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Apple recently unveiled new gadgets — including the upgraded iPhone 17e, iPad M4 Air, and the MacBook Neo, a competitively priced MacBook at its exclusive NYC event. ZDNET got a first look in person, and we've got the latest details on Apple's punchy budget MacBook.
Regularly priced at $599, Apple offers educational discounts that are $100 off the regular price, but without a keen eye, it's easy to miss the discount.
Also: Everything Apple just announced: The $599 MacBook Neo, M5 Pro, iPhone 17e, and more
The $499 price point makes cheap Windows PCs and Chromebooks much harder to justify. Plus, the Neo isn't the only Apple product that can offer some savings. The new iPad M4 Air, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air are also available with educational savings.
So how do you get the discount? Here's what you need to know.
How to qualify for Apple for Education
Apple says its education pricing is available to current and newly accepted college students and their parents, as well as faculty, staff, and homeschool teachers of all grade levels.
Eligibility
The specific guidelines for who qualifies are fully detailed on their website, but the gist is that it includes faculty, staff, students, and parents. At the K-12 level, any employee of a public or private K-12 institution in the US is eligible, including homeschool teachers. School board members, PTA or PTO executives who are currently serving as elected or appointed officers are also eligible.
Also: How to preorder the iPhone 17e, MacBook Air M5, and other new Apple devices
At the collegiate or higher education level, faculty and staff of Higher Education institutions in the US, and students attending or accepted into a Higher Education institution in the US, are eligible. Parents purchasing on behalf of their child, who is a student currently attending or accepted into a public or private Higher Education Institution in the US, are additionally eligible.
Verification
While Apple doesn't require verification at the point of sale, reps maintain that order verification is “random”, requiring scanned copies of your school ID or enrollment documents to prove your status via email if you are selected.
Where to purchase
There's a few ways to purchase through Apple's educational store. The easiest way is to on the Apple for Education store. You can also ask to apply the Educational savings at an Apple Retail Store or an Authorized Campus Reseller (think an Apple store inside a campus bookstore).
Also: Apple's $599 MacBook Neo first look: The budget Mac we've been waiting for?
There are a few other things to be aware of, including purchase quantities, return policy, shipping and delivery limitations, but generally, if you're getting the MacBook Neo with the intention of keeping it, you won't need to worry. I recommend consulting the full program details before purchase.
Apple bites bigger with the MacBook Neo
Apple's entry-level addition comes after months of speculation. The MacBook Neo features an A18 processor, a 2.74-pound build, and comes in four punchy colors reminiscent of easter eggs: Citrus, Silver, Blush, and Indigo.
Apple's taken a bite out of the hardware market with the Neo, targeting consumers seeking budget PCs and Chromebooks, an area ripe for the picking as more schools and institutions look to supplement their students with issued laptops, and parents want reliable devices.
The new colors of the MacBook Neo.
Kerry Wan/ZDNET
This positions the MacBook Neo as the perfect laptop for surfing the web, responding to email, completing basic tasks, and connecting to your iPhone. It's basic, no-fuss, and exactly what a lot of parents need.
Also: The new MacBook Pro gives you M5 Pro and Max power now – for a bigger price
Parents and educational entities can buy into some of the most advanced hardware and software on the market at a lower price; students get to tout the “cool,” Apple brand, and Apple takes a chunk of a market they've historically priced themselves out of.
Preorders are available now, and the laptop will become available on March 11. Happy shopping!
