MacBook Air
Education and student pricing. Apple has everything you need for high school and college. Education and student pricing. MacBook Air 15 inch laptop, now with the superfast M3 chip, it's the perfect laptop for college and students. Lightweight and under half an inch thin, it fits easily in your backpack. With up to 18 hours of battery life, you can take the superportable MacBook Air anywhere and blaze through whatever you’re into. Made with durable recycled aluminum enclosures, Mac laptops are ready for anything. And free macOS software updates can keep your Mac running smoothly and securely for years to come.
Why r/BuyItForLife recommends it
22 mentions from real owners
- #1Dec 30, 2025
What product category has gotten worse in quality, even at the premium level?
Depends. Consumer grade work laptops are absolutely amazing compared to even 10 years ago. Apple Silicon Macs are just better with much better battery life and life span. And no, 99% of people don't care about upgrading HW when it's *this* powerful. A brand new MacBook Air will last anyone 5+ years with no issues and probably closer to 10.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #2Nov 6, 2025
Which laptop should I buy in 2025?
See that's that the thing, an apple silicon Macbook Air will be likely faster than your Framework Notebook and there is no fan. I don't like apple, I can't stand windows and i love Linux. So the Framework notebook is tempting. But there is nothing that can match the hardware of apple right now, I hope that will change so that I can use Linux on it.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #3Jun 8, 2025
laptop for college and photoshop
My wife has an M1 air, and that thing kicks ass! you can do a lot inside of after effects with it, but you will start to feel the pain when you’re rendering or doing anything 3-D. But man that little machine is speedy, slick and has super long battery life. I definitely recommend it if over other laptops in that price range.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #4May 4, 2025
What laptop should I get as a student?
MacBook Pro or Air. My MacBook Pro from college lasted a decade, traded it in to get $$$ and bought a newer MacBook Air that I’d expect to last just as long, if not longer since I don’t use it nearly as heavily as I did in college. Apple operating systems / interfaces are super easy to use, never had any issues with apps/software needed for classes, and never had any issues with any viruses or defects. Highly recommend! More $$ upfront but worth it for quality and how long they last.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #5Apr 9, 2025
What is your current BIFL item you recommend to everyone?
This. Got my M1 MacBook Air. Still the only laptop to have ever lasted for more than warranty. 4 years and still going.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #6Apr 9, 2025
What is your current BIFL item you recommend to everyone?
I’ve had both Macbooks and Thinkspads for about a decade now. Apple products are definitely better built. Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon lasts about 4-5 years in daily business use. After about three years, it starts to get all the time hotter, slower and noisier. Within the same time period you don’t see that in a Mac. It’s still dead silent and runs like new. I have the Macbook Air 2022 in use currently. I’m responsible for our small company’s IT fleet. It’s exactly the same with my colleagues. After the warranty period is done, the Lenovos just aren’t worth fixing. Some sellers give a small refund for the old laptop, so we buy new X1’s every 4-5 years. Obviously, these two have different use cases, so it’s somewhat apple to oranges (no pun intended). But I use my Thinkpads for fairly lightweight use: Office apps, lots of Teams and emails, internet browsing. On top of that, it’s almost always on clean table at a dock. The Mac I use literally on my lap, on the dusty sofa, sometimes in the bed and for much heavier use: streaming HD movies and some gaming. For personal use, I wouldn’t buy a Windows laptop. Simply because the quality varies so much and the resell value is non-existent after couple of years.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #7Apr 9, 2025
What is your current BIFL item you recommend to everyone?
My 2011 MBP is still going strong. Runs minecraft fairly well. Also now have the M2 MBA and I love it. Work gave me a M3 MBP, it’s gorgeous and lovely to use. As someone who owns both a PC and Macs. PC people are insane please ignore them. If hardware specs are your main concern then PC it is. If what you value is an unobtrusive digital experience, that’s where the mac shines. Windows is constantly pinging you and asking you to do updates that end up causing problems. Things may just not work and good luck figuring it out. I used to love doing that research and diving into the problem but I have better things to do with my time. MacOS is fairly seamless unless you are a software dev in which case, you probably own both systems too.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #8Apr 1, 2025
Which laptop should I buy in 2025?
