Best Deals On Macbooks

Students preparing to head back to school or even embark on a new college journey can benefit from having the right technology at their fingertips. Between desktop Macs, MacBook Pro laptops, and even iPads, choosing the perfect device for school can mean sorting through hundreds of different configurations.

AppleInsider is breaking down your list of options to find the best Mac for students, whether you're a college student heading off to campus this fall or the parent of a child in elementary school needing a budget-friendly Apple computer for remote learning. From the longest battery life to the lowest Apple prices on machines that offer best-in-class performance, we've got you covered.

Students who need a bit more power, such as artists and designers, can easily find it here. The large, 16-inch screen provides ample working space at a 3072-by-1920 native resolution, perfect for working in programs like Photoshop and Final Cut Pro. The option to upgrade to a Core i9 processor means you'll always have power to spare, regardless of the project.

Current 16-inch MacBook Pro prices; Best MacBook Pro deals; Students who need a bit more power, such as artists and designers, can easily find it.
Aug 27, 2020.

Aug 19, 2020.

Depending on what programs students will be running, they have several memory and graphics options available to them. For general use, the base 16 gigabytes of memory will be more than enough for most students and has the added benefit of saving them money. If a student plans on doing extensive video editing or 3D modeling, they can upgrade to either 32 or 64 gigabytes of RAM at an additional cost.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro has a variety of options when it comes to graphics, as well. The base model features an AMD Radeon Pro 5300M card with 4GB of GDDR6 memory, which is sufficient for most users. However, power users may find that upgrading to the AMD Radeon Pro 5600M option gives them better results when working in programs like Maya or AutoCad.

For students in creative majors, such as digital arts and design, we suggest upgrading storage to at least 1TB, if not more. That assures that you won't be butting up against storage caps during finals week. For multi-device users, an iCloud account is recommended, especially for students who like to split between working on a MacBook Pro and an iPad.

As always, it's suggested that prospective students speak to their academic advisors about what sort of computer may best suit their needs.

High performance
Long battery life
Big screen

Expensive
Heavy
Huge footprint

What the MacBook Air lacks in power it makes up for it in portability and price. You can get a new baseline MacBook Air for $899 with a student discount. The 13.3-inch retina display will display your notes and video in brilliant colors at a high 2560-by-1600 resolution.

There are two Thunderbolt 3 ports on the side, which means you can charge your device and connect an external drive or peripheral at the same time. Higher-end MacBooks have more ports, though, so having only a two-port option might be a deal-breaker.

Because it weighs in at only 2.8 pounds, your back will thank you as you move about the campus during the day. The base model comes with a 1.1GHz Core i3 processor with 256GB of storage. This configuration works great for most use cases related to studying and note-taking. If you need more processing power, you can upgrade to an i5 or i7 chipset, or double your RAM to 16GB for a premium.

The mid-tier MacBook Air retails for $1,299 with the i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Upgrading the memory or processor past this configuration leads you into 13-inch MacBook Pro pricing territory, but only upgrade to that machine if graphic processing for design apps and games are important to you.

Low price
Lightweight
Small form factor

Low performance
Upgrades are expensive
Only two ports

The 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro is a portable Mac for students

Whether you're a commuter, living in a dorm, or simply want the option to take your MacBook Pro to class, the best all-around choice is the new 13-inch MacBook Pro. It combines portability with enough power for nearly any project most students will encounter.

The small size means it fits easily into most backpacks and laptop bags, but the 2560-by-1600 native resolution allows for ample working space. This makes it ideal for writing papers or working in your college's course management system, and the gorgeous retina display is ideal for streaming your favorite Apple TV+ shows.

This MacBook has several different storage options to choose from. We suggest that students upgrade to the one terabyte storage option, which allows them to store papers, projects, and pictures without fear of butting up against the storage capacity. For users who save a lot of music or video files, we suggest at least two terabytes to be safe.

For the average college student, the base 16 gigabytes of memory should be plenty. Users who do more intense programs, or those looking to future-proof their MacBook for a bit may want to upgrade to the 32-gigabyte option, but it comes at an additional cost.

