Like the best laptops for students, the best MacBooks for students are portable, powerful, and won’t break the bank. MacBooks have conventionally been much more expensive than their Windows counterparts, but in 2025, the best MacBooks for students are fairly affordable.
Apple machines are generally considered more premium because the company designs a large percentage of the hardware and software baked into their machines in a bespoke way, and MacBooks tend to be more reliable in the long term. They also tend to be incredibly efficient and boast incredible battery life.
The Quick List
A powerful laptop with a larger display and a great battery life? Yup, this is the MacBook you are looking for.
The MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) is easy to throw into a bag or anyone looking for a laptop that's easy to use on the sofa.
The exceptional 16-inch MacBook Pro also has an exceptional battery life alongside a fantastically powerful M4 Pro processor.
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The MacBook Air with M2 is still a great machine and is actually a little slimmer than its M3 successor thanks to its classic 'tapered' design.
The current MacBook Pro models have the best laptop screens on Apple machines, and desktop-level performance, too.
It's difficult to recommend the MacBook Pro 16-inch over its 14-inch sibling for most, but those who crave maximum power will enjoy the M4 Max chip and huge XDR display.
The best MacBooks for students and learners that we recommend in 2025
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Best MacBook overall
✅ You want a cheaper MacBook: It's the cheapest of the large-screen MacBooks available.
✅ You're looking for a portable big-screen device: The Air is 0.45 inches thick and you get a great amount of screen real-estate.
❌ You want a smaller laptop: The 13-inch version is lighter and smaller than its 15-inch counterpart.
❌ You want the most powerful MacBook: The M4 will be outgunned by the M4 Pro and M4 Max CPUs in the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
🔎 The MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) is a compact and versatile machine that offers a balance between power, portability, and price. ★★★★★
Our pick for the best MacBook for students is the base MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) model, which is perfectly balanced for portability, functionality and price point. We mentioned in our review of its predecessor, the MacBook Air 15-inch (M2), that it's the ultimate student laptop — and we see the combination of exceptional hardware and a large, immersive screen making it the best option.
While there are cheaper options out there, with the 15-inch version you get the same great performance the M4 chip allows for in addition to far more screen real estate, so you can really dive into any work that involves graphics or if you're looking for a device to watch shows or run intensive games. That extra little bit of space makes a huge quality of life difference when you're watching back shows or movies, in particular.
You also avoid needing to shell out for a MacBook Pro, given this device is largely the same in terms of its internal components. It's also very portable, weighing just 3.3 lbs (1.4 kg) and measuring just 0.45 inches (11.43 mm) thick when the lid is shut.
That means you get the best of both worlds with a large and immersive display for viewing content or media and a fantastically portable machine that you can carry around with you when working on the go or on the way to lectures. There's also a fantastic battery life and a variety of colors you can pick up this device, including Sky Blue, Silver, Starlight and Midnight.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Same great design as the previous generation's MacBook Air |
Functionality | Highly portable for a large-screen laptop |
Performance | Fantastic performance with an upgraded M4 chip |
Best portable MacBook
✅ You want to work on the move: This is the lightest and most portable MacBook available.
✅ You don't need to run heavy workloads: The base model is perfectly capable of running basic tasks smoothly.
❌ You want a larger screen: You get plenty of real estate in a 13-inch laptop but if you want more room, consider a larger device.
❌ You want the most power money can buy: While performance is solid, you can upgrade the processor and RAM if you invest more cash.
🔎 The MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) is a portable powerhouse that is ideal for working on the move. ★★★★½
The MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) is one of our favorites, and it's been widely recognized as one of the best portable machines you can get. When you look at how much it weighs, its size, and what's under the hood — it's obvious why. That's not to mention its extremely attractive price point.
Its stunningly elegant design is coupled with a lightness you don't get with the MacBook Pro (it weighs 2.7 lbs versus the MacBook Pro's 3.4 lbs). It also performs on par thanks to the inclusion of an M4 chip. We mentioned in our MacBook Air M2 review that the device offers the perfect blend of power and portability for students, and the M4 version is no different.
With the base model available for under $1,000, you could do much worse than one of the best laptops out there — and you also get the popular MagSafe charging option, 12MP Center Stage Camera and a gorgeous Liquid Retina display.
You can also pick it up in a handful of great colors, including Sky Blue, Space Gray, Midnight and Starlight — all are gorgeous but we have a soft spot in particular for the Midnight coating. The other benefit over the previous generation of MacBook Air devices is that the base model now starts at 16 GB of unified memory — double the 8 GB you previously got — which will make a world of difference if you're hoping to multitask while on the move. Ultimately, it's an incredibly zippy and stylish laptop that's also the perfect travel companion.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Exquisite build quality and premium MacBook design |
Functionality | The most portable MacBook at your disposal |
Performance | Excellent at simple tasks but you may wish to consider a heftier laptop if you need more than that |
Best MacBook for battery life
✅ You want the best battery life: This MacBook is hands-down the longest-lasting Apple device you can get right now.
