Are you looking for the best MacBook for college students? For the best quality MacBook, you first need to determine the right features no matter where you plan to study. We recommend that you choose adequate RAM, a high-grade processor, and long battery life so that you can launch multiple applications at the same time.
Also, check if the MacBook is light and thin because it will be portable and convenient for transportation. When buying a MacBook for college students, always look for good enough RAM, long battery life, and a powerful processor. We’ve reviewed and found that you can find these features on Apple laptops.
What features should I consider before buying the best MacBook for college students?
Durability and portability
The biggest reason for college students may be the durability and portability of laptops. Laptops must be backpacked and transported from class to class to carry normally without any damage, and a long-term plan is essential for the Price of a laptop.
MacBook Air or MacBook Pro
Which is the primary choice for students, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro? The MacBook Pro comes in the form of a larger screen and offers stronger performance but is more expensive than the Air. On the other hand, the MacBook Air is much lighter and thinner, a little less expensive than the Macbook Pro, and makes it easy to carry in a backpack for the whole day of class.
Processing capacity
Processing power helps the best college laptop run smoothly when using highly intensive programs. Most Apple laptops feature high-end Intel Core processors between the i7 and i9.
Memory or Ram
Memory is random access memory or RAM, which allows a computer to run multiple programs simultaneously without crashing or reversing. RAM varies greatly depending on the quality and type of laptop purchased. However, most MacBooks offer between 8GB and 64GB of RAM for optimal performance.
Internal storage system
Internal storage is the number of files and programs that can store entirely on a laptop. Most bug Macbooks offer multiple terabytes, but some MacBooks offer only a few hundred gigabytes, which is one of the main areas of difference between different laptops.
Screen size and resolution
Another big difference between the various MacBooks offered by Apple or any band is the screen size. Although most modern models are equipped with retina and clear display capabilities for crisp screens, screen sizes vary from 3 inches to each other. The big screen can be good for movies or videos, but it can also be expensive.
7 List of Best Macbook for College Students of 2022
1.Best Budget Notebook: M1 MacBook Air

Key Features:
CPU: 8 Core | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB | Display Size: 13.3-inch | Dimension: 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.63 inches | Weight: 2.8 pounds | Battery Life: up to 18 hours.
The 2020 Apple MacBook Air is Apple’s new entry-level laptop, which makes it the perfect choice for college students.
If you’ve been looking for a cheap, reliable laptop that can handle most basic tasks, this is the model for you.
The 2020 Apple MacBook Air is a 13-inch model with a 256GB SSD, 8GB RAM, and an Intel M1 chip. That’s a pretty standard configuration for this price, but it means you’ll be able to get some serious work done.
You can edit a 4K video with the Apple Photos app, open several tabs in Safari, or browse the web with Chrome. You can also use the MacBook Air as a desktop replacement if you need to do some heavy lifting.
Of course, you can also connect to your iPhone or iPad with the handy USB-C port, and you’ll even be able to use Apple’s own apps for messaging, email, and calendar.
What We Like:
- Low price
- Lightweight
- Small form factor
What We Don’t Like:
- Only two ports
- Fanless design limits peak processing
2.Best Overall: MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
Key Features:
CPU: Core i8 | RAM: 16 GB | Storage: 512GB | Display Size: 14.2-inch | Dimension: 8.71 x 12.31 x 0.61 inches | Weight: 3.52 pounds | Battery Life: 17 hours.
It’s a rare occasion when we recommend the same laptop twice in a row. This is because, after two years, the MacBook Pro still reigns as the best laptop on the market.
The new MacBook Pro is more powerful than ever before, and it’s the ideal laptop for anyone looking to take their computing to the next level. It has a powerful new Intel chip that allows for a lot of performance enhancements, and it’s more efficient and power-saving than ever.
