The history of the Apple Macbook is a long and winding one. It all started in 1976 when Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded Apple Computer, Inc. If you’re in the market for a new laptop and are headed to college, then you may wonder if a Macbook is the right choice. In this post, we’ll look at the best Macbooks for college students and help you decide if a Macbook fits you.
Why Trust Me For This Macbook Guide
I have been freelancing for seven years and have exclusively used Apple laptops. Both a MacBook Pros and a MacBook Air M2 have been my trusted devices for all my work, school, and personal needs.
My favorite is the MacBook Air M2, the most reliable laptop I’ve ever used. Over the years, I have become quite familiar with its features and capabilities.
Best College Macbook – My Recommendations
Macbook laptops are popular among college students for their portability, design, and overall performance. While there are many models of Macbooks to choose from, we’ve compiled a list of the best Macbooks for college students based on our findings.
Apple MacBook Air M2 2022
Apple 2022 MacBook Pro Laptop with M2 chip, 13-inch Retina Display
Apple has just announced a new Macbook Air M2 in WWDC22. The most notable change is the design, which is now very sleek and modern. I love the new look! The new Macbook Air M2 is also lightweight, making it perfect for students carrying their laptops all day.
The new MacBook Air has an all-new design in Silver, Space Gray, Starlight, and Midnight colors. The Starlight color is champagne-like, while the Midnight color is very dark blue.
The M2 Chip is a next-generation 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU with up to 16GB of unified memory. The Retina display is also great for working on projects. The colors are so vibrant that it makes it easy to see what’s on the screen.
The MacBook Pro with M2 has a battery life of up to 20 hours, perfect for college students who need a computer that will last all day. It also has an HD camera and studio-quality microphones.
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch 2021
Apple 2021 MacBook Pro (14-inch, M1 Pro chip with 8‑core CPU and 14‑core GPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)
Apple announced their new MacBook Pro 14-inch model last year. It is a powerful machine designed for designers, engineers, and other professionals needing a reliable laptop to handle demanding tasks. Some of its features include a 10-core CPU, up to 3.7x faster performance, up to 64GB of unified memory, and up to 8TB of superfast SSD storage.
It also has a 4-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, and a six-speaker sound system. This machine will help you power through your schoolwork and get the most out of your college experience.
And with its fast storage and processor, you’ll be able to get work done quickly and efficiently. However, one downside to the MacBook Pro 14-inch M1 is that it is a bit on the heavier side, weighing in at 3.5 pounds.
MacBook Air 13-inch M1 Chip 2020
Apple 2020 MacBook Air Laptop M1 Chip
The most notable features of this laptop are its M1 chip with an 8-core CPU, 16-core Neural Engine, and 8GB of unified memory. Another great feature of this laptop is its Retina display. This display is one of the best displays that Apple has ever released. It is clear and bright, making using this laptop a pleasure.
The MacBook is also very lightweight, at only 2.8 pounds, which makes it easy to carry around with you, whether you’re going to class or traveling. It has two Type-C ports for charging, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 3, and USB 3.1 Gen 2. You can use one of the Thunderbolt ports to connect an external display to the laptop. The MacBook Air has a 30W USB-C Power Adapter and a USB-C Charge Cable 2m.Â
Apple MacBook Pro with Apple M1 2020
Apple 2020 MacBook Pro M1 Chip (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage)
Apple MacBook Pro with Apple M1 is a high-end laptop that has been designed for college students. The computer has a 13.3-inch LED-backlit display, and it comes with a 16:10 aspect ratio. It also has up to 20 hours of battery life and weighs only 3 pounds.
The most impressive feature of the MacBook Pro with Apple M1 is its 8-core CPU that can deliver up to 2.8x the performance of the previous generation. The 8-core GPU is mighty and can handle even the most demanding tasks. The 16-core Neural Engine is perfect for students who want to do machine learning.
The device also has 8GB of unified memory and superfast SSD storage. The MacBook Pro with Apple M1 has two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports. These ports are very versatile and can be used for charging, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 3, and USB 3.1 Gen 2.
Choosing Macbooks for College: A Buyer’s Guide
The right size
Macbooks come in two sizes: 11-inch, 13-inch, 14-inch, 15-inch and 16-inch. If you’re looking for a laptop that is easy to carry, the 11 or 13-inch model is your best bet. However, the 15-inch and 16-inch models are a better option if you need more screen real estate.
The price of the Macbook also varies depending on the size. Generally speaking, the larger the screen, the more expensive the laptop.
Pick the right specs
If you plan on doing a lot of video editing or graphic design, you’ll want to get a Macbook with a powerful processor and a lot of RAM.
On the other hand, if you need a laptop for general use, like browsing the web and checking email, you won’t need to worry about getting the latest and most incredible specs. Just ensure you get a model with enough storage for all your files.
Storage Capacity
Macbooks come with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB of storage. If you’re like me and you plan on storing many photos, videos, or other large files, you’ll need to get a laptop with at least 256GB of storage. I’ll choose a Macbook with 256GB of storage capacity.
You can always get an external hard drive if you need more storage.Â
Determine your budget
It would help if you determined how much you can afford to spend on a new laptop. Remember that you’ll also need to factor in the cost of accessories, like a mouse, backpack, and external hard drive.
FAQs
Macbooks are known for their reliability, durability, and overall performance, which makes them ideal for students who need a dependable laptop for schoolwork and other academic pursuits.
Macbooks come with various built-in features and apps that can benefit college students, such as the Notes app and the iWork suite.
The trackpad and retina display are also highly praised by Macbook users.
A silicone keyboard cover is one of the best ways to protect your Macbook from spilled liquids. These covers act as a barrier between your keyboard and any spills and can be easily wiped clean if necessary.
I have used a keyboard cover for my Macbook Pro for several years, saving my laptop from many potential accidents.
The battery life of a Macbook varies depending on the model and specifications you choose. However, you can expect more than 8 hours of battery life on a MacBook Air and a MacBook Pro M-series chip.
There are a few essential accessories that every Macbook owner should have, such as a protective case, an external hard drive, and a backup battery. Various optional accessories, such as an external optical drive, a second monitor, and a wireless mouse, can make using your MacBook more convenient and enjoyable.
Logitech MX Master 3, Keychron Keyboards, and WD My Passport are some of the best accessories for a Macbook. I highly recommend them.
There are a few things that you can do to help keep your Macbook running smoothly, such as regularly cleaning your computer, quitting unused apps, and using disk cleanup tools. CleanMyMac X  from MacPaw is one of the best cleanup tools available.
Conclusion
We hope this guide was helpful. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to comment below.
