These are the best MacBooks for media students according to our testing
Apple MacBooks have always been an excellent choice for media students thanks to their power and durability.
We combined firsthand experience with research to determine our picks for the best laptops for media students. With that in mind, read on for our picks of the best MacBooks for media students.
Which is the best MacBook for media students now?
The MacBook Air (M2, 2022) is the best MacBook for media students. It has enough power to face almost any academic challenge. There are other MacBooks to consider depending on your situation, as you can see below.
These are the best MacBooks for media students you can buy today
1. MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
The best MacBook overall for media students
Specifications
CPU: M2 GPU: M2 (Integrated) RAM: 8GB/16GB/24GB Size: 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches Display: 13.6-inches, 2560 x 1600 pixels Weight: 2.7 pounds Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
Why it’s the best MacBook for media students
In mid-2020, Cupertino announced Apple silicon, starting with an impressive M1 processor. The 2022 MacBook Air, which we gave five stars, is the first to house the second-gen M2 processor. The 2022 MacBook Air is the best MacBook for media students, along with being our favorite Mac for all users, because it packs a punch for anyone on a smaller budget, starting with its battery life — up to 18 hours between charges, depending on what you’re doing.
At 2.7 pounds, the MacBook Air is the lightest Mac on the market despite having the same screen size as the smallest MacBook Pro model. Besides being less weighty, the MacBook Air also contains the same essential internals, including Apple’s all-new M2 SoC. The laptop also features a backlit Magic Keyboard and a Touch ID sensor.
No doubt, the MacBook Air is appealing. However, it has drawbacks, including fewer Thunderbolt 3 ports, less display brightness, and more inferior speakers than most MacBook Pro models. It also offers two hours less battery life between charges than the 13-inch MacBook Pro (M2, 2022). None of the disadvantages should stop you from buying it, however.
Pros
- Same screen size as 13-inch MacBook Pro
- Up to 18 hours of wireless web battery between charges
- Relatively low price
- Apple M2!
Cons
- Only two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports
- Lower display brightness than other models
2. 16-inch MacBook Pro (2023)
Best MacBook for media students who need extremely powerful laptop
Specifications
CPU: 3.3GHz Apple M2 Pro 12 cores (8P/4E) Gam: 32GB LPDDR5 Size: 0.66 by 14 by 9.8 inches Display: 16-inch 3,456×2,234 254ppi 3:2 aspect ratio; 500 nits SDR, 1,600 nits HDR Weight: 4.7 lbs/2.2kg Storage: 2TB Apple SSD AP2048Z, SD card slot
Why it’s the best MacBook for media students
Apple’s 2023 flagship, the MacBook Pro 16-Inch marries a proven, immaculate design with a fireball M2 Max CPU for fierce power in media creation, gaming, and high-end professional tasks. (Plus, it lasted nearly 27 hours on our battery test.)
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is the computer to get if you need the most power possible. You can configure it with several options, whether you need that M2 Max processor, 96GB Unified Memory or 8TB of storage.
Even at its base configuration, a 12-core M2 Pro with 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a 19-core GPU, the 16-inch model will handle any task a student throws at it. So if you want a no-doubt-about-it machine, get this MacBook Pro.
Pros
- Unmatched laptop power
- Exceptional battery life
- Top-class mini LED display
- Unbelievable speakers
- Apple’s best laptop design
Cons
- Expensive across the board
- Limited upgradability
- Camera notch still takes getting used to
3. 13-inch MacBook Pro (M2, 2022)
The best MacBook for media students who want long battery life
Specifications
CPU: Apple M2 (8-core) GPU: Apple M2 GPU (10-core)RAM: 8GB/16GB/24GB sSize: 12 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches Display: 13.3 inches, 2560 x 1600 pixel Weight: 3.1 pounds Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
Why it’s the best MacBook for media students
The 13-inch MacBook Pro (M2, 2022) is a great middle-ground. It packs an M2 processor, excellent graphics, more ports, and a long battery life.
Three factors stand out when comparing the 13-inch MacBook Pro (M2, 2022) with the MacBook Air (M2, 2022). First, the Pro model offers a Touch Bar, while the Air only has a Touch ID. Second, the former offers up to two more battery life hours. The Pro model also offers more screen brightness and better speakers. You’ll pay at least $200 extra for these extras, but it may be worth it depending on your needs.
Pros
- Comes with potential extras
- Great battery life
- Touch Bar included
- Slightly better display than MacBook Air
Cons
- Dated design
- Touch Bar might not be for you
- Price can rise quickly as you add components
4. MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
The best MacBook for media students on a budget
Specifications
CPU: M1 GPU: M1 (integrated) RAM: 8GB/16GB Size: 12 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches Display: 13.3 inches, 2560 x 1600 pixel Weight: 2.8 pounds Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
Why it’s the best MacBook for media students
One of the first Apple silicon Macs, the MacBook Air (M1, 2020), still packs a punch, even though there’s a newer model now that’s a better choice for most media students. The No. 1 reason to get the 2020 model? Price — assuming you can find one with a huge discount.