The latest version of macOS, Mojave, is also a major improvement over the previous release, and it’s designed for those who demand the absolute best. And if you’re worried about running out of battery life, worry no more. This new model has a larger battery and longer battery life than the previous model.
The biggest improvement, though, is the way that the new MacBook Pro is capable of handling the most intensive workloads. For instance, the new model features a new, up to 10-core Intel chip, which is capable of delivering up to 3.7 times the performance of the previous generation.
This is great news for professional users, as it means that they can get a lot more done without having to wait. In fact, the new model is so powerful that it can run pro software without any issues.
The new MacBook Pro also includes an improved graphics processing unit, which means that it’ll be able to run high-end graphics-intensive apps and games with ease.
Another major improvement is the amount of RAM in this model. It has a max capacity of 16GB, but that’s not the only thing that’s increased. This model also has 128GB of flash storage, which means that you can store even more data and apps.
And lastly, the new MacBook Pro has a huge capacity battery. It has a capacity of up to 17 hours, and this is the longest it’s ever lasted.
Overall, the new MacBook Pro is a great upgrade from the previous model, and it’s a must-have for anyone looking for a powerful laptop with excellent performance.
What We Like:
- Extremely compact size; weighs just 2.6 pounds
- Powerful and silent; with a long battery life
- Very light; makes it easier to carry around
- The fastest SSD on the market with up to 16 TB of storage capacity
- Has a great keyboard; the keys are large, tactile, and responsive
- Has a fingerprint reader; the reader is easy to use
What We Don’t Like:
- No expandable storage
- Not very light
3. HP Envy 13 (2021): The best overall laptop for student
Key Features:
CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7 | GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 1 TB | Display: 13.3-inch, 1080p (touch) | Size: 12.05 x 8.35 x 0.58 inches | Weight: 2.88 pounds
The HP Envy 13 2021 laptop is a very powerful business laptop, featuring the latest 10th Gen Intel processor. It has 8GB RAM and a 1TB SSD, and it’s capable of running multiple high-powered programs at once.
It has an excellent display, with 400 nits brightness, 100 percent sRGB, and a 13.3-inch full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS LED-backlit display. It has a wide viewing angle, so you can enjoy the screen even if you’re in a bright environment.
The HP Envy 13 also has a good keyboard with a backlight, and it’s comfortable to use. It has anti-ghosting technology that lets you use all 10 keys on the keyboard without any issues.
The Envy 13 also has a good set of ports. You’ll find USB-A 3.1, USB-C, HDMI, a headphone jack, and an SD card reader. There’s also a webcam with a 720p resolution, which will do the job if you need a video call.
All in all, the HP Envy 13 is a powerful business laptop that will let you work efficiently.
What We Like:
- Bright, vivid display
- Attractive design and clicky keyboard
- Core i5 CPU is speedy
- 11+ hours of battery life
What We Don’t Like:
- Plastic touchpad
- No IR camera option
4. Dell XPS 13 (Late 2020)

Key Features:
CPU: Intel Core i3/Core i5/Core i7 (11th Gen) | GPU: Intel Iris Xe | RAM: 8GB/16GB | Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB | Display: 13.4-inch, 1920 x 1200 or 4K | Size: 11.6 x 7.8 x 0.6 inches | Weight: 2.8 pounds
This laptop from Dell has everything you could ever ask for in a premium laptop for college students. It has a great processor, plenty of RAM, and a large SSD, plus it has a beautiful InfinityEdge display.
This laptop has a 13.4-inch, 1920 x 1200, InfinityEdge display. This is an anti-glare, high-resolution screen with a 500-nit rating.
You can use this screen in direct sunlight and still see all your icons and text clearly. It’s also got a touch screen, which means you don’t have to worry about the keyboard keys or the trackpad getting dirty.
This computer has a 15.6-inch, 1080p screen, so you get a better viewing experience, but it’s a little bit smaller.
This laptop has a quad-core, i7-8550U processor, which is the most powerful processor you can get in this price range. That means you’ll be able to play games and run multiple programs at once without having to worry about it.