✅ You want the best of the best: You also get the best display, and performance alongside the best battery.
❌ You want the best value for money: The M4 Pro chip is great but will be overkill for many tasks.
❌ You want a smaller screen: The smaller 14-inch MacBook Pro and the 13-inch MacBook Air also have excellent batteries.
🔎 The MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro) is a powerful machine that will last far longer that anything else. ★★★★
No matter which MacBook you pick up, you can guarantee that you are bound to get a device that can last you a full day, and beyond if you're not planning on using it throughout. With the new M4-fitted MacBooks, you'll benefit from a better battery life than you may have encountered in previous generations, especially in the more powerful Pro versions.
The longest-lasting MacBook is the MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro), based on Apple's findings around battery life — with the M4 Pro chip lasting 24 hours for video streaming versus 21 hours in the M4 Max. Real-life results aren't quite as high, but still excellent.
Sister site Tom's Guide found the the MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro) lsted 20 hours and 46 minutes in its test – far better than a host of Windows competitors. Tom's Hardware recorded a similar 21 hours and 1 minute battery life, which was far greater than the 18 hours and 31 minutes the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4) lasted. Last year's Macbook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max) — which we highlighted as the previous best MacBook for battery life — lasted 18 hours and 5 minutes in the same battery test.
We would certainly recommend investing in the MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro) if you're looking to marry high-end performance with ultimate battery life — but, of course, this will set you back a fair amount and it might not represent the best value for money. That is, unless, you plan on making the most of the advanced chipset and running the most intensive applications while on the move.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Expansive and immersive display underlines a fantastic overall build |
Functionality | Great collection of ports and still very thin, but a heavy machine |
Performance | Unrivalled performance — one of the most powerful laptops out there right now |
Cheapest MacBook
✅ You want value for money: This device is fantastically priced for the hardware you get.
✅ You're always on the move: Despite its age, it's still more than good enough to work with on the go.
❌ You want the most powerful specs: The M2 is one (soon to be two) generations old by now.
❌ You want a large screen: The smaller 13-inch screen is beneficial in plenty of ways unless you're working more creatively.
🔎 The MacBook Air 13-inch (M2) is a perfect laptop for students and you can grab it for less than $1,000. ★★★★★
Three years on from its launch, we would still recommend the MacBook Air (M2) as offering incredibly value for money at a heavily discounted rate. You can find a good deal for between $600 and $800, depending on the configuration you go for.
As we highlighted in our MacBook Air 13-inch (M2) review, the build quality and design are both excellent and have become a mainstay in the MacBook Air design — with the newest models retaining these elements. They're near identical.
The key differences, however, come in the form of a brighter screen and better hardware. But the M2 chip is still an exceptional performer and, if you are running to a tight budget, is more than enough for most day-to-day tasks without breaking a sweat. You can even use apps like Photoshop while streaming video on YouTube without the machine really breaking a sweat.
It can run slightly warm for extended periods of use, but at this price point — that's not much of a downside given it still runs smoothly. We branded it the ultimate student laptop and it's an assessment we're more than happy to double down on given you'll be able to pick it up for much cheaper than it was when it was first launched.
There are some downsides to consider, however, such as the lack of some ports like HDMI and a smaller screen versus the 15-inch MacBook Air and 16-inch MacBook Pro — but that's a trade-off we're happy to make given how portable and lightweight this device is.
Read our full MacBook Air 13-inch (M2) review.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Compact, stylish and effortlessly light |
Functionality | The most portable MacBook you can get but lacks ports and a bigger screen |
Performance | Great performance and better than many new Windows laptops |
Best MacBook for creatives
✅ You want more firepower than the base model: The M4 chip is a great processor that offers excellent performance.
✅ You want to work on the go: This device couples its performance with fantastic portability in one package.
❌ You need the biggest possible screen: We'd recommend that 16-inch version if you want more screen space.
❌ You don't need the bells and whistles: The M4 MacBook Air is good enough for most tasks and performs just as well.
🔎 The MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4) gives you more power in a compact package that's ideal for working creatively on the move. ★★★★½
Creatives looking to get the most out of a machine without breaking the bank should consider the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4). This base version of the MacBook Pro series is anything but basic, and offers a tremendous amount of power and potential at a great price point.