Again, for most students, the 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor will be more than enough. For students who plan on dabbling in video editing or 3D modeling software, upgrading to the Intel Core i7 option may be ideal.

If you're not sure what upgrades you should pick, your academic advisor or a professor in your major should be able to help point you in the right direction.

Smaller size
Faster processor in base model
Plenty of upgrade options

High starting price when compared to similar MacBook Air
Must upgrade to more expensive option for more ports
No discrete GPU options

We might all want a MacBook Pro, but if you can live without the portability, then invariably –– invariably –– a desktop computer will give you more performance, more power, and more storage than a laptop for the same price. Plus, no MacBook Pro can match the screen of a 27-inch iMac.

That clearly makes this machine a perfect buy for arts, graphics, or media students. However, you don't need to be running Photoshop or Final Cut Pro X to appreciate the benefits of an exceptional screen.

Plus, the way the 27-inch iMac 5K is effectively a slim screen with a computer hidden inside it, means that it's a great buy for a small dorm. You could do with a good lock on that dorm, but you couldn't do better than this iMac.

The same iMac range does include a 21-inch model, with a screen that is optionally 4K, but it isn't recommended. The 27-inch version doesn't just come with six more inches of screen diagonally, it comes with higher resolution, and processors up to 8-core Intel Core i9.

The 21.5-inch iMac can have up to six cores and Intel Core i7. The non-Retina edition has only two cores and an Intel Core i5 processor. The 27-inch model easily beats both of these with its graphics processor options, too.

Large high-resolution displays
Highly configurable and upgradable
Choose your own mouse and keyboard

Not portable
Still ships with slow HDD or Fusion Drives in lower-tier models
Old design that might be changed in next update

The budget-friendly Mac mini is a great option for college students

The Mac mini is officially a desktop, but it's small enough that you could move it around easily. You wouldn't take it to class, and you couldn't do much with it once you got there, but when you need to move where you set up your work, its small size is convenient. And it belies just how powerful the tiny Mac for students can be.

You do have to buy a separate screen, keyboard, and mouse or trackpad, however. And while the entry-level version now comes with 256GB of SSD storage, that's still not excessive. When it came with 128GB SSD, it was essential to pay extra to get more and that's no longer true, but buying 512GB will make for a better, longer-lasting machine.

Semi-portable in small casing
Choose your own monitor, keyboard, and mouse
Many ports

High base model price while still needing all the peripherals
256GB at entry model is untenable
Low powered processor options and no discrete graphics

If your coursework can be accomplished via a web app or you do not need any specific desktop-based applications, you may want to try an iPad for school. If you're using an iPad for schoolwork, you'll likely want a keyboard and trackpad as well, which does add to the overall cost.

Of course, there is also the option of buying the iPad as an add-on device and use it as a small note-taking tablet with Apple Pencil or as an extended display for your Mac with SideCar. However, should you decide to take advantage of the iPad, the device can significantly enhance any workflow.

As a reminder, the iPad can only run apps from the App Store, so you'll need to ensure you can perform your classwork from the iPad before purchasing the device.

The 10.2-inch iPad has a retina display and lacks some of the more pro-level features to drive the price down. It supports the first-generation Apple Pencil and Apple's Smart Keyboard. The current iPad has an A10 Fusion chip that is still supported by iPadOS and can easily run modern applications.

This is the perfect device for a young student just starting out, and Apple pushes this device for education markets. The base model has 32GB of storage for $329, but it is recommended you upgrade to the 128GB option for $100 more.

The iPad Air is Apple's best iPad that still has Touch ID. It has a laminated 10.5-inch display and supports the first-generation Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. Its A12 Bionic chip delivers a similar experience to what is found on the pro models, but in an older design.

You'll likely want the iPad Air if you don't want to spend more on the pro models or just want to use it as a secondary computer. The iPad Air starts at $499 with 64GB of storage, but as with the base iPad, it might be wise to upgrade the memory to the next tier. The 256GB model is $649.

