I've been an Apple user for 30 years and these are my golden rules to never pay full price

(Image credit: Amazon edited with Gemini) My obsession with Apple started in high school when my mom bought me a Performa 637 CD. It was my first personal computer and I was immediately hooked on the icon-driven System 7, which was the name Apple used before making the switch to Mac OS.Sure, there were more powerful PCs at the time — and most of my friends were using Windows — but my Mac never crashed and it was powerful enough to run my favorite first-person shooter: the Apple exclusive Bungie Marathon (1994). So I took pride in being part of the Apple minority.Fast forward to 2026 and I'm still a loyal Mac user primarily working on an M4 Pro-based Mac mini. Throughout the years I've also owned iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and iMacs. Yes, I've dabbled with Windows machines and Android smartphones, but there's something about Apple's closed ecosystem that just makes my life easier and well worth the price of admission.My wallet, however, may disagree. Apple devices are renown for being pricier than their Windows and Android based counterparts. Fortunately, there are many ways to save on Apple gear. In fact, I always make it a point to avoid paying full price for my Apple kit and below I'm sharing my favorite tips and tricks.Trade-in that old Mac (Image credit: Tom's Guide)Trading in old devices is hands-down my favorite way to save on new Apple purchases. Whether it's an old iPhone or a gently-used MacBook, if you're willing to part with it —the Apple Store will give you an instant store credit for your device. You can trade-in iPhones, Apple Watches, iPads, Macs, and even Android smartphones. You can trade-in your device in person at your local Apple Store or online.Just head over to the Apple Trade-In website to start the process. I also recommend the Best Buy Trade-In program, which is pretty straightforward and provides quotes on the spot. My only advice is that you shop around for the best offer. For example, sometimes you might get a juicier offer from an Authorized Apple reseller than the Apple Store.Don't buy current-gen (Image credit: Tom's Guide)I get it. Nothing beats owning a flagship device. The speedier performance, the thinner design, the brighter display — it's enough to make you want to upgrade each time. However, these days you don't need to. My four-year old Apple Watch 8 still runs like new and if my iMac 5K supported the latest macOS updates, I'd still be using it.One of the easiest ways to save on Mac purchases is by opting for a previous-generation device. It can easily save you $100 if not more. It's worth noting that the Apple Store doesn't always carry previous-gen tech, so when shopping for older generations I tend to rely on retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. They won't always have stock, but with a little digging around you'll be able to find a cheaper version of Apple's current flagship.Go big on your purchase (Image credit: Tom's Guide)Apple devices are renown for lasting a long time. (I tend to get at least 5 years from mine). So when it comes time to purchasing a new device, I always recommended spending a little more for the upgraded model. This is more important that ever because today's Macs are no longer user upgradeable.So if you want to squeeze the most life out of your device, I recommend buying big. For example, when I purchased my Mac mini, I splurged on the M4 Pro CPU and upgraded both my RAM and SSD. My iMac 5K lasted me nearly a decade before I upgraded, so I'm hoping to get the same or similar lifespan from my current machine.Take advantage of student discounts (Image credit: Apple)Apple's Education Store discount is available year-round. Depending on what you're buying, you can save as much as $100 if you can verify your student status. In the past, I've actually recommended people avoid it because you can usually find better dollar-off discounts at authorized retailers like Amazon or Best Buy. However, since Apple's summer price hike, Apple deals have been a little harder to come by.Additionally, the Apple Back to School Sale is underway through August 27, so in addition to that student discount you'll also get from a $100 to $150 Apple gift card on select purchases. That sweetens the deal even more. For example, the Apple Education Store has the MacBook Air M5 on sale for $1,199. That's $100 off and you also get a free $100 Apple gift card. Sure, Amazon offers the same price, but there's no freebie gift card. Likewise, the Apple Education Store has the MacBook Neo on sale for $599, which is $100 off. There's no gift card included with this offer, but I can guarantee you that no retailer is taking $100 off the MacBook Neo anytime soon.Don't be afraid of refurbished (Image credit: Tom's Guide)As a germophobe, I used to cringe at the idea of buying used tech. However, buying refurbished Apple gear is a great way to help your bank account and the planet. Apple restores and/or replaces everything during the refurbishing process, so my unfounded fear of getting a device with a random hair or grease stain on it is baseless.In fact, the Apple Store is known for the excellent condition of its refurbished products and everything is backed by a 1-year Apple warranty. (That's the same warranty you'd get if you were to purchase a new Apple device). At the time of this writing, you can find MacBook Airs from $1,019 and MacBook Neos from $599.Best Apple Deals NowShop more deals Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. As deals editor-in-chief at Tom’s Guide, Louis is constantly looking for ways to avoid paying full price for the latest gadgets, appliances, and apparel. With over 10 years of deals-hunting experience, Louis price checks against multiple retailers and searches high and low for the best deals to bring readers. He's also always on the look out for the best coupon codes to use when shopping. A born-and-bred New Yorker, Louis is also an avid swimmer and marathoner. His work has appeared on Gizmodo, CNET, and Time Out New York.