Meanwhile, the mini-LED true HDR display with 1,600-nit peak brightness is a joy for creative work. In our tests, we edited 8K video in Final Cut Pro in a project with colour correction and up to five videos playing simultaneously at moments, and we didn't experience a single glitch or hold-up. We found that this laptop can make smooth work of even the most demanding graphic design, animation, video editing or 3D modelling tasks. The biggest, and best if you want a larger screen, is the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2022), which comes with a choice of Apple's powerful M2 Pro or M2 Max chips. If you need to use power-hungry software like Photoshop, After Effects and Premiere Pro, you might find it worth investing in the more powerful MacBook Pro line. Larger size makes it less convenient to carry around See our full MacBook Air (M1, 2020) review for more details

That said, if you're on a creative course such as photography, video editing, animation or film-making and need to use software that makes heavy demands on resources, one of the more powerful MacBooks below could give you a smoother experience. In our tests, we were impressed by how fast and smooth the laptop is in use, and we got well over a full day of use on a single battery charge.Īnother benefit of MacBook Airs is that they're fanless too, so you'll be able to use it in lecture theatres, libraries and other places of respectful silence, without annoying professors or fellow students. It's the cheapest MacBook you can buy new, and it now often has a discount since the release of a new MacBook Air in July 2022.

We think the 2020 MacBook Air still hits the perfect sweet spot between value and performance. Yes, MacBook Pros and even the newer 2022 MacBook Air offer more power, but unless you're studying on a course that requires you to use graphically demanding software, the M1-chipped MacBook Air should do you just fine. The MacBook Air (M1, 2020) is the best MacBook for students who prioritise good value over having the latest specs.

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