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This is recommendation for any purchases with regards to a Mac for UCSB usage.

Where to Buy

Note

The UCSB bookstore is an authorized Apple Dealer and repair location and all computers sold at that location get 10-20% off due to "Academic Discounts"


We recommend ALL UC owned Faculty and Staff Apple computers be purchased from the UCSB Bookstore for the following reasons:

  1. Its the cheapest option, cheaper than even the Apple puch-out in the UCSB Procurement gateway.
  2. It has the widest selection. While Apple has a online "Apple Store for Education" said online portal is limited in what is offered such as hardware customization, colors and services. The UCSB bookstore offers the full line of Apple product but with academic prices.
  3. All Applecare sold through the bookstore is Applecare+ which includes accident, water damage, and service fees.
    1. We have had issues with Apple products purchased through the regular Apple store or Apple punch-out having the regular Applecare and Apple refusing to honor warranties due to "salt air exposure" from UCSB being near the ocean.
    2. Additionally since the regular Apple stores are open to the public and not just UCSB community members, wait times for repairs are often 2 to 3 times as long when you take hardware to the downtown Apple Store versus having it repaired on campus.
    3. Applecare+ from the UCSB bookstore also offers customized time, in addition to the standard 3 year contracts, longer 4, 5, etc... year Applecare+ contracts are available.
  4. Devices sold through the bookstore can have certain software come pre-installed for greatly reduced cost such as anything offered through the Apple School Manager program.
    1. All UC owned Apple computers starting in May of 2025 will be required to be managed by UCSB's Jamf management tool, which is one of the pieces of software that can come preinstalled if the computer is ordered through the bookstore.
    2. Certain pieces of software are anywhere from 10-90% cheaper if purchased at time of purchase and bundled with hardware than if purchased after the fact as a stand alone software purchase.

The UCSB bookstore does sell to private individuals using personal funds, however the exact "Academic Discount" may vary.

Configuration

We generally recommend getting either a Mac Mini or a Macbook Pro 14" or bigger. The larger Macbook Pro models come with additional Thunderbolt ports, HDMI ports, extra compatibility software and mag-safe charging ports, which are far less likely to break if you trip over the charging cord.

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