MacBooks have a reputation for being some of the best laptops that money can buy, but even the most diehard of Apple fans canβt deny that Apple products are expensive.
While thereβs no such thing as a cheap MacBook, when itβs time to purchase a new laptop there are ways that you can shave a few pounds, or sometimes even hundreds of pounds, off the recommended retail price.
Is it always better to purchase Apple products directly from Apple? Or can you often get a better deal by shopping around? And does the time of year affect the price you pay?
In this article, Iβm going to show you how to get that new (or new-ish) MacBook, for less.
Do you really need the latest and greatest Mac?
While weβd all love to treat ourselves to Appleβs top-of-the-line, latest-and-greatest MacBook, you should ask yourself whether you really need the latest Mac. While itβs always nice to have the cutting-edge features youβve been hearing so much about, thereβs no point paying for functionality that youβre never actually going to use.
If you donβt have your heart set on the latest model, then immediately youβre going to save yourself some cash, but for the maximum saving you should try and find a Mac that meets all your requirements, without offering anything extra.
Finding the Mac thatβs perfect for you requires some research. You can compare some of the most recent models at Appleβs website, by selecting two different Macs and then clicking βCompare models.β This will return a detailed comparison of their technical specifications, along with cosmetic differences such as each laptopβs size, weight, and the colours itβs available in.
Although you can only compare recent releases at Appleβs website, if youβre open to purchasing an older model then thereβs plenty of third party comparison websites and buyerβs guides that can help you track down the model thatβs right for you.
Alternatively, if youβre comfortable with upgrading your electronics manually then you may want to research whether it makes more financial sense to purchase a Mac that doesnβt quite meet your needs, and then purchase and install the missing components. In particular, purchasing additional RAM separately often works out cheaper than purchasing a Mac that has this extra RAM built-in.
Time your purchase perfectly
We all know the feeling: you purchase something, only to spot it in the sale the very next day.
Thereβs nothing quite as frustrating as just missing out on a discount, so before buying a Mac itβs always worth checking the web for any hint that Apple might be about to announce a new MacBook. While thereβs never any guarantee that an online rumour will turn out to be true, product leaks have become so common thatΒ weβre rarely surprised by official announcements anymore.
Itβs not unusual to see a significant price drop in the current product line when everyone realises that a new, better model of Mac is just on the horizon! Your typical Mac is a significant purchase, so if the Internet rumour mill suggests that Apple might be about to make a big announcement, then hold off on hitting that βBuy Nowβ button!
Shop around
The Apple Store may be the official outlet for Apple products, but it doesnβt always represent the best value for money. Apple tend to be pretty rigid about sticking to the recommended retail price, so you can often get a better deal by taking your business elsewhere.
If you do decide to make a purchase outside of the official Apple Store, then you should always try to go with an Apple Authorized Reseller, as they offer exactly the same level of protection as the Apple Store. Youβll also have the option to purchase AppleCare if you want extended protection. Itβs also worth noting that Amazon have Authorized Reseller status, so even if a reseller isnβt physically present in your area, you can still connect with an Authorized Reseller online.
If you do discover that multiple third parties are offering your ideal Mac for the same price, then itβs always worth checking the small print as some retailers may offer discounts or added extras, such as extended warranties, or they might throw in free accessories. Even if your Mac comes with an extra product that you really donβt need, you can always sell it on eBay, or pass it onto a friend or family member if youβre feeling generous!
Buy refurbished
When it comes to recycling, Apple have the edge over most other electronics companies. Apple take in MacBooks that have been returned by their owners, fix any faults they might have, and then resell these Macs as βrefurbishedβ units for around 10-20% less than the retail price.
While this might sound like youβre buying second hand, you can be confident that any refurbished Mac purchased directly from the Apple Store has undergone rigorous testing to ensure it works just as well as a brand-new MacBook.
Any faults are fixed before the Mac is resold, and all refurbished Macs purchased through the Apple Store are backed by a one year warranty. Thereβs also no restrictions on purchasing additional protection for your refurbished product, including AppleCare.
The major downside is that the selection of refurbished Macs will vary, depending on the units that have been recently returned, so if you have your heart set on a particular model then thereβs no guarantee itβll be available. You should also check the technical specifications before making a purchase, especially if you find yourselfΒ tempted by a model that youβre unfamiliar with. If you wind up purchasing a Mac that doesnβt do everything you need, then youβre going to be very unhappy with your purchase, even if it was a bargain!
