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?

Amazon drops huge discounts on latest iPad and MacBook Air

Jace Zarley
By

With employers all over the nation instructing contractors and employees to work from home to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus — COVID-19 — the need for home office equipment has never been higher. To help make decking out your spare room with all the hardware required to get down to business lighter on your wallet, Amazon has discounted two must-have devices: the Apple iPad and MacBook Air.

New Apple iPad (10.2-inch) — $279, was $329

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The latest Apple iPad, only released in 2019, continues to be one of the best tablets on the market simply for the brains and brawn it packs into one stylish package. Its glossy 10.2-inch screen is designed with Apple’s signature Retina display to make every action and swipe feel fluid and smooth as satin. We’ve been using the iPad for a while, and even now, we’re still amazed by how the colors seem to pop and come to life. This gives every video or image a lively quality that’s rarely found in something so compact and light. In fact, at 1.07 pounds, the iPad is remarkably light.

The A10 Fusion processor allows you to handle some pretty intense applications like dedicated games and online streaming. It’s built for optimum performance with near-instant response times, completely alleviating the frustration that comes with input lag. With the iPad, you even have the option to multitask. This allows you to open two applications and work on them simultaneously on the same screen, cutting the time it takes to transition from one app to the other. The eight-megapixel back camera also allows you to film in 1080p HD resolution. For the front, it has a 1.2-megapixel HDR-enabled camera, so voice calls and video conferences are always clear no matter where you are. 

If you’re worried about the tablet dying while you’re out and about on your daily grind, don’t be. The iPad is capable of lasting up to 10 hours of non-stop use, even on Wi-Fi or data, so you can take your work with you anywhere you want without being chained to a socket or relying on a power bank every few hours. If you’d prefer a laptop, the iPad is compatible with the Smart Keyboard, so you can switch between laptop and tablet without ever having to migrate screens.  It’s currently available on Amazon in two storage sizes to complement your work style and workload, with options for 32GB and 128GB. Whichever you pick, you’re getting the same quality. The 32GB iPad is on sale for $279 while the 128GB is discounted at $399.

BUY NOW

Apple MacBook Air (2017) — $750, was $999

Apple

The Apple MacBook has been a staple for students and young working professionals since its initial release in 2006, and it has only become more of a powerhouse since then. While this MacBook Air isn’t the latest model, it’s still well regarded as a fully capable laptop that can round out any workspace — plus, it’s cheap. Some of us are still reeling over the prices of the latest MacBook Pros. And if it’s technical obsolescence that scares you, rest assured that some of us are still using our MacBooks from way back when, proving that this is definitely up to modern standards.

At first glance, the MacBook Air’s aluminum chassis reveals itself to be sleek and has a prominent air of professionalism about it. When it comes to Apple, the signature design is pure style, so you never have to worry about looking tacky. It has two USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt 2 ports each and an SDXC card slot, so you can stay connected to practically any device you might need. It’s simply efficiency at its finest.

The 13.3-inch display is LED-backlit with 1,440 x 900 resolution. So, if you’re going to edit videos or do intense work, this MacBook Air may not be the laptop for you, especially with the 128GB SSD. It’s best suited for office or simple work involving nothing too hardware-intensive. If you’ll only be writing documents, browsing the web, or organizing files, then this is perfect for you. The Intel HD Graphics 6000 isn’t very accommodating for larger programs, but simple applications — and even some online games — work just fine. For its processor, it uses a dual-core Intel Core i5 with 8GB of RAM, so it can run most software efficiently without too much trouble. If you’ll only be using one core, however, the MacBook Air has a Turbo Boost that upgrades its 1.8GHz to 2.9GHz to help process data faster.

All in all, if you’re looking for a good laptop on a budget for your home office or school, then you can’t go wrong with the MacBook Air, especially for beginners or those delving into the world of Apple for the first time. It’s on sale on Amazon for only $750, a whole $249 off its retail price.

BUY NOW

Check out our curated deals page for more great deals on other products to upgrade your home office like monitors and headphones.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Jace Zarley
Jace Zarley
Former Digital Trends Contributor
I find deals and write about them to help Digital Trends’ readers save on quality tech products.
Best Apple Deals: MacBooks, AirPods, iPads, iMacs, AirTags and more
dell xps 15 vs macbook pro 16 apple ry 14 1200x9999

Pretty much all Apple products are some of the best-in-class for their respective type of tech. However, you do pay for the privilege with many devices like iPads or MacBooks costing a little more than non-Apple variants. That's why it's so useful to find great Apple deals like the ones below. We've picked out some of the best ways to save substantially on highly sought after Apple products from accessories to AirPods and more. Take a look below at some of our favorite Apple deals right now.
AirTags (4-pack) -- $89, was $99

If you worry about misplacing items, you need Apple AirTags. With a simple one-tap setup, your iPhone or iPad is instantly connected to an AirTag so that you can always use find items via the Find My app. That could be your car keys, your bag, or anything else that you can fit or slip an AirTag into. If you misplace something, you can simply put the AirTag into Lost Mode to be notified when it's detected in the Find My network helping you pin it down. You can also play a sound through the built-in speaker if you know it's nearby but you're not sure if it's worth moving the couch to find it.

Read more
Best back-to-school iPad deals: Get an Apple tablet for $220
Someone using Final Cut Pro on an iPad.

If you need one of the best iPad deals for taking back to school, or simply for fun, we're here to help. With some great iPad deals going on right now, we've highlighted some of the best of the bunch. Below, we've picked out iPads covering various different budgets so there's something for everyone here from the basic iPad to the iPad Pro. Let's take a look at what's best for you.
Apple iPad (64GB, Wi-Fi, 7th Gen) -- $220, was $249

This Apple iPad 7th generation might not be very new anymore but thanks to Apple supporting its products for a while to come, it remains a good option for those wanting to keep costs down. This particular model is refurbished so it's had a previous owner but has since been restored to excellent quality, just like if you bought it new. It offers a 10.2-inch Retina display with a 2160 x 1620 resolution, Apple A10 Fusion chip, and a massive 128GB of storage space. It also has a 8MP camera although it's best suited for occasional snaps or video calls rather than pure photography. It's a great introduction to tablets if you want something iPadOS based without spending a lot.

Read more
Best Prime Day iPad Deals: Early deals land on top models
Digital Trends Best Prime Day iPad Deals

Prime Day deals are in full swing and we're seeing plenty of Prime Day iPad deals unfold. If you've been waiting to buy a new Apple-flavored tablet, this is your chance to do so while saving on the usual prices. There are plenty of discounts out there as well as different iPad models to consider. That's why we have them all listed below, along with prices and what you need to know about each of them. Take a look below and find the right iPad for your needs before Prime Day sales season ends.
Today's best Prime Day iPad deals
Apple iPad (2021) -- $250, was $329

The 2021 Apple iPad may offer few discernible upgrades over the previous two generations but that's because it follows an 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' mentality. It offers everything you could need from a simple tablet and a few extras that make it well worth the price. On the surface is its delightful 10.2-inch Retina display with True Tone support. That means that imagery looks great at all times with the iPad being the ideal device for streaming content or browsing the internet in style. Its stereo speakers certainly help ensure that this is a great option if you love to catch up with shows on Netflix while on the move.

Read more