We previously recommended the M3 Pro version of last year's MacBook Pro 14-inch, but we think the M4 chip is powerful enough to give you everything you need at a much lower price point, which is an important factor when considering the best MacBook for students.
In fact, we also recommend this machine as our best laptop overall in our guide to the best laptops for photo and video editing — highlighting its components as well as its excellent display and a tremendous number of ports that you get, including an SDXC card slot as well as HDMI and Thunderbolt 4 ports. It's also much lighter than its predecessor and you get a minimum of 16 GB unified memory — double the amount you would have gotten in the base M3 model.
The downside with the MacBook Pro is its cost — which is reasonable, but you can certainly find a laptop for much cheaper (especially if you broaden your search to a Windows machine). While we believe it represents great value for money, you may not need the performance levels you get with the M4 chip, or even the high-quality screen if you plan on using an external monitor anyway.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Same great build and design quality you have come to expect |
Functionality | Plenty of ports in this portable package |
Performance | Excellent performance thanks to the M4 chip |
Best MacBook for power
✅ You need a big screen: The largest MacBook you can buy offers plenty of room to dive into any video work you're doing.
✅ You want to run heavy workloads: The M3 Max chip is more than a step up on the base version.
❌ You are working to a tight budget: Consider downgrading to a MacBook Air 15-inch (M3) if you're strapped for cash.
❌ You need something more portable: If you can get away with a smaller and lighter device, the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3 Pro) is the one for you.
🔎 The MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Max) is the ultimate experience you can get and comes with a stunningly immersive display. ★★★★
The MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Max) is an absolute beast and the most powerful laptop that anybody can buy outside of a specialized workstation, but picking one up is nothing you should do lightly. You should only really opt for this machine if you are seeking to get the most power you possibly can out of a MacBook, and money is no object.
You can throw anything at the M4 Max chip and it will hardly break a sweat — this includes AAA gaming or intensive machine learning workloads if you're a computer science student. Graphic design? No problem. 3D modeling? Fine. Thanks to its 30-core GPU, which handles graphics rendering with aplomb, you'll have a machine that's set up to do pretty much anything.
With the MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Max), you'll also pick up one of the best panels on the market in the form of the 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR screen — but this is the same display as you'll get in even the base M4 version. If you're one to use multiple screens, you can rely on the GPU core count reliably plug the machine into several external monitors and expect performance to barely take a dent in how the machine runs.
We should say that the base MacBook Pro (M4) is good enough for pretty much any professional use case, let alone studying, so to upgrade to a machine with the M4 Pro or M4 Max chip really should demand a genuine need. You won't really notice a difference unless you plan to specifically tap into something like the highest graphics in gaming or for the aforementioned use cases.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | The largest MacBook you can buy with a stunningly immersive display |
Functionality | Has everything you could ask for from a premium MacBook |
Performance | Excellent performance that is overkill for most people |
Keumars is the technology editor at Live Science. He has written for a variety of publications including Space.com, ITPro, The Week Digital, ComputerActive and TechRadar Pro. He has worked as a technology journalist for more than five years, having previously held the role of features editor with ITPro.
MacBook student discount
Apple has long offered educational discounts for students looking to invest in the company’s products, and that means you can save big bucks on a Mac and iPad right now.
If you’re a student or faculty staff, you’ll be able to save money on everything from the iMac, to the Pro Display XDR using your student ID credentials at Apple’s education store.
Apple also runs regular “back to school’ promotions, ranging from additional Gift Cards that can be redeemed for hardware, software, or services like Apple Music. The company also offers occasional discounts on its AppleCare+ insurance, helping with repairs for things like out-of-warranty screen cracks or water spillages. That can be particularly helpful when transporting your shiny new laptop from a dorm to a classroom and back, giving you peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are MacBooks best for students?
As with any laptop, whether a MacBook is the best fit for you will largely depend on your use case (and your budget). MacBooks are an excellent choice for almost any productivity task, particularly now that they’re powered by Apple’s own powerful, efficient M-series chips. If you’re primarily going to be using your laptop in the classroom, for projects, or for other multitasking-heavy exercises, a MacBook is an excellent choice.
That said, MacBooks tend to be more expensive than Windows machines with comparable performance, so if you’re on a budget, an Apple product may not be in the forecast. Also, MacBooks aren’t the best choice for gamers, given the profusion of titles that never make their way to MacOS (though this situation has improved dramatically in recent years).
Is a MacBook worth it for students?
As alluded to above, MacBooks may not be feasible for students on a shoestring budget. However, there are ways to help alleviate some of the high cost associated with Apple’s laptops. The first and most obvious is to wait for a sale, which tend to happen frequently at retailers like Amazon. This is especially true when a new model goes on sale: older models tend to see steep discounts when the next generation appears to muscle them out of the top of the listings.