The iPad mini is essentially the iPad Air crammed into a 7.9-inch display. There is no Smart Keyboard, but the first-generation Apple Pencil is compatible. The $399 price gets you 64GB, and upgrade to 256GB for $549. The A12 Bionic is used in this model and excels in the smaller display.

The iPad mini is a versatile device. You can attach a keyboard and use it as a miniature computer, or carry it in your pocket with the Pencil and have a portable-digital notepad.

The iPad Pro is Apple's flagship tablet, and the company promotes it as a fully capable Mac alternative. You could use it as a second display or notepad like with the other models, but as these devices cost as much as a MacBook Air or Mac mini, you'll likely want it for more.

The A12Z Bionic, LiDAR camera and full-screen 120Hz display set the iPad Pro apart. Apple also offers a unique keyboard called the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, and it features scissor-switch keys and a trackpad on a thin-designed case. Combine this with the second-generation Apple Pencil, and you'll have a laptop/tablet combo that takes whatever shape you need on the fly.

The 11-inch iPad Pro is $799, and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is $999 for 128GB of storage. This can be increased up to 1TB of storage in either for a $500 increase.

All iPad models can be configured with cellular for a $150 price increase at purchase.

Ultimately, the best Mac for students is dependent on each person's particular needs, including grade level, college major, learning environment (remote vs in-person) and budget. To all the students out there, we wish you the best of luck as you hit the books for the 2020-2021 school year.

We could easily write a novel on Apple’s high prices, but for now, we’ll stick to an article explaining how to avoid them. Or, at least, avoid them as best you can. Even when discounted you’re still going to pay a pretty penny to get your hands on that refined aluminum casing.

Below, we’ve covered everything you need to know about finding the best deals on MacBooks and iMacs, from where you should buy a Mac to when.

Let’s get started!

Contents

1 The best places to buy a MacBook or iMac
2 How to get the best deal on a MacBook or iMac
3 When to buy a MacBook or iMac
5 FAQs

The best places to buy a MacBook or iMac

Amazon.com

Surprisingly, one of the best places to buy Apple products is from one of its biggest competitors: Amazon. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, then you’re probably familiar with perks like free shipping and Prime Video. What you may not have noticed before, however, is that many products on Amazon are heavily discounted for Prime members, especially when it comes to tech.

Apple products are no exception. With a Prime membership, you can save $50 on MacBook Air, $150 on the MacBook Pro, and $100 on an iMac. And if you have the Amazon Prime Store Card you get an additional 5% off – that could be as much as an additional $100 off. Definitely a great place to look while you’re searching for a Mac.

Best Buy

Best Buy is well known for being one of the best places to buy tech products, and Apple computers are no exception. Best Buy frequently offers hefty discounts on Apple products that Apple themselves never do. You can catch these year-round deals pretty easily by simply signing up for Best Buy’s newsletter.

At the time of writing, they’re offering $200 off of the 16-inch MacBook Pro. Additionally, Best Buy has a free loyalty program that offers weekly discounts on various Apple products. And they have a price match policy, so if you find a better deal somewhere else, you can get the same deal at Best Buy by speaking with a representative.

Authorized resellers

Last but not least, you can search Apple’s authorized resellers online and see if any are offering better deals than on Apple’s website. Authorized resellers are just retailers that Apple has permitted to sell its products. That includes Amazon and Best Buy as well as Walmart, Target, and more. On this website, MacPrices.net, you can easily find which resellers are offering the best deals on any Apple product.

How to get the best deal on a MacBook or iMac

Of course, there’s more to getting a good deal on a MacBook than simply buying through different stores. Though this can save you a hundred or so dollars, there are even more savings to be had if you’re willing to shop smart and compromise a bit.

Shop for refurbished devices

Many people are against buying refurbished products because they worry that the product will have a shorter lifespan, lack the latest features, or come looking less than new. While some of these can be true, Apple products are highly regarded for their long lifespans and retention of value. This is especially true for Macs, which can easily last up to ten years.

