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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 judge 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 better option.
Selecting one of the best Mac for school or college will depend on what you will be finding out in addition to how a lot you need to spend. Fortunately registered college students can get monetary savings on a brand new Mac by purchasing at Apple’s Training Retailer, or with considered one of Apple’s companions. We focus on get an Apple pupil low cost at Apple’s Training Retailer individually, though we additionally discuss concerning the alternative 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 provides individuals seeking to purchase a Mac for college reward vouchers (and sometimes a free pair of AirPods). You will 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.Ok.
For those who’re a pupil, you too can get Apple Music for half worth with free Apple TV+ included.
Apple
Apple
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 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. Word that you just could possibly get much more cash off your Mac buy in case you go straight to a reseller and reap the benefits of a reduction, you’ll see one of the best offers for every Mac under.
For those who’re doing a level in movie and video, or music, or graphic design then it would make sense to additionally have a look at considered one of 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 kids.
How a lot can college students save on a Mac?
Earlier than we start let’s have a look at what is obtainable 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.Ok. 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.Ok. | Australia | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13.6-inch MacBook Air, M2, MSRP | $999 | £999 | $1,599 | $1,299 |
| 13.6-inch MacBook Air, M2, Scholar 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, Scholar 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, Scholar 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 Scholar 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 Scholar 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 Scholar low cost | $2,299 | £2,389 | $3,949 | $2,939 |
| iMac M3 MSRP | $1,299 | £1,399 | $2,199 | $1,699 |
| iMac M3 Scholar low cost | $1,249 | £1,349 | $2,109 | $1,629 |
| Mac mini MSRP | $599 | £649 | $999 | $799 |
| Mac mini Scholar low cost | $499 | £539 | $829 | $669 |
| Mac Studio MSRP | $1,999 | £2,099 | $3,299 | $2,699 |
| Mac Studio Scholar low cost | $1,799 | £1,889 | $2,969 | $2,429 |
| Mac Professional MSRP | $6,999 | £7,199 | $11,999 | $8,999 |
| Mac Professional Scholar 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 attitude of a typical pupil within the order that we suggest them for college kids.
1. MacBook Air, 13-inch, M3, 2024
Value 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.
For those who’re in search of 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 proper match. The mannequin we’re recommending right here isn’t the most affordable MacBook Air, but it surely 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 a bit 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, 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’ll be able to cost your laptop computer and nonetheless have two USB ports free.
It’s possible you’ll really feel that you just want extra storage than the entry-level mannequin provides, during 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 problem. Slightly than fork out for further storage built-in you might discover exterior storage, and even iCloud storage, works out cheaper. (When you have a giant Music library, for instance, pay for iTunes Match so you’ll be able to hold your music within the cloud. When 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
Scholar: $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
Value 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 provides a greater M3 chip as commonplace with a 10-core GPU, slightly 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 slightly than the four-speaker sound system of the 13-inch M3 (and M2).
The 15-inch MacBook Air weighs a bit extra and can take up extra space in your bag, however if you need a much bigger display then that’s a good worth to pay.
Battery life is similar 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
Scholar: $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) overview
3. Apple 14-inch MacBook Professional, M3, 2023
Value When Reviewed:
$1,599
The 14-inch MacBook Professional with M3 is sort of a leap up from the MacBook Air when it comes to worth and now that each are furnished with the identical M3 chip, you might be questioning why anybody would need to pay extra for the MacBook Professional.
There’s a motive to purchase the MacBook Professional slightly than the MacBook Air although and that’s mainly if the MacBook Air gained’t be highly effective sufficient in your wants. The factor concerning the MacBook Air is that it lacks a fan, which implies that in case you actually push it then the Mac may decelerate to keep away from overheating. Because of this, if you wish to use your Mac for heavy processing then you definitely could be higher off with a MacBook Professional. On this case, when you’ve got the funds, you may truly need to think about the M3 Professional possibility (mentioned subsequent).
One different good thing about the MacBook Professional is the broader collection of ports than on the MacBook Air, together with HDMI and an SDXC card reader. However in case 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 just save the cash you’d be spending on the MacBook Professional and purchase an exterior show to plug into if you end up 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
Scholar: $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) overview
4. MacBook Professional, 14-inch, M3 Professional, 2023
Value 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 prone 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.
