Apple Launches 2021 Back to School Promotion: Free AirPods With Eligible Mac or iPad Purchase

[MacRumors]

Apple today launched its seasonal back-to-school sale for the upcoming school year in the United States and Canada, offering students free AirPods alongside purchases of select Macs and iPad models.

Similar to last year's promotion, this year's offer includes free AirPods alongside the purchase of a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, the new 24-inch iMac, the Mac Pro, Mac mini, and the new M1-powered iPad Pro and the iPad Air. Alongside the free AirPods, qualifying students and educators can get 20% off AppleCare+ with their purchases.

During checkout, customers can upgrade their AirPods to include wireless charging for just $40 or upgrade to the AirPods Pro for $90. The promotion seems to only be live in the United States and Canada at the time.

Article Link: Apple Launches 2021 Back to School Promotion: Free AirPods With Eligible Mac or iPad Purchase

 

[TheJing]

That’s certainly better than the $100 App Store gift card I got.

 

[thefourthpope]

The day after school ended (in Maryland) and it’s already back-to-school season.

 

[mikeb13]

They did add the Mac mini to eligible items this year which is good.

 

[ensee]

So no new MacBook Pro until this promo is over?

 

[lyngo]

You’re welcome for the tip.

 

[ant the ninja]

It doesn’t seem as good as last year’s promotion where you could upgrade to the AirPods with wireless case or AirPods Pro for an additional fee. They did add the Mac mini to eligible items this year which is good.

It’s the same promotion I believe.

“During checkout, customers can upgrade their AirPods to include wireless charging for just $40 or upgrade to the AirPods Pro for $90. The promotion seems to only be live in the United States and Canada at the time.”

 

[themacobserver]

It doesn’t seem as good as last year’s promotion where you could upgrade to the AirPods with wireless case or AirPods Pro for an additional fee. They did add the Mac mini to eligible items this year which is good.

?❓

During checkout, customers can upgrade their AirPods to include wireless charging for just $40 or upgrade to the AirPods Pro for $90.

 

[IllinoisCorn]

I anticipate some forum member whining about this, but come on---it's a great deal for who this promotion is for---kids/young adults.

I'm shocked they give anything away at all---I always considered the back to school thing as a way to sag some sales away from WinTel back in the day.

Apple is cool now--people will buy the machines regardless of what back to school goody they get.

 

[ouimetnick]

So no new MacBook Pro until this promo is over?

Not necessarily, but it would be excluded as new models have been in the past.

 

[star-affinity]

free AirPods alongside purchases of select Macs and iPad models.

Be careful with those ears (doesn't apply only to AirPods, though):

AirPods causing tinnitus?​

AirPods causing tinnitus? - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

 

[Jony Ive and Co.]

You know, the MacBook Air is really a good deal considering the alternatives. For $999 you get top performance and the great experience of Apple products. The only real competitor is Microsoft Surface laptop, and that costs even more than $999. The other alternatives (Chromebooks, cheap Lenovo etc) are just urgh - poor quality and the designs are so outdated. With educational pricing and free AirPods it's a no brainer.

 

[reallynotnick]

So no new MacBook Pro until this promo is over?

Yeah was really hoping to get one with the back to school sale, but now I'm afraid even if it comes out during the sale it will be excluded.

Interesting they added the mini this year though.

 

[James Godfrey]

So no new MacBook Pro until this promo is over?

I doubt it your looking at October announcement now

 

[kc9hzn]

That’s certainly better than the $100 App Store gift card I got.

It was a printer my freshman year. Though there might have been a choice between that and $100 off on an iPod nano. (Though I kinda doubt that, as I’m not sure why I would have picked out the printer instead, which I definitely remember getting.)

 

[psxp]

ohhhh... getting tempted with this.. Are the Airpods & Airpods Pro *that* good though?

 

[dukeblue219]

You know, the MacBook Air is really a good deal considering the alternatives. For $999 you get top performance and the great experience of Apple products. The only real competitor is Microsoft Surface laptop, and that costs even more than $999. The other alternatives (Chromebooks, cheap Lenovo etc) are just urgh - poor quality and the designs are so outdated. With educational pricing and free AirPods it's a no brainer.

The MacBook Air *is* a great deal, but there are plenty of other competitors in the $1000 laptop range than "Chromebooks, cheap Lenovo etc. " It's very different than the $400 budget PC space you're talking about. Envy 13, Zenbook 13, XPS 13 can all be found at that price.

 

[Zdigital2015]

So no new MacBook Pro until this promo is over?

Correct!

 

[orbital~debris]

Is the school year drastically different in North America (than UK/Europe)?

Because here, school hasn’t even finished for the summer holidays yet (a few weeks to go), let alone start planning a computer purchase for back to school…

 

[BrooklynNoise]

I literally bought a macbook air on the education store yesterday. Do you think if I called they'd give me the deal? The laptop is still in the box so I could return it.

 

[SirAnthonyHopkins]

So no new MacBook Pro until this promo is over?

Not necessarily. The 2020 iPad Air was launched during the promotion, but just wasn't included as part of it. But I think October was always the most likely launch for the Pros anyway.

 

[satchmo]

Does this apply to refurbished items purchases in the Apple store?

 

[SirAnthonyHopkins]

Is the school year drastically different in North America (than UK/Europe)?

Because here, school hasn’t even finished for the summer holidays yet (a few weeks to go), let alone start planning a computer purchase for back to school…

US school summers last about 3 months, AFAIK, whereas in the UK they're six weeks.

 

[kkclstuff]

for how long.. until when?


Edit: from 9to5Mac article... "offer from now until September 27".
Come on MR!

 

[Weed]

I literally bought a macbook air on the education store yesterday. Do you think if I called they'd give me the deal? The laptop is still in the box so I could return it.

Yes. Just got them to honor the offer on an iPad Pro I bought last week.