How to Buy Apple Products Cheaply (Latest Tips)
Apple products (iPhone, MacBook, iPad, Apple Watch, etc.) are known for being expensive, but if you use discount programs, promotions, and used-device options, you can buy them at about 5~20% off in many cases.
Here are practical ways to do it.
If youโre a student, prioritize education discounts first.
The best option is to use Appleโs official education store, which students, new university students, and school staff can use right away.
(Apple official site)
https://www.apple.com/us-edu/store
The next option is to buy through Costco and get reward points at the same time.
There are other methods too. See the details below.
- Use the education discount store (student/teacher discount, up to 15% off)
If youโre a university student, graduate student, teacher, or school staff member, you can buy Mac and iPad with a discount at the official Apple education store. For example, a MacBook Air with a regular price of about $929 can be around $776, about a 10~15% discount.
How to do it: Go to the Apple education store โ upload student ID or enrollment certificate โ purchase. Parent-purchase on behalf of the student is also possible.
Tip: Bundle discounts for Apple Pencil or keyboards may also apply.
- Apple Trade In (trade-in used devices for about $67~$334 in credit)
If you return an existing Apple device (iPhone, iPad, etc.), you can receive credit toward a new purchase.
Example: iPhone 14 can get about $201 in credit.
How to do it: Enter your device details on the Trade In page โ check the quote โ submit online or in-store. Credit can be applied immediately or received as a gift card.
Tip: Credit is usually higher when the battery condition is good. Trading in an older model right after a new iPhone launch is often more favorable.
- Buy from the Refurbished Store (15~20% off, Apple-certified pre-owned)
These are refurbished by Apple from returned/repaired units, are close to new in condition, and include a 1-year warranty. The latest models may not always be available, but previous generations are usually cheaper.
How to do it: Check the Apple Refurbished Store. Example: MacBook Pro M2 at about a 20% discount from the regular price.
- Use online shopping promotions (Costco, etc., 5~10% card discounts)
Buy iPhone, AirPods, and other products during sales on Coupang and similar platforms. Waiting 1~2 months after launch often allows opportunistic coupon stacking for extra savings.
Costco: Apple event promotions can offer about 5% off, and with Hyundai Card you can earn 3% points on purchases of $334 or more.
How to do it: Search โApple saleโ in Coupang โ join Rocket WOW membership ($3.34/month) for free shipping and discounts.
Black Friday (November) are strong timing opportunities. You can also check real-time sale alerts on X.
- International shopping (Amazon, Japan Apple Store, usually 10~20% cheaper)
If exchange rates are favorable, buying in the U.S. or Japan can help. Apple stores in Japan may be cheaper due to tax refund options.
How to do it: Check unlock status and buy unlocked devices on Amazon/eBay. Be sure to account for shipping and customs tax (13%)โimports under $67 may be exempt.
Tip: A day-trip โairfare + shoppingโ strategy can also work, especially when the yen is weak.
Today's News/Tips
oCam Advanced Settings - Recording - Resize
oCam is a powerful screen recording program that lets users freely adjust video quality and resolution through a variety of recording settings. In the settings window that appears when you click "Tools - Options," the "Resize" tab under the "Recording" category provides features for fine-tuning the output resolution and quality of recorded videos. This tab is especially useful for users who want to optimize the output size and quality of their videos, and it can be used effectively by everyone from beginners to IT professionals according to their needs. Below is a detailed explanation of the main settings in the "Resize" tab.
Resize Video
If you check the "Resize Video" option, the size of the recorded video will be adjusted according to the resolution and quality settings you choose. This feature is useful when you want to resize the recorded video to a specific resolution in order to reduce file size or output it in a format optimized for a certain platform such as YouTube or Twitch. If this option is not enabled, the video will be saved at the original size of the recording area, and the resizing process will be skipped.
Supported Resolutions (Presets)
oCam provides a variety of resolution presets so users can easily choose the output size they want. The supported resolution presets are as follows:
4320p UHD 8K (7680x4320): Ultra-high-resolution video available on high-spec systems. However, only the MPEG-4 codec supports this resolution, and other built-in codecs do not support 8K.
2160p UHD 4K (3840x2160): Suitable for producing high-quality video.
1440p QHD (2560x1440): Provides sharp image quality and is suitable for users with high-resolution monitors.
1080p FHD (1920x1080): The most widely used standard resolution for YouTube and streaming platforms.
720p HD (1280x720): Suitable for general web content.
480p (854x480), 360p (640x360), 240p (426x240), 144p (256x144), 120p (160x120), 96p (128x96): Low-resolution options that can reduce file size or be used in lower-spec environments.
Half Size: Outputs the recording area with both width and height reduced by half.
Specify Width Only and Keep Height Fixed: If the user enters a width, the height is adjusted based on the original recording area height.
Specify Height Only and Keep Width Fixed: If the user enters a height, the width is adjusted based on the original recording area width.
Custom: Lets the user directly enter the desired width and height to output at a fully customized size.
If you use an external codec, some resolutions may not be supported depending on the codec's characteristics, so it is a good idea to check codec compatibility before recording.
Resolution Adjustment Methods
Half Size: This option reduces the width and height of the recording area to 50% each. For example, if the original recording area is 1920x1080, setting it to Half Size will output it at 960x540. This is useful when you want to reduce file size.
Specify Width Only and Keep Height Fixed: When the user enters a width, the height is calculated automatically while maintaining the original aspect ratio of the recording area. For example, if the width is set to 1280 and the original height is 720, the output resolution becomes 1280x720.
Specify Height Only and Keep Width Fixed: Conversely, when a height is entered, the width is adjusted to match the original aspect ratio. This method is suitable for platforms that require a specific vertical resolution, such as mobile content.
Custom: Both the width and height can be entered directly, allowing the output size to be adjusted exactly as desired. This option is suitable for advanced users with specific resolution requirements.
Quality Setting
The "Quality" setting determines the image quality of the output video when resizing is applied. The higher the quality, the sharper the video will be, but resizing may take longer and consume more system resources. On the other hand, lowering the quality speeds up the resizing process, but the sharpness of the video may decrease somewhat. Users should choose an appropriate quality level by considering file size, system performance, and the purpose of the video, such as high-quality streaming or simple sharing.
Usage Tips
The settings in the "Resize" tab can be adjusted flexibly depending on the purpose of the video and the system environment. For example, if you want to record in 1080p FHD for YouTube upload, it is best to choose that preset and set the quality to high. On the other hand, if you want a smaller video file for quick upload to social media, choosing a lower resolution such as 720p or 480p and setting the quality moderately lower can be more efficient. If you want to try 8K recording, you must use the MPEG-4 codec, and it is important to check in advance whether your system supports it. Also, by using custom resolutions, you can create videos that match the exact requirements of a particular platform or project.
The "Resize" tab in oCam supports a wide range of recording scenarios through intuitive presets and flexible custom options. Beginners can get started easily with simple presets, while IT professionals can achieve optimal results through detailed resolution and quality adjustments. Try using these settings according to your recording purpose and system environment.