For multitasking, this machine also has 8GB of RAM. This means you’ll be able to run all your favorite programs at once and not have to worry about any slowdown.
If you need a lot of power for all those programs, you can bump it up to 16GB, but we recommend sticking with 8GB.
The 512GB SSD is a great upgrade too. This is the largest SSD you can get in this price range. Plus, it has a PCI Express 3.0 interface, so it can handle more data than a SATA SSD.
This machine has Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650, which is a dual-band, 2×2 wireless card that provides the fastest Wi-Fi speeds possible. Plus, the AX1650 supports both the 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands, which means you’ll be able to connect to a much larger number of networks than other wireless cards.
There’s also a built-in Bluetooth 5.1 module, which makes it easier for you to connect to your Bluetooth devices.
The Dell XPS 13 has a USB Type-C port, a USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A port, a microSD slot, and an HDMI port. This is a great selection for college students that need to take lots of videos and pictures on the go.
Overall, this is the best MacBook for college students available in 2022.
What We Like:
- Attractive, premium chassis
- Powerful performance
- No bezels whatsoever
What We Don’t Like:
- Lacks legacy ports
5. MACBOOK PRO 13-INCH (INTEL, 2020)
Key Features:
CPU: Intel Core i3/Core i5/Core i7 (11th Gen) | GPU: Intel Iris Xe | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB | Display: 13.4-inch, 1920 x 1200 or 4K | Size: 11.6 x 7.8 x 0.6 inches | Weight: 2.8 pounds
The 13.3″ MacBook Pro (2017) has been the go-to laptop for college students for years, and for good reason. Its all-around solid performance, huge screen, and fantastic keyboard make it the perfect option for students.
However, it’s not without its downsides. While the Retina display is the best screen you can get for this price, it also comes with a few compromises.
First, the processor is a little old. While it’s still more than capable of all your needs, you won’t be able to take advantage of the newest features.
Also, while it’s pretty lightweight, it’s still pretty heavy when compared to some of the other laptops you’ll find.
And finally, it only has a single USB-C port. While the MacBook does offer plenty of other ports, you’ll have to rely on an adapter to connect a bunch of things.
But if you need a great computer to take notes and write papers with, then the MacBook Pro is the way to go.
What We Like:
- Great RAM and storage options
- Four ports
- Bright and sharp display
What We Don’t Like:
- Weaker than M1 machines
- Not as good value as M1
6. MACBOOK AIR (LATE 2020): MacBook Air the Best Macbook for College Students
Key Features:
CPU: Apple M1 chip – 8GB | RAM: 8GB/16GB | Storage: 256GB-SSD | Size: 11.97 x 8.36x 0.63 inches | Display: 13.3-inch, 2560 x 1600 or 4K | Weight: 2.8 pounds
The Apple MacBook Air is the latest version of their popular laptop line, and it’s the perfect machine for college students.
With its powerful Intel Core i5 processor, the MacBook Air is ready for all the things you want to do. Whether you’re editing photos or watching movies, this computer is ready to take on whatever you throw at it.
The MacBook Air is also one of the most energy-efficient laptops on the market. It has a fanless design, meaning it doesn’t make a lot of noise. This is great for studying because you won’t be distracted by noise.
There is also a touchscreen that lets you interact with the MacBook Air in a whole new way. You can browse websites and open apps, all while your fingers are on the screen. This is especially useful when using Microsoft Word, where you can type with your fingers instead of a mouse.
Other features include a USB-C port and a fingerprint scanner, so you can connect peripherals like a mouse and a keyboard. You can also connect a USB-A port to charge your smartphone, so you’ll always be connected.
The MacBook Air is a sleek, powerful computer that is perfect for students and professionals.