I know I'm late to the party, but I would definitely recommend an Apple Silicon MacBook. Something like the M4 15" MacBook Air maybe?
View on Redditopen_in_new - #9Apr 1, 2025
Urgent Need for New Laptop
A two year old Dell shouldn’t be going out on you. We have 5-6 year old Dells (and older) that are still running fine. Before you decide to spend hundreds of dollars on a new computer, check with your university to see if they have repair service on campus. If yes, get them to look at it for you and price repairs, if no then find a computer service center near you (Best Buy, U Break I fix)and get an estimate for cost of repairs…you may have to pay a “bench” fee for them to diagnose but that usually goes toward repair if they repair it. Many universities have loaners for while a computer is in the shop, so check on that too! Most universities have an “in” with Apple, Dell and Lenovo to get discounted pricing for students. Check on these prices before you go anywhere else. We have also purchased refurbished Dell computers from Dellrefurbished and refurbished Macs from Mac or All Trades. One of my kids just finished grad school with a 2019 MacBook Air we got for about $500 in Dec 2023 after their 2014 refurbished gave up…
View on Redditopen_in_new - #10Feb 9, 2025
What is the best laptop brand for long term use?
My MacBook Air from 2016 is pretty flawless and I’ve used it pretty much everyday for hours at end for school, movies, anything you can think of.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #11Feb 9, 2025
What is the best laptop brand for long term use?
I bought a macbook air new in 2013 and didn’t have to replace it for 10 1/2 years. I had a dell from 2009-2012 that completely pooped out and i lost all my schoolwork, photos, and music. Never would use dell again
View on Redditopen_in_new - #12Feb 9, 2025
What is the best laptop brand for long term use?
Have MacBook Air been using since 2011. Yeah, battery is going to shit after 23 years but I can’t complain. It gets a little warm these days but I’m not alarmed. Debating on a new one but no real need yet.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #13Feb 9, 2025
What is the best laptop brand for long term use?
When Apple switched over to the M series I bought my first MacBook. It’s a base model M1 Air and still going strong as my wife’s laptop. I upgraded to an M1 Pro for the 16” screen. Also going strong. I won’t be changing it out until it stops getting updates. The newer chips are faster, but this is still way more capable than any Windows laptop I’ve ever used (I’ve only ever used Windows Server with the desktop experience as my window desktops because tbh stock Windows has ads and crap in it).
View on Redditopen_in_new - #14Feb 9, 2025
What is the best laptop brand for long term use?
Couldn't be more right. I have a 2015 macbook air and it still works as if I bought it yesterday even after so many software updates. I may need to replace the battery maybe next year but that's a diy job which takes max 15mins.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #15Feb 9, 2025
What is the best laptop brand for long term use?
So first off, electronics and especially computers aren’t BIFL. Core components will often become obsolete sooner than they actually reach the end of their usable lifespan, making it more practical to replace them than to repair them. If our criteria is using one laptop for as long as possible before replacement, Apple is the clear choice. After a higher up-front cost, an M-chip Air or Pro can offer 5-7 years of upper-tier performance and easy serviceability through Apple Stores or certified third parties. When you’re ready to upgrade, Macbooks consistently retain more of their value on the used market than any other brand, so you’ll pay less out of pocket for your next one. Source: used XPS and Lenovo thinkpads professionally for years before switching to Macbooks.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #16Feb 9, 2025
What is the best laptop brand for long term use?
My 2017 MacBook Air still gets used daily and runs like a champ. I bought it brand new in 2017 and have never had a single problem with it.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #17Feb 9, 2025
What is the best laptop brand for long term use?
