Pondering of shopping for a Mac or MacBook for college, school or college? Right here, in our greatest Mac for college students information, we check out Apple’s present line-up to judge which Mac is greatest for college students. We’ll evaluate the MacBook Air vs MacBook Professional for school and look at whether or not a desktop Mac would possibly truly be a better option.
Selecting the most effective Mac for school or college will depend on what you’ll be learning in addition to how a lot you must spend. Fortunately registered college students can lower your expenses on a brand new Mac by procuring at Apple’s Training Retailer, or with one among Apple’s companions. We focus on Learn how to get an Apple scholar low cost at Apple’s Training Retailer individually, though we additionally speak in regards to the other ways it can save you cash as a scholar beneath.
It can save you lots of on a MacBook Air, MacBook Professional, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio and even a Mac Professional at Apple’s Training Retailer all 12 months spherical. Click on on the next hyperlinks for the Training shops within the international locations the place most of our readers reside:
Whereas college students can get cash off all 12 months spherical, in the summertime months Apple provides away both vouchers or AirPods with purchases of Macs or iPads made by these in greater schooling. The Again to College deal (referred to as Again to Uni within the U.Ok. and elsewhere in order to not counsel it’s for college age kids) runs from June to finish of September within the U.S., July to mid October within the U.Ok. and Europe, and January to March in Australia and New Zealand.
If you happen to’re a scholar, it’s also possible to get Apple Music for half worth with free Apple TV+ included.
Apple
We’ll run by precisely how a lot cash it can save you on a brand new Mac in case you are a scholar beneath, then we are going to assess which Mac to decide on based mostly in your wants as a scholar and the course you take. Our advise is to buy round for offers which may be higher than the coed low cost: you could possibly get much more cash off your Mac buy in the event you go straight to a reseller. Learn on to search out the most effective offers for every Mac.
If you happen to’re doing a level in movie and video, or music, or graphic design then it would make sense to additionally have a look at one among our different Finest Mac For… guides for that topic space:
We even have a information that can assist you get the greatest MacBook offers for college students. We additionally provide recommendation about how a lot storage, RAM and cores in How a lot MacBook do you actually need?
How a lot can college students save on a Mac?
Earlier than we start let’s have a look at what is out there and the way a lot it can save you with the schooling low cost.
College students can usually save $100 to $200 within the U.S., within the U.Ok. the financial savings are from £100 to £200, Australian college students can save between $150 and $330 and Canadian college students can usually save from $130 to $270. Financial savings are even larger 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.Ok. | 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 M4 MSRP | $1,599 | £1,599 | $2,499 | $2,099 |
| 14-inch MacBook Professional M4 Pupil low cost | $1,499 | £1,499 | $2,349 | $1,969 |
| 14-inch MacBook Professional, M4 Professional MSRP | $1,999 | £1,999 | $3,299 | $2,699 |
| 14-inch MacBook Professional, M4 Professional Pupil low cost | $1,849 | £1,849 | $3,069 | $2,509 |
| 16-inch MacBook Professional, M4 Professional MSRP | $2,499 | £2,499 | $3,999 | $3,299 |
| 16-inch MacBook Professional, M4 Professional Pupil low cost | $2,299 | £2,299 | $3,699 | $3,049 |
| iMac M4 MSRP | $1,299 | £1,299 | $1,999 | $1,699 |
| iMac M4 Pupil low cost | $1,249 | £1,249 | $1,919 | $1,629 |
| Mac mini M4 MSRP | $599 | £599 | $999 | $799 |
| Mac mini M4 Pupil low cost | $499 | £499 | $849 | $669 |
| Mac Studio M2 Max MSRP | $1,999 | £2,099 | $3,299 | $2,699 |
| Mac Studio M2 Max Pupil low cost | $1,799 | £1,889 | $2,969 | $2,429 |
| Mac Professional M2 Max MSRP | $6,999 | £7,199 | $11,999 | $8,999 |
| Mac Professional M2 Max Pupil low cost | $6,599 | £6,789 | $11,309 | $8,479 |
MacBook Air vs MacBook Professional for school/college?
That is possible the query you’re 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 angle of a typical scholar within the order that we advocate them for college students.
