional, which begins at $1,849 for college kids.
How a lot can college students save on the Mac mini, M2 Professional?
MSRP: $599 / £649 / AU$999 / CA$799
Pupil: $499 / £539 / AU$829 / CA$669
College students save: $100 / £110 / AU$170 / CA$130
Learn our full
Apple Mac mini (M2 Professional, 2023) evaluation
3. Mac Studio, M2 Max, 2023
Worth When Reviewed:
£1,999
Just like the M2 Professional Mac mini, the M2 Max Mac Studio brings a extra highly effective chip, with extra GPU cores and help for extra RAM, at a a lot cheaper price than equally specced Mac laptops.
Should you want a robust Mac, both as a result of your course calls for it, or since you need to spend your free time gaming, the Mac Studio is price consideration, and the scholar low cost is fairly good.
As with the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Professional fashions although, we’d counsel that you just in all probability don’t want this a lot energy and will in all probability use the cash for one thing extra essential, like lodging or meals.
How a lot can college students save on the Mac Studio?
MSRP: $1,999 / £2,099 / AU$3,299 / CA$2,699
Pupil: $1,799 / £1,889 / AU$2,969 / CA$2,429
College students save: $200 / £210 / AU$330 / CA$270
Learn our full
Apple Mac Studio (M2 Max, 2023) evaluation
4. iMac, 24-inch, M3
Worth When Reviewed:
$1,299 base mannequin
Again in Could 2021 Apple launched an M1-equipped 24-inch iMac with a model new design in a alternative of seven completely different colours, it then took till October 2023 earlier than Apple up to date the machine, including an M3 chip and nothing else. We weren’t recommending the iMac for college kids then and we aren’t totally recommending it now. However the iMac does have just a few qualities which may attraction to you.
Due to its design it’s definitely a Mac that may make an announcement to anybody getting into your dorm room. That 24-inch show may be an important display for streaming your favourite exhibits and films.
The iMac is a non-portable Mac although, which could deter many college students from buying one. You received’t have the ability to take it with you to lectures–or cart it house on a practice for the vacations–however it is possible for you to to work extra effectively due to its 24-inch display.
How a lot can college students save on the iMac?
MSRP: $1,299 / £1,399 / AU$2,199 / CA$1,699
Pupil low cost: $1,249 / £1,349 / AU$2,109 / CA$1,629
College students save: $50 / £210 / AU$330 / CA$270
Learn our full
Apple 24-inch iMac (M3, 2023) evaluation
Which Mac do you have to get for college?
Our choose of all the Mac vary, in the event you’re a pupil, is the M3 MacBook Air. It will provide you with a greater display, higher webcam and a pretty new design to point out off in lectures. It’s mild, quick, and with pupil pricing beginning at $999/£999 it’s superb worth.
You could possibly save by choosing the older M2 MacBook Air, however, if you’re on the lookout for the most affordable Mac you will get, the M2 Mac mini is an excellent possibility. It’s highly effective and with Apple’s training low cost, it’s simply $499/£539. You simply want a monitor, mouse and keyboard. The one purpose to delay shopping for one is the truth that a Mac mini could also be coming quickly.
How you can get a reduction on a Mac for college or faculty
You will get a pupil low cost at Apple’s training shops, however you need to qualify as a pupil in greater training, be a trainer, somebody shopping for for an training establishment, or a house educator. College-age youngsters can solely take benefit if the tools is being bought by their faculty or if their mum or dad is home-educating them. In case you are a registered pupil you’ll have the ability to get a reduction on a brand new Mac in the event you store in Apple’s numerous Schooling Shops (beneath). You will discover out all about it in additional element in our Apple Schooling Retailer explainer.
Getting a pupil low cost from Apple’s training retailer isn’t the one strategy to get a less expensive Mac as a pupil although. There are numerous methods to get a discount:
Look out for reseller reductions: One other strategy to get a discount is to look out for offers at Apple resellers and Amazon, the place we have now see Macs with as a lot as $500 off the worth. Check out our spherical ups of one of the best Mac offers to get one of the best costs proper now:
Purchase a refurbished Mac: Reap the benefits of Apple’s refurbished retailer the place the corporate sells ex-display, returned, and previous-generation Macs at a reduction. The good thing about shopping for refurbished from Apple is that the merchandise are totally checked and include a one-year guarantee. You can too get a refurbished Mac elsewhere with many resellers providing the identical service, however beware that not all refurbished Macs are equal. Often refurbished signifies that the Mac is assured to be in full working order, however do examine with the reseller. Right here’s a information to methods to purchase a refurbished Mac. We additionally take a look at why you should purchase a refurbished Mac. One factor to notice: in the event you discover what you assume is an effective deal on an older Intel Mac we don’t suggest that you just purchase one. Intel Macs will probably solely be supported with safety updates for a pair extra years, so it’s possible you’ll end up needing to improve earlier than the top of your course.
Purchase second-hand/used: One benefit of shopping for refurbished is that it ought to be assured to work and you shouldn’t have any downside returning it if there’s a downside. These are the reason why we don’t suggest shopping for a secondhand Mac. Should you do see a deal on a secondhand or used Mac simply be particularly cautious.
The perfect Mac bargains are often on older fashions, though we do see reductions on present Macs as effectively. Should you see low cost on an older Mac it’s essential to pay attention to what the newer fashions provides in order that you realize what you might be lacking out on and may decide whether or not the deal is pretty much as good because it seems to be. For one factor, older Macs are prone to function Intel processors somewhat than Apple’s M1, M2, M3 or their variants, which may put you at a drawback sooner or later (and will definitely imply your Mac depreciates in worth in a short time). Contemplating an Intel Mac? Our recommendation is: keep away from. See: How lengthy does Apple help Macs for.
In case you are a pupil right here’s methods to get Apple Music for half worth. Plus college students with an Apple Music pupil subscription additionally get free entry to Apple TV+ for a restricted time.