Have you been worried about the high costs of Apple laptops for college? If you have, your solution is near, as we would show you 20 online schools that provide Apple laptops.
An Apple laptop is unarguably one of the best laptops for schoolwork. It has breath-taking features such as powerful M1 Pro CPU, outstanding audio performance, striking HDR display, top-quality webcam, and battery life that can run a marathon.
In this article, you will learn about online schools that provide Apple laptops, what laptops are best for college, and how to get them. You will also get to know if the Apple laptop is good for you as a student. So, let us get right into it.
The idea of getting laptops from an online school is great, but how about online colleges you can attend for free? Check out the online colleges that pay you to attend.
Table of Contents
How Can I Get a Free Laptop From Google?
Google is one company that provides laptops to students through several means. However, most of these laptops are not directly from Google, but Google positions itself as a medium for acquiring these free laptops. Below are some of the ways to get a free laptop from Google.
Google Promotional Offers
Google gives out free Chromebooks to learning institutions and companies. It also offers free laptops to Microsoft Azure partners.
This generosity is a means of promotion for its services and products. Google also offers free educator training on how to get the best out of its laptop features.
Visit the Google for Education tools for more information.
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an alternative way to get free laptops from Google. ACP is an FCC benefit program that makes internet connectivity affordable for work, school, health care, and other purposes.
If the FCC deems your household eligible, you can also receive a discount of $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop, or tablet from any partnering provider so long as $10 – $50 is provided for the purchase.
Visit the ACP portal for more information.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
You can also get a free laptop from some non-governmental organizations. These organizations can offer you a Chromebook or other Google gadgets. Some of these NGOs include;
- Alliance for Technology Refurbishing and Reuse
- Computer Technology Assistance Corps
- Computers for Kids
- Computers With Causes
- Everyone On
Attend an Online College
Another way to get a free laptop from Google is to attend an online college. As there are online schools that provide Apple laptops, there are also some online colleges that offer Chromebooks and other Google gadgets. A few of them include;
- Bethel University
- American National University
- Moravian University
- Chatham University
- Strayer University
We will talk more about these institutions later in this article.
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Does Strayer University Give Laptops?
Strayer University is a private university headquartered in Washington, D.C. Asides from the physical campus, Strayer also has an online platform for learning.
Strayer University offers laptops to students. It is among the online schools that provide Apple laptops –and every other good laptop brand for college.
It is important to note that the laptops are available to all new and readmitted students seeking a bachelor’s degree. The laptops come pre-loaded with Microsoft software. However, you would have to complete your first three-quarters of classes before you can claim your laptop.
Criteria for receiving the laptops include;
- Apply to a degree program at Strayer
- Ensure that you have at least six courses to complete in your program before enrolling in the summer or fall of 2023. To avoid a $350 fee, you must complete three of your first four quarters of enrollment or return the laptop.
- Read the laptop agreement document supplied to you via DocuSign.
- To agree to the terms and conditions of the laptop program, sign and return the form.
- Microtek, its laptop provider, will send you an email to which you have to respond.
See the Strayer University laptop offer for more information.
Which Laptop is Best for Students?
Several good laptop brands already exist. However, a student laptop requires specifications that will make studying easier.
The laptop features should also be unique to the particular course of study. For example, if you are studying video editing or photography, you would need a laptop with good display quality. However, 3D modeling students may not need that much sophisticated features.
Online schools that provide Apple laptops make you have one less problem, as Apple laptops mostly meet the requirements for whatever course you are studying or wish to study.
We have highlighted 10 of the best laptops for students and their specifications below.
MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
- CPU: Apple M1 chip with 8‑core CPU
- Graphics: Integrated 7-core – 8-core GPU
- RAM: 8GB – 16GB unified memory
- Screen: 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600 Retina display
- Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
- CPU: 11th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7 /AMD Ryzen 5 – 7
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe / AMD Radeon
- RAM: 8GB – 32GB
- Screen: 13.5-inch PixelSense (2,256 x 1,504) touch
- Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD
Acer Chromebook Spin 514
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor quad-core 3.7 GHz
- Graphics: AMD Radeon Graphics shared memory
- RAM: 8 GB
- Screen: 35.6 cm (14″) Full HD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 Touchscreen
- Storage: 128 GB Flash Memory
Dell XPS 17 (2021)
- CPU: Up to 11th Generation Intel Core i9-11980HK
- Graphics: Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6
- RAM: Up to 64GB DDR4-3200MHz
- Screen: 17.0″ FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge Non-Touch Anti-Glare 500-Nit – 17.0″ UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflective 500-Nit
- Storage: Up to 4TB M.2 PCIe NVMe
Acer Chromebook 314
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4000
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- RAM: 4GB
- Screen: 14-inch LED (1366 x 768) high definition
- Storage: 32GB eMMC
How To Get A Laptop For College
Getting a laptop for college might prove difficult and expensive if you were to carry the whole burden. This is especially the case if you are a low-income earner or a dependent of a low-income earner.