Windows is getting more bloated by the day with the AI features and built-in spyware, do yourself a favor and make the switch to Mac. If all you do is check your email and watch Netflix, an Air is pretty affordable and will last as long as you don't try to use it as a workhorse. If you're a heavy user (graphic/audio/video editing, 3d work, gaming, etc) the fans on a Pro provide good longevity.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #18Feb 9, 2025
What is the best laptop brand for long term use?
I've never had a Windows laptop that lasts that long (personal / work), this is definitely an area that MacBooks just excel at: my friend's still rocking my old MacBook Pro from 2016, and my wife's using my MacBook Air 2020. I was skeptical of MacBooks myself until I actually tried one and ended up preferring it than Windows. Hope you find what you're looking for though!
View on Redditopen_in_new - #19Feb 9, 2025
What is the best laptop brand for long term use?
My MacBook air lasted 11 years. I bought a new apple silicon MacBook pro and it's the best laptop I've ever used.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #20Feb 9, 2025
What is the best laptop brand for long term use?
I know you don’t prefer them but mac, specifically now with the M series chips, are phenomenal. The MacBook Air M4 is coming out within the next 6 weeks or so. The MacBook Pro M4 just dropped last fall- got it for my girl and it’s phenomenal and I expect it to excel for the next 5+ years.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #21Feb 2, 2025
Which laptop should I buy in 2025?
Sorry for the delayed response. Yes, those are certainly valid concerns you raised. I’ve lived in Mac world since 2007, and I have gotten by just fine. My wife switched before we got married (she’s a lawyer and has to share/collaborate with pc users a lot), and she would never go back. She hates technology, just wants it to work, and her Mac is the most stable computer she’s had. She uses google docs and Microsoft office in the cloud, so there are no compatibility issues. There’s a phrase Apple users use: “It just works.” Sure, you’ll have issues from time to time. It’s tech. But Apple support is excellent. I call them all the time. If you do get a Mac, getting an iPhone is also a no-brqiner. They just work together so well. I text from my Mac. My podcasts, music, files, photos, everything is the same. I pay a monthly fee to have iCloud+, which includes backup space for everything on all my devices. If I lose a device or drop it in a lake, I can simply get a new one, sign in to iCloud, and boom, the device restores to the state of the old one. I don’t upgrade every year. My iPhone is a 14 Pro, and it still has 94% battery capacity. MacBook Air M2 runs as fast as the day I got it. I’ve never. Ever. Had a virus on any Mac or iPhone. Ever. Can it happen? Sure. But it’s rare, and again, Apple Support is awesome. A free phone call. And because they make both the device and the operating system, the entire ecosystem is just so much more stable. Great for people who don’t want to deal with tweaking things or running antivirus software or etc. etc. I could go on, but I’ll shut up. If you want to go down the research path, just look at r/apple or watch YouTube videos on switching to Mac. Macrumors.com is also a great resource to learn pretty much anything you want to know. You can join the forums there and ask anything, and folks are usually very helpful. Oh, and Macs and iPhones last longer. So you’ll spend LESS money over time, especially if you keep your devices til they die. [Here is an interesting article](https://tidbits.com/2019/11/12/ibm-finds-its-mac-users-to-be-more-productive-than-pc-users/) from 2019 about the results of IBM letting its employees choose between Macs and PCs beginning in 2015. Read for yourself. Okay, I’m done. :)
View on Redditopen_in_new - #22Feb 1, 2025
[Request] Laptop brands built to last....longer?
For longer-lasting laptops, consider brands like **Apple (MacBook Air/Pro)**, **Lenovo (ThinkPad series)**, and **Dell (XPS series)**. These laptops are known for their **build quality**, **reliability**, and **long-term performance**. They might cost more upfront, but they are designed to last longer and maintain performance over time, making them a better investment for your usage.
View on Redditopen_in_new
