How to Buy Apple Products Cheaply (Latest Tips)

Apple products (iPhone, MacBook, iPad, Apple Watch, etc.) are known for being expensive, but if you use discount programs, promotions, and used-device options, you can buy them at about 5~20% off in many cases.
Here are practical ways to do it.

If youโ€™re a student, prioritize education discounts first.

The best option is to use Appleโ€™s official education store, which students, new university students, and school staff can use right away.

(Apple official site)
https://www.apple.com/us-edu/store

The next option is to buy through Costco and get reward points at the same time.

There are other methods too. See the details below.


  1. Use the education discount store (student/teacher discount, up to 15% off)

If youโ€™re a university student, graduate student, teacher, or school staff member, you can buy Mac and iPad with a discount at the official Apple education store. For example, a MacBook Air with a regular price of about $929 can be around $776, about a 10~15% discount.

How to do it: Go to the Apple education store โ†’ upload student ID or enrollment certificate โ†’ purchase. Parent-purchase on behalf of the student is also possible.

Tip: Bundle discounts for Apple Pencil or keyboards may also apply.

  1. Apple Trade In (trade-in used devices for about $67~$334 in credit)

If you return an existing Apple device (iPhone, iPad, etc.), you can receive credit toward a new purchase.
Example: iPhone 14 can get about $201 in credit.

How to do it: Enter your device details on the Trade In page โ†’ check the quote โ†’ submit online or in-store. Credit can be applied immediately or received as a gift card.

Tip: Credit is usually higher when the battery condition is good. Trading in an older model right after a new iPhone launch is often more favorable.

  1. Buy from the Refurbished Store (15~20% off, Apple-certified pre-owned)

These are refurbished by Apple from returned/repaired units, are close to new in condition, and include a 1-year warranty. The latest models may not always be available, but previous generations are usually cheaper.

How to do it: Check the Apple Refurbished Store. Example: MacBook Pro M2 at about a 20% discount from the regular price.

  1. Use online shopping promotions (Costco, etc., 5~10% card discounts)

Buy iPhone, AirPods, and other products during sales on Coupang and similar platforms. Waiting 1~2 months after launch often allows opportunistic coupon stacking for extra savings.

Costco: Apple event promotions can offer about 5% off, and with Hyundai Card you can earn 3% points on purchases of $334 or more.

How to do it: Search โ€œApple saleโ€ in Coupang โ†’ join Rocket WOW membership ($3.34/month) for free shipping and discounts. 

Black Friday (November) are strong timing opportunities. You can also check real-time sale alerts on X.

  1. International shopping (Amazon, Japan Apple Store, usually 10~20% cheaper)

If exchange rates are favorable, buying in the U.S. or Japan can help. Apple stores in Japan may be cheaper due to tax refund options.

How to do it: Check unlock status and buy unlocked devices on Amazon/eBay. Be sure to account for shipping and customs tax (13%)โ€”imports under $67 may be exempt.

Tip: A day-trip โ€œairfare + shoppingโ€ strategy can also work, especially when the yen is weak.


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oCam Advanced Settings - Capture

 


oCam is a multifunctional program that not only supports screen recording but also provides a screen capture feature, allowing users to save specific moments on the screen as images easily. In the settings window that appears when you click the "Tools - Options" menu, the "Capture" category on the left provides options for adjusting settings related to screen capture. This tab is designed so users can customize the details of the capture feature, and it can be used intuitively by everyone from beginners to IT professionals. Below is a detailed explanation of the main settings in the "Capture" category.


Overview of the Capture Feature

The settings in the "Capture" category are the options that apply when you click the "Capture" button in the main oCam window or press the default hotkey (F3). Through these settings, users can choose the format of the captured image and decide whether to include additional elements such as the mouse cursor. The capture feature is very useful when creating tutorials, preparing software documentation, or saving a specific moment on the screen.


Include Mouse Cursor

The "Include Mouse Cursor" option determines whether the mouse cursor will be included in the captured image. By default, this option is unchecked, so the mouse cursor is not included in captured images. This is suitable when you want a clean image. However, if you want to highlight the cursor position for lecture materials or software usage guides, you can check this option to include the cursor in the image. For example, when capturing the process of clicking a specific button, including the cursor can make the material visually clearer.


Image File Format for Capture

The "Image File Format for Capture" setting lets you choose the file format used to save captured images. oCam supports several image formats, and by default it is set to PNG. PNG is the most recommended format because it provides lossless compression, allowing you to save clear images without any loss in quality. Other supported formats may include JPEG and BMP. JPEG is useful when you want to reduce file size, but it may cause some loss of image quality. Users can choose the most appropriate format by considering storage space, image quality requirements, or compatibility with a particular platform.


Usage Tips

The settings in the "Capture" category are simple, but they play an important role in improving how captured images can be used. For example, when creating tutorials, enabling the "Include Mouse Cursor" option can clearly show where the user is clicking or interacting. Using PNG format by default helps maintain high image quality, making it suitable for professional documentation. On the other hand, if minimizing file size is important, you can choose JPEG format to save storage space. If you often use the capture hotkey (F3), changing it to a different key or becoming familiar with it can also help improve your workflow.


In addition, if you want to review and edit captured images immediately after saving them, it is a good idea to set the save location in advance in oCam. This makes it easier to find and use captured images quickly. If you are capturing the UI of specific software or a game screen, be sure to define the capture area accurately so that unnecessary parts are not included.

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