Best MacBooks for Students in 2025 (On a Budget)
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Starting or returning to uni in 2025? You’ll need a reliable laptop that can handle lectures, essays, research, and maybe a bit of Netflix too—without blowing your student loan.
At Cheshire Macs, we specialise in high-quality refurbished MacBooks that are perfect for student life. Whether you’re studying business, design, or computer science, we’ve got the right Mac for your budget.
🎓 What Students Need in a MacBook
Let’s face it—student life is busy, mobile, and often budget-conscious. That means the ideal student laptop needs to be:
- 💻 Fast enough for multitasking
- 🔋 Battery that lasts all day
- 🧳 Lightweight and portable
- 🛠️ Reliable and future-proof
- 💷 Affordable
Luckily, several refurbished MacBook models tick every box—and you can get them for a fraction of the cost of buying new.
🔥 Top 3 Budget MacBooks for Students in 2025
1. MacBook Air M1 (Best All-Rounder)
The MacBook Air M1 is hands-down the best value laptop for most students. It’s lightweight, ultra-fast thanks to the Apple M1 chip, and delivers up to 18 hours of battery life.
Perfect for note-taking, research, video calls, and light creative work, it’s everything you need in one slim, silent package.
- ✅ Great for everyday student use
- ✅ Silent fanless design
- ✅ Still runs the latest macOS in 2025
- ✅ Amazing value refurbished
Recommended for: Uni students in most courses, including humanities, social sciences, and business.
2. MacBook Pro M1 (For Creatives & Power Users)
Need a bit more muscle? The MacBook Pro M1 is a step up from the Air, with a fan-based cooling system that allows it to handle intensive tasks like video editing, 3D modelling, and coding.
It’s still super portable, and the display is a bit brighter—ideal for design or visual work.
- ✅ Ideal for creative courses (media, film, design, etc.)
- ✅ 8-core GPU and better sustained performance
- ✅ Long battery life (up to 20 hours)
Recommended for: Students studying creative or technical subjects that need more power.
3. MacBook Air 2017/2019 (Entry-Level Budget Option)
On a really tight budget? Our stock of lightly used pre-M1 MacBook Airs from 2017–2019 can still handle basics like browsing, word processing, and streaming.
These models are perfect for students who just need something simple, portable, and cheap for coursework and day-to-day tasks.
- ✅ Cheapest option
- ✅ Slim and lightweight
- ✅ macOS updates still available
Recommended for: Students on a budget doing light tasks like emails, essays, and browsing.
💷 Why Buy Refurbished from Cheshire Macs?
Every MacBook we sell is:
- 🛠️ Fully tested and refurbished by experts
- 🔒 Backed by a warranty
- 📦 Shipped from the UK with fast delivery
- 💰 Significantly cheaper than buying new
We believe students shouldn’t have to compromise on quality just because they’re on a budget. With refurbished MacBooks, you get the best of both worlds—top-tier tech at a student-friendly price.
📚 Conclusion: Which MacBook Is Best for You?
If you’re a student in 2025, the MacBook Air M1 is the best choice for most people. Need more power? Go for the MacBook Pro M1. Just want something simple and affordable? A pre-2020 MacBook Air is still a solid option.
Whatever your course or budget, Cheshire Macs has the perfect student MacBook waiting for you.
👉 Shop Student-Friendly MacBooks Now
Get Apple quality for less—only at Cheshire Macs.