Apple's 2022 Back to School promo is here, but there are better deals

Back to school 2022 offers plenty of deals, and you don't have to be a student

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

Both M1 and M2 models of MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and the 24-inch iMac qualify for a $150 Apple Gift Card in addition to the education discounts offered by Apple.

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.

The entry-level 7-core GPU with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD model costs $899 with Apple, and it is also the lowest price offered by our partners.

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.

AppleCare is also $40 off with the APINSIDER coupon code. Need help with the coupon? Here are step-by-step activation instructions.

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.

The entry-level 8-core CPU, 14-core GPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB Silver model is offered by both Apple and Apple Authorized Reseller Adorama for $1,849.

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.

Adorama is shipping the Space Gray model with the pricing unlocked with code APINSIDER at checkout, while B&H is fulfilling the Silver variant.

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.

The entry-model M1 Pro with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD are offered at near-identical prices by Apple and select retailers.

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.

The intermediate stock build of M1 Pro with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD is offered for $20 less at $2,479 by B&H. Learn more about the exclusive discount.

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.

We encourage the reader to check our 16-inch MacBook Pro Price Guide for the latest pricing and shipping outlook from Apple resellers.

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.

The base configuration of 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD is $79.01 cheaper at $569.99 through Amazon thanks to bonus savings at checkout.

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.

The 1TB and 2TB models are offered at lower prices. The 12.9-inch with 2TB of storage in Silver is $150 cheaper from Amazon at $1949.99, and it also ships quicker.

The lowest-end 11-inch with 128GB of storage is also cheaper compared to Apple's $749. Adorama has the Space Gray model for $745, and Amazon has the Silver model for $739.55.

A full list of price differences with links to purchase from retailers is available in our 11-inch iPad Pro Price Guide and 12.9-inch iPad Pro Price Guide.

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.