Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Deals

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Student? Buy an iPad or Mac today and Apple will throw in some free AirPods

Jennifer Allen
By
Image used with permission by copyright holder

It’s time to think about what to buy for your return to school and Apple has just provided some fantastic offers courtesy of its ‘Back to School’ student sale. Right now, if you buy an iPad or Mac for college with the educational pricing discount, you also get a free pair of AirPods and 20% off AppleCare+, along with discounts on accessories. If you’re thinking about buying some new tech for the school year, this is the ideal time. Not sure whether to go with an iPad or Mac? Read on to find out more.

Both Macs and iPads are pretty great. Ultimately, whichever you go with, you’ll be happy. However, there are some key advantages to both.

Generally, an iPad is best for students who want to type up notes while on the move. You can pair it with a Smart Keyboard and easily catch up on writing notes or doing research while you’re between classes. All iPads are slim and lightweight so they’re easy to toss into your bag, plus they have great battery life. You won’t miss out on entertainment either as the broad range of available apps ensures you can check out the latest streaming hits on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.

More Apple

An iMac or MacBook is a better fit for students who need to complete more intense tasks on their setup. Do you need to edit a video in Final Cut Pro X for instance? Or maybe your studies require you to tweak pictures in Photoshop on a regular basis? While the iPad offers some cut-down versions of these apps, you need a Mac to get the best out of these editing opportunities. Anything processor-intensive tends to fare far better with a Mac setup than a tablet like the iPad.

Related

Whatever you choose, you’ll be happy – even more so with free AirPods. There’s also a year of free Apple TV+ and three months of free Apple Music up for grabs, along with 20% off AppleCare+, which is a huge help if you run into any issues with your system. Via the student discount scheme, you can grab the latest MacBook Air from $900, or the latest iPad Air from $480.

The free AirPods offer and the reductions on AppleCare+ only last until September 29. That’s enough time to consider your options and see whether a Mac or iPad is best for you but you want to spend the summer enjoying your new tech, right? Grab the deal now if you know what’s the right fit for you.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Jennifer Allen
Jennifer Allen
Deals Writer
Jennifer Allen is a technology writer with over 10 years of experience. She primarily writes about the best deals coverage…
Two popular iPad models just got pretty steep price cuts — from $250
A YouTube video playing on the iPad (2022).

The current and previous model of the entry-level Apple iPad have both received significant price cuts from Best Buy, so if you're on the hunt for cheap iPad deals, these are the offers that you wouldn't want to miss. The Wi-Fi, 64GB model of the ninth-generation Apple iPad is down to $250 from $330 for savings of $80, while the Wi-Fi, 64GB model of the 10th-generation Apple iPad is on sale for $349 following a $100 discount on its original price of $449. We're not sure how long stocks will last for these tablets, so if you're interested in taking advantage of either of these offers, you need to hurry with your purchase. If you don't act fast, you may miss out on the savings.
Apple iPad 9th Gen (Wi-Fi, 64GB) -- $250, was $330

The ninth-generation Apple iPad was released in 2021, but it maintains a spot in our list of the best iPads as the best iPad on a budget. It's still a very reliable and solid choice if you want an Apple tablet, with a 10.2-inch Retina display that's bright and beautiful, and smooth performance despite the relatively old A13 Bionic chip that was introduced in the iPhone 11 because it can be upgraded to the latest iPadOS 17. The device also features an 8MP Wide back camera, a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage technology, the Touch ID fingerprint recognition system for security, and battery life of up to 10 hours on a single charge.

Read more
Hurry! This iPad just crashed back to its Black Friday price
The iPad on a tablet displaying web content.

If you've always wanted to buy an iPad but the latest releases are beyond your budget, you may want to consider going for a previous-generation model like the 2021 Apple iPad. The tablet's Wi-Fi, 64GB model, which is already relatively affordable at $330, is currently even cheaper from Best Buy, as an $80 discount pulls its price down to $250. That's what the device was going for during the iPad deals of Black Friday 2023, so if you missed the chance to take advantage of that bargain, proceed with your purchase immediately to make sure this opportunity doesn't slip away.

Why you should buy the 2021 Apple iPad
The ninth-generation Apple iPad, which was released in 2021, will be three years old in several months. However, it's still listed in our roundup of the best iPads as the best iPad on a budget, as it still offers great performance by today's standards with Apple's A13 Bionic chip that also powered the iPhone 11 series. The tablet also features a 10.2-inch Retina display with 2160 x 1620 resolution, for sharp details and vivid colors when you're browsing the internet, watching streaming shows, and playing mobile games.

Read more
Best MacBook deals: Get an Air for $605 and save on M3 MacBook Pro
A MacBook Pro M2 sits on a wooden table with a nice bokeh background.

Apple has long been known to turn out some of the best laptops, with models like the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro regularly being among the most sought-after laptops. It can actually be difficult to land some decent Apple deals, as the brand's popularity keeps many of its products from seeing the bargain bin. Right now, however, Apple has a lot of options among the best laptop deals. The original Apple Silicon MacBook Air is seeing some of its lowest prices ever, and there’s even some newer MacBook Pros discounted right now. Whether you’re in search of a MacBook Air or a MacBook Pro, reading onward you’ll find the best MacBook deals currently available.
Best MacBook Air (M1) deals

The Apple MacBook Air (M1) started a seismic shift for Apple being the first of its Airs to have an Apple-based processor. We took a look at the differences between the M2 and M1 and the M1 is still looking pretty great. It's also a touch nearer to affordable than anything else here. Fast yet fanless so it's silent to use, you gain an 18-hour battery life, a gorgeous looking 13.3-inch Retina display along with all the effortless style you'd expect from an Apple device. These laptops are best for students or those who want something stylish yet reasonably powerful to use on the move. Nowadays, deals are becoming a little harder to come by unless you're willing to consider a refurbished/renewed model.

Read more