College students who want a Mac for writing papers, doing research, surfing the web, light photo editing and just entertaining themselves should get the MacBook Air. It should also be a great computer for you when your academic career is over and you're headed out into the world. Want to know how to get a student discount on MacBook and other Apple products? If you're looking to buy an Apple product to take with you to school or university, make sure you take advantage of. We are excited to welcome you to the MacMurray College Family, the Mac Fam! Please take a few minutes to complete the forms listed below. These are a required part of your Enrollment documents. They will help us make sure that we share your future accomplishments with your local newspapers, have your emergency contacts on-hand, and know which direc.
Here's an app kit that will turn your academic life into a pleasant bearable experience. When you have the right tools, it's so much easier to score those A's. Get published, get a Nobel prize in math, get a favorable comment from your supervisor (in that order). You can do anything because academia is the true land of opportunity.
You can have all these apps as a part of Setapp subscription.
Manuscripts: Academic document manager
Manuscripts knows what it means to write a proper paper. Handling footnotes, annotations, references, restructuring, and editing is unbelievably easy. Everything is a click away and, unlike in Word processors, all formatting is intuitive and painless. With Manuscripts it even seems (briefly) like the style guides weren't invented to make you suffer.
Prizmo: Image to text converter
Prizmo is the best for scanning and performing OCR (Optical Character Recognition ) in 23 languages, has powerful editing capability, text-to-speech, iCloud support, and translation into 59 languages.
You can convert printed documents, photocopies of text documents, text on the images, scanned documents, and screenshots – whatever you want – into digital text. It allows to effortlessly extract and share text directly in the camera view, search for or edit your document.
Prizmo has editing tools to correct warping, skewness and other distortions. For multipage documents or multiple text documents, the software offers batch OCR functionality to speed the process.
PDFpen: Robust PDF editing
Is anyone still buying hard copies of textbooks these days? When it comes to cramming, PDF is way more convenient (weighs less at least). And with PDFpen, you also get the freedom to tweak your docs in any way imaginable – from editing text to merging multiple PDFs into one test prep package. Redaction functionality is a nice perk as well: if you’re often tempted to check solutions to exercises in your textbook, PDFpen covers them up, so that you concentrate on tasks.
MarginNote: A non-boring way to read and learn
Out of all the apps for studying and completing assignments, MarginNote is the most fun. Whenever your relationship with a textbook gets complicated, the app is there to save the day. The ultimate e-reading expert, MarginNote adapts to your study habits: you can choose your perfect annotation mode, outline and mindmap, or turn notes into flashcards. No more humdrum courses – as soon as you start using MarginNote, your study plan will be nothing short of awesome.
MathKey: Translating words into math expressions
If you’re dealing with math documents and reports, you’ll want to get your hands on MathKey. The app converts your handwriting to LaTeX, MathML, or a perfectly formatted image. Write an equation with your mouse or TrackPad and hit the Convert button – it’s that easy. You can also apply various colors to formulas and images.
Be Focused: Smart timer for productive work
Be Focused is a work timer that uses psychology to keep you on task. If know yourself to be easily distracted, this app is your jam. It's created for the ultimate work-break balance, which is essential if you want to stay sane through the semester. Set daily goals and move towards them at a steady pace, controlled by the fun interface with a classic 'pomodoro' timer.
Instant Translate: Quick translator with 100 languages
If Google's Translate kind of bums you out with its inaccuracy, try Mate (Instant Translate). It's way more powerful and can correctly translate phrases and sentences with its new feature 'Phrasebook.' It even has speech translation if you're in a hurry and typing seems tedious. 104 languages, a history of translations, and an easy access from the menu bar.
Studies: Storage for info, schedules, and memos
When you take on the next project, it all starts with notes. You probably have a pack of subject-related notes stashed somewhere on your Mac and it's a pain to find the ones you need when you need them. Studies solves this issue with elegance: it gives you separate and comfortable niches for each subject, there's a space for images and screenshots alongside text notes, and a schedule with statistics data on classes. So good.