On Apple’s website, you’ll find a refurbished section where you can buy products that are a year or older than the latest models. When Apple refurbishes a Mac, they replace the outer shell by default and any other components that aren’t up to its standards. In other words, you’re getting a device that’s very close to new.

The refurbished section of Apple’s website is constantly changing, so it’s good to check it frequently when you’re getting ready to buy a Mac. Also, as a word of warning, you can purchase refurbished products elsewhere, but be aware that many other stores (namely Amazon) don’t have the best track record with refurbished products.

Buy secondhand

Another way to get a great deal on a MacBook or iMac is to buy one secondhand. When doing this, you’re likely to get a product that’s two or more years old and will probably not be as intact as Apple’s refurbished products.

However, you will find incredible deals, sometimes stumbling across Macs that are half the price they should be. You can find these sorts of deals on eBay, Craigslist, LetGo, and Facebook Marketplace. Just make sure you inspect the product and get its model number before finalizing the deal.

Buy last year’s model

This is a pretty simple way to get a good deal on a MacBook, but it’s also pretty effective. As mentioned before, Macs are great at retaining their value and don’t become “old” until five years down the road. With that kind of timeframe, you can easily pick up a Mac from Apple’s website that’s a year or two old, saving you hundreds by comparison to the newest model.

In some cases, you may miss out on features or upgrades, but when considering that, it’s important to remember that you’re buying a computer and not a smartphone. Computers have more or less plateaued in terms of new features and upgrades, so unless you’re a pro user, you aren’t going to miss much by sticking to an older model.

Pay in installments

This is only recommended if you have solid credit and are comfortable with making installment payments. If both of those things are true for you, then this is a great way to grab a Mac that you wouldn’t normally be able to afford.

You will need the Apple Card, Apple’s credit card, but if you already have that, you can easily use an installment plan at checkout. If you don’t have the Apple Card, you can still pay with installments by visiting certain authorized Apple resellers.

Buy with education pricing

Finally, if you’re a student or educator, you can purchase Apple devices through Apple’s education store. The deals here aren’t incredible, but they’re worth it if you’re a student and want to get the latest Mac available. Apple also offers annual deals at the end of summer for college students where you can usually get a gift card or pair of Beats headphones when buying a Mac.

When to buy a MacBook or iMac

If you’re a serious shopper, you’ll also want to consider when you’re buying a MacBook. This is because Apple upgrades its computers regularly, and the last thing you want is to buy a new Mac only to have it replaced a week later. To avoid this, you can wait to buy a Mac in July or October, which are usually the months after Apple has just announced a new product.

Best Deal On Mac Laptop

For those who aren’t so great at keeping up with Apple’s product launches, you’re in luck! Thanks to the internet, you can easily see if Apple’s about to launch a new Mac by searching “when does the next Mac come out”. If it’s more than three months away, you’re probably fine just buying whatever model is available now.

That said, Apple announced at this year’s WWDC20 conference that it is moving away from Intel processors and towards the creation of its own Apple Silicon. Though it’s not entirely clear how this will affect the Mac lineup, it is clear that these Macs are going to be Apple’s focus moving forward. So if you’re planning on buying a Mac soon, it might be worth waiting until the end of 2020 to see what Apple has in store for its Mac products.

Does Apple have Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals?

Of course, we have to mention Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, as they are the most exciting time to buy expensive toys. Unfortunately, Apple is pretty lackluster when it comes to both of these events. They rarely participate in Cyber Monday and most of the time only offer 5% off on Black Friday – and that’s usually only on select products.

If you want to get a good Black Friday deal on a Mac, you’ll be better off looking to Apple resellers.

Is buying a Mac from Apple really that bad?

There are some benefits to buying a Mac from Apple. You get to visit the Apple Store, which adds a bit of magic to the process. But otherwise, there’s no reason to purchase directly from Apple unless you don’t mind tossing the extra cash away. There are almost always better deals elsewhere, and with products so expensive, it’s worth doing your research to save a couple hundred dollars.