Now could be the proper time to purchase a Mac when you’re a pupil within the US; you’ll get a free $150 Apple reward card when you do. You could be considering whether or not you possibly can truly get something with that amount of cash within the Apple Retailer, and the reply is a convincing sure! From equipment to subscriptions, you’ll discover loads of instruments that may enhance your high quality of life.
On this information, I’ll share the highest methods to spend your Apple reward card.
What To Purchase With an Apple Present Card
1. Apple Pencil Pro
![The Apple Pencil Pro](https://www.macobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Apple-Pencil-Pro-1024x483.png)
You’ll be able to choose from several Apple Pencils, and having a stylus in your iPad has a number of benefits. For instance, when you’re learning in a inventive area, you should utilize your pencil to attract and make designs. No matter your occupation or profession, you should utilize this stylus for higher navigation and writing notes, amongst different capabilities.
The Apple Pencil Pro was launched in 2024 and prices $129. With this pencil, you get a brand new squeeze choice and it additionally helps Discover My in case you lose it. It’s suitable with the M4 iPad Professional and M2 iPad Air; when you don’t have both of those, you possibly can choose from a number of Apple Pencil alternatives.
2. iPad Smart Folio Cover
![The iPad Smart Folio Case](https://www.macobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/iPad-Smart-Folio-Case-1024x510.png)
![The iPad Smart Folio Case](https://www.macobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/iPad-Smart-Folio-Case-1024x510.png)
Whatever the iPad you purchase, you also needs to put money into a protecting case or cowl. You’re all the time susceptible to doubtlessly dropping your machine, even when you’re probably the most cautious individual on this planet. Having one can prevent a whole bunch of {dollars} in harm repairs, plus you could find loads of fashionable choices as of late.
Apple has folio covers for a number of iPad fashions, together with the brand new M4 iPad Professional. The value ranges from $59.99 to $99.99 and will depend on the machine you will have. You will get these covers in a number of colours, together with blue, purple, and yellow.
Apple’s folio covers are foldable and allow you to put your iPad in a number of positions, making it nice if you wish to use your machine as an additional monitor or watch TV exhibits.
3. iPhone MagSafe Cover
![MagSafe Charging Case](https://www.macobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Apple-MagSafe-Charging-Clear-Case.png)
![MagSafe Charging Case](https://www.macobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Apple-MagSafe-Charging-Clear-Case.png)
Newer iPhone fashions help wi-fi charging, however certainly one of my greatest gripes is that previously, I’ve all the time needed to take off my cowl. In any other case, my iPhone gained’t cost. Getting a MagSafe cowl can cease that downside in its tracks.
Apple has a number of MagSafe covers. You can too select from quite a few silicone circumstances that help wi-fi charging, which are available varied colours. In order for you one thing extra clear, you should purchase a transparent case.
The MagSafe covers vary in value from $49 to $59. It’s additionally doable to get wallets with MagSafe covers for $59.
NOTE
4. AirPods (2nd Generation)
Whereas Apple has launched third-generation AirPods, the 2nd-gen model will probably be greater than adequate for listening to music and podcasts.
2nd-gen AirPods value $129 and not using a MagSafe case. With a MagSafe case, they value $249, so that you’ll must pay $99 out of pocket. Nonetheless, you could discover that this add-on in price it when you’ll use them lots.
The AirPods (2nd Era) have as much as 5 hours of listening time with a single cost. They’re additionally suitable with most Apple units.
5. iCloud+ Subscription
iCloud+ is among the greatest purchases I’ve made in recent times. The preliminary 5GB iCloud allowance will get eaten up in a short time, and when you use your Apple units for college or work, you’ll most likely want one thing more room. That is very true when you’re working with recordsdata that devour large cupboard space, resembling images and movies.
iCloud+ subscriptions begin at $0.99 per 30 days for 50GB storage. However to be trustworthy, even the larger plans are fairly reasonably priced — and I’d advocate taking a look at them. Right here’s a breakdown of the pricing for them:
Storage | Value (USD, Month-to-month) |
200GB | $2.99 |
2TB | $9.99 |
6TB | $29.99 |
12TB | $59.99 |
You’ll be able to improve to iCloud+ by going to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Improve to iCloud+ (iPhone and iPad). On a Mac, go to System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Replace to iCloud+.
