Apple products are often criticized for not offering the best value for money—especially iPhones and iPads. But when it comes to Macs, there are still some pretty compelling offers out there. Case in point: the M4 MacBook Air.
Apple recently kicked off its annual Back-to-School promotion via its official education store. The deal? Buy an eligible Mac and get a free pair of AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation. Combine that with the education pricing, and it’s a tempting offer. But is it the best one out there?
Back-to-School vs. Third-Party Discounts — Which is Better?
Let’s look at the numbers using the M4 MacBook Air (13-inch) as an example.
- Apple Education Store Price: Starts at 7249 yuan
- Bonus Gift: Free AirPods 4 worth 1399 yuan
- Total Value: Decent, especially if you actually want the AirPods
But here’s where it gets interesting.
Over on a popular third-party platform:
- Education Discounted Price: Also starts at 7249 yuan
- Platform Coupon: Saves you another 467 yuan
- National Subsidy (20%): Brings the price down even further
- Final Effective Price: Just 5425 yuan
That’s right—5425 yuan for a brand-new M4 MacBook Air. That’s lower than most 618 sale prices, and you don’t even need to wait for a major sale event.
So, unless you really need the AirPods 4, the third-party deal clearly offers better value.
Also Read – Apple Foldable iPhone Set for 2026 – No Creases, Unique Design, and Samsung’s OLED Tech!
What About Other Apple Products?
If you’re looking at other devices in Apple’s Back-to-School campaign like the iPad Air, MacBook Pro, or iMac, the third-party route is still a smarter choice—especially if you’re not interested in the free add-ons like the Apple Pencil or Magic Keyboard.
However, the iPad Pro is a different story. It’s priced over 6000 yuan and doesn’t benefit from the national subsidy on most third-party platforms. Plus, discounts are minimal. In this case, Apple’s official education pricing + free gifts actually make for a better deal.
As for the and Mac mini, they’re not part of the Back-to-School event at all, so third-party platforms are your go-to option by default.
Final Thoughts
If you were waiting for a better time to buy a Mac, you might have just missed your golden window. With discounts stacking up on third-party platforms, the M4 MacBook Air at 5425 yuan is possibly the most appealing Apple product on the market right now.
Whether you’re a student or just someone looking for a great deal—this is one you shouldn’t sleep on.
Hasnain Hasan is the founder and lead writer behind this platform. With over 5 years of hands-on experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down the latest trends, tools, and technologies into easy-to-understand content. A part from writing, Hasnain is actively creating and sharing tech-related content on YouTube, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), where he connects with a growing audience of tech enthusiasts and learner