Purchase an Apple Computer with an Academic Discount

Summary

Provides Bowdoin IT's recommended specifications for purchasing a personal Apple Mac laptop through Apple's education discount store, and a direct link to the Bowdoin Apple Store for Education. For faculty and staff purchasing a personal computer; includes a note clarifying that students receive a Bowdoin-issued MacBook Pro and iPad mini and do not need to purchase their own.

Body

Questions

  • How do I buy an Apple computer with a Bowdoin education discount?
  • Where do I find Bowdoin's Apple Store for Education?
  • What Mac laptop does Bowdoin IT recommend for personal purchase?
  • Does Bowdoin offer Apple education pricing to faculty, staff, and students?
  • Do I need to buy my own laptop as a Bowdoin student?
  • What AppleCare plan should I buy with a personal Mac?

Environment

This article applies to Bowdoin faculty and staff interested in purchasing a personal Apple computer through Apple's education discount program.

  • Who: Bowdoin faculty and staff (and students — see note below)
  • What: Personal Mac purchase through Apple's education discount store
  • Looking for a Windows laptop? See Purchase a Dell Computer in the Related Articles section.
Students: Bowdoin provides all incoming students with a MacBook Pro and an iPad mini — students do not need to purchase their own laptop.

Resolution

Apple Store for Education ad promoting Mac laptops for studies and study breaks with a Buy Now button and two open laptops displayed.

Recommended specifications

Bowdoin Information Technology (IT) recommends the MacBook Pro with at least the following specifications for a personal purchase:

  • 14" or 16" MacBook Pro
  • M4 or M5 processor or better
  • 512 GB storage
  • 16 GB RAM
  • AppleCare+ — strongly recommended, covering accidental damage for the first three years at minimal cost

How to purchase

Visit the Bowdoin Apple Store for Education to shop with education pricing applied automatically.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.

Additional Resources

Details

Details

Article ID: 29895
Created
Tue 5/2/17 4:07 PM
Modified
Thu 4/30/26 5:01 PM

Related Articles

Related Articles (3)

Employee Computer Loan Program
Describes Bowdoin College's interest-free computer loan program for benefits-eligible employees, covering eligibility, what can be purchased, the application process, loan terms, and payroll deduction details. For full-time benefits-eligible Bowdoin employees.
Purchase a computer with a Bowdoin academic discount
Explains that Bowdoin faculty, staff, and students are eligible to purchase personal computers from Dell and Apple at an academic discount. Directs users to the individual Dell and Apple purchase articles for details.
Purchase a Dell Computer
Provides Bowdoin IT's recommended minimum specifications for purchasing a personal Windows laptop through Dell's education discount program, and instructions for accessing Dell's Bowdoin education store. For faculty, staff, and students purchasing a personal computer.