Considering of shopping for a Mac or MacBook for varsity, school or college? Right here, in our greatest Mac for college students information, we check out Apple’s present line-up to guage which Mac is finest for college students. We’ll evaluate the MacBook Air vs MacBook Professional for school and look at whether or not one other Mac would possibly truly be a better option.
Selecting the very best Mac for school or college relies on 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 buying at Apple’s Training Retailer, or with one in every of Apple’s companions. We talk about The best way to get an Apple pupil low cost at Apple’s Training Retailer individually, though we additionally discuss in regards to the other ways it can save you cash as a pupil under.
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 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:
Additionally, beginning in June within the U.S., July within the U.Ok. and Europe, and January in Australia and New Zealand, Apple runs a “Again To Uni” occasion, the place Apple offers individuals trying to purchase a Mac for college reward vouchers (and infrequently a free pair of AirPods). You could have till September 30, 2024 within the U.S. and Canada to make the most of this 12 months’s deal, and till October 21 within the U.Ok.
When you’re a pupil, you may also get Apple Music for half value with free Apple TV+ included.
Apple
Apple
Apple
We’ll run via precisely how a lot cash it can save you on a brand new Mac in case you are a pupil under, then we are going to assess which Mac to decide on primarily based in your wants as a pupil and the course you take. Observe that you simply could possibly get much more cash off your Mac buy when you go straight to a reseller and make the most of a reduction, you’ll see the very best offers for every Mac under.
When you’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 in every of our different Greatest Mac For… guides for that topic space:
We even have a information that will help you get the finest MacBook offers for college students.
How a lot can college students save on a Mac?
Earlier than we start let’s have a look at what is on the market and the way a lot it can save you with the training 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 kind 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 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 doubtless 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. Under we’ll consider the completely different MacBooks from the angle of a typical pupil within the order that we suggest them for college students.
1. MacBook Air, 13-inch, M3, 2024
Worth When Reviewed:
$1,099 (base)
You would possibly assume that the MacBook Air is low-powered compared to the MacBook Professional, however not solely does this 13-inch MacBook Air provide 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.
When you’re searching for a MacBook that doesn’t break the financial institution and gives the last word in portability and nice battery life, then this MacBook Air is the proper match. The mannequin we’re recommending right here will not be the most cost effective MacBook Air, but it surely gives the very best worth for cash and the worth distinction between this and the older M2 mannequin is so small that it’s a kind of instances the place spending slightly extra will get you much more.
This MacBook Air gives 18 hours of battery life, based on Apple. That is lower than the 13-inch MacBook Professional’s 20 hours, but it surely’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.
It’s possible you’ll really feel that you simply want extra storage than the entry-level mannequin gives, by which case, the 512GB mannequin prices $200/£200 extra. Beforehand there have been extra advantages to picking 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 situation. Somewhat than fork out for additional storage built-in you could discover exterior storage, and even iCloud storage, works out cheaper. (In case you have an enormous Music library, for instance, pay for iTunes Match so you possibly can preserve your music within the cloud. In case you have an enormous 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 very 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 motive 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, but it surely gives a greater M3 chip as normal with a 10-core GPU, moderately 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 moderately 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 more room in your bag, however if you’d like a much bigger display then that’s a good value 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 the very 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) evaluate
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 when it comes to value and now that each are furnished with the identical M3 chip, you could be questioning why anybody would wish to pay extra for the MacBook Professional.
There’s a motive to purchase the MacBook Professional moderately than the MacBook Air although and that’s mainly if the MacBook Air received’t be highly effective sufficient in your wants. The factor in regards to the MacBook Air is that it lacks a fan, which signifies that when 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 likely to be higher off with a MacBook Professional. On this case, if in case you have the funds, you would possibly truly wish to take into account the M3 Professional possibility (mentioned subsequent).
One different advantage of the MacBook Professional is the broader collection of ports than on the MacBook Air, together with HDMI and an SDXC card reader. However when 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 recommend 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, 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) evaluate
4. MacBook Professional, 14-inch, M3 Professional, 2023
Worth When Reviewed:
$1,999
It’s unlikely that college students want the facility of the M3 Professional within the 14-inch MacBook Professional (or 16-inch MacBook Professional for that matter) and the worth is more likely to be prohibitive anyway. However we do see some good MacBook Professional offers, so if you will get a cut price then these extra highly effective MacBook Professional fashions are price contemplating.
When 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 searching 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 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, 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) evaluate
5. MacBook Air, 13-inch, M2, 2022
Worth When Reviewed:
$1,099 (present value at $999)
College students trying to spend as little cash as attainable might be contemplating the M2 MacBook Air, which is simply $899/£899 for college students. That’s $100/£100 lower than the scholar value of the newer M3 MacBook Air.
