One of the first things to consider when choosing the best MacBook for students is price. Money is rarely a generous commodity when at university, so getting the best MacBook deal for students can be a big help. MacBooks are not always the cheapest laptops on the market and have a wide range of prices, but various features can make a MacBook the best choice in the long term. 

Several factors can influence the price of a MacBook:

1. Make and model: The newer the model, the higher the price tag will be. Unless you need top-of-the-line specs, older laptops and refurbished MacBooks are likely to offer the best MacBook deals for students and anyone else on a budget.

2. New releases: One thing to watch out for is when a new MacBook model is released – this often results in a drop in price for some or all older models. 

3. Time of year/special deals: You can almost certainly get some of the best MacBook deals for university students if you can plan ahead and wait for dates such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday or other big sales.

4. Choosing refurbished: Refurbished laptops are a great way of getting all the features you want at a lower price point. 

Buying a refurbished MacBook can be a great way to save money while still reaping the benefits of Apple. Refurbished models from Back Market come with a minimum one-year warranty and free 30-day returns, so you can try before you commit. And you benefit from a price that will always be up to 50% cheaper than buying the same model new.

As a student, you can also benefit from Back Market's £20 student discount on any products, including MacBooks, leaving you more money for pens, pints and pot noodles!

Rating criteria

We’ve rated each MacBook based on five key criteria: price, screen size, battery life, storage and portability. The ratings are on a star scale from one to five, with five being the highest. These MacBook comparisons can help you understand which model excels in each category and guide you towards the best choice for your needs.

Best Overall MacBook: MacBook Air 13.3-inch M1 (2020)

Why it's the best MacBook for students:

While there are multiple factors that students look for in a laptop, the most cited priorities are affordability, battery life and storage. The MacBook Air 13.3-inch (2020) with an Apple M1 8-core processor delivers on all these areas and more. It’s fast, has plenty of storage, a good enough battery life to cope with being used around campus, and best of all, it’s within an affordable price range.

Key features:

• Always-on retina display 

• Storage from 128GB up to 2 terabytes

• Up to 16GB of memory

• Touch ID

• 2 x USB-C/Thunderbolt ports

MacBook Air 13.3-inch (2020) - Apple M1 chip: Verified Refurbished from *£450

Who it's for:

Ideal for those who want a premium MacBook experience with all the latest features but without paying over the odds. It’s affordable and lightweight, with plenty of storage and fast processing speeds.

Best Affordable MacBook: MacBook Air 11.6-inch (2015)

Why it's the best MacBook for students for affordability:

The MacBook Air 11.6-inch (2015) provides all the essential features that most students will need, at a price point that’s affordable. This model starts on Back Market at just *£130 with 4GB of memory, 128GB of storage and a 1.6GHz Core i5 processor. This also includes free fast standard shipping, a 12-month warranty, 30 days to change your mind and the option to pay in three, six or 12 monthly instalments – it’s one of the best MacBook deals for students who don’t need anything too fancy.

Key features:

• Intel HD Graphics 6000 Card

• Bluetooth

• Webcam/microphone

• 128GB of SSD storage

• 2 x USB-A ports

MacBook Air 11.6-inch (2015): Verified Refurbished from *£135

Who it's for:

The best MacBook for students on a budget who want a basic laptop without spending a lot of money – people looking for the best MacBook deals for university students.

Best MacBook for Portability: MacBook Air 13.3-inch (2018)

Why it's the best MacBook for portability:

If you take your laptop everywhere with you, then you need one that isn’t going to weigh you down. And at just 1,250g, the MacBook Air 13.3-inch is lightweight yet with a screen size large enough for most tasks. The slimline dimensions also make this laptop easy to slide into a backpack or case, with a height of just 1.56cm.

Key features:

• Intel UHD Graphics 617 card

• 1.6GHz processor speed

• Up to 512GB of storage

• 2 x USB-C ports

• 1,250g weight

MacBook Air 13.3-inch (2018): Verified Refurbished from *£328

Who it's for:

Those who need to take their laptop everywhere with them and are looking for something lightweight and easy to transport, without compromising on performance.

Best MacBook for Storage: MacBook Pro Retina 13.3-inch (2018)

Why it's the best MacBook for students for storage:

If your coursework requires you to process a lot of videos or images, then you’re going to need plenty of storage space and a fast processor. The MacBook Pro Retina 13.3-inch (2018) delivers all of this, plus some great additional features, including a high-end graphics card and retina display.