6. Apple Music Subscription
Apple Music has lots going for it; the sound high quality is best than most streaming platforms, and I like how one can take heed to music with out so many distractions when utilizing the app. I have to admit that the discoverability isn’t nearly as good as Spotify, but it surely’s nonetheless an ideal option to take heed to your favourite tracks.
Apple Music prices $5.99 per 30 days for college kids, which is sort of half the conventional value ($10.99/mo). You’ll be able to take heed to songs in your iPhone, iPad, and Mac after upgrading your subscription.
7. LaCie External Hard Drive
![External Hard Drive LaCie](https://www.macobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LaCie-External-Hard-Drive.png)
![External Hard Drive LaCie](https://www.macobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LaCie-External-Hard-Drive.png)
I by accident dropped my previous exterior onerous drive in early 2023, and I used to be devastated to lose hundreds of my images. But it surely truly was a blessing in disguise, as a result of I changed it with a LaCie exterior onerous drive. To be trustworthy, I’ve been a lot happier with my exterior storage since switching to this model. The intense orange case additionally appears to be like fairly cool, which is a pleasant bonus.
I personal a 2TB onerous drive, which is loads of house for my pictures and video work. You’ll be able to most likely get away with 1TB when you’re simply utilizing it to retailer paperwork.
Costs vary from $84.95 to $379.95.
8. Apple TV+ Subscription
If you wish to have film nights together with your new faculty mates, you would possibly wish to take into consideration buying an Apple TV+ subscription. You’ll discover loads of unique Apple titles, together with 4K streaming and spatial audio. Examples of exhibits you possibly can take pleasure in on Apple TV+ embrace The New Look, Severance, and Shrinking.
Apple TV+ additionally exhibits varied reside sports activities, together with soccer and baseball. You’ll be able to watch Apple TV+ in your iPad, Apple TV, Imaginative and prescient Professional, Mac, and different units. You probably have an Apple Music Scholar plan, you additionally get free entry to Apple TV+. But when not, it prices $9.99 per 30 days.
9. Magic Trackpad
![Magic Trackpad](https://www.macobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MK2D3_AV2.jpg)
![Magic Trackpad](https://www.macobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MK2D3_AV2.jpg)
I actually dislike utilizing the mouse you get with an iMac. In case you’re something like me, you need to strongly contemplate shopping for the Magic Trackpad. It can make it a lot simpler to navigate your machine.
You’ll be able to join the Magic Trackpad to your Mac by way of a USB-C to Lightning cable, but it surely’s additionally suitable with Bluetooth. It’s price noting, nevertheless, that the Magic Trackpad just isn’t suitable with Apple Pencil.
The Magic Trackpad prices $129 and is out there in white and black.
10. Microsoft Office Home and Student for Mac
I did most of my assignments on Microsoft Phrase after I was at college, and I additionally used PowerPoint for a number of modules in my course. I’d advocate that each pupil has a Microsoft Workplace subscription, and on Apple’s eCommerce retailer, you’ll discover a House and Scholar subscription.
Microsoft Workplace House and Scholar is out there for $149.95 and provides you Phrase, Excel, and PowerPoint. You additionally obtain 60 days of Microsoft help without spending a dime, and you should utilize these packages on one Mac.
With a $150 reward card, you will get quite a lot of helpful merchandise and subscriptions to enhance your research. Microsoft Workplace can assist you write and description your assignments, and instruments just like the Magic Trackpad may even allow you to navigate your machine with extra ease.
Now that you just’ve had a glance by way of this checklist, have a take into consideration what is going to work greatest for you. Likewise, you possibly can deal with your $150 Apple reward card like a reduction coupon and improve to Apple’s newest product releases this yr.