1. MacBook Air, 13-inch, M3, 2024
Worth When Reviewed:
£1,099
You would possibly assume that the MacBook Air is low-powered compared to the MacBook Professional, however till September 2024 the 13-inch MacBook Air supplied the identical M3 chip because the 13-inch MacBook Professional. That modified in with the introduction of the M4 MacBook Professional in October 2024, however it’s unlikely to be lengthy till Apple updates the MacBook Air with the identical chip. If you happen to don’t wish to anticipate the M4 MacBook Air, that is nonetheless a sensible choice, particularly as a result of Apple elevated the quantity on RAM (unified reminiscence) included from 8GB to 16GB in October 2024 with out altering the worth.
If you happen to’re in search of a MacBook that doesn’t break the financial institution and presents the last word in portability and nice battery life, then the MacBook Air is the right match. The mannequin we’re recommending right here shouldn’t be the most affordable MacBook Air, however it presents the most effective 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 a little bit extra will get you much more.
This MacBook Air presents 18 hours of battery life, based on 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 aren’t 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 simply want extra storage than the entry-level mannequin presents, 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 difficulty. Fairly than fork out for further storage built-in chances are you’ll discover exterior storage, and even iCloud storage, works out cheaper. (In case you have a giant Music library, for instance, pay for iTunes Match so you possibly can hold your music within the cloud. In case you have a giant photograph library activate iCloud Photographs 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 the most effective costs proper now within the block above, which can be even higher than Apple’s schooling pricing.
2. MacBook Air, 15-inch, M3, 2024
Worth When Reviewed:
£1,299
There is just one purpose to not purchase the 13-inch MacBook Air with M3: the 15-inch MacBook Air with M3… though as of the top of 2024 we’d add the truth that Apple is prone to replace the MacBook Air with the M4 chip early in 2025.
The 15-inch MacBook Air prices $200 greater than the entry-level 13-inch M3 mannequin, however it presents a greater M3 chip as customary with a 10-core GPU, quite 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 quite than the four-speaker sound system of the 13-inch M3 (and M2).
The 15-inch MacBook Air weighs a little bit extra and can take up more room in your bag, however if you’d 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 / £1,299 / AU$2,199 / CA$1,749
Pupil: $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$1,999 / CA$1,599
College students save: $100 / £110 / AU$200 / CA$150
You’ll see the most effective costs proper now within the block above, which can be even higher than Apple’s schooling pricing.
3. Apple 14-inch MacBook Professional, M4, 2024
Worth When Reviewed:
£1,599 | £1,799 | £1,999
The 14-inch MacBook Professional with M4 is sort of a leap up from the MacBook Air when it comes to worth, so chances are you’ll be questioning why anybody would wish to pay extra for the MacBook Professional.
There’s a purpose to purchase the MacBook Professional quite than the MacBook Air although and that’s mainly if the MacBook Air gained’t be highly effective sufficient in your wants. The factor in regards to the MacBook Air is that it lacks a fan, which implies that in the event you actually push it then the Mac would possibly decelerate to keep away from overheating. Because of this, if you wish to use your Mac for heavy processing you then is perhaps higher off with a MacBook Professional. On this case, if in case you have the price range, you would possibly truly wish to take into account the M4 Professional possibility (mentioned subsequent).
One different advantage of the MacBook Professional is the broader choice 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 in your wants and we’d counsel that you simply save the cash you’d be spending on the MacBook Professional and purchase an exterior show to plug into when 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, M4?
MSRP: $1,599 / £1,599 / AU$2,499 / CA$2,099
Pupil: $1,499 / £1,499 / AU$2,349 / CA$1,969
College students save: $100 / £100 / AU$150 / CA$130
Learn our full
Apple 14-inch MacBook Professional (M4) evaluation
4. MacBook Professional, 14-inch, M4 Professional, 2024
Worth When Reviewed:
£1,999 | £2,399
It’s unlikely that college students want the ability of the M4 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 value contemplating.
If you happen to want a extra highly effective Mac as a result of your course requires it, or maybe as a result of you’re a gamer in search of 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 provide 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, M4 Professional?
MSRP: $1,999 / £1,999 / AU$3,299 / CA$2,699
Pupil: $1,849 / £1,849 / AU$3,069 / CA$2,509
College students save: $150 / £150 / AU$230 / CA$190
5. MacBook Air, 13-inch, M2, 2022
Worth When Reviewed:
£999
College students trying to spend as little cash as doable might be contemplating the M2 MacBook Air, which is simply $899/£899 for college students. That’s $100/£100 lower than the coed worth of the newer M3 MacBook Air. Even higher, Apple upped the RAM (unified reminiscence) from 8GB to 16GB as customary in October 2024 with out rising the worth, so that is nonetheless a great Mac to purchase in case you are on a price range.