For those who 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 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
Scholar: $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) overview
5. MacBook Air, 13-inch, M2, 2022
Value When Reviewed:
$1,099 (present worth at $999)
College students seeking to spend as little cash as attainable might be contemplating the M2 MacBook Air, which is simply $899/£899 for college kids. That’s $100/£100 lower than the coed 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: you might discover a low cost on the M3 13-inch MacBook Air that beats Apple’s Scholar low cost on the older mannequin.
For those who can spare the additional cash, we suggest 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 thought to be slower. We’d suggest upgrading to the 512GB mannequin, however by that time, you may as properly spend the cash on the M3 MacBook Air which isn’t hampered by the identical storage problem.
However, in case you can’t spare the additional cash the M2 MacBook Air will likely 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 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, but it surely 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
Scholar: $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) overview
MacBook vs Mac desktop for college kids?
Scholar life usually includes 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 slightly than a desktop Mac.
Whereas the display sizes in MacBooks are smaller than iMacs, you’ll be able to at all times purchase an affordable display and use that along with your laptop computer if you end up residence. Or, in case 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 the way to use your iPad as a second display in your Mac). You can additionally use that iPad for taking notes if you end up at lectures (learn our information to the greatest 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 least expensive Mac regardless of having some fairly spectacular specs. Nonetheless, in case 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 respect that there are many advantages related to selecting a laptop computer for college, you might be higher off with a desktop.
1. Mac mini, M2, 2023
Value 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 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 moveable as a desktop Mac can get. You can, in idea, take it residence 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 previous keyboard, mouse and monitor.
How a lot can college students save on the Mac mini, M2?
MSRP: $599 / £649 / AU$999 / CA$799
Scholar: $499 / £539 / AU$829 / CA$669
College students save: $100 / £110 / AU$170 / CA$130
Learn our full
Apple Mac mini (M2, 2023) overview
2. Apple Mac mini (M2 Professional, 2023)
Value 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).
For those who want an M2 Professional chip the Mac mini with M2 Professional is loads 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
Scholar: $499 / £539 / AU$829 / CA$669
College students save: $100 / £110 / AU$170 / CA$130
Learn our full
Apple Mac mini (M2 Professional, 2023) overview
3. Mac Studio, M2 Max, 2023
Value 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 lower cost than equally specced Mac laptops.
For those who want a strong 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 coed 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 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
Scholar: $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) overview
4. iMac, 24-inch, M3
Value When Reviewed:
$1,299 base mannequin
Again in Might 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 enchantment to you.
Due to its design it’s actually a Mac that can make an announcement to anybody coming into your dorm room. That 24-inch show may be an amazing display for streaming your favourite exhibits and flicks.
The iMac is a non-portable Mac although, which could deter many college students from buying one. You gained’t have the ability 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 / £1,399 / AU$2,199 / CA$1,699
Scholar 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) overview
Which Mac do you have to get for college?
Our decide of all the Mac vary, in case you’re a pupil, is the M3 MacBook Air. It offers you a greater display, higher webcam and a beautiful new design to indicate off in lectures. It’s gentle, quick, and with pupil pricing beginning at $999/£999 it’s superb worth.
You can save by choosing the older M2 MacBook Air, however, if you’re in search of 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 motive to delay shopping for one is the truth that a Mac mini could also be coming quickly.
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 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 have the ability to get a reduction on a brand new Mac in case you store in Apple’s varied Training Shops (under). You could find 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 method 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 method to get a cut price is to look out for offers at Apple resellers and Amazon, the place we now have 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 advantage of shopping for refurbished from Apple is that the merchandise are totally 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 the way to purchase a refurbished Mac. We additionally have a look at why you should purchase a refurbished Mac. One factor to notice: in case 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 doubtless solely be supported with safety updates for a pair extra years, so you might end up needing to improve earlier than the tip of your course.
Purchase second-hand/used: One benefit of shopping for refurbished is that it must be assured to work and you shouldn’t have any downside returning it if there’s a downside. These are the explanation why we don’t suggest shopping for a secondhand Mac. For those who 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. For those who see a great low cost on an older Mac it’s necessary to pay attention to what the newer fashions provides in order that you understand what you might be lacking out on and might 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 slightly 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 help Macs for.
If you’re a pupil right here’s the way 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.
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