MacBook Rec for College

[Anonymous]

Need thoughts please on a computer for my college freshman (next year). Econ/math major.

*Is a MacBook Air sufficient or does he need the Pro?
*13in or 15 in?
*512GB SSD Storage necessary or is 256 GB enough?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Air is more than plenty.

15" is better for screen space, assuming you aren't based at a desk with a big monitor.

256GB is plenty.

[Anonymous]

My engineering kid has an Air. It's totally sufficient.

[Anonymous]

This is what I am considering and trying to determine if this is a good fit for college.

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID;

[Anonymous]

I would spend the extra $ to get 512GB of storage. 512GB should be enough for all 4 years.

Also, one ought to buy a separate external backup disk with 1TB storage and configure the Mac's built-in automatic backup feature to use that external disk.

Applications will almost certainly be lower cost if bought via the college due to educational discounts.

[Anonymous]

Note Apple typically has a sale/discounted price for college kids. I'd look into that (if it's a year round thing or just in June)

[Anonymous]

Do they need the computer now? Then buy now.

If not, wait until the MacBook Air M5 comes out next spring. There is always a discount available for students.

If you wait a little longer, from June-ish to September-ish, in addition to the regular education discount there will be some "Back to school" bonus. In 2025 the bonus was AirPods. In 2024 the bonus was a $100/150 credit (use that to buy external backup, like a pp recommended).

[Anonymous]

Thanks all! I got it on sale for a pretty decent price and he needed it today since his other one broke!

[Anonymous]

Around early August, most states have tax free weekend to purchase school supply, including laptops, tablets, etc. For Apple products, use campus store for education discount.
Agree 512 GB would be a good investment. Mac Air 13" M4 with standard 16GB RAM. 15" if no external monitor, but check if size fits backpack

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Around early August, most states have tax free weekend to purchase school supply, including laptops, tablets, etc. For Apple products, use campus store for education discount.
Agree 512 GB would be a good investment. Mac Air 13" M4 with standard 16GB RAM. 15" if no external monitor, but check if size fits backpack

You don't have to use the campus store to get the education discount. You can also get the discount from the Apple website or in person at Apple stores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Around early August, most states have tax free weekend to purchase school supply, including laptops, tablets, etc. For Apple products, use campus store for education discount.
Agree 512 GB would be a good investment. Mac Air 13" M4 with standard 16GB RAM. 15" if no external monitor, but check if size fits backpack

You don't have to use the campus store to get the education discount. You can also get the discount from the Apple website or in person at Apple stores.

PP. True, but save a trip to local apple store. Also nice to establish a relationship with the campus Apple Tech service person - got helpful tips and bit of a priority when in need for tech support. Purchasing the laptop from campus store helps justify Apple's support in placing a dedicated Apple Tech Service person on campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Around early August, most states have tax free weekend to purchase school supply, including laptops, tablets, etc. For Apple products, use campus store for education discount.
Agree 512 GB would be a good investment. Mac Air 13" M4 with standard 16GB RAM. 15" if no external monitor, but check if size fits backpack

You don't have to use the campus store to get the education discount. You can also get the discount from the Apple website or in person at Apple stores.

PP. True, but save a trip to local apple store. Also nice to establish a relationship with the campus Apple Tech service person - got helpful tips and bit of a priority when in need for tech support. Purchasing the laptop from campus store helps justify Apple's support in placing a dedicated Apple Tech Service person on campus.

Do you work for a campus store or tech shop?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Around early August, most states have tax free weekend to purchase school supply, including laptops, tablets, etc. For Apple products, use campus store for education discount.
Agree 512 GB would be a good investment. Mac Air 13" M4 with standard 16GB RAM. 15" if no external monitor, but check if size fits backpack

You don't have to use the campus store to get the education discount. You can also get the discount from the Apple website or in person at Apple stores.

PP. True, but save a trip to local apple store. Also nice to establish a relationship with the campus Apple Tech service person - got helpful tips and bit of a priority when in need for tech support. Purchasing the laptop from campus store helps justify Apple's support in placing a dedicated Apple Tech Service person on campus.

Do you work for a campus store or tech shop?

DP, but makes sense to me. Lots of campuses aren’t near an Apple Store. This will be much easier for a kid to use when they are in a jam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Around early August, most states have tax free weekend to purchase school supply, including laptops, tablets, etc. For Apple products, use campus store for education discount.
Agree 512 GB would be a good investment. Mac Air 13" M4 with standard 16GB RAM. 15" if no external monitor, but check if size fits backpack

You don't have to use the campus store to get the education discount. You can also get the discount from the Apple website or in person at Apple stores.

PP. True, but save a trip to local apple store. Also nice to establish a relationship with the campus Apple Tech service person - got helpful tips and bit of a priority when in need for tech support. Purchasing the laptop from campus store helps justify Apple's support in placing a dedicated Apple Tech Service person on campus.

Do you work for a campus store or tech shop?

Yes, your patronage is my job security

[Anonymous]

PP. I've bought Apple computers at all the locations I've mentioned. To me the big advantage of purchasing at the campus store was that I could have the (custom build) computer delivered there instead of having it show up on my doorstep.