That’s not an enormous saving although, so we recommend you store round a bit before you purchase: chances are you’ll discover a low cost on the M3 13-inch MacBook Air that beats Apple’s Pupil low cost on the older mannequin. Simply just be sure you word whether or not there may be 8GB or 16GB RAM inside when deciding whether or not a deal is nice sufficient.
If you happen to can spare the additional cash, we advocate spending the additional $100/£100 as a result of the M3 MacBook Air is the higher buy because of 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 understood to be slower. We’d advocate upgrading to the 512GB mannequin, however by that time, you would possibly as nicely spend the cash on the M3 MacBook Air which isn’t hampered by the identical storage difficulty.
However, in the event you can’t spare the additional cash the M2 MacBook Air will likely be greater than enough for a scholar, 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 number of advantages in comparison with the MacBook Professional.
The M2 MacBook Air presents 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 presents 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
MacBook vs Mac desktop for college students?
Pupil life usually entails a good quantity of mobility – touring to lectures, libraries, the occasional espresso store, after which presumably residence for weekends and time period breaks–so it is smart to think about a laptop computer quite than a desktop Mac.
Whereas the display sizes in MacBooks are smaller than iMacs, you possibly can at all times purchase an affordable display and use that together with your laptop computer when you find yourself residence. Or, in the event you even have an iPad, you would possibly be capable to hyperlink your iPad to your MacBook and use the iPad display too (right here’s tips on how to use your iPad as a second display in your Mac). You can additionally use that iPad for taking notes when you find yourself at lectures (learn our information to the greatest iPad for college students).
Nonetheless, there are some advantages to purchasing a Mac desktop. Usually, it’s the case that you simply 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 students
Whereas we respect that there are many advantages related to selecting a laptop computer for college, chances are you’ll be higher off with a desktop.
1. Mac mini, M4, 2024
Worth When Reviewed:
£599 | £799 | £999
The Mac mini was upgraded in October 2024 when it gained the M4 chip (and the M4 Professional chip possibility mentioned beneath). It additionally bought a model new, a lot smaller, design. It now measures a diminutive 5-inches by 5-inches (12.7cm x 12.7cm). So you’ll find room for it in your desk, or in your bag when heading residence for the vacations.
Within the U.Ok. Apple additionally lowered the worth, so it’s now $599/£599 (the worth hasn’t modified within the U.S.). Relying on the place you’re based mostly, the most affordable Mac going is now even cheaper! The one actual compromise is the shortage of monitor and keyboard.
If you’re on a price range the Mac mini is the way in which to go. Get an entry-level Mac mini and ask round for an outdated keyboard, mouse and monitor.
How a lot can college students save on the Mac mini, M4?
MSRP: $599 / £599 / AU$999 / CA$799
Pupil: $499 / £499 / AU$829 / CA$669
College students save: $100 / £110 / AU$170 / CA$130
2. Apple Mac mini (M4 Professional)
Worth When Reviewed:
£1,399
The M4 Professional Mac mini presents all the advantages of the Mac mini mentioned above together with the extra highly effective M4 Professional chip which brings extra GPUs and help for extra RAM (unified reminiscence).
If you happen to want an M4 Professional chip the Mac mini with M4 Professional is rather a lot cheaper, at $1,299 (scholar worth) than a 14-inch MacBook Professional, which begins at $1,849 for college students. Certain, it’s essential to purchase a monitor, mouse and keyboard, however you possibly can in all probability discover whole lot on these equipment.
How a lot can college students save on the Mac mini, M4 Professional?
MSRP: $1,999 / £1,999 / AU$3,299 / CA$2,699
Pupil: $1,849 / £1,849 / AU$3,069 / CA$2,509
College students save: $150 / £150 / AU$230 / CA$190
Learn our full
Apple Mac mini (M4 Professional) evaluation
3. Mac Studio, M2 Max, 2023
Worth When Reviewed:
£2,099
The M2 Max Mac Studio was once celebrated for its highly effective chip, with extra GPU cores and help for extra RAM, at a a lot cheaper price than equally specced Mac laptops. Nonetheless, it’s now just a few years on from its introduction and Apple is but to replace it. We anticipate that the M4 Mac Studio will arrive in mid 2025.
