f you’re heading back to school, college, or university in 2025, there’s never been a better time to pick up a Mac. Apple’s latest M-series MacBooks are lighter, faster, and more affordable than ever – especially refusrbished models.
For most students, portability and value is key, and that’s why our top choice this year is the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air.
It’s thin, ultra-light, and has all-day battery life – perfect for taking notes in lectures, writing essays in the library, or streaming movies in your downtime.
Despite its slim build, the M4 chip gives it plenty of power for multitasking, creative projects, and video calls.
The headphone jack is still here too, so you can plug in your favorite wired headphones without an adapter – a small but student-friendly detail.
We found that no matter your course or budget, there’s a MacBook that fits your study style – from lightweight note-taking to heavy creative workloads.
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Here then are the best Macs for students of 2025 with a quick comparison table and then the reviews.
You’ll often find many of these Macs are on offer from their original price so be sure to click on the prices to see what the latest offers are.
| Mac Model | Best For | Starting Price (USD) | Key Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook Air 13″ (M4) | Everyday students (note-taking, light use) | $999 | Ultra-portable, fanless, 18-hour battery life, most affordable | Limited ports, not for heavy creative tasks |
| MacBook Air 15″ (M4) | Students wanting larger screen & portability | $1,199 | Spacious display, slim/lightweight, great battery life | No active cooling, slightly heavier, limited ports |
| MacBook Pro 14″ (M4) | Students needing more power in compact form | $1,299 | Fan-cooled performance, compact, excellent battery life | Small screen, pricier than Air |
| Mac Mini (M4) | Budget-conscious students using a desktop | $599 | Best value, powerful for price, compact, supports dual monitors | Requires monitor/accessories, not portable |
| Mac Studio (M3 Ultra) | Film, architecture, 3D design students | $3,499 | Incredible performance, multi-monitor support, durable build | Very expensive, desktop-only, accessories sold separately |
Table of Contents
1. MacBook Air 13 inch (M4, 2025)
If you want the perfect balance of portability, power, and battery life, the 13-inch M4 MacBook Pro is the ultimate student laptop in 2025.
Apple’s latest M4 chip brings desktop-level performance into an ultra-compact design, meaning you can write essays, edit videos, or run multiple research tabs without your Mac breaking a sweat.
The Retina XDR display makes everything from lecture slides to Netflix look sharp and vibrant, while the long battery life ensures you can get through a full day of classes and study sessions without scrambling for a charger.
The Pro’s active cooling system also sets it apart from the Air – it can sustain heavy workloads for longer, making it ideal for students studying design, film, engineering, or any subject that requires demanding apps. Despite this extra power, it remains lightweight enough to slip into a backpack and carry around campus.
And yes – it still has a headphone jack, so late-night study playlists or recorded lecture replays are hassle-free.
✅ Pros
- Blazing-fast M4 chip with pro-level performance
- Lightweight and portable for campus life
- All-day battery life for study sessions and lectures
- Superior cooling system compared to the Air
- Stunning Retina XDR display for both study and streaming
- Retains the 3.5mm headphone jack
❌ Cons
- Pricier than the MacBook Air
- Limited ports compared to larger MacBook Pro models
- 13-inch screen may feel small for multitasking power users
2. MacBook Air 15 inch (M4, 2025)
For students who want maximum screen space without the bulk of a MacBook Pro, the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air is the sweet spot in 2025.
With Apple’s new M4 chip, the Air has enough power to handle everything from research projects to creative coursework like photo editing and light video editing.
What makes it shine is the extra screen real estate – the 15-inch Liquid Retina display makes multitasking easier, whether you’re writing an essay while referencing lecture notes or running multiple apps side by side.
Despite the larger display, the Air stays impressively thin and light, living up to its name. It’s a great choice if you want a laptop that feels spacious on your desk but won’t weigh you down when moving between classes, the library, and coffee shops. The Air also boasts incredible battery life, easily lasting a full day on campus.
It doesn’t have the active cooling of the MacBook Pro, so it’s not ideal for sustained heavy workloads, but for the majority of students, the Air delivers the perfect blend of size, performance, and portability.
