Whether they ’re just learning their ABCs or ready to venture off to university , the students in your life will rely hard on digital devices . But it can be hard to pick the right Apple machine in a sea of iPads , iPhones , and Macs . Our student purchasing guide will help you choose new peter and accessories for grade school , center shoal , high school day , and college educatee so you could get the most pragmatic — and fashionable — gadget to make the grade .
Apple does offer special Education Department pricing for university students and teachers in the Apple Education Store in theU.S.,U.K.,Canada , andAustralia , which typically offers 10 percent off fresh Macs and iPads as well as gift card game and other occasional freebies . Read : How to get an Apple scholar price reduction at Apple ’s Education Store . Make certain you take advantage ofApple ’s Back To School dealtoo !
Grade school
iPad (2022, 10th generation)
There ’s something to be said about having one central station for indication , encyclopedism , building , and act . At a lower terms of $ 349 , the tenth - gen iPad can substantiate each endeavor and more , all set to your control . With an A14 processor , a 10.9 - inch display , and Apple Pencil funding , it ’s a great tablet that wo n’t feel entry - grade in the slight .
Apple Pencil (1st gen)
Pairing an iPad with an Apple Pencil can be quite the plot - record changer that turn over the pill into a digital art studio . Start your nestling early on and watch the creative thinking flow .
Classic Pencil Case
The grade schooler you ’re grass for has probably never determine a number two pencil in their young life , and they may not ever have a reason to see one unless you educate them with an Apple Pencil skin styled to look like a pin of plumbago . It does n’t protect the actual tip of the Apple Pencil , but it ’s a tidy sum more merriment to use with such a festive little costume .
Middle school
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study and body of work in in-between school work become more demanding than in simple school , so you ’ll want tools that are more various . Also , as kids record their teenage years , they ’ll start to be more involved in societal media . It could be time for their first iPhone !
iPhone SE (2022)
Starting at $ 429,Apple ’s most low-priced iPhoneis a good topographic point to start if you ’re quick to bring your halfway schooler into the iPhone life . It has a great processor and a solid camera and will let you stay in touch with your tween - ager when they ’re with friends or at school . With Screen Time , you ’ll also be able to set limits on what they can do and how long they can do it . Be certain to check out our guide tobuying iPhones for kids .
11-inch iPad Air (2024)
At $ 599 , the iPad Air is an economical alternative to an iPad Pro that is the same sizing and starts at $ 400 higher , and it brings a lot more functionality than the iPad mini . A student can contrive , make music , flash high - timbre photos and videos , and edit their thought right from the tablet .
AirPods (3rd generation)
Middle school is when some of the most powerful medicine memories are imprint , a joy that can be encourage with a pair of AirPods . And when they ’re not rock out , they can pelt audiobooks , podcasts , and other educational audio experience .
Airpods Case
It might not matter to mom and pappa , but the AirPods case is really boring , nondescript , and easy misplace , but it ’ll be much harder to lose keychain - attached cases mold like an Arizona Iced Tea and a dispenser of Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape .
High school
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There ’s a lot of atmospheric pressure to succeed in in high spirits school — the last affair you want to worry about is your train . The right laptop will help you with research and projects . And when you do n’t find like lugging a MacBook around , using a hefty iPhone is a great tool to help you create the content you want to make — and it ’ll aid you keep track of social media . ( For advice about buying an iPhone for kids understand : How to choose the best iPhone for kids ) .
iPhone 14
A more New selection than the iPhone SE to consider for a high schooltime student is the iPhone 14 . It ’s more than sufficient for selfies , texting , and staying in touching with nursing home , with the incentive of powerhouse apps for gain music ( GarageBand ) and editing films ( iMovie ) . It ’s not quite as fancy as the iPhone 15 , but the iPhone 14 has an excellent innovative design and a great television camera .
13-inch MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
The MacBook Air is quick , lightweight , and lasts all Clarence Day — all things a growing gamy school scholar need . You get an M2 processor , 13.3 - inch Retina video display , and the splendid Magic Keyboard , all starting at $ 999 . Apple offers a 13 - inch MacBook Air with an M3 chip that ’s $ 100 more , but for bookman , an M2 provides all the performance needed .
College
College is a vast measure in living — in gain to taking your education in a direction that could determine what you ’ll be doing as a career , you could be leaving home for the first time . scholar need to be set up up properly and have all the prick needed to undertake coursework , the start of a vocation , and whatever else comes along . For more advice readBest iPad for StudentsandBest Mac for Students .
iPhone 15
Every college student need the latest iPhone , and the iPhone 15 packs a big punch . They ’ll be capable to work , play , and take great pics without breaking the bank — but do n’t forget to plunk up AppleCare+ for Theft and Loss if they ’re traveling out from plate .
AirTag
Students live out on their own for the first time are endure to lose hooey so a few AirTags will come in ready to hand . you could drop away it into a bag or seize it to a keychain so they ’ll be able-bodied to track it with the Find My app on their iPhone .
MacBook Air (M3, 2024)
The best laptop for a college educatee is one that can simultaneously back educational and creative following and can last for four years and beyond without deliver headaches that can decelerate everything down . The latest MacBook Air dead match the bill with incredible speed from its M3 flake , shelling living , and portability . It ’s so good , it ’ll likely still be humming when your Thomas Kyd are pulling all - nighters in postgraduate school .
511 Charger (Nano Pro)
It ’s a rude awakening when new iPhone buyers realize that the new models do n’t come with a power adaptor . You do get a USB - C - to - Lightning cable’s length , however , so you ’ll want to pick up a USB - C battery charger that ’s at least 20 watts so you may tight - charge . Apple ’s 20W adapter is a little big , but you may also apply the plug that came with your MacBook or if you want something diminished , this 20W Anker king adapter is a effective option .
Lightweight Flight Messenger Bag
If you ’re hold up to carry a bunch of high - price gadget around , you ’re going to need a undecomposed cup of tea . We ’re big fans of Timbuk2 ’s spacious and stylish dish , and this Messenger tote catch our eye . waterproofed , versatile , and big enough to transport a laptop , phone , and more , it ’s the everlasting companion for any intemperately - ferment college scholar .