MoneyWiz: Personal finance manager to track your expenses
Mac Pro For Students
You should be thinking about your next scientific breakthrough, not heating bills. Let MoneyWiz take care of money matters for you: a single setup and a single input of all your regular bills, and you'll never forget to pay anything. MoneyWiz will send you reminders, plan your monthly budget, even predict your future expenses for the nearest period (if you feel like looking into that).
Ulysses: Professional writing app
Even if your plans go as far as dissertation, Ulysses is where you should write it. This app is favored by writers and bloggers, it's distraction-free and highly reliable. It allows you to focus on writing, quickly export finished work as a PDF or an ebook, and enjoy the process way more than with the usual doc-like services.
Aeon Timeline: Project management app
When you feel overwhelmed by the number of important items in the project, by the subtasks and milestones, open Aeon Timeline and put all of it in there. Aeon gives you a bird's-eye view of the whole project and lets you easily orient among its parts. You'll never miss anything important and your beautiful research will form easily, chapter by chapter.
Findings: Experiment and research notebook
If your academic endeavours include conducting experiments and keeping protocols, Findings is simply indispensable. It's a whole toolset of notes and indicators that allows you to keep track of anything and measure everything. From Physics to Sociology, it covers all processes and nuances. Cross-sectional, longitude, with multiple sampling and fifty variables? Ez pz.
TaskPaper: To-do list to have tasks at hand
Deep down you know that your memory did not undergo that tedious evolutionary process to cope with dry cleaning and groceries. Your mind is made for higher levels. That's why when it comes to routine, to-do lists are life saviors and should be used at all times. And TaskPaper is a perfect example: it has the simplicity of a sticker note, the search of a smart engine, and the cleanest interface.
XMind: Mind map for idea generation
Whenever you feel bubbling with ideas, use XMind. It's a brainstorming and idea-gathering tool. Visualise every possible solution or see how many studies refer to a specific topic. It's a fast and clear way to approach a complex subject and understand the big picture. And when it comes to drawing conclusions, mindmapping is a magic well of insights.
Best apps for students
Download Setapp and get access to handpicked apps for studying. Hack your way through college.
Every app on this list is available as a part of Setapp subscription and we have an Educational discount for a whole year. Try it out and see the difference a good toolset makes in studying.
BestMac Desktop for StudentsiMore2019
Students don't have a lot of choices when it comes to buying a Mac desktop. Of those that are available, we recommend the 21.5-inch iMac 4K (2019). There are other options worth considering depending on your needs.
Best Overall: 21.5-inch iMac 4K (2019)
Featuring an aluminum and glass enclosure with a five millimeter-thin profile, the iMac 4K ships with a matching Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse 2. The iMac 4K (2019) that we're recommending comes with a 3.0GHz 6-core 8th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, Turbo Boost up to 4.1GHz, 8GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory, Radeon Pro 560X with 4GB of GDDR5 memory, and 1TB Fusion Drive for storage. You can upgrade any of these for more money. Our tip: splurge on the memory, if you can, which is available up to 32GB.
The iMac 4K (2019) ships with the macOS Mojave (upgradeable to macOS Catalina), which includes a system-wide dark mode for the first time and new privacy controls. The current version of macOS also includes three iOS apps jumping to Mac for the first time: Home, News, and Stocks. There's also a new desktop Stacks feature and improvements to Finder.
There's nothing negative to note about this desktop, except knowing it's the most expensive 21.5-inch iMac currently on the market. Additionally, if you've been counting on a 27-inch model, you'll no doubt be disappointed with this one.
Cons:
- Only con would be the display size
- Most expensive 21.5-inch model
![Usa Usa](/uploads/1/3/3/8/133880171/951066227.jpg)
Best Overall
21.5-inch iMac 4K (2019)
Best for most students
Your dorm or apartment will love this computer, which can remain a prominent fixture for your entire college career.
