Apple has long given educational discounts for the purchase of Mac computers, but until now, iPads were only available at full price.  While you can get up to $200 off on a computer, the discounts on iPads are a modest $20-30 … but every little bit helps!  For example, a new 16 GB Wi-Fi iPad Air costs $469, a discount of $30.  A 16 GB iPad mini with retina display is $379, a savings of $20, while the mini without the retina display is $279.  A 16 GB Wi-Fi iPad with retina display (the iPad “4”) is $379.  Too bad I got a new 128 GB iPad Air without the discount a couple of weeks ago!  According to Apple’s website,  college students, students accepted to college, parents buying for college students, faculty, staff and homeschool teachers for all grade levels are eligible for this educational pricing.  If you don’t already have an iPad or wish to upgrade an older model, this might be a good time to make the purchase.

If you are not eligible for an educational discount but are looking for a bargain, you might check out Apple’s Refurbished Store.  All products sold there are certified by Apple and carry a one year warranty just like a new product.  All refurbished models have a new battery and outer shell.  What is available varies daily.  For example as I write this,  a 16 GB Wi-Fi  iPad Air is $414 while a non-retina mini (16 GB, Wi-Fi) can be purchased for $249.