Do you have a child heading off to college soon? As you\u2019re undoubtedly aware from high school, a computer is essential for a college student. If you haven\u2019t been paying close attention to Apple\u2019s Mac lineup, you might wonder which model makes the most sense.<\/p>\n
First, don\u2019t buy anything without first checking with the college. Many college departments have specific requirements based on the software that students have to use in their classes. Generally, these revolve around processor type, amount of RAM, and storage space. Luckily, current Macs should meet the requirements.<\/p>\n
Colleges often specify\u2014and students usually prefer\u2014laptops instead of desktop machines. Although the iMac is an excellent machine with a gorgeous screen, it\u2019s too big and unwieldy for the transient lifestyle of the typical college student. The same is true of a Mac mini and external display. A laptop is much easier to pack during moves, and it can travel to class every day. A student who\u2019s accustomed to taking notes on an iPad with a Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil might be able to use that along with a desktop Mac, but most people should focus on Apple\u2019s laptops.<\/p>\n
In the past, it was harder to decide which model was best for a given student, but with Apple\u2019s move to the M1 chip, which significantly outperforms the Intel processors used in previous models, the decision is easier. We see three primary scenarios:<\/p>\n
Regardless of which laptop you decide on, you\u2019ll have to pick a processor, an amount of RAM, and storage capacity:<\/p>\n
To our thinking, the most obvious choice for a Mac that\u2019s likely to last for four years of college would be the M1-based MacBook Air with the 8-core GPU, 16 GB of RAM, and 512 GB of storage. Be sure to budget for AppleCare+, too; it\u2019s almost guaranteed that some mishap will befall a student laptop, and AppleCare+ covers up to two incidents of accidental damage every year.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll need to have some conversations with your child to find out what they think they\u2019ll need\u2014and be sure to double-check that against the college\u2019s recommendations\u2014but if you have any questions after that, don\u2019t hesitate to contact us.<\/p>\n
(Featured image by Apple)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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