✅ Pros
- 15-inch display gives you extra room for multitasking
- Powered by the M4 chip for fast, efficient performance
- Slim and lightweight despite its larger size
- Exceptional battery life for long study days
- Quieter, fanless design
❌ Cons
- No active cooling, so not ideal for prolonged intensive tasks
- Fewer ports than the Pro models
- Larger size makes it slightly less portable than the 13-inch version
3. MacBook Pro 14 inch (M4, 2024)
If you’re a student tackling demanding creative or technical coursework, the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro is a standout option in 2025.
With Apple’s powerful new M4 chip, it delivers exceptional performance for intensive tasks like 3D modeling, advanced video editing, coding projects, and music production. Unlike the Air models, the Pro has an active cooling system, meaning it can sustain performance under heavy workloads without throttling.
The 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is another highlight – it’s brighter, sharper, and better for color-accurate work than the Air’s screen. Paired with its excellent speakers and long battery life, it’s ideal for both academic and entertainment use.
Portability remains solid too: the 14-inch size makes it more compact than the 16-inch model, striking a balance between power and mobility. It’s heavier and thicker than the Air, but still easy to carry between classes.
For students in creative fields or STEM courses that require serious computing muscle, the 14-inch Pro is the most reliable MacBook to invest in.
✅ Pros
- M4 chip with active cooling for sustained high performance
- Stunning 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with HDR support
- More ports (HDMI, SD card, MagSafe, Thunderbolt) than the Air
- Excellent battery life for a Pro-level machine
- Strong speakers and webcam for video calls and media
❌ Cons
- More expensive than the MacBook Air models
- Slightly heavier and bulkier than the 13-inch Pro or 15-inch Air
- Overkill for students who only need a laptop for note-taking, browsing, or essays
4. Mac Mini (M4, 2025)
If you’re a student who prefers a desktop setup, the M4 Mac Mini is one of the most affordable and versatile Macs available in 2025.
Despite its compact size, it packs the same M4 chip found in the latest MacBooks, offering excellent performance for multitasking, research, coding, design work, and even video editing.
The Mac Mini’s biggest advantage is value – it’s the cheapest way to get into the Apple Silicon ecosystem while still enjoying top-tier speed and efficiency.
For students who already have (or don’t mind buying) a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, the Mini provides incredible computing power at a fraction of the cost of a MacBook.
Because it’s a desktop, you won’t get portability – but if you mostly work from a dorm, apartment, or home office, the Mac Mini can give you a more comfortable workspace. Its small footprint makes it easy to tuck away, and with support for multiple displays, it’s great for productivity and creative projects.
For students on a tighter budget or those who want a reliable desktop Mac for coursework, the M4 Mac Mini is hands-down the best pick.
✅ Pros
- Most affordable Mac with the new M4 chip
- Compact, lightweight design that fits any desk setup
- Supports dual monitors (or more with adapters) for productivity
- Excellent performance for creative and academic tasks
- Long-term software support from Apple
❌ Cons
- Not portable – requires external monitor, keyboard, and mouse
- Costs can rise if you need to buy accessories separately
- No built-in display, webcam, or speakers (unlike MacBooks)
5. Mac Studio (M3 Ultra, 2025)
For students in demanding fields like film production, 3D design, music composition, architecture, or engineering, the Mac Studio with M3 Ultra is the ultimate powerhouse. While most students won’t need this level of performance, those working with intensive creative software or simulations will appreciate its sheer speed and capability.
The M3 Ultra chip delivers blazing-fast performance with up to 24 CPU cores and 76 GPU cores, making it ideal for rendering large video projects, running complex CAD models, or managing vast audio libraries. Combined with macOS optimization, this means workflows that once took hours can now be completed in minutes.
Despite its incredible power, the Mac Studio remains relatively compact compared to traditional workstations. It sits neatly on a desk, connects to multiple displays (including Apple’s Studio Display or Pro Display XDR), and provides a desktop-class setup that can grow with you through university and beyond.
Of course, it comes at a premium price – and requires external accessories including an external monitor – but for students serious about professional-level creative or technical work, the Mac Studio M3 Ultra is the most future-proof Mac on the market.
✅ Pros
- Unmatched performance with the M3 Ultra chip
- Ideal for video editing, 3D rendering, CAD, and advanced simulations
- Compact workstation design compared to traditional towers
- Supports multiple high-resolution monitors
- Built to last for years of demanding work
❌ Cons
- Extremely expensive – overkill for most students
- Requires buying a monitor, keyboard, and mouse separately
- Not portable at all
- Power consumption higher than other Macs
FAQ: Best Macs for Students
Which Mac is best for everyday student use, like note-taking and web browsing?
