What’s the best Mac for college? I’ve been seeing that question asked frequently on Threads over the last few weeks and thought I’d share some thoughts.My recommendations below aren't just theoretical; I have plenty of hands-on experience. For the last 14 years, I've worked in IT in higher education. During that time, my team has deployed more than 20,000 MacBooks and iPads to our students.Don't hesitate to reach out if I can help answer other questions. I'm here to simplify things and make your purchasing decision less stressful.Tom Anderson

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🥇 My Top Pick

MacBook Air M3

For most students, the MacBook Air M3 is a fantastic computer for college. It's a great performer and reasonably priced, and its lightweight design makes it perfect for moving around campus without being burdensome. And with battery life lasting up to 18 hours, you can go an entire day without needing to charge.The MacBook Air is available in two display sizes, 13.6" and 15.3", and four colors: Midnight, Starlight, Space Gray, and Silver. Prices start at $999 in the Apple Education Store, and Apple's current Back to School promo will get you a solid $150 back as an Apple Gift Card.

Here's my recommended configuration and I’ll break down my reasoning below:

Apple Store Education Price: $1579

Breaking Down the Details

13.6" Display
This display is big enough for most users and will save you about $200 over the 15.3" model. It's a nice compromise between size and cost. If you prefer the larger screen and it fits your budget, go ahead and upsize!

8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
The M3 chip that powers the MacBook Air is a system-on-a-chip (SOC) design. In simple terms, this means the CPU/GPU and unified memory are built into the SOC. As a result, there's no way to upgrade the components later, so it's wise to get as much processing power as you can afford now.

24GB Unified Memory
The base model only includes 8GB, and that's not enough, particularly with the advances coming with Apple Intelligence. We want this computer to perform at a high level for the entire time you're at college, so I recommend 24GB of unified memory, which is the maximum available for the MacBook Air. You’ll have plenty of memory for web sites, applications, and new things in the future.512GB SSD Storage
The MacBook Air's base storage option is 256GB which may be okay for most people. But remember how I said earlier there’s no way to upgrade components later? Now’s the time to get extra storage. It will give you room for everyday things and plenty of overhead.70W USB-C Power Adapter
It doesn't cost any additional in the higher-end configurations and provides fast charging, up to 50% in 30 minutes. You'll love this when you only have a few minutes to charge the battery before running off to class!

AppleCare+

I highly recommend AppleCare+ for college students. Start with the 3-year plan to save a few bucks, and you can extend it at the end of the plan. Accidents happen. We see cracked displays and spilled drinks on a regular basis at my school.

With AppleCare+, your out-of-pocket costs will be capped at either $99 or $299 per incident, depending on the issue. Without AppleCare+, you could be looking at repair costs of up to $1000, if not more.

Need to Spend Less?

Everyone's situation is unique. If my recommended configuration stretches your budget more than you're comfortable with, don't stress! Let's look at some ways to bring down the cost. Here are some adjustments you can make:

What About Software?

Most universities will provide students with a Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace for Education account. Typically, you'll have the account for as long as you're an active student, but check with your IT department.It's also a good idea to check with the program you'll be participating in to see if there's any specialty software you'll need. Some may be provided by the institution, and you may be responsible for purchasing others.Apple's Pro App Bundle for Education is a good deal if you need creative tools. The bundle includes Final Cut Pro, Motion, Compressor, Logic Pro, and MainStage for $199. Check with your school prior to purchasing if you're unsure.

Accessories

The accessories you'll need will vary, but typically, it's a good idea to have a few adapters. The MacBook Air has two USB-C ports and a MagSafe charging connector.When possible, buy accessories that have a USB-C connection. If you have older accessories, Apple sells a USB-C to USB adapter. There are also adapters for connecting displays if you have an external monitor with an HDMI cable.I highly recommend an external USB-C solid-state hard drive for use with Time Machine, macOS's built-in backup system.A good rule of thumb is to have a backup drive with at least double the amount of internal storage of the Mac. For example, if you go with my recommended 512GB of storage in your MacBook Air, pick up an external drive with at least 1TB (terabyte) storage capacity. I use the Samsung T7 drives, which you can get at Amazon, Best Buy, and other places.(Pro Tip: If you're buying a new monitor for your room, look for one with a USB-C connection that provides power. With this, you can use a single USB-C cable to connect the display and power your MacBook simultaneously.)