Key features:

• Over a terabyte of storage

• 2.7GHz Intel processor

• Retina display

• Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 card

• Compatible with latest update

MacBook Pro Retina 13.3-inch (2018): Verified Refurbished from *£377

Who it's for:

Perfect for students who need to store or process a lot of image and video files as part of their coursework, or for those that like to save and share videos frequently.

Best MacBook for Battery Life: MacBook Pro 13.3-inch M2 (2022)

Why it's the best MacBook for Battery Life:

The new M2 chip has been tested for up to 20 hours of battery life within the same compact design MacBook. This means you can keep working on the go even without your charger. While it may not make it to 20 hours every time, you’ll get plenty of battery life to get you where you need to be, making this the best MacBook for students on the go.

Key features:

• Always-on Retina display

• 2 x USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports

• Apple M2 8-core processor 

• 10-core GPU graphic card

• 512GB storage capacity

• Touch Bar

MacBook Pro 13.3-inch M2 (2022): Verified Refurbished from *£750

Who it's for:

The best MacBook for students on the go. Extended battery life means you can minimise the times you need to recharge and keep on working even when not near a power source.

Conclusion: Best MacBook for Students

While there are many MacBooks on the market that are good for students, the best one for your needs will depend on your priorities. For many students, affordability is the key consideration. In that case, shopping for refurbished MacBooks can mean you get more bang for your buck. You can often get a slightly older model with all the features you need, fully refurbished and with a warranty, for a far lower price than buying new. And older doesn’t have to mean old – it probably just doesn’t mean the latest model on the market. Some of the best MacBook deals for students are on refurbished models from the past few years.

MacBook Buying Tips

When shopping for the best MacBook for students, think about exploring refurbished models. Refurbished electronics are often more affordable and more sustainable alternatives while still delivering great quality and performance. Reputable marketplaces such as Back Market provide warranties and test each device rigorously before making it available for sale. This means you can support the circular economy, get more features for your money and find the best MacBook for students at the best possible price.

1. Consider your needs: Assess which MacBook features are most important to helping you with your studies, including storage capacity, memory, battery life and additional features.

2. Set a budget: MacBooks come at a wide range of price points – determine how much you can afford to spend and then research to find the best MacBook deal for students on your budget.

3. Look for deals: Check online for discounts or promotions, particularly during major sales events such as in January or on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

4. Read reviews: Reviews are a great way to find out other users’ opinions of the make and model of MacBook you’re thinking about buying. Read plenty before making your decision, to get a broad spectrum of opinions.

What are the best MacBook apps for students?

There are lots of MacBook apps that can help make life easier as a student. Some of the top picks are:

• iStudiez Pro: Helps you track classes, schedules and due dates for assignments in one simple interface. Track your grades, deadlines and exam dates and sync your calendar across all your Apple devices for ease of access.

• Evernote: This note-taking app will keep your ideas organised across multiple platforms and devices – save notes, voice messages, doodles and even entire web pages all in one place so you won’t lose anything.

• Scrivener: This writing tool can help you ensure your essays and other assignments are properly laid out in academic format, as well as check your spelling and grammar.

Methodology

To determine which MacBook is best for students based on various priorities, I employed a comprehensive research methodology that considered the following criteria:

• Affordability: I analysed each MacBook’s current price on Back Market and value for money based on its features and performance, comparing them to other sites and other comparable laptop options including models from HP, Samsung, ASUS and Dell.

• Portability: I examined the weight and dimensions of multiple MacBook models and compared them to each other and to similar models from competitor brands.

• Storage: I researched the processor, storage capacity and specs of each available MacBook, taking into account the minimum and maximum storage capacities for each model and the type of storage (SSD, HDD etc.).

• Battery life and charging: I investigated the maximum and average battery life of each model recommended, including research into factors such as screen brightness, background processing and Wi-Fi connectivity.

• Screen size: I looked at average screen sizes across different MacBook models and comparable models from other brands, both on Back Market and on other selling sites.

By analysing MacBook comparisons, official product information and industry benchmarks, I have compiled a comprehensive assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of each MacBook model, enabling you to make an informed decision when researching the best MacBook for students.

*Prices updated at date of publication.