Teachers need new MacBooks for school too
Apple MacBooks have always had a place in classrooms thanks to their overall power and durability. The best MacBook for teachers remains the MacBook Air (M1, 2020), which is also our best MacBook overall. There are other noteworthy models we’ve gathered to help you choose the one that fits your needs best.
Best overall: MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
In 2020, Cupertino introduced the first Apple silicon products, starting with the MacBook Air (M1, 2020). Although this product is likely to get a massive update in 2022, it remains the best MacBook for teachers right now. The current MacBook Air packs a punch for anyone on a smaller budget. In addition, it’s ideally suited for a learning environment thanks to its 18 hours of battery life.
At 2.8 pounds, the MacBook Air is Apple’s lightest laptop despite having the same screen size as the smallest MacBook Pro model. Along with being less weighty, the MacBook Air contains the same essential internals as the more expensive model: Apple’s M1 SoC. The laptop also includes 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 (M1, 2020).
If you don’t need a new MacBook right now, it might be best to wait a few months until the 2022 MacBook Air arrives. It will come packed with plenty of terrific new features.
Pros:
Same screen size as 13-inch MBP
Up to 18 hours of wireless web between charges
Fair price
Apple M1
Cons:
Only two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports
Maximum storage is 2TB
New model is likely coming very soon
Best overall
MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
From $999 at Apple
From $950 at Amazon
From $1,000 at Best Buy
Great price, super internals
The MacBook Air is a great-looking device and a practical choice for most of today’s teachers. Plus, there’s no denying the sweet price.
Best alternative: 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020)
Three factors stand out when comparing the 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020) with the MacBook Air (M1, 2020). First, the Pro model offers Touch Bar versus only Touch ID on the Air. Second, the former offers up to two more battery life hours. Finally, the Pro model provides slightly more screen brightness and better speakers. For these extras, you’ll pay at least $300 extra.
Like the MacBook Air, this MacBook Pro model might get a refresh in 2022. Therefore, don’t buy a new laptop until the new models arrive if you can wait.
Pros:
Better options than the MacBook Air version
Touch Bar included
Slightly better display
Cons:
Do you need the extras?
Price can rise quickly as you add components
New model is likely soon
Best alternative
13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020)
A step up
There’s much to love about this model, which offers ever-so-slightly better internals than the MacBook Air.
Best large screen: 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021)
Internally, the second-generation 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021) is the best MacBook you can currently buy. Like the all-new 14-inch MacBook Pro (mentioned below), this model offers either an M1 Pro or M1 Max SoC with up to 64GB of unified memory and 8TB of SSD storage. That’s a lot of storage for your photos and videos. In addition, you can get up to a 10-core CPU and 32-core GPU.
But there’s much more. The latest 16-inch MacBook Pro comes with a Liquid Retina XDR display (3456 by 2234 pixels) with ProMotion technology for adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz. It’s also packed with up to 21 hours of battery life between charges and comes with an all-new 1080p FaceTime HD camera with an advanced image signal processor and computational video.
The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook models (2021), some of the best MacBooks available, also see the return of MagSafe, HDMI port, and an SDXC card slot, besides its three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports. If you’re looking for any negatives, understand this is the heaviest MacBook Pro in many years (4.7 pounds). It’s also costly, even at the base level.
Pros:
Latest and greatest
M1 Pro or M1 Max, you decide
16GB to 64GB of unified memory
512GB to 8TB of storage
A Liquid Retina XDR display
Cons:
Most expensive model
Heavy (4.7 lbs)
Best large screen
16-inch MacBook Pro (2021)
Nothing better
The latest 16-inch MacBook Pro gives you the most power and performance, though the price tag is high.
Best for power users: 14-inch MacBook Pro (2021)
If you want everything on the 16-inch MacBook Pro but with a smaller display, this is the one to buy. In addition, it offers similar internals for less. Nonetheless, it’s still an expensive computer, which is something to keep in mind.
Our best advice for teachers is to buy as much memory and storage as they can afford. And remember, you can’t change these options after purchase since upgrades aren’t possible. With this in mind, consider the option of an Apple M1 Pro with a 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine that comes with 1TB of storage and at least 32GB of unified memory.
Pros:
Portable
Liquid Retina XDR display
Same great features as the 16-inch model
Cons:
Still expensive
Best for power users
14-inch MacBook Pro (2021)
From $1,999 at Apple
From $1,999 at Best Buy
From $1,950 at Amazon
Versatility at a lower price
The 14-inch MacBook Pro is nearly identical to the 16-inch model except for the smaller display and price.
Teacher’s pet
For 2022, our best MacBook for teachers is the MacBook Air (M1, 2020). It’s the best choice for most educators. This great device offers Apple’s M1 SoC processor and includes Touch ID, Magic Keyboard, Force Touch trackpad, and two Thunderbolt 3 ports. It’s also pretty lightweight and has 18 hours of battery life, so you can continue your teacher planning uninterrupted.
The biggest concern with buying this laptop now is the likelihood that it will soon be replaced by a 2022 model. Therefore, if you can wait a few months, do so and buy the newer model. Otherwise, get the current model and enjoy.
If the Air doesn’t have you convinced, perhaps the 13-inch MacBook Pro is a better match. There’s a Touch Bar, two more hours of battery life, and a brighter screen with better speakers. If you need these extras, this may be the ideal purchase for you.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Bryan M. Wolfe is a dad who loves technology, especially anything new from Apple. Penn State (go Nittany Lions) graduate here, also a huge fan of the New England Patriots. Thanks for reading. @bryanmwolfe