If you happen to want a robust Mac, both as a result of your course calls for it, or since you wish to spend your free time gaming, the Mac Studio is value consideration, and the coed low cost is fairly good. We’d anticipate the brand new mannequin to launch although.
As with the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Professional fashions although, we’d counsel that you simply in all probability don’t want this a lot energy and will in all probability use the cash for one thing extra vital, 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, M4
Worth When Reviewed:
£1,299 | £1,499 | £1,699 | £1,899
Again in Could 2021 Apple launched an M1-equipped 24-inch iMac with a model new design in a selection 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. Now Apple has replace the iMac once more, this time with an M4 chip in October 2024.
We haven’t really helpful the iMac for college students, and we aren’t absolutely recommending it now. However the iMac does have just a few qualities which may attraction to you.
Because of its design it’s actually a Mac that can make a press release to anybody getting into your dorm room. That 24-inch show may be a terrific display for streaming your favourite reveals and flicks.
The iMac is a non-portable Mac although, which could deter many college students from buying one. You gained’t be capable to take it with you to lectures–or cart it residence on a practice for the vacations–however it is possible for you to to work extra effectively because of its 24-inch display.
How a lot can college students save on the iMac?
MSRP: $1,299 / £1,299 / AU$1,999 / CA$1,699
Pupil low cost: $1,249 / £1,249 / AU$1,919 / CA$1,629
College students save: $50 / £50 / AU$80 / CA$70
Learn our full
Apple iMac (M4) evaluation
Which Mac do you have to get for college?
Our decide of all the Mac vary, in the event you’re a scholar, is the M3 MacBook Air. It will provide you with a greater display, higher webcam and a horny new design to point out off in lectures. It’s mild, quick, and with scholar pricing beginning at $999/£999 it’s excellent worth. Nonetheless, we’d wait till Apple updates it with the M4 chip.
You can save by choosing the older M2 MacBook Air, however, in case you are in search of the most affordable Mac you will get, the M4 Mac mini is an excellent possibility. It’s highly effective and with Apple’s schooling low cost, it’s simply $499/£499. 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.
Learn how to get a reduction on a Mac for college or faculty
You will get a scholar low cost at Apple’s schooling shops, however you must qualify as a scholar in greater schooling, be a instructor, somebody shopping for for an schooling establishment, or a house educator. College-age kids can solely take benefit if the gear is being bought by their faculty or if their guardian is home-educating them. If you’re a registered scholar you’ll be capable to get a reduction on a brand new Mac in the event you store in Apple’s numerous Training Shops (beneath). You could find out all about it in additional element in our Apple Training Retailer explainer.
Getting a scholar low cost from Apple’s schooling retailer isn’t the one solution to get a less expensive Mac as a scholar although. There are numerous methods to get a discount:
Look out for reseller reductions: One other solution to get a discount is to look out for offers at Apple resellers and Amazon, the place we’ve got see Macs with as a lot as $500 off the worth. Check out our spherical ups of the most effective Mac offers to get the most effective costs proper now:
Purchase a refurbished Mac: Benefit from 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 absolutely checked and include a one-year guarantee. You can even get a refurbished Mac elsewhere with many resellers providing the identical service, however beware that not all refurbished Macs are equal. Often refurbished implies that the Mac is assured to be in full working order, however do test with the reseller. Right here’s a information to tips on how to purchase a refurbished Mac. We additionally have a look at why you should purchase a refurbished Mac. One factor to notice: in the event you discover what you suppose is an effective deal on an older Intel Mac we don’t advocate that you simply purchase one. Intel Macs will possible solely be supported with safety updates for a pair extra years, so chances are 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 explanation why we don’t advocate shopping for a secondhand Mac. If you happen to do see a deal on a secondhand or used Mac simply be particularly cautious.
One of the best Mac bargains are normally on older fashions, though we do see reductions on present Macs as nicely. If you happen to see a great low cost on an older Mac it’s vital to pay attention to what the newer fashions presents in order that you understand what you’re lacking out on and might choose whether or not the deal is nearly as good because it seems to be. For one factor, older Macs are prone to function Intel processors quite than Apple’s M1, M2, M3 or their variants, which might put you at an obstacle 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.
If you’re a scholar right here’s tips on how to get Apple Music for half worth. Plus college students with an Apple Music scholar subscription additionally get free entry to Apple TV+ for a restricted time.