Should you choose the Apple iPad or Mac for college?

All of these choices have advantages and disadvantages, but with one or the other, you will have the advantage of portability, while not having to depend on it. a bulky and bulky desktop computer, as was the case of previous generations.

Apple has been trying to dominate the computer education market for most of its existence, and transactions made with primary and secondary schools have been a big part of the early business growth of 1980s. When the Macintosh arrived, Apple made agreements with many universities to get this product into college classrooms.

Apple, however, began to lose its educational edge over time, and by 2017, had fallen to third place in the education market behind Google and Microsoft, which offer cheaper devices.

The company, since the beginning of the year, began trying to recover its mojo in this regard, starting with a "Field Trip" event in Chicago, where it focused on its educational efforts and introduced a new $ 329 iPad. the education market.

"For 40 years, Apple has helped teachers unleash the creative potential of every student," says Apple's education website. "And today, we do it in more ways than ever, not only with powerful products, but also with tools, inspiration, and curriculum to help you create magical learning experiences. "

This is the first full academic year since the revival of Apple's education, so let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

The case for iPad

The benefits of an iPad for educational use begin with portability and cost.

You can, of course, carry an iPad with you wherever you want, with relative ease, whether at home or in class. The iPad, regardless of its size, is lightweight and does not take up much space.

The iPad starts at $ 329, for the new 2018 version, with Wi-Fi only and 32GB of storage. The iPad mini starts at $ 399 for the 128GB Wi-Fi version, while the cheaper, 10.5-inch iPad Pro starts at $ 649 for the 64GB Wi-Fi edition. L & # 39; IPad Pro 12.9 inches starts at $ 799, also for 64 GB.

However, with discounts for Apple students, the iPad starts at $ 309, the iPad 4 mini at $ 379 and the iPad Pro at $ 629. However, the largest savings can be found at Apple Authorized Resellers through cash rebates and tax incentives, whether you're a student, teacher or staff member.

The latest Apple iPad 2018 is regularly on sale for as little as $ 299, while the iPad Pro is regularly discounted up to $ 250 off. Many resellers do not collect sales tax on most orders with free shipping. For a large number of students and parents, this can amount to additional savings of $ 25 to $ 100 compared to the purchase of Apple.

If you use the iPad as the main device, a keyboard is essential. All the latest models work with Bluetooth keyboards, most of which are around $ 100, while both iPad Pro models are compatible with smart keyboards ($ 159 and $ 169 for both sizes). Plus, the new iPad 2018 is compatible with Apple's pencil ($ 99), as well as with all the apps that support this accessory.

Brydge Bluetooth Keyboard for Apple iPad 10.5 "Pro

But beyond that, over time, there are more and more things students can do with iPads. At the March event, Apple unveiled an updated iWork suite, a new version of Garage Band and launched the new Digital Books app.

It is very clear that Apple is very committed to pushing the iPad for education. On the home page of Apple's education, almost every photo contains an iPad, and there are no photos included from another Apple device. So if you follow Apple's priorities, it's a clue.

As demonstrated by this AppleInsider last August video, the latest iPad Pro can be obtained for $ 1,167, if you choose the 256GB edition of $ 799 and mix in a $ 99 Apple Pencil and $ 169 Smart Keyboard – less than 39, a 12-inch MacBook. He also scored the first iPad to beat a MacBook in Geekbench benchmark performance:

The case for Mac

When it comes to the Mac, the advantage starts with the power and features. Macs, in most cases, offer a better processor, larger screen and higher resolution, much more RAM and storage, and more ports.

For all this, however, you will pay a lot more. The cheapest MacBook Air is the 13-inch MacBook Air, which starts at $ 999 MSRP, but can be found on sale for as little as $ 799. The standard MacBook starts at $ 1,299, as does the 13-inch MacBook Pro, which offers a dual-core seventh-generation processor and multiple USB-C ports. The MacBook and MacBook Pro are now on sale, with the 13-inch Pro at a price as low as $ 1,149 for a limited time. For most users, this makes it a better buy than the 12-inch MacBook at this point in the new school year.

As for desktop iMacs, the 21.5-inch model starts at $ 1,099, with the 27-inch model starting at $ 1,799. The 27-inch version offers, in addition to the larger screen, a 5K Retina display, better processors and a Fusion Drive up to 3TB. With re-entry discounts at Apple Authorized Resellers, Students can enter a 2017 iMac for as little as $ 999.

The iMac Pro, more expensive, is selling a lot more expensive than the iMac HD and the 5K, with a starting price of $ 4,999. Overall, iMacs sacrifice portability, but add a lot of computing power in exchange. If you do not go into a demanding computer program, it's hard to recommend iMac Pro for back to school. It's a lot of power, but it's also a total overkill for 99% of Mac users. However, if you need more than four hearts, AppleInsider Adorama partner proposes HAVE Readers up to $ 500 off each iMac Pro interest-free financing when it is paid in full within 12 months.

Apple's Mac Pro and Mac mini are also always available, but unless something changes drastically, we can not really recommend them to anyone for educational purposes. Neither the Mac mini nor the Mac Pro are up to date, and both have not seen updates in years.

How to save money as a student

With Apple's student discounts, the cheapest MacBook Air starts at $ 849, with MacBook and MacBook Pro at $ 1,249, the iMac at $ 1,049 and the iMac Pro at 4 $ 599.

According to Apple, discounts for students are "available to current and newly accepted students and their parents, as well as to faculty, staff, and teachers at all levels."

However, as mentioned above, additional savings can be found at Apple Authorized Resellers – and the discounts are valid for everyone, not just students and faculty. These retailers, who sell the same factory-sealed systems as Apple, offer a variety of incentives ranging from instant rebates to sales taxes that are collected in only a few states. It pays to shop around and compare prices in the AppleInsider Price guide for deals on all current Macs and a variety of closing configs. Supplies are becoming more limited on the 2015 iMacs and the 2016 MacBook Pro, but many config are still available with discounts of up to $ 1,600. For students on a limited budget, this can free up money for textbooks, tuition fees and more.

Conclusion

When it comes to deciding what is best for you, iPad or Mac, a lot depends on what you value most. If you prefer power and features, the Mac is your best choice. If portability and affordability are more important, better to choose the iPad.

You can almost certainly do more with a Mac, but Apple 's latest iPad and iPad Pro are perfect for annotating and taking notes, especially when they are associated with the same thing. Apple Pencil.

Or buy

If you are shopping for a new Mac or iPad for high school or college, do not forget to check out our price guides below to find the best deals and the lowest prices on Apple hardware. Updated throughout the day, buyers can benefit from exclusive coupon discounts, as well as instant discounts on current models and closing at Apple Authorized Resellers. Many retailers also only collect sales tax in a handful of states and do not hesitate to ship a number of products for free, which further adds to the benefits of online shopping.

Need help exchanging an offer? Send us a note at [email protected] and we will do our best to help you.

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