Want a MacBook for college but shopping on a student budget? I found a secret weapon for saving cash

Purchasing one of the top student laptops isn’t always simple, particularly if you’re on a tight budget and have your eye on an Apple MacBook. MacBooks are among the priciest laptops available, and even while they are feature-rich and nearly indestructible, they can still negatively impact your finances.

Although Apple provides student discounts on a variety of its products, these aren’t the most substantial deals available. What if I told you, however, that there is an alternative to purchasing a cheap MacBook from a dubious third-party source or sacrificing quality? Actually, you can save hundreds of dollars by purchasing a high-quality MacBook straight from Apple.

Since I used this procedure myself and am still happy with the results years later, I can also attest to its effectiveness. You can obtain a great new Mac for college without going over budget if you give it a try.

Apple’s education store

Using Apple’s school website is the most traditional method of obtaining one of the top MacBooks for college. This site offers a variety of student discounts on gadgets like Macs and iPads, and Apple frequently includes free extras (such an Apple Pencil or a pair of AirPods) with purchases made through this store.

The issue is that the offers you’ll discover there aren’t necessarily all that alluring. The MacBook Air, for example, is sold through Apple’s education site for $899 instead of its usual $999 price. Most Macs only come with a $100 discount. A 10% reduction is acceptable but not revolutionary.

It’s worth a look if you’re in the market for an Apple product and were already going to purchase one of the complimentary accessories that the business offers. For example, if you were going to purchase a MacBook and a new Magic Mouse, Apple is offering the latter for free, which is a fantastic offer. However, these deals don’t last long, so if you’re unable to take advantage of them or would prefer to spend even more money on a laptop rather than an unnecessary accessory, you should look elsewhere.

Please understand that any savings are welcome, and that taking advantage of the $100 discount offered by Apple’s school store would be significantly worse. However, I am confident that we can surpass it.

The refurbished alternative

Let’s enter the Certified Refurbished store for Apple. A wide variety of Apple goods that have been returned by prior customers, fitted and fixed by Apple, and then offered at a substantial discount can be found there.

I understand your question: why would you purchase a reconditioned item when Apple offers brand-new ones? Refurbished ones often have dents, scratches, and other issues, don’t they?

When you purchase from third-party reconditioned outlets rather than Apple, that may be the case. Apple’s refurbishment procedure is thorough: every gadget is cleaned, tested, and inspected by the business, any defective parts are replaced with authentic replacement parts, and it is shipped to you for free in a new box with new cables and accessories. Along with a one-year warranty, you may choose to have your device insured through AppleCare.

A few years ago, I purchased a MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro chip from Apple’s reconditioned store. I just wouldn’t have thought it wasn’t a brand-new laptop when it arrived; everything about it, from the brand-new, unopened box to the immaculate body free of scratches, suggested it was a brand-new item.

Discounts on discounts

The price is the actual deal with the rebuilt route. The entry-level M4 MacBook Air is available for $899 at Apple’s school shop, but it’s even cheaper at $849 at the reconditioned store. It would seem obvious to save even more money on something that is nearly identical to a brand-new MacBook.

Although searching eBay or Facebook Marketplace may provide a Mac that is even less expensive, the quality and guarantee will be significantly inferior.

The refurbished store’s only drawback is that some websites offer new Macs at prices comparable to Apple’s, so it’s usually worthwhile to periodically check major retailers to see how they stack up. Naturally, a brand-new MacBook is a better alternative if it costs less than one of Apple’s reconditioned models.

However, Apple’s renovated store is a terrific location to browse if you’re in dire need of anything right now and want to get a deal without sacrificing your piece of mind. You might even end up with a little extra cash in your pocket and a top-notch laptop for college.