What We Like:
- Wide stereo sound
- Stereo speakers
- Force Touch trackpad, Siri, Touch ID sensor, True Tone
What We Don’t Like:
- Excess Weight
7.Macbook Pro 14 (M1 Pro/Max Chip)
Key Features:
CPU: Apple M1 Pro chip; Up to 10-core | GPU: Up to 16-core | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB-512GB(up to 8TB SSD) | Size: 8.71 x 12.31 x 0.61 inches | Display: 14.2-inch | Weight: 3.5 pounds
The MacBook Pro 14 performs best on the M1 pro / Max chip. These new powerful chips make high-end tasks such as graphic design, video export, and video editing much more effortless. But do those chips affect the battery life of the MacBook Pro?
According to Apple, the MacBook Pro 14 can run for 17 hours; however, it runs for extra than 8 hours.
It is imposing. Therefore, the Macbook pro 14 inches is excellent in terms of battery life.
The 120Hz refresh charge display screen seems splendid. Black is more profound, and the 1000 knit full-screen brightness level is significantly brighter than the MacBook Pro 13. In addition, it provides shadow details, with millions providing more contrast than ever in one contrast ratio.
The display isn’t a touch display and has a notch that can distract most users. However, the show is a mini LED backlight like the iPad Pro 12. Nine, and the colors are pretty accurate.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has six built-in speakers with a forced cancel woofer. The sound of the new speakers is excellent, adding effects to improve the sound quality of songs, movies, and even games. It has smaller speakers than the MacBook Pro 16, but both sound just as good. In addition, the backlit keyboard and the black background further accentuate the essential lights.
The M1max and M1pro chips are potent, and no other chip on the market is at this level. This Apple Mac is the best choice for gamers, and for hardcore gamers, the MacPro 16 is the best choice. So when it comes to games, the Macbook Pro blows all laptops out of the competition after the PC.
With multitasking, this computer kills it and is much more likely to handle excessive-end obligations than preceding Macbook Pros. In addition, running superb-in-depth apps on a Mac Pro 14 doesn’t cause delays or heating problems on your laptop.
What We Like:
- The M1 Pro or M1 Max chip is insanely faster than the M1 chip.
- Up to 32 center GPUs with as much as 13x quicker pics.
- 1080p FaceTime HD digicam for extra transparent and sharper video calls.
- Attention is paid to every element with a 14-inch mini LED liquid Retina XDR show.
- Touch your ID to lock and release your MacBook Pro 14.
- Expandable SSD garage as much as 8TB.
- Improve recreation performance with adaptive refresh costs as much as 120Hz
What We Don’t Like:
- Weight Excess
FAQs Section: Best MacBook for College Students
Which MacBook should I buy?
If you want a MacBook for everyday paintings, homework, net browsing, movies, and mild creativity, pick the MacBook Air. For the general public, this is the MacBook they need. Unfortunately, the thirteen-inch MacBook Pro is still hard to sell and greater highly-priced than the Air; however, basically equals the Apple M1 chip. It’s also the touch bar’s final hurdle.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is what creative high-end professionals have been waiting for. The video editors and creative professionals I’ve spoken to are excited about one or have already pre-ordered one, usually with the high-end M1 Max chip.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro can do almost the whole thing the sixteen-inch can but in a minor package deal. As a result, it’s a top-notch mainstream laptop work or splurge tool for the creative types needing something more portable.
Conclusion:
The MacBook is a great laptop. Many people like it and want to buy one. But many people don’t buy the MacBook because they can’t afford it. There is no comparison between the MacBook and the Air. The MacBook is too expensive. So, you should buy the MacBook if you really want to have a laptop computer. If you want to buy a laptop computer, you should buy the MacBook instead of the Air.
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Hi, I’m David. I am an engineer. I am the founder of lapmacpc.com and write articles for it. I love gaming, content creation, and photography. I write articles based on my experience and information online. From this, you can benefit and get proper guidance. If you have any questions you can tell in the comment box or contact me at Email-lapmacpc@gmail.com.