Apple temporarily gives a discount on Macs and iPads (with free AirPods)

Apple now has a special back to school promotion with which you get a discount on Macs and iPads, among others. But secretly everyone can get this discount.

Apple temporarily gives a discount on Macs and iPads (with free AirPods)

Are you a student? Lecturer? Or do you have children who study? Then you can get a discount on certain Apple products in the Netherlands and Belgium. Apple calls this the ‘back to school’ promotion. But you don’t just get a discount. Apple also temporarily adds an extra gift or discount.

Handy to know: according to different messages on Reddit and other sites, there is no checking if you are a student. So almost everyone can use this temporary discount.

According to Apple, the educational discount is available throughout the year for students who are registered at a college or university (also for prospective students), parents who buy for their studying or school -going child and for teachers and employees of educational institutions.

But how much discount actually gets? And is that also worth it? First of all the products that are eligible are:

• iPad Air & iPad Pro;
• MacBook Air & MacBook Pro;
• iMac;
• iPad bundle.

Below are the prices, including the special educational discount that you receive from Apple through the Apple website.

MacBook Pro and MacBook Air

• MacBook Air M4, 13-inch: from 1069 euros (suggested retail price: 1199 euros);
• MacBook Pro M4, 14-inch: from 1809 euros (suggested retail price: 1929 euros);
• MacBook Air M4, 15-inch: from 1369 euros (suggested retail price: 1499 euros);
• MacBook Pro M4 Pro/Max, 14-inch: from 2279 euros (suggested retail price: 2449 euros);
• MacBook Pro M4 Pro/Max, 16-inch: from 2719 euros (suggested retail price: 2949 euros).

iMac

• iMac (M4): from 1459 euros (suggested retail price 1519 euros).

iPad

• iPad Air 2025 (11-inch): from 659 euros (suggested retail price 719 euros);
• iPad Air 2025 (13-inch): from 909 euros (suggested retail price 969 euros);
• iPad Pro 2024 (11-inch): from 1099 euros (suggested retail price 1219 euros);
• iPad Pro 2024 (13-inch): from 1449 euros (suggested retail price 1569 euros).

Free Apple products at the iPad

When purchasing an iPad you can choose from the following products that you get for free:

• AirPods 4 (suggested retail price: 149 euros);
• Apple Pencil Pro (suggested retail price: 139 euros).

You can also opt for the following accessories when you buy an iPad, but then you have to pay something extra.

• AirPods 4 with active noise reduction (ANC): additional payment 50 euros (suggested retail price: 199 euros);
• AirPods Pro 2: additional payment 130 euros (suggested retail price: 279 euros);
• Magic keyboard for 11 ″ iPad Air: additional payment 160 euros (suggested retail price: 299 euros);
• Magic keyboard for 13 ″ iPad Air: additional payment 190 euros (suggested retail price: 329 euros);
• Magic keyboard for 11 ″ iPad Pro: additional payment 190 euros (suggested retail price: 329 euros);
• Magic keyboard for 13 ″ iPad Pro: additional payment 240 euros (suggested retail price: 379 euros).

Extra accessory at Apple: free or with a discount

From July 10 to October 21, 2025, Apple also has the special ‘off to university’ bundle. When purchasing an eligible Mac or iPad within this period you will receive an accessory free or extra discount.

Free Apple products when purchasing a MacBook:

• Magic Mouse white or black (suggested retail price: 85 euros (white) / 119 euros (black));
• Magic trackpad white or black (suggested retail price: 139 euros (white) / 169 euros (black));
• AirPods 4 with ANC (suggested retail price: 199 euros);
• Magic keyboard with Touch ID and numeric key block (white or black);
  • White: suggested retail price 199 euros;
  • Black: suggested retail price 229 euros.

Accessories with additional payment when purchasing a MacBook:

• AirPods Pro 2: additional payment 80 euros (suggested retail price: 279 euros).

Free accessories when purchasing an iMac:

• AirPods 4 with ANC (suggested retail price: 199 euros).

Accessories with additional payment when purchasing an iMac:

• AirPods Pro 2: additional payment 80 euros (suggested retail price: 279 euros).

Apple educational discount: is it a good deal?

We have to be honest: the discount is quite neat if you compare the prices with the suggested retail prices. Certainly with a (free) accessory. Yet you always do well to first shop around. Often online stores also have nice discounts available for Apple products. And if you don’t want or need the accessory, you are often cheaper.

For example, the MacBook Air with M4 can be found online for (€ 1,069) and you have a MacBook Pro with M4 for € 1,759. In the price comparison below you will find the best prices at the most important shops at lightning speed. Take advantage of it!