Take a chance on eBay or Craigslist
Although refurbished Macs are technically second hand, theyβve undergone Appleβs rigorous testing procedure and come with a full warranty, so theyβre completely different to a second hand Mac purchased outside of the Apple store.
If youβre feeling adventurous, then you may want to take a look at the second hand Macs that are available on websites such as eBay or Craigslist. However, just be aware that this is one of the riskiest ways of getting your hands on a new Mac! A second hand Mac purchased outside of the Apple Store wonβt have been tested and verified by Apple, andΒ may not be under any kind of warranty. Plus, the original owner is unlikely to offer you a refund if your new Mac isnβt quite what youΒ were expecting.
In addition, although you do tend to get the biggest discounts on websites like eBay, youβre still unlikely to find anything that could be described as a cheap Mac. Apple products are desirable and tend to hold their resale value, so even a second hand Mac purchased directly from the original owner is going to be an expensive purchase. You should consider whether the saving really is worth the risk, as no-one wants to get scammed on such an expensive purchase!
Check Appleβs clearance sales
While Apple arenβt exactly known for their sales and clearances, that doesnβt mean they donβt occasionally have them on a limited number of products. If you donβt have an exact model of Mac in mind, then itβs always worth taking a look at the Special Deals section of Appleβs website.
Teaching or studying? Take advantage of Appleβs Education Pricing
Are you currently in education? Maybe youβre a teacher or a student, or perhaps you know someone who is?
One of the easiest ways to save money on Apple products, isΒ theΒ Apple Education program, which offers a discount for college students and their parents, plus all faculty, staff and homeschool teachers. According to Apple, you can save up to Β£270 by purchasing your Mac via this program, and you could save up to Β£62 on a new iPad.
When making your purchase, youβll need to provide some proof that youβre in education, for example the UK Apple Store asks you to verify your student or staff status via UNiDAYS.
And, although weβd never advise it, if you have a friend or family member whoβs currently in education and willing to help you out, then technically you could purchase your new Mac in their name.
You should also be on the lookout for Appleβs Back to School promotion, which typically runs from July to September, and often includes discounts and bonuses. For example, as part of 2017βs Back to School promotion, Apple threw in a free pair of Beats headphones with every eligible MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac or Mac Pro purchase.
See if youβre eligible for a government, federal, military or Apple employee discount
The Partner Employee Purchase Program offers a discount for all current and retired employees, contractors, and family members of βparticipating companies and other organisations,β assuming youβre 18 years or older. Under this program, you can purchase one Mac, iPad, iPhone, watch and iPod every calendar year.
For the full terms and conditions, check out the Partner Employee Purchase Program section of the Apple website.
Apple also offers a discount for federal and government employees, and military personnel who are purchasing a product for personal use. You can find more information about all of these discounts, at the Apple Store for Government webpage.
Trade in your old Mac
Are you replacing an existing Mac? Thereβs lots of things you can do with an extra Mac, including turning it into a file server or a VPN, but if you donβt have any plans for your old Mac, then why not trade it in?
While itβs highly unlikely to cover the cost of a new Mac, trading in your old Mac via Appleβs βTrade Upβ program can get you a nice lump sum to put towards your purchase. Even if you have every intention of selling your Mac via a third party such as eBay, βTrade Upβ can still help you get an idea of how much your Mac is actually worth.
To get a quote:
- Head over to the βTrade Upβ section of Appleβs website.
- Select the βGet an estimate from our trade-in partnerβ link.
- At this point, you have to enter your Macβs serial number. You can access this information by selecting the βAppleβ logo from your Macβs menu bar, and then selecting βAbout This Mac > Overview.β
- Copy/paste the serial number into the βTrade Upβ page, and then click βStart quote.β
- Complete the short questionnaire, which is designed to identify whether your Mac has any major issues that make it ineligible for βTrade Up.β
- Assuming your device passes the questionnaire, a bar will appear along the bottom of the screen, displaying an estimate of how much your Mac is worth.
If you do decide to trade in or sell your Mac, then donβt forget to wipe all your personal data from it first!
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