Apple Said to Launch 2022 Back to School Promotion on Friday, Might Offer Gift Cards Instead of Free AirPods

The launch of the new 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 chip coincides with Apple's annual Back to School promotion in the US. Gurman said that Apple may give a gift card with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad, instead of free AirPods.

College and university students can receive a free gift with the purchase of an eligible new Mac or iPad. In addition to 20% off AppleCare+ plans for devices, the U.S. promotion offered free second-generation AirPods with the purchase of eligible Mac or iPad models.

The eligible devices last year included the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Pro, iPad Pro, and iPad Air, but the eighth- generation iPad and fifth- generation iPad mini were not included. Devices that have been refurbished are usually ineligible.

The promotion is usually available to students attending or accepted to a higher-education institution, faculty and staff of higher- education institutions, parents purchasing on behalf of an eligible student, employees of a K-12 institution, and select others.

The promotion will probably launch in Canada at the same time as in the U.S., followed by European and Asian countries.