Apple's free AirPods promo is back for students and teachers

Save $159: As of July 13, AirPods with the wired charging case come free with select MacBook Pro or Air, iPad, or iMac purchases as part of Apple's Back to School promotion.

Apple's official website doesn't really do direct discounts, but it does do free stuff.

For back-to-school season, Apple's education promo is once again tacking some of the most sought-after headphones on the market onto your purchase: Students and teachers who buy select MacBook Pro or Air, iPad, iMac, or Mac Mini devices will get a free pair of AirPods.

The baseline pair of AirPods with the wireless charging case (originally $159, on sale for $119 at Amazon) are the official free pair. You can also upgrade to the pair with a wireless charging case for $40 (originally $199, on sale for $159.98 at Amazon) or the noise-canceling AirPods Pro for $90 (originally $249, on sale for $197 at Amazon).

This is a particularly juicy steal for anyone who's been eyeing the 2020 MacBook or 2021 iMac (yes, the colorful ones), or iPad Pro models that came out in fall and spring. The largest price cuts these newbies see usually max out at $50 or $100 off, if they're on sale at all. If you were already planning on buying a pair of AirPods, too, it's a guaranteed savings of $119 (technically $159 if you go by Apple's pricing, but Amazon beats 'em there). Special education pricing at Apple may squeeze out an even better deal.