Introduction
Back-to-school season in 2025 is the perfect time to upgrade your child’s tech setup—and if you're looking for a MacBook that balances performance, longevity, and affordability, a Certified Used or Refurbished model is your best bet. New MacBooks can easily run over $1,000, but thanks to Apple’s long-lasting design and software support, you can get a reliable model for a fraction of the price (up to 70% Less).
In this guide, we’ll break down which refurbished MacBook is best for school, which models to avoid, and how to find the best deal from trusted certified sellers.
Why a Refurbished MacBook Is Great for Students
A brand-new MacBook might seem appealing, but for most students—especially those in middle school, high school, or college—a refurbished MacBook is the smarter choice. Here’s why:
- ✅ Big Savings: Certified Used and Refurbished MacBooks can cost 40–70% less than new models, freeing up your budget for other school supplies.
- ♻️ Eco-Friendly: Buying refurbished helps reduce electronic waste and extends the life of high-quality Apple hardware.
- 🔐 Certified Quality: When purchased through UpTrade’s trusted sellers like Apple Refurbished Store, Amazon Renewed, or BestBuy Certified, you get professionally inspected devices, often with warranties.
- 💻 Plenty of Power for Students: Apple’s M1 chip delivers fast performance, smooth multitasking, and long battery life—making it ideal for note-taking, video calls, web research, and even light creative work.
Whether your child is using Google Docs, coding in Xcode, or editing a school video, a refurbished M1 MacBook will handle the workload with ease—all while saving you hundreds of dollars.
What to Avoid: Intel Models and Butterfly Keyboards
When shopping for a back-to-school MacBook in 2025, not all older models are created equal. Here’s what you should avoid:
❌ Intel-Based MacBooks
Apple’s older Intel MacBooks—especially those from 2019 and earlier—are significantly slower, have shorter battery life, and are no longer part of Apple’s long-term roadmap. Even the early 2020 Intel versions are less desirable. Stick with Apple Silicon (M1 or newer) models for best results.
❌ Butterfly Keyboards (2015–2019 Models)
Between 2015 and 2019, Apple used a keyboard design known as the butterfly keyboard, which was widely criticized for reliability issues: sticky keys, double typing, and frequent repairs. Apple replaced this with the Magic Keyboard starting in late 2019, so make sure the model you buy uses the Magic Keyboard (scissor-switch mechanism).
If the listing doesn’t clearly say M1 or Magic Keyboard, assume it’s an older, less reliable version—best to skip it.
Top Picks for Students in 2025
Based on performance, reliability, and price, the two best MacBooks for students in 2025 are:
✅ MacBook Air 2020 (M1) – Best for General Use
- Price: Starts at $380+ Certified Used
- Why It’s Great: Lightweight, long battery life (15–18 hours), and fanless design for silent operation
- Ideal For: Middle/high school students, note-taking, online research, writing papers, streaming
- Warning: Avoid the Intel version (released early 2020). Only buy the M1 model (released late 2020).
✅ MacBook Pro 2020 (M1) – Best for More Demanding Students
- Price: Starts at $520+ Certified Used
- Why It’s Great: Better sustained performance, active cooling (fan), and a slightly brighter display
- Ideal For: College students or kids using Xcode, Photoshop, iMovie, or handling larger school projects
- Warning: Like the Air, this model has an Intel version too. Be sure to choose the M1 version.
Specs Comparison Table: MacBook Air 2020 (M1) vs MacBook Pro 2020 (M1)
| Feature |
MacBook Air 2020 (M1) |
MacBook Pro 2020 (M1) |
| CPU |
Apple M1, 8-core |
Apple M1, 8-core |
| GPU |
7-core |
8-core |
| Display |
13.3" Retina, 400 nits |
13.3" Retina, 500 nits |
| RAM Options |
8GB / 16GB |
8GB / 16GB |
| Storage Options |
256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB |
256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB |
| Battery Life |
Up to 18 hours |
Up to 20 hours |
| Keyboard |
Magic Keyboard |
Magic Keyboard |
| Touch Bar |
No |
Yes |
| Ports |
2x Thunderbolt / USB 4 |
2x Thunderbolt / USB 4 |
| Weight |
2.8 lbs |
3.0 lbs |
| Cooling |
Fanless (silent) |
Active Fan Cooling |
| Price (2025) |
Starts at $380+ Certified Used |
Starts at $520+ Certified Used |
Which MacBook Should You Choose?
Both models offer excellent performance and long-term support, but they’re suited to slightly different types of students:
Choose the MacBook Air 2020 (M1) if your child:
- Is in middle or high school
- Mostly browses the web, writes papers, joins video calls, or streams
- Wants a lightweight laptop with silent operation
- Needs a more affordable option
Choose the MacBook Pro 2020 (M1) if your student:
- Is in college or enrolled in specialized programs (design, engineering, coding)
- Runs heavier apps like Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, or Xcode
- Needs a bit more screen brightness and sustained speed during multitasking
In short, the Air is perfect for 80% of students, while the Pro is ideal for more intensive academic work. Both are great picks—as long as you choose the M1 version, not the Intel.
