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Apple has officially launched its 2022 Back To School gift card promotion for students looking to purchase new Macs and iPads. There are better offers — and you don’t have to be a student or faculty member to qualify.
While many models of Mac and iPad are offered at a lower effective pricing, students may want faster delivery, or simply just a lower cost at checkout for specific configurations.
Our Apple Price Guide has better deals that what Apple is offering, on a wider range of hardware.
Mac
MacBook Air with M1 chip
The entry-level MacBook Air is perfect for on-the-go studying with its slim and compact body, long battery life, and lightweight design.
However, in order to receive the $150 store credit, Apple shipping will take up to two weeks for the order to ship.
If you would like to forgo the gift card for faster shipping, B&H has both the Space Gray and Silver models in stock and ready to ship.
Adorama has the Gold model ready to ship when our readers use this cost-saving activation link and promo code APINSIDER at checkout to also reduce the price to $899.
MacBook Pro with M2 chip
A balance between performance and price, the M2-powered 13-inch MacBook Pro provides longer battery life, active cooling, and the Touch Bar all in a sleek design.
While Apple is offering a $50 discount on AppleCare for this model, Adorama is offering $149 off AppleCare for the 2022 MacBook Pro when shopping through this activation link and entering coupon code APINSIDER at checkout. Find out more about the offer.
MacBook Pro 14-inch
It combines an incredible selection of ports with an incredible camera and sound system for the ultimate portable pro notebook experience.
Apple will also include a gift card with your purchase.
However, while Apple will take five to seven weeks to ship your order, Adorama can ship within five days. You can use code APINSIDER with this money-saving activation link to redeem the offer at its order page.
This is the same case for higher-tier stock configuration of 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD of the 14-inch model. Apple and several resellers are currently offering this configuration for $2,299, in both Space Gray and Silver color options.
While Apple offers a gift card, it also takes up to seven weeks to ship. Apple retailers have the machines in stock, meaning they can get to your door much faster.
Our 14-inch MacBook Pro Price Guide has more choices for similarly-lowered prices on special configurations, some with much faster shipping times compared to Apple.
16-inch MacBook Pro
The largest MacBook in Apple’s lineup brings an even more expansive Liquid Retina XDR display, even better speakers and audio, with better cooling and performance for the ultimate mobile workstation.
The M1 Pro chip in the 16-inch MacBook Pro is limited to the single 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU variant.
Adorama offers the best deals for both color options with code APINSIDER at checkout: The Space Gray model is $4 less than Apple’s offering at $2,295 with this activation link and promo code APINSIDER, while the Silver model is identical to Apple’s price at $2,299 with the link to the left and the APINSIDER coupon code. AppleCare is also $80 off with the code when added to a 16-inch system at time of purchase.
Both models are in stock at the time of writing, and the same trade off of gift card versus faster shipping applies.
Other models, such as the highest-end stock configuration of 10-core CPU, 32-core GPU M1 Max with 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD are available at similar prices to Apple, but there is a likelihood that it will ship quicker than Apple’s own estimate of up to seven weeks.
iMac
The M1 chip is now in a fresh new all-in-one design featuring seven color options, a ultra-thin edge, and advanced connectivity that fits in well with any dorm room aesthetic.
The entry-level 7-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD model is available at $50 cheaper at $1,199 for the Blue model, and at $30 cheaper for the Green, Pink, and Silver models from Adorama. These four cheaper prices can be unlocked with code APINSIDER and this pricing link at checkout.
Adorama also offers a $30 discount when AppleCare coverage is added.
Apple lists all four models as shipping in one week to two weeks.
However, the Green model is on backorder, and the Silver is temporary unavailable from Adorama at the time of writing. Students are advised to weigh wait times and the lack of a gift card against savings at checkout.
Our 24-inch iMac Price Guide is constantly being updated with the latest information on pricing and availability from our various partners, so check the page out if you are looking for a different model.
Mac mini
The M1 chip is packaged in another desktop design with active cooling that allows the user to choose their preferred keyboard, mouse, and display setup.
While Apple does not offer a gift card for Mac mini, shoppers can find a fantastic deal from Amazon, and you don’t have to be a student to take advantage of it.
iPad
Apple offers a $100 Apple Gift Card for iPad Pro and iPad Air, alongside the regular educational discounts furnished for the tablet line.
iPad Pro
Featuring the same M1 chip found in the Mac, iPad Pro combines the 120Hz ProMotion technology with incredible displays, quad speakers, and a whole world of compatible accessories.
The entry-level 12.9-inch with 128GB of storage in Silver is available for the same $999 from Amazon. While Apple has the tablet back ordered by two weeks to three weeks, Amazon can ship within a single week.
Apple does offer the gift card, which Amazon does not.
iPad Air
Available in five colors, iPad Air brings the power of M1 into a more vibrant package that balances both price and incredible capability.
Compared to the $699 price offered by Apple, Amazon offers the 256GB Space Gray model for just $679.
Amazon will ship the iPad Air quicker, without the gift card.
iPad mini
The next-generation smallest iPad comes in four different colors and embraces an all-screen design with a larger active area, and brings Apple Pencil support for the first time. It is not eligible for Apple’s own free gift card offer for back-to-school, but it is eligible for cash discounts at Apple resellers.
The 64GB Pink model is $19.01 cheaper from Adorama when you use code APINSIDER and this activation link at checkout.
Other models are available from select resellers at the same price as Apple’s offering but will ship quicker. Visit our iPad mini Price Guide to see the options.