That’s not an enormous saving although, so we advise you store round a bit before you purchase: you could discover a low cost on the M3 13-inch MacBook Air that beats Apple’s Pupil low cost on the older mannequin.
When 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 quicker 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 suggest upgrading to the 512GB mannequin, however by that time, you would possibly as properly spend the cash on the M3 MacBook Air which isn’t hampered by the identical storage situation.
However, when you can’t spare the additional cash the M2 MacBook Air can be greater than satisfactory 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 numerous advantages in comparison with the MacBook Professional.
The M2 MacBook Air gives 18 hours of battery life, identical to the M3 mannequin. That’s lower than the 13-inch MacBook Professional’s 20 hours, but it surely is sufficient to get you thru a day and an all-nighter at college. It gives 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) evaluate
MacBook vs Mac desktop for college students?
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 sensible to think about a laptop computer moderately than a desktop Mac.
Whereas the display sizes in MacBooks are smaller than iMacs, you possibly can all the time purchase an affordable display and use that along with your laptop computer when you find yourself house. Or, when 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 possibly can additionally use that iPad for taking notes when you find yourself at lectures (learn our information to the finest iPad for college students).
Nevertheless, there are some advantages to purchasing a Mac desktop. Typically, 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 least expensive Mac regardless of having some fairly spectacular specs. Nevertheless, when 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, you could 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 under). Apple additionally lowered the worth to $599/£649 so the most cost effective Mac going is now even cheaper! The one actual compromise is the dearth of monitor and keyboard.
The Mac mini is about as moveable as a desktop Mac can get. You possibly can, in principle, take it house on the practice, so long as you had a spare monitor ready for you whenever you bought there.
If you’re on a funds 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, 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) evaluate
2. Apple Mac mini (M2 Professional, 2023)
Worth When Reviewed:
$1,299
The M2 Professional Mac mini gives all the advantages of the Mac mini mentioned above together with the extra highly effective M2 Professional chip which brings extra GPUs and assist for extra RAM (unified reminiscence).
When you want an M2 Professional chip the Mac mini with M2 Professional is rather a lot cheaper, at $1,199 (pupil value) than a 14-inch MacBook Professional, which begins at $1,849 for college students.
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) evaluate
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 assist for extra RAM, at a a lot lower cost than equally specced Mac laptops.
When you 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 price consideration, and the scholar low cost is fairly good.
As with the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Professional fashions although, we’d recommend 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 necessary, 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) evaluate
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 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. We weren’t recommending the iMac for college students then and we aren’t absolutely recommending it now. However the iMac does have a number of qualities that may enchantment to you.
Due to its design it’s actually a Mac that can make a press release to anybody coming into your dorm room. That 24-inch show is also an excellent display for streaming your favourite reveals and films.
The iMac is a non-portable Mac although, which could deter many college students from buying one. You received’t be capable 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) evaluate
Which Mac must you get for college?
Our choose of your complete Mac vary, when 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 excellent worth.
You possibly can save by choosing the older M2 MacBook Air, however, in case you are searching for the most cost effective 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 motive to delay shopping for one is the truth that a Mac mini could also be coming quickly.
The best way to 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 larger training, be a trainer, somebody shopping for for an training establishment, or a house educator. Faculty-age kids can solely take benefit if the tools is being bought by their faculty or if their mum or dad is home-educating them. If you’re a registered pupil you’ll be capable to get a reduction on a brand new Mac when you store in Apple’s varied Training Shops (under). You will discover out all about it in additional element in our Apple Training 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 cut price:
Look out for reseller reductions: One other strategy to get a cut price is to look out for offers at Apple resellers and Amazon, the place we’ve see Macs with as a lot as $500 off the worth. Check out our spherical ups of the very best Mac offers to get the very best costs proper now:
Purchase a refurbished Mac: Make the most 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 absolutely checked and include a one-year guarantee. You may as well 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 verify 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 can purchase a refurbished Mac. One factor to notice: when you discover what you assume is an effective deal on an older Intel Mac we don’t suggest that you simply purchase one. Intel Macs will doubtless solely be supported with safety updates for a pair extra years, so you could 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 needs to be assured to work and you should not have any drawback returning it if there’s a drawback. These are explanation why we don’t suggest shopping for a secondhand Mac. When you do see a deal on a secondhand or used Mac simply be particularly cautious.
The most effective Mac bargains are normally on older fashions, though we do see reductions on present Macs as properly. When you see low cost on an older Mac it’s necessary to pay attention to what the newer fashions gives in order that you already know what you might be 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 more likely to function Intel processors moderately than Apple’s M1, M2, M3 or their variants, which might 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 assist Macs for.
If you’re a pupil right here’s tips on how to get Apple Music for half value. Plus college students with an Apple Music pupil subscription additionally get free entry to Apple TV+ for a restricted time.