Reminder: Avoid MacBook 2020 (Intel Chipset)
Not all 2020 MacBooks are created equal. While Apple began its transition to Apple Silicon that year, some early 2020 models still used Intel processors. It’s important to double-check the chipset before buying—especially if you’re purchasing a refurbished or used device.
The Intel-based 2020 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro look nearly identical to their M1 counterparts but come with:
- Lower battery life
- Higher heat and more fan noise
- Slower performance across the board
- Shorter expected software support from Apple
In contrast, the M1 models (launched in November 2020) offer superior speed, energy efficiency, and long-term support—making them far better choices for students in 2025 and beyond.
How to tell the difference?
- Look for “Apple M1” in the product specs.
- If it says “Intel Core i5” or “Intel Core i7,” skip it.
- On UpTrade, we clearly label whether a MacBook has an Intel or Apple Silicon chip, so you can shop with confidence.
Where to Find the Best Deals on Refurbished MacBooks
When it comes to buying a refurbished MacBook for school, where you buy matters just as much as what you buy. That’s where UpTrade makes it easier.
Instead of hunting across multiple websites, UpTrade allows you to:
- ✅ Compare real-time prices from trusted certified sellers like Apple Refurbished Store, Amazon Renewed, BestBuy Certified, and Gazelle.
- ✅ Shop only from verified sellers—no sketchy listings or shady marketplaces.
- ✅ See consistent condition grading across all sellers—whether it's “Pristine,” “Excellent,” “Good,” or “Fair.” You can have an apple-to-apple comparison.
- ✅ Avoid risks of Craigslist, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace—all listings on UpTrade are professionally inspected and certified.
📚 Whether you’re shopping for middle school, high school, or college—UpTrade makes it easy to find a Certified Used MacBook that fits your budget and needs.
👉 Explore Certified Refurbished MacBook Deals on UpTrade: https://uptradeit.com/buy-macbook
Conclusion: What’s the Best Back-to-School MacBook in 2025?
For students heading back to school in 2025, the best MacBook is one that balances performance, portability, long-term support, and affordability. That’s why we recommend:
- ✅ MacBook Air 2020 (M1) — starting at $380+, it’s lightweight, powerful enough for everyday tasks, and has excellent battery life.
- ✅ MacBook Pro 2020 (M1) — starting at $520+, it’s better for heavier workloads and offers active cooling and a brighter display.
Both models feature Apple’s highly reliable Magic Keyboard and are part of the Apple Silicon lineup, which means they’ll continue getting macOS updates for years to come.
🎯 Just make sure to avoid Intel-based 2020 MacBooks, even if they look the same—they’re slower, run hotter, and won’t be supported as long.
FAQs: Best Back-to-School MacBook in 2025
1. What’s the best MacBook for students under $500?
The MacBook Air 2020 (M1) is the best pick under $500. It starts around $380 Certified Used and offers excellent performance, battery life, and long-term software support.
2. What’s the difference between MacBook Air 2020 and MacBook Pro 2020?
The MacBook Pro 2020 has a brighter screen, active cooling for better sustained performance, and a Touch Bar. It’s better suited for more demanding workloads, while the MacBook Air is lighter and fanless.
3. Should I avoid MacBooks with Intel chips?
Yes. Intel-based MacBooks (especially pre-2020) offer lower performance, worse battery life, and shorter future support. Always look for “Apple M1” or newer chips when buying in 2025.
4. Are refurbished MacBooks safe to buy for school use?
Absolutely—if you buy from certified sellers. UpTrade compares listings from trusted partners like Apple, Amazon, and BestBuy, ensuring that all devices are professionally inspected and tested.
5. How long will the 2020 M1 MacBooks be supported?
Apple typically provides software updates for 6–7 years. The 2020 M1 MacBooks will likely receive macOS updates through at least 2027–2028.
6. What MacBook models should I avoid for school in 2025?
Avoid all Intel-based MacBooks from 2020 and earlier. Also skip 2019 or older models due to keyboard reliability issues and aging hardware.
7. Is Apple doing a back to school promo in 2025?
Apple typically runs back-to-school promotions from June to September each year, often including discounts or free accessories for students. Check Apple’s Education Store or authorized retailers for 2025 updates. However, you can find a Certified Used / Refurbished MacBook for a much lower price.
8. How to get a MacBook at a low price for a student?
Compare Certified Used or Refurbished listings on UpTrade to find deals starting as low as $380. You can also check Apple’s student discounts, trade-in offers, or look for M1 MacBooks from trusted sellers.
9. How do students afford MacBooks?
Many students buy Certified Used or Refurbished MacBooks to cut costs. Others use education discounts, financing plans, or support from family or school programs to help cover the cost.
10. Can you get a MacBook cheaper if you are a student?
Yes. Apple’s Education Store offers student discounts, and many certified sellers also have back-to-school pricing or open-box deals. You can also find the lowest certified prices on UpTrade here.
11. Is it worth it to get a MacBook for school?
Yes. MacBooks offer strong battery life, reliable software, and long-term macOS support—especially M1 models. They’re ideal for schoolwork, online classes, creative tasks, and more.