However, online schools that provide Apple laptops, and other laptop brands help to level this mountain. We would highlight the mediums through which you can get a laptop for college below.
Attend An Online College That Offers Free Laptops
Many online colleges, especially in the US, offer free laptops to students. Later in this article, we will highlight the online schools that provide Apple laptops.
Get A Scholarship Specifically For A Laptop
Several scholarship programs provide laptops to students as part of the scholarship package. It is always helpful to get one of these. Some of them are;
Use Funds From Grants
Another way to get a laptop for college at little or no cost is to apply for grants. Grants such as the Federal Pell Grant, allow you to use the funds to purchase a laptop. However, you must note that not all grants allow you to purchase a laptop with the funds gotten from them.
Cheap Laptops For College
Getting a cheap laptop does not always mean it is a bad one. However, you should be careful when buying a cheap laptop as it may have a fault. Highlighted below are some cheap laptops that are good for college use:
- Acer Aspire 5 A515 – up to $500
- Chromebooks – up to $500
- Acer Aspire E 15–up to $300
- Lenovo IdeaPad–up to $500
- HP ENVY x360 – up to $600
- Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 (13) – $300
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Is Apple Laptop Good For Students?
Apple laptops have jaw-dropping features that can make studying easy. Many people consider it the best laptop for students.
As mentioned earlier in this article, Apple laptops have several good features that aid studying. Features such as long-lasting battery life, impressive audio performance, and high-quality display, among many other features.
Apple laptops are also relatively affordable considering the value you get from them. Their luxurious appearance and portability are also added advantages. This is why so many online schools that provide Apple laptops for students exist.
Is a Laptop or Tablet Good For Students?
It is sometimes difficult to decide which is better between a laptop and a tablet as a student. However, the purpose for using either of them would determine which one is the best bet.
In the classroom, a tablet may prove slightly better when it comes to taking snapshots of the board with your rear camera, which most laptops do not have. However, when it comes to performance, the laptop overpowers the tablet.
It is also important to note that both are very similar. Both laptops and tablets can operate with an external keyboard or a touchscreen. They are also more efficient in usage compared to a smartphone.
However, both laptops and tablets are good for use as a student. As a student, it is advisable to get either one of them. For college students, a laptop would be preferable, as it is part of the requirements for study in many online colleges. You should consider applying to online schools that provide Apple laptops, as they can help you with a good laptop for your study.
20 Best Online Schools That Provide Apple Laptops
Rochester College
Rochester College is a private non-profit school located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It also has an online college.
Rochester is one of the leading online schools that provide Apple laptops for its students. Rochester offers free MacBooks and iPads to all freshly admitted undergraduate and transfer students as long as they meet the criteria. It is also important to note that at Rochester, you do not have to return the laptop or tablet after graduation.
Visit Rochester College for more information.
Full Sail University
Full Sail University is also among the online schools that provide Apple laptops for students. It offers MacBook Pro laptops to students through the LaunchBox initiative from Apple.
However, students seeking Game Development, Software Development, and Simulation and Visualization Degrees receive HP laptops.
Visit Full Sail University for more information.
Centenary College
Centenary College is one of the online schools that provide Apple laptops to students. It offers MacBook Pro or Toshiba laptops to all full-time undergraduate students. However, as a part-time or graduate student, you are not eligible for the laptop program.
Unlike some other schools, Centenary College does not allow you to keep the laptops after graduation. The laptops only help you through your degree program.
Visit the Centenary College for more information.
College America
College America is among the online schools that provide Apple laptops to its students. Students enrolled in the School of Graphic Arts Program receive MacBook Pro laptops.
One advantage of the laptops from College America is that you can keep them after graduation.
Visit College America for more information.
St. John’s University
St. John’s University is a private Catholic university in Queens, New York. As one of the online schools that provide Apple laptops to students, it offers MacBook Pro laptops. However, at St.John’s, you can choose between a MacBook Pro, Lenovo ThinkPad L380, or a Lenovo ThinkPad L380 Yoga.
Visit St.John’s University for more information.
Southern Nazarene University
Southern Nazarene University is a private Christian university with an inclusive student body. At Southern Nazarene University, you get the attention needed for effective learning.
Southern Nazarene also provides laptops to its students. You can choose between an Apple MacBook Pro or a Dell Latitide3380.
Visit Southern Nazarene University for more information.
Seton Hill University
Seton Hill University is a Private Catholic University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. It has an online campus that offers several bachelor’s degrees.