The MacBook Air 13″ (M4) is ideal. It’s ultra-portable, fanless, and offers around 18 hours of battery life. It’s also the most affordable option at $999. However, it has limited ports and isn’t suitable for heavy creative tasks.
I want a larger screen for studying and media – what should I choose?
The MacBook Air 15″ (M4) provides a bigger display while remaining lightweight and portable. Battery life remains excellent, and it starts at $1,199. Keep in mind it’s slightly heavier than the 13″ Air and lacks active cooling.
Which Mac is best for students doing creative work or STEM projects?
The MacBook Pro 14″ (M4) is perfect for video editing, graphic design, coding, or other intensive tasks. Its Liquid Retina XDR display, multiple ports, and high performance make it ideal, starting at $1,599. The downside is its heavier weight and higher price compared to Air models.
I need a desktop setup and want the best value – what Mac should I consider?
The Mac Mini (M4) is the most budget-friendly desktop option at around $799. It’s powerful for its price and supports dual monitors, but you’ll need to provide your own display, keyboard, and mouse, and it isn’t portable.
Which Mac is suitable for film, architecture, or 3D design students?
The Mac Studio (M3 Ultra) delivers incredible performance for intensive creative work and can handle multi-monitor setups effortlessly. It’s a desktop powerhouse starting at over $3,499, but it’s very expensive and not portable. Accessories like monitors are sold separately.
Are the MacBook Air models good for multitasking and light creative work?
Yes – both the 13″ and 15″ MacBook Air handle multitasking like note-taking, research, web browsing, and light photo/video editing. For heavier tasks, the Air may throttle performance due to its fanless design.
What about portability and battery life?
The MacBook Air models excel in portability and battery life. The 13″ Air is extremely light and compact, while the 15″ Air gives you more screen real estate with only a slight increase in weight. Mac Mini and Mac Studio are desktops, so portability isn’t a factor.
Which Macs offer the most ports and expandability?
The MacBook Pro 14″ (M4) and Mac Studio (M3 Ultra) offer the most connectivity options. Air models are limited, so you may need adapters for additional displays or external devices.
How do I choose between a MacBook Air and a MacBook Pro?
If your work is mostly web-based, note-taking, or light creative tasks, a MacBook Air is sufficient and more affordable. If you require sustained performance for video editing, coding, or design projects, a MacBook Pro 14″ is a better investment.
Are these Macs future-proof for the next few years of university study?
Yes. All M4 and M3 Ultra Macs offer strong performance for current student needs and should remain capable for typical university tasks over the next 4–5 years. The Pro and Studio models provide extra headroom for demanding applications.
Can You Run Windows On These Macs?
There are some programs, applications and games that are Windows only and in those cases, some students have no choice than to either buy a PC laptop or install Windows on their Mac.
You can install Windows on M-series Macs but it’s important to understand that Apple Silicon Macs can only run the Windows for ARM version of Windows 10 and Windows 11 which isn’t compatible with all Windows programs.
If you need to run the standard x86 version of Windows, then you’ll need an Intel Mac but Apple does not sell them from new anymore although you can still buy refurbished Intel Macs.
Is the higher costs of Macs worth it for students?
The relatively higher cost of Macs compared to PC laptops means many students may wonder whether its worth buying a MacBook.
If you’re studying any kind of video editing or graphic design then a MacBook is definitely worth it if you’re a student. Almost all professionals in creative industries use Macs and much of your course will be based around using Macs.
Even if you’re not studying anything creative, MacBooks are reliable and far less prone to viruses and slow downs than PC laptops.
A Mac should also last you many years compared to a PC laptop and is a good investment over the long term. The average MacBook Air for example lasts around 7 years and many users will get far more than this out of it.
If there are any problems with your Mac, you’ll also find that AppleCare is very quick and efficient at repairing your MacBook or even replacing it. Students can also get up to 20% off AppleCare plans depending on region.
Does Apple Offer Student Discounts?
Apple does offer education discounts depending on the region although some of it is in the form of Apple gift cards to spend on accessories.
Apple also offers student discounts on Apple Music subscriptions and receive Apple TV+ free as part of the student Apple Music offer.
You may need to verify yourself via UNiDAYS to access the Apple student store in some countries.