How to get your Mac for less

Unfortunately, shopping around won’t find you much of a discount on new Apple

products. It’s worth a shot, though, especially after a range update, when store managers want to shift old stock. ‘Back to school’ promotions are another chance, with even Apple doing bundle offers, while Black Friday (27 November 2020) might also see third-party reductions.

Refurbished products are a good option. Stock changes regularly in Apple’s Refurbished and Clearance store, linked at the bottom of apple.com/uk. Items are guaranteed for a year and can be returned within 14 days. Discounts aren’t generous, though. Search ‘refurbished Mac’ (or iPad, or iPhone) online for third-party offers: these vary from overstock and customer returns, like Apple’s, to used kit that’s had a test and a clean-up. Check that the vendor is a UK company – so you can enforce your consumer rights – and what their grades mean in terms of cosmetic state and warranty. Batteries are rarely guaranteed, though good Mac resellers will give a cycle count to check against bit.ly/batcyccount. Paying over £100 with a credit card means you can claim back from the issuer if you’re ripped off, while eBay offers cover if you buy with PayPal.

You can trade in current kit with Apple (see apple. com/uk/shop/trade-in) for a modest discount; search ‘sell my Mac’ (or whatever) for alternative quotes. Check discounts or subsidies available from your employer or any reward schemes you’re in, and remember students and teachers get education pricing on Apple via UNiDAYS (bit.ly/ myunidayspricing).