Whether you are just starting a new college semester or receiving your first university course work, it is usually around this time that everyone starts to consider purchasing a new MacBook. Plus, these days going to university has become a tougher challenge than ever, with students having to attend more and more classes every day, finish up piling homework assignments and dealing with end of term exams. It can be exhausting and unbearable especially if you do not have the right machine to help you finish your work more efficiently. It is for this reason that many students worldwide consider MacBooks and iPads to be the most reliable and convenient devices that money can buy. After all, they rarely malfunction and considering the fact that Apple devices are immune to malware and viruses, then you’ve got students everywhere clamouring to get their hands on the latest MacBook and accessories.

For instance, a good example of an accessory that students often purchase together with their new Apple devices is a cable organizer. This is because considering how frequently students commute from class to the coffee shop, to their dorms, they normally need a way to organize their Mac accessories, eg. chargers, external mouse, power banks, HDMI extensions, etc. With many varieties available made of premium materials like Neoprene, these organizers are usually waterproof, lightweight and offer great convenience and protection against dust, scratches and unwarranted damage, keeping your cables both safe and well organized.

However, despite the fact that it’s clear students want to purchase a MacBook for school, they all have their own personal preferences and course studies to take, which means they need specific models to suit their needs. As a result, many often struggle to decide what is the best model to purchase, be it in terms of specifications, budget, convenience, functionality etc. So, to simplify the whole process, we’ve put together a quick guide that discusses the process tat comes with finding the right MacBook for you.

Prices

When you begin looking at the process on offer by Apple for a new MacBook, at first it may seem that MacBooks are still very expensive to purchase. However, the reality is that when you start to dig deeper into what are the best computer on offer in the market, you start to realize that while the brand new MacBooks are pricey, the longevity and efficiency they offer is well worth the price. Moreover, if you are a registered student, Apple offers significant discounts that you can use in its Education Store. Plus, most of these deals usually appear before the new semester begins, during summer. However, if the price range is still a bit out of your reach, you can always opt to purchase from Apple’s Refurbished store or even purchasing a secondhand Mac online.

Now that we’ve covered that, let’s dive into the models of Mac’s that every student should be looking for based on different categories.

Performance: 16” MacBook Pro (2019)

For those who are searching for a MacBook that will provide the maximum amount of power in one package, this is the most affordable and most efficient device you could purchase at this point. Although it isn’t the latest 2020 model, the 2019 model still functions using the latest Intel processors and can be adjusted to fit unto 8TB of storage. This makes it convenient for those in student courses that require a lot of storage for assignments that involve video or movie production for example. If this is your area of study, we also suggest purchasing a usb c hub with hdmi adapter. This device when connected, allows users to output video directly from your MacBook to any HDMI display or external monitor, projectors and displays, while also allowing up to 4K visuals in the process. This makes it the perfect Mac accessory when working on assignments that involve video presentations or video editing.

Another benefit of this model is the fact that it comes with a larger display, which makes it easier for students to use be it in lecture halls or classrooms. However, keep in mind that due to its large size, it is heavier than most other models and is still also the pricey choice, but when you take into account the advantages it provides, it evens out nicely.

Balance: 13” MacBook Air (2019)

If you are looking for an option that is well balanced and offers almost all the advantages of the Pro without the exceedingly high cost, then the MacBook Air is the right choice for you. In fact, it is often coined as the perfect choice for the Student consumer, as it has an extended battery life of about 12 hours making it perfect for those users who are constantly on the move and don’t want to keep carrying around a charger. Moreover, they are extremely light and portable, so they make for convenient carry-ons. Not to mention, they perform almost as well as the MacBook Pro does, at a much lower price in return, making it a wise choice for any young buyer. The only disadvantage is that it doesn’t allow for much hardware customization but it isn’t really a big deal, unless you are in a high intense computing course.

Price: MacBook Air (2017-2018)

If either one of the above options do not appeal to you because the price is still too high, then your next best bet is to purchase an older MacBook instead. The 2017-2018 models are still relatively good alternatives, even though their processors may be slightly outdated as compared to the newer models. However, if that isn’t a big problem for you, then this will be the affordable choice that you were searching for. Also, you can always opt to check Apple’s Refurbished Store to see what other deals are available, you might still be able to snag a 2019 MacBook for a low price!