Best Value All-In-One: 21.5-inch iMac 4K (entry-level)
For $200 less, you can purchase this entry-level iMac 4K Retina model, which offers a 3.6GHz quad-core 8th-generation Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB DDR4 memory, Radeon Pro 555X with 2GB of GDDR5 memory, and 1TB Serial ATA Drive. This iMac model is the one you should buy in a pinch if you can't wait to purchase our overall winner.
Don't start upgrading the internals, however. By doing so, you'll start adding more costs that could make it more expensive than our recommended model.
Cons:
- i3 vs i5 processor
- No Fusion drive
Best Value All-In-One
![Mac Mac](https://storage.needpix.com/rsynced_images/school-students-using-apple-mac.jpg)
21.5-inch iMac 4K (entry-level)
Budget choice
You'll still get Apple's impressive 4K Retina display on this iMac model. Inside you'll find less expensive parts. Safe mode for mac.
How to set password for wifi. In late 2018, Apple released the fourth-generation Mac mini, nearly four years after the last model was revealed. The least expensive model offers a 3.6GHz quad-core 8th-generation Intel Core i3 processor with 8GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory, and 128GB PCIe-based SSD storage, while the more expensive version starts with a 3.0GHz 6-core 8th-generation Intel Core i5 processor and 256GB PCIe-based SSD storage.
If you're looking at a Mac mini, you are already aware that you need to add a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. In that situation, we (once again) recommend upgrading the memory from the minimum. Ideally, you should start with the more expensive version, if only because you'll get more storage.
Cons:
- Remember, no monitor or accessories
- Can get expensive quickly
Best Budget
Mac mini (2018)
Look, no monitor!
Mac minis are a great solution if you already have a terrific monitor and other accessories. Otherwise, stick with iMac.
The entry-level 27-inch iMac 5K offers fantastic features, including a 3.0GHz 6-core 8th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, Turbo Boost up to 4.1GHz, 8GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory, Radeon Pro 570X with 4GB of GDDR5 memory, and 1TB Fusion Drive storage. Like with our overall pick, if you can only upgrade one component, considering increasing the memory size.
For most students looking for a 27-inch iMac 4K, this model is ideal. However, if you plan on using your computer for photography, illustrating, or video-editing, you should consider the next model on this list.
Pros:
- Beautiful Retina 5K 5120-by-2880 P3 display
- Just $300 more than our overall pick
Cons:
- Price can rise quickly with add-ons
- 8GB of memory might not be enough
- Difficult to move
Best Large Display
27-inch iMac 5K (2019) entry
Look at that display!
Microsoft Office For Mac For Students
Forget 4K, when you can have 5K. Great internals and a robust display in one package.
This 27-inch iMac model looks exactly like the one above. Inside, however, you'll find significant upgrades, starting with a 3.7GHz 6-core 9th-generation Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost up to 4.6GHz. You also find 8GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory, configurable up to 64GB, 2TB Fusion Drive, and Radeon Pro 580X with 8GB of GDDR5 memory.
Short of the iMac Pro (which starts at $4,999), this is the best 27-inch iMac you can buy and is the one ideally suited for the creatives among us. If you can, max out your memory; you'll be happy you did.
Cons:
- Pricey
- Don't buy unless you need the extra power
Best for Creatives
27-inch iMac 5K (2019)
Awesome internals
Your friends will be jealous of this impressive beast. Just make sure you really need to extras before spending the money.
Bottom line
It's 2019 and Apple has updated its iMac lineup for the year. Our favorite model for students, the 21.5-inch iMac 4K (2019), includes lots of great features for high-schoolers and college students alike.
The model includes a 3.0GHz 6-core 8th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, Turbo Boost up to 4.1GHz, 8GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory, Radeon Pro 560X with 4GB of GDDR5 memory, and 1TB Fusion Drive for storage. If you can, upgrade the memory to the maximum of 32GB and enjoy!
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
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
Kinda like this but betterDon't like Apple's Magic Keyboard? Try these alternatives
Microsoft Office For Mac Students
Do you like the look of Apples Magic Keyboard but want something a little different? There are alternatives.