How To Get A Free Macbook From Apple: Is It Possible?
Apple makes some of the best laptops that can really boost your productivity as a student or worker. However, not everyone can afford their MacBooks as their price lies on the higher end. To solve this problem, we’ll explain how to get a free laptop from Apple as a student, worker, or someone from a low-income family.
We will also explain how you can get Apple laptops at a price lower than others. The Cupertino-based tech giant offers special discounts to help students and educators. You can claim the deal and get your MacBook at a significantly lower price. However, there are certain eligibility criteria that you must meet.
Does Apple Offer Free Laptop to Anyone?
Apple offers free laptops under certain programs to eligible individuals. However, the company doesn’t offer free laptops to people from low-income households as a charity. There are other ways to get a laptop for free from Apple as a student, or educator, or for a highly discounted price under special schemes.
For context, Apple provides great discounts to students on its products such as MacBooks, iPads, iPhones, and AirPods. Using discounts, people can make Apple products affordable. All you have to do is use your student documents, and email, and then claim the deal to get a significant discount and other perks.
Other than that, Apple also sells older laptops and tablets occasionally as refurbished products. They are available on its official website at highly discounted prices. You can find and order them if you find fresh ones expensive. You can also find used and refurbished Apple devices on other marketplaces.
How to Get a Free/ Discounted Laptop from Apple?
There are several ways to get a free laptop from Apple as a student or someone who really needs it. Your low-income status won’t help much but your student ID will definitely help. Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to get a free or discounted MacBook, iPad, iPhone, or other Apple devices here.
1. Apple Student Discount
The first and the most common method to get Apple devices, especially laptops, at a great discount is to claim the company’s deals curated for students. Apple offers special pricing, called Education pricing, to eligible students, parents buying for them, teachers, and other staff.
The student discount from Apple is available for all current and newly accepted university students in the U.S. To get the deal, you must be one of the following:
- Student: Must be enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university.
- Teacher: Must be employed by an accredited college or university.
- Staff: Must be employed by an accredited college or university.
- Homeschool Teacher: Must be enrolled in the Apple Teacher program.
Additionally, you must be a United States resident, have a valid school email address, and have proof of eligibility such as a school ID or transcript to claim the deal. When everything is ready, you can visit the nearby Apple showroom or online store and buy your laptop at educational pricing.
2. Apple Higher Education Scholars Program
Apple has a Higher Education Scholars Program that focuses on supporting the academic research community and fostering innovation in different fields. This program offers fellowships, scholarships, and awards to graduate and postgraduate students who are excelling in their domain of technology.
To become a part of the program, you have to join a college or university that collaborates with Apple. This will make you eligible for a free laptop from Apple. Here is a list of institutes that offer free laptops for enrollment in various courses.
- Stanford University
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Seton Hill University
- Full Sail University
- Northwest Missouri State University
- St. John’s University
- Dakota State University
- Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
- University of Minnesota-Crookston
- Southern New Hampshire University
You should confirm the availability of the program before completing your admission to the college. You can visit the institute’s official website for more information or give them a call.
3. Student Internships at Apple
Another way to get a free laptop from Apple is to find and get an internship at the company. Apple offers various roles such as AppleCare Advisor, Marketing Intern, Creative Lead, Product Tester, and others for students. These roles can be part-time, full-time, on-campus, and off-campus.
Students can work as interns during the summer or the whole year based on their availability. These roles help them to build a career and connections while studying. They offer great learning experiences and perks like free devices, memberships, and more.
You can visit the Apple Student Internships page from here. After that, click on the “Find available internships” button and look for the jobs that suit you. Apply to those roles and wait for the company’s response.
4. Buy Laptops from Apple Refurbished Store
The next method to get Apple laptops and other devices at greatly lower prices is to buy them from the company’s refurbished store. Apple sells certified refurbished products both online and offline. They come with one year of warranty, so you don’t have to be skeptical about purchasing them.
