Speaking of power, the MacBook Pro is probably overkill for most students. For everything from web browsing to photo editing, the MacBook will find itself outmatched by the Air, all while the MacBook Air is priced at least $100 under the current MacBook. While the MacBook Air's eighth-generation Intel processor won't really keep up with those found in the current generation of MacBook Pro, it's more than a match for the 7th-generation processors found in the MacBook. The other consideration the MacBook versus the MacBook Air is power. If the footprint of the computer is a concern, check out the MacBook, but you're gaining only about half-an-inch each on width and depth, so maybe the larger Air won't present much of a size problem. You're not making much of a sacrifice on weight. The MacBook Air comes in at 2.75 lbs, less than a pound heavier than the MacBook's 2.03. And no, it's not as small as the MacBook, but it's almost as light. It now also (some would say 'finally') has a Retina display, without adding any bulk. Well, let's take a look at the modern MacBook Air. Surely, if portability is your main concern, you should get the MacBook, right? But Apple has since introduced the 12-inch MacBook, which debuted with a Retina display and was even thinner and lighter than the Air. Many credit MacBook Air with paving the way for the 'ultrabook' genre of computers that gained prominence in the early part of this decade. It's more powerful than the MacBook and thinner and lighter than the MacBook Pro.įor the longest time, the MacBook Air was Apple's thin-and-light computer. The MacBook Air occupies the happy medium of that ideal. At the same time, you don't want a computer that's underpowered. Whether you're walking through your high school's hallways to your history class or sprinting across a college campus to make it your next lecture on time, you don't want to be lugging around a heavy computer.
#Best macbook for students 2017 mac
The MacBook Air is a great Mac for students, successfully riding the line between power and portabilityįor students, portability is a chief concern when it comes to buying a computer. It's been a while since Apple refreshed any of its Macs in less than a year. Some solid discounts are popping up at retailers like Amazon, and we're likely many months away from a potential refresh. The current MacBook Air came out in October 2018, so now is a great time to buy this Mac. It should also be a great computer for you when your academic career is over and you're headed out into the world.
College students who want a Mac for writing papers, doing research, surfing the web, light photo editing and just entertaining themselves should get the MacBook Air.