The MacBook Air (M1, 2020) still contains plenty of power for the media students on a smaller budget, starting with its battery life. When we reviewed this device two years ago we were impressed with its up to 18 hours of battery life between charges, depending on what you’re doing. At 2.8 pounds, this model is one of the lightest laptops on the market. Besides an M1 chip, it offers a backlit Magic Keyboard and a Touch ID sensor.
Pros
- Incredible performance-per-watt
- Huge battery improvement over Intel-based MacBook Air
- Classic design with new scissor-switch keyboard
Cons
- Not that much cheaper than 2022 model
- Older design
- Poor webcam
5. 14-inch MacBook Pro (2023)
The best MacBook for media students who are looking for the most potent MacBook current available but need a slightly smaller display
Specifications
CPU: M2 Pro (10-core CPU, 16-core GPU or 12-core CPU, 19-core GPU), with optional M2 Max with up to 12-core CPU and 38-core GPU RAM: 16GB to 96GB Size: 12.3 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches Display: 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display (3024×1964 pixels, 254ppi) Weight: 3.5 pounds (M2 Pro) – 3.6 pounds (M2 Max) Storage: 512GB to 8TB
Why it’s the best MacBook for media students
Powered by the new M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, the new MacBook Pro 14-inch is faster and more powerful than any 14-inch on the market. Throw in over 14 hours of battery life in you’ve got a nearly perfect laptop on your hands.
The current 16-inch and 14-inch MacBook Pro are identical inside and offer the same chip, RAM, and storage options. Therefore, the 14-inch MacBook Pro is an excellent choice for media students who are looking for the most potent MacBook current available but need a slightly smaller display. That’s a 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with 3024-by-1964 pixels.
No matter what your configuration, the MacBook Pro 14 is in a class of its own. The laptop retains its stunning good looks, powerful speakers, high-resolution camera, and comfortable keyboard. But the real stars of this story are the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, which bring even more power and efficiency to the table.
There are a few noticeable negatives to consider regarding this MacBook, including the price (it’s still super expensive), weak color choices (just two), and the divisive notch that some might not like.
Still, if you want the best MacBook with a smaller screen, this is a good way of getting both without missing out too much.
Pros
- Impressive performance
- Over 14 hours of battery life
- Great port selection
- Beautifully vibrant display with crisp detail
- Excellent audio
Cons
- Expensive
- Off-putting notch
- Still no Face ID
Quite a few choices
Whether you need a new computer or want to upgrade from an existing one, the most recent MacBook Air is the best MacBook for media students this year. So whether you’re writing papers, putting together a Powerpoint, or even editing some images for a media class, the MacBook Air (M2, 2022) will be a reliable performer in your academic pursuits.
The current MacBook Air has a lot going for it, including the all-new M2 chip, a beautiful new design, fantastic color choices, and more.
If budget is your top concern, the MacBook Air (2020) is another excellent choice. It still includes a blazing-fast M1 chip, a backlit Magic Keyboard, and a Touch ID sensor. Plus, it can be found at great discounts depending on where and when you look. Although it’s not the newest Air on the market, it’s still powerful and will receive several macOS updates for years, including the latest macOS 13 Ventura.
For the media students who need the most power, consider the MacBook Pro range with the latest M2 Pro or M2 Max chip on the 2023 models, ensuring fantastic performance. It may be excessive for some, but it’s sure to last for the entirety of college years and beyond.
How we test the best media students laptops
To find the best Apple laptop for media students, we run each through our gauntlet of benchmarks and real-world tests, and then use them as our main computer for as well. Only then are we comfortable recommending them (or not) for your purchase.
We use a Klein K-10A colorimeter to test each MacBook’s screen to find its average brightness and color quality (so we don’t just assume Apple’s ratings are correct). When it comes to general performance, we use the Geekbench 5 (CPU performance) benchmark, and time how long the Macs will take to transcode a 4K video to 1080p.
We also run the BlackMagic storage speeds test to see how fast these MacBooks’ SSDs are (spoiler alert: they’re all pretty fast). Then, we run our custom battery test to see how long each MacBook (at 150 nits of brightness) can last browsing the web over Wi-Fi until it runs out of juice.
We’ve also tested various computer games on MacBooks, with Civilization VI: Gathering Storm being one of our current favorites to run because it runs well on both macOS and Windows, giving us a good point of comparison.
No matter which Apple MacBook you buy, be sure to check out these MacBook Ventura tips and tricks to make the most of your laptop.