Affordable MacBook Air and Pro Choices for Students
The old MacBook Air 2020 with M1 chip is completely off the shelf now with the introduction of MacBook Air with M3 in 2024. In its place is the MacBook Air with M2 from last year (2023). This spells the end for the iconic MacBook Air with tapered design. We look at affordable MacBook Air and MacBook Pro picks for students, the best choices for school, college and university.
1. MacBook Air 13 M1 (2020) – for the average users
While you can still buy MacBook Air 2020 with M1 chip from other retailers, this is no longer available from Apple’s website and stores. Replacing the most affordable laptop from Apple is the MacBook Air 2023 with M2 chip albeit not as cheap. With a starting price of $999, you get the 13.6-inch device with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU unit with 8GB memory and 256GB SSD storage. It is much faster, with the CPU around 18% faster and the GPU at 35% faster compared to M1 model but for students on a tight budget, it means paying nearly a grand for a laptop.
Back to the MacBook Air 13 M1, you can still pick up the original MacBook Air M1 at a reduced $799 or less, while stock lasts. It is still a capable laptop and will run all day-to-day applications without breaking a sweat. It can even pull off the occasional heavy lifting tasks; editing 4K videos, creating multi-layer images and touching up high resolution photos. However, there is no active cooling so when pushed, the chip will be throttled and its performance, limited to ensure that the unit does not over heat. On the flip side, you do not have to worry about overheating and can enjoy a totally silent computing experience.
Reasons for Choosing the MacBook Air 13 M1 (2020)
- The cheapest MacBook if you can find it from other retailers (while stock lasts)
- Classic design with tapered front edge
- 18 hours battery life, fan-less design, supports 1 external display, 2 Thunderbolt/USB4 ports, FaceTime HD, Touch ID, Colours: Gold, Space Grey and Silver.
2. MacBook Pro 13 M2 (2022) – in fewer numbers & for power users
Another MacBook to come off the shelf is the MacBook Pro 13. This uses the original chassis back when Apple was still sourcing their processors from Intel. There are only a few of these knocking around, with the more powerful Apple M2 chip, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD storage and 13.3-inch display. It also features the now defunct Touch Bar and the still relevant Touch ID. Don’t worry though, the Touch Bar is still supported by all Apple and most third party apps.
Two figures were quoted when comparing it to its previous generation powered by M1 chip. It is around 43% faster at merging images into a panorama, not that many of us will need to do that and around 39% faster for gaming. We like that the MacBook Pro 13 M2 comes with active cooling to take on more processor intensive tasks and the M2 processor is actually more powerful than the current entry level MacBook Air 13.6 M2 (2023) below with the full 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU.
Again, there are only a fewer of these around and depending on its price it is worth considering if you are not one for gimmicks like the fancy notch and new design language on the MacBook Air 13.6 M2 (2023) or M3 (2024. As mentioned, the chip on this is more powerful than the current entry level MacBook Air 13.6 M2 (2023) especially when it comes to 3D rendering and gaming.
Reasons for Choosing the MacBook Pro 13 M2 (2022)
- More powerful M2 chip with 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU extra oomph for gamin
- Active cooling
- Longer battery life (20 hours)
- Classic MacBook Pro design
- 20 hours battery life, active cooling, two Thunderbolt ports, Touch Bar, Touch ID, FaceTime HD, Colours: Space Grey and Silver.
- Support one external display.
3. MacBook Air 13.6 M2 (2023) – for mainstream & pro users
This is now the new starting point over at the Apple online and retail stores for those looking for the most affordable laptop from Apple. Starting from $999, you won’t find any MacBook cheaper from Apple. The M2 chip is more than sufficient for everyday tasks and just about a year ago was the faster chip on a MacBook Air.
It will plow through multitasking, processor and graphic intensive apps and games with ease. Creators and designers will appreciate the speed of opening and switching between multiple apps, quicker rendering, faster image processing and shorter time finalising those videos clip. Two performance gains quoted when compared to MacBook Air with M1 chip are, up to 20 per cent faster for applying image filters and effects and up to 40 per cent faster for editing complex video timelines.
The entry level model however uses the stunted 8-core GPU chip on a fanless design for silent operation. Should you wish to squeeze every ounce of performance out of your budget, we recommend the older MacBook Pro 13 M2 (2022) above. But if you prefer the look of the all-new MacBook Air and do not mind taking a slight hit on performance and battery life (18-hours on a full charge) then pick the MacBook Air 13.6 M2 (2023).
It has the exact same design as the next MacBook Air powered by M3. You won’t be able to tell the difference between them when placed side by side. Other advantages over the older MBP 13 and tapered MBA 13 are the Full HD 1080p FaceTime web cam and MagSafe charging port.
Reasons for Choosing the MacBook Air 13.6 M2 (2023)
- Brand new design using the current design language found across Air and Pro laptops.
- Bigger 13.6-inch full display with notch
- Faster Apple M2 chip but starts with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU
- 18 hours battery life, MagSafe Charging port, Full HD 1080p FaceTime camera, Two Thunderbolt ports, Colours: midnight, starlight, space grey and silver
- Supports one external display
4. MacBook Air 13.6 M3 (2024) – for pro users
The exact same laptop as above but powered by Apple M3 chip, the 2024 version of the 13.6-inch MacBook Air is our recommendation for students who use their laptop for design, video editing, content creation on the move. Again, the starting model is stunted with a lesser M3 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU. But being the next generation chip, it offers some 15-22% increase in performance over the M2. It does take the price up to over the $1000 mark. At $1099, you may have go without store bought espresso beverages for a couple of months to make the difference but it will be worth it especially for pro-users.
We recommend this over the next model up with 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU plus bigger 512GB SSD storage as the upgrade will cost some $200. Pocket the difference and get yourself an external SSD drive for your videos and large files. If as a student, you think $200 extra is within your budget then consider upping the display size instead with our next recommendation.
Reasons for Choosing the MacBook Air 13.6 M3 (2024)
- 18 hours battery life, MagSafe Charging port, Full HD 1080p FaceTime camera, Two Thunderbolt ports, Colours: midnight, starlight, space grey and silver
- Supports two external display with laptop lid shut
5. MacBook Air 15.3 M3 (2024) – with more GPU cores, bigger display & sound
At $1299, the MacBook Air 15.3 M3 (2023) costs $200 more but gives you not only a bigger 15.3-inch display but extra GPU cycles with M3 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU to boot. You will appreciate the extra screen real estate with higher resolution of 2880 by 1864 pixels compared to 2560 by 1664 pixels on the 13.6-inch display in the MacBook Air 13.6 M3/M2.
Besides the display, you also get more speakers for bigger sound and volume. The 15.3-inch model comes with six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers. The smaller 13.6-inch only comes with four-speaker sound system. You can see where we are going with this. If you don’t mind the size and weight, pay the extra to move up to this model.
Not only will it make it easier for you to work with multiple apps, it also works better for gaming and streaming for your down time. It even comes with a slightly more powerful charger out of the box, a 35W Dual USB-C Compact Power Adapter vs single power 30W USB-C Power Adapter included with M3 with 8-core GPU.
Note that we did not recommend the MacBook Pro 14 M3 as the price jump for this is higher, starting at $1599. This will be pushing it for students on a tight budget with extra features and powerful processors that students may not necessarily use.
