When it comes to choosing a laptop for college, many students prefer Apple’s MacBooks. With sleek designs, advanced features, and user-friendly software, MacBooks have become a popular choice for students worldwide.
Are MacBooks Good for College?
If you’re in the market looking for a new laptop to handle all your college work, MacBooks might be they easiest choice if budget allows. From the very long lasting battery-life to rigid built-like-a-tank quality you cannot go wrong.
Advantages of a MacBook
- Design and Portability
MacBooks are known for their elegant designs and portability. They are lightweight and thin, making them easy to carry around campus. The lightweight and compact design becomes a great deal for students who are always in a hurry. You can easily fit them into your backpack, and they won’t take up much space in your dorm room or library desk.
MacBooks are available in various sizes, ranging from 13 to 16 inches. The MacBook Air is the thinnest and lightest of them all, weighing only 2.8 pounds. The MacBook Pro, on the other hand, comes in 13-inch and 16-inch models, making it an excellent choice for students who require a larger screen size.
- Battery Life
Another significant advantage of MacBooks is their long battery life. Especially with the new Apple Silicon ARM-based M series chip, the Air lasts up to 24Hrs with mixed usage. This means that you can work on your assignments, attend classes, and do research without having to worry about your laptop’s battery dying.
- Operating System
MacBooks run on Apple’s macOS , known for its user-friendly interface and reliability. The macOS is designed to be intuitive, making it easy for users to navigate and access their files and applications. And with the Apple Ecosystem integration, it shares your iPhone’s or iPad’s clipboard and all the other Apple goodies that come with it.
- Software and Applications
One of the most significant advantages of using a MacBook is the wide range of software and applications available. MacBooks come pre-installed with a suite of productivity tools, including Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. These applications are excellent for creating reports, presentations, and spreadsheets, which are commonly used in college.
MacBooks also support various educational software, including Adobe Creative Suite, MATLAB, and SPSS, which are commonly used in science, engineering, and art courses. Additionally, many software developers and startups create software for macOS, making it an excellent platform for students studying computer science.
- Compatibility
One of the potential drawbacks of using a MacBook is its compatibility with other devices. MacBooks are known for their closed ecosystem, which means that they work best with other Apple products. If you are already using an iPhone or iPad, a MacBook would be a great addition to your collection, as it will seamlessly integrate with your existing devices.
However, if you use a Windows computer or Android smartphone, you may face compatibility issues when transferring files or connecting devices. You may also face challenges when collaborating with peers who use different operating systems. It’s essential to consider your specific needs before choosing a laptop for college.
- Price
Although MacBooks are more expensive than their windows counterparts, they are often seen as investments, since Macs are historically known for holding their value much better than windows laptops.
Our recommendation for someone looking for a laptop with little to no heavy usage will be the 2019 M1 MacBook Air. Despite being old, the 2019 Air is still very capable today because of the M1 chip. It still sells for $999 on the Apple Store, but you can get a $100 student discount or you can get one from the aftermarket for even $700 which would be a very compelling option.
Top 5 Reasons to Go with MacBooks
- Less Confusion :
There is very little confusion if you’re going with MacBook. There’s the Air for most commoners with Light to heavy web browsing, Content consumption, and writing (Although the new Airs are very capable). And there is the Pro lineup with better performance, thermals, and a better port selection (You can get HDMI, microSD, and 3.5mm High Impedance ports in the pros).
- X-Code & Final Cut Pro :
If you are going to learn software development, then you must be developing software for the iPhones, in which case, you must have a MacBook.
- Outstanding Battery Life :
A student might have to attend up to 4 or 5 hours of lectures a day. On top of that, there are assignments, note-taking, note-organizing, and whatnot. And you don’t want to be always stuck with the power socket. The new Apple Silicon processors have astonishing battery life, with a screen on time of up to 16 Hours on moderate tasks, that is simply unmatched by anything from the competition. The latest models also offer fast charge, gaining 50% battery in less than 30mins.
- The Build:
With Apple, it goes without saying the build quality is top-notch, with a solid metal build, no deck flex, industry-standard factory screen calibration, and unmatched speakers.
- The After-Sale Value:
If you buy a MacBook today for $999, after 3 years if you want to sell it, chances are you will get much better after-sale value as compared to any windows laptop. The 4-year-old 2019 M1 MacBook Air, launched at $999 for the base, is holding up to $799 or even more in excellent condition.
Conclusion
Overall, MacBooks are an excellent choice for college students due to their sleek design, portability, long battery life, user-friendly software, and compatibility with a wide range of educational software. However, their high price point and potential compatibility issues with other devices may be a concern for some students.