You can visit the online Apple Certified Refurbished store from here. After that, you can look for the MacBook or iMac model that you want to buy. The refurbished items are sold at amazing discounts. You’ll save from $350 to $600 on a single item. You can also get discounted iPhones, iPads, and AirPods at the store.
5. Trade-In Older Apple Devices
Apple offers great deals when you trade in older devices while buying new ones. If you have an older Apple laptop that you don’t want to use anymore and looking to purchase a new one, you can take it with you to the nearby Apple store with proper proof of ownership.
After that, you can opt for the trade-in offer while buying your new MacBook. Apple will provide you an instant discount of around $300 to $500 based on the model of your laptop. The more recent your device is, the higher the price cut you’ll receive from Apple.
Apple MacBook & iPad Education Pricing
Apple offers special pricing to students that is lower than its regular prices. Here’s a look at how much the Macs and iPads cost if you’re eligible for the company’s education discount:
Mac/ MacBook Education Price:
| Model | Price Starts From |
|---|---|
| MacBook Air (M1) | $899 |
| MacBook Air (M2) | $999 |
| MacBook Pro | $1199 |
| iMac | $1249 |
| Mac mini | $499 |
| Mac Studio | $1799 |
| Pro Display XDR | $4599 |
| Mac Pro | $6599 |
iPad Education Price:
| Model | Price Starts From |
|---|---|
| iPad Pro | $749 |
| iPad Air | $549 |
| iPad (10th gen) | $419 |
| iPad (9th gen) | $309 |
| iPad mini | $449 |
You can get these prices on both online and offline stores. However, make sure you have valid documents to prove your status as a student or an educator. For home school teachers, they must be enrolled in the Apple Teacher Program.
Note: Apple offers AppleCare+ at a discounted price for students. They also offer the Pro Apps bundle for video editors and musicians and the Apple Music Student Plan at discounted prices too.
Final Words
These are all the genuine methods to get a free laptop from Apple. It’s pretty tough to get a MacBook free from the company unless you’re an extremely hardworking or gifted student. However, it’s possible to get your Mac at a highly discounted price when you’re a student or an educator.
Apple doesn’t offer laptops for free to low-income households but they have helpful programs for students. If you’re not a student, you may have to look for other programs to get a free laptop. We have a separate guide explaining your options for that. You can have a look at the post on our website.
That’s all for this guide. If you have any doubts or queries regarding anything mentioned here, feel free to use the comment box. We’ll be glad to assist you more.
FAQs
1. Does Apple give free laptops to students?
Yes, Apple offers free laptops to students who are enrolled in institutes that are a part of the Apple Higher Education Scholar program. They also offer great discounts to students under the education pricing and Back-to-School offers. If you have a valid student ID, you can get great deals on Apple products.
2. How do you become an Apple Scholar?
To become an Apple Scholar, you have to enroll as a full-time student in a four-year college or university that is an Apple Scholar-member institution. After that, you can apply for a free laptop from the company. However, this doesn’t guarantee that you’ll receive a MacBook from Apple.
3. Does Apple give you a temporary laptop on rent?
No, Apple doesn’t provide any rental laptop services. However, there are third-party companies that offer such services. You can seek help from them to get a rental laptop from Apple or any other manufacturer if you only need the device temporarily.
4. Does Apple sell refurbished laptops?
Yes, Apple sells certified refurbished laptops, iPhones, iPads, and other devices officially. They are available both online and offline. If you’re worried about buying refurbished Apple products, then you shouldn’t worry much as they come with a year of warranty from Apple and are available at highly discounted prices.
I’m Olivia Smith, a writer who works in a Government Assistance Program. I love helping people and making a difference. When I’m not working, I enjoy reading books, watching rugby, and traveling to new places. Exploring the world and meeting different people inspires me. I’m passionate about supporting those in need and often write about my experiences and thoughts on various blogs.