Seton Hill is among the online schools that provide Apple laptops to students. MacBook Air laptops are available to students pursuing bachelor’s degrees.
Visit Seton Hill University for more information.
Moravian University
Moravian University is a college located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It also offers several online programs.
Moravian University is another online school that provides Apple laptops to students. All incoming students receive a MacBook Pro and an iPad during enrolment. The MacBook comes pre-loaded with an app called ‘Self-Service’. Self-Service is a portal through which you can download all campus resources.
Visit the Moravian University for more information.
Drexel University
Drexel University is a private university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It also has an online campus.
Drexel University does not directly offer laptops to students. However, it makes laptops available to students and staff at discounted rates. You are eligible for this discount when you purchase a laptop from Apple, CDWG, Dell, or Govconnection.
Visit Drexel University for more information.
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo University is another Catholic University with an online and physical campus.
Saint Leo University also offers laptops to students. However, the laptops are not entirely free. Saint Leo has a laptop rental program where you deposit $250 to rent a laptop.
Visit Saint Leo University for more information.
Chatham University
Chatham University is a college that offers several online degree programs. It is also one of the best online schools that provide Apple laptops.
Chatham University has an Undergraduate 1:1 Program through which all incoming first-year undergraduate students receive a 13-inch MacBook Air laptop. The laptop program also provides a laptop backpack.
Visit Chatham University for more information.
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Wentworth Institute of Technology is a Polytechnic that offers several online degree programs. It started its laptop program in 2004 when it started offering free MacBooks to students.
However, Wentworth now offers HP Razer laptops instead of MacBooks. These laptops are available to all incoming full-time undergraduates.
Visit the Wentworth Institute of Technology for more information.
West Liberty University
West Liberty University is the oldest college in West Virginia. Despite being the oldest, it still embraces technology as the university has innovation as one of its core values.
West Liberty University has a laptop program that offers laptops to students throughout their studies. However, the laptops are only available for students in Business majors. However, some students in other fields can receive an iPad2.
Visit West Liberty University for more information.
Strayer University
Strayer University is another university that offers laptops to students. It provides brand-new laptops to all new and readmitted students during their enrolment. We already highlighted some of the criteria for getting a laptop from Strayer University earlier in this article.
Visit Strayer University for more information.
American National University
The American National University is a for-profit college in Salem, Virginia. It offers low-cost laptops to students through external programs such as PCsforPeople and PlaniTROI.
Visit the American National University for more information.
University of California, Irvine
University of California, Irvine is also one of the online schools that provide Apple laptops. However, it does not provide these laptops directly. University of California, Irvine makes laptops affordable for students through several other financial aid structures.
Visit the University of California, Irvine for more information.
Chapman University
Chapman University is another university in California that offers several online degree programs. It is also among the online schools that provide Apple laptops to students.
Chapman University makes laptops available to students through its Laptop Loan Program. The program gives you access to a MacBook Pro or a Dell Precision laptop on a loan basis.
Visit Chapman University for more information.
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota is a land-grant university located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It also offers several online degree programs with certificates.
The University of Minnesota falls under the category of online schools that provide Apple laptops. However, only students enrolled in BS in Health Professions, including UMTC BS in Nursing Program. The students have several laptops to choose from Dell and Apple brands.
Visit the University of Minnesota for more information.
San Diego State University
San Diego State University is a public university in San Diego, California. It also has an online campus that offers various programs, from certificate to career training programs.
San Diego State University is among the online schools that provide Apple laptops. However, the laptops are only available for borrowing.
Visit the San Diego State University for more information.
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University is a private university between Manchester and Hooksett, New Hampshire. The university also plays a leading role in online university education as it offers several online degree programs.
Southern New Hampshire does not give free laptops, but you can get an Apple and Dell laptop at a discounted price. However, their tech support, repair, warranty, and software are free.
Visit Southern New Hampshire University for more information.
Read Also: Top 15 Online Professional Development Courses for Teachers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a laptop for online classes?
You will need a laptop or a desktop for online classes. This is because online classes require speed and a lot of storage space that only a laptop or desktop can offer.
As an online student, must my laptop have a webcam?
The answer is yes. A webcam is a necessary feature for online classes.
What processor is best for online classes?
An Intel Core i5 Processor or an AMD Ryzen 5 is good for online classes.
What is the best internet speed for online classes?
We recommend 1Gbps Internet speed for a seamless online class experience.
Do all online schools provide laptops?
Not all online schools provide laptops. You should consider some of the online schools that provide Apple laptops highlighted in this article.
Conclusion
Apple laptops are among the most suitable for online classes. However, purchasing them may pose a problem due to their high prices.
We have highlighted the 20 best online schools that provide Apple laptops to students. Carefully go through the article and apply to any of them that meets your criteria of a dream school. Good luck!