In general, looking to older models is a very viable option when shopping MacBooks, due in large part to how reliable they tend to be even as they age. If you don’t need cutting edge performance, a MacBook with the previous generation of M-series chips, or opting for a MacBook Air instead of a pricier Pro, is a valid alternative.
Which MacBook is best for students?
One of the best characteristics of the MacBook line is its range and versatility. Beyond the option of a slighter, sleeker Air versus a mighty Pro, because MacBooks tend to be reliable and long-lasting, you can typically find older models for sale at deep discounts. For a solid value that balances price and specs, the latest (M3) version of the 13-inch MacBook Air checks a lot of boxes, though if you’re looking for a bargain option that strikes a similar balance, the older M2 version is still completely viable, particularly if you’re primarily interested in a productivity machine.
Is a MacBook Pro or Air better?
Whether a Pro or Air is a better fit for you will depend mostly on your budget, and to a lesser extent how you plan on using our laptop. If you’re only looking for a laptop to browse the web, do some light word processing, or other low-load productivity tasks, the Air is the obvious choice, as it’ll cost you less and is a sleeker, more portable option.
However, if you intend to do anything more processor (or GPU) intensive, like gaming or video editing, a Pro is the way to go. That said, you’ll need to be prepared to spend significantly more, especially if you want the latest M4-equipped model, but you’ll also be getting a much higher-performance machine. To somewhat diminish the steep pricing curve, you might consider a Pro from the previous chip generation or from last year, or one with a smaller display.
What are the disadvantages of a MacBook for students?
As mentioned above, the primary disadvantage of a new MacBook is price. MacBooks tend to be more expensive than similarly specced Windows machines, though that price difference is largely accounted for by a MacBook’s efficiency, reliability, and battery life. MacBooks also only come in a traditional laptop form factor, while on the Windows or Chromebook side, you can find devices ranging from 2-in-1 hybrids to clamshells, to tablets with detachable chiclet keyboards.
How long will a MacBook last you?
The average laptop will last you at least three years and up to eight or nine if you're lucky, speaking from experience. But at that point, you'll be looking to upgrade anyway. Anecdotally (and according to sites like Fruit Fixed) MacBooks have always been considered more built to last than most Windows machines. And that is more true for devices with Apple's custom silicon (M1 and beyond), which are future-proofed given their tendency to blow most other chips out of the water. Given the lengthy battery life in the latest MacBooks, you can also expect to undergo many more recharge cycles before it shows signs of deterioration. That, coupled with the fact that the hardware in the MacBook is engineered to work cohesively, means you are investing in a device that could last many years.
How to choose the best MacBook for you
You should ask yourself what you're looking for in a new MacBook and how exactly you intend to use it, and how often. If you need a device for note-taking, web browsing or to watch shows and movies, then a MacBook might feel like overkill.
But, on the other hand, they're stylish, built to last and are impressively engineered. So perhaps getting a cheap MacBook Air for under $1,000 is the best way forward. If you primarily need something to work with while on the move and that's much lighter than others, the MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) is the pick of the bunch.
For more firepower and intensive creative tasks or video editing, for instance, you should consider the MacBook Pro line — which offer more power in the form of upgraded M3 Pro and M3 Max chips and more ports.
Regardless of your needs, there will be a MacBook for you. Just be wary of the price, the size of the machine and how much power you will end up needing.
How we test
Picking the best MacBook for students is a challenge, not only because it's dependent on your workload, but because of the cost involved – Apple's machines are expensive, and there's no getting around that.
We test all our laptops to the same standard whether MacBook or Windows, running various benchmarks and tests — as well as getting hands-on with the machine — to determine what it's like using it and how it performs depending on what you might be looking for in a device. We run CPU and GPU benchmarks using Geekbench 6 to test a laptop's performance, while we run CrystalDiskMark to test how well its hard drive or SSD can handle data transfers.
Testing a laptop's display involves using a specialized display calibrator that can detect brightness levels, color accuracy, color volume, any undersaturation or oversaturation in the RGB space, as well as distortions against what we expect. We compare and contrast these results to determine how well the display may be suited to, say, video editing or other uses.
We also test the battery life of all laptops we review in a consistent way to make comparisons viable. We run a looped video in specific conditions with all automatic brightness and contrast settings turned off and we measure how long the laptop lasts before it runs out of battery.
Beyond benchmarking, we use these laptops day-to-day and run informal stress tests like playing several 4K YouTube videos at once, browsing, and using other applications a typical user might open. We also type with the device and get a general feel for what it's like carrying it around with us.
