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Top 7 Mac Apps for Students
Apple has revolutionized the laptop market with the M1 chip. The M1 Macs deliver exceptional performance and impressive battery life, making them an ideal choice for college students. In addition, Apple’s student discount further enhances their appeal. Continue reading to discover the top Mac apps for students.
Apple’s default Mac apps are limited. The Mac ecosystem is full of useful apps that can help you through your graduation years.
Our top pick from the bunch is Obsidian.
1. Obsidian
The note-taking game has changed recently. We are no longer limited to apps like OneNote or Evernote. Obsidian is a modular productive tool that allows you to create a vault and add notes to it. Here’s where Obsidian differs from the competition.
You can link notes in the app to create a mind map. This is helpful for students. You can create a Physics vault and link other notes to it. The possibilities are endless. Obsidian has just released an iOS app. Paid plans start at $4 per month for syncing content on different platforms.
2. TickTick
TickTick is a essential Mac app for students, it handles task management, habit tracking, Pomodoro, and basic project management. It’s a cross-platform solution with native apps on Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac.
TickTick offers theming options beyond dark and white themes. The software includes themed based on popular cities worldwide, which are aesthetically pleasing and have matching app icons. The Mac app allows project management with kanban boards, although this feature is unavailable on mobile. TickTick’s pricing begins at $1.49 per month.
3. Notion
Notion has gained popularity among power users. It is an ideal software for students who want to organize their class notes, exam schedules, project management, and note-taking in one place.
Notion is easy to use and offers built-in templates, including ones specifically designed for students. Choose a template that suits your preferences and start creating professional-looking Notion pages.
You can create a resume Notion page and share it with recruiters to make a great first impression. Notion is free for personal use. Download the app and start creating a workspace.
4. Filmora
Not everyone needs a pro-level video editor. The learning curve with popular names like Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro is steep.
If you want a simple yet powerful video editor for Mac, look no further than Filmora. It supports the M1 chip and comes loaded with useful features in a familiar UI.
One notable add-on is the live portrait effect in video backgrounds. Filmora’s AI-based video portrait can blur out the messy background effortlessly. Other features include stickers, motion tracking, audio enhancement tools, video effects, various import/export options, and more. Filmora is compatible with both Windows and Mac. The pricing starts at $51.99 per year or $79.99 for a lifetime license.
5. 1Password
1Password is a crucial tool for students. It helps you remember confidential information like bank accounts, login IDs, and passwords.
1Password supports multiple vaults, allowing you to create separate vaults for different sections such as Social, Finance, Entertainment, and Family.
1Password is available on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and popular browsers like Microsoft Edge, Safari, and Google Chrome. It also offers TOTP (Time-based one-time password), a password generator, Watchtower to alert you about repetitive passwords, and more. The subscription starts at $2.99 per month.
6. Cleanshot X
The default screen capture and recording tools are adequate. However, you can enhance the screen capture experience with Cleanshot X. Cleanshot X improves screenshots by adding annotations and a timer function. It also allows you to record your screen with a live thumbnail in one of the corners.
You can capture part of a video and turn it into a gif. The software is priced at $29 for a one-time purchase. It’s ideal for students who need to take many screenshots on Mac.
7. PDFpen
PDFpen is a powerful PDF editor for Mac that is both user-friendly and feature-rich. It allows you to sign documents, delete or move pages, merge documents, and remove sensitive information quickly. With OCR technology, PDFpen can also convert PDFs into editable text, making it a valuable tool for reducing paperwork in college.
PDFpen is available on Apple platforms – Mac, iPad, and iPhone. You can edit a document on one platform and continue on another device. PDFpen supports iCloud and Dropbox for saving and syncing PDF files. The cost of PDFpen is $79.99 for a one-time purchase.
Start Your College Journey with Mac
Although the M1 Mac supports iPhone apps, the experience isn’t smooth. Currently, we recommend sticking with Mac-specific apps to enhance productivity.
Do you have any other useful Mac apps for students? Share them in the comments below.
Next up: Your Mac will eventually accumulate cache and junk files. Learn about the top five Mac cleaner apps in the post below.
As Fred Humiston, the author behind Twothirds.us, I focus on providing practical and easy-to-follow guides and solutions for a variety of technical issues that people commonly face.
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