With more than 30 retail stores across South Africa, as well as online, iStore is the ideal destination to get your hands on the new iPhone 16 and for the best in iPhone deals, whether you’re upgrading, buying new, or on the lookout for a flexible and affordable contract. 

Let’s look at the ways iStore is making it easier for you to upgrade to a new iPhone.

1. I want to get a good deal when I upgrade my iPhone contract. Thanks to iStore’s exclusive Contract Price Freeze, you won’t pay a cent more on your existing contract when you upgrade to the new iPhone 16. In fact, you might even find yourself paying less. All you need to do is trade in your current iPhone to enjoy a significant saving, while carrying on with the same contract. It’s a great way to beat inflation and get the very latest iPhone in your hands.
2. I want to trade in and get cash back. You can trade in, upgrade to a new phone and get cash back, up to R22 000 into your bank account, to spend on whatever you like. All you need to do is to visit www.istore.co.za, answer a few quick questions about the phone you are trading in to confirm your estimated trade-in value. Then visit your nearest iStore or trade in online for a final inspection to confirm your trade-in evaluation. Trade-in and get cash deposited into your bank account.
3. I want to get added value and peace of mind when I purchase my new iPhone. That’s exactly what you’ll get with iStore’s iCare Plus Extended Warranty. Valued at R1 999, iCare Plus comes at no cost with every new iPhone purchase. The extended two-year warranty includes a screen replacement as well as iStore’s unique Guaranteed Buy Back. This gives you a guaranteed buy back of up to 60% of your initial purchase value when you trade in your device and upgrade to a new iPhone. On top of that, you’ll get free technical support and training from our team of experts, should you ever need it.
4.  I want to upgrade to a new iPhone online. iStore’s online upgrade service makes it click-and-easy. No matter where you took out your original contract, you can get your new iPhone on Vodacom, MTN or Telkom. Just head over to  https://www.istore.co.za/cellular-online-upgrade to start the process. As soon as your deal is approved, your new iPhone will be on its way to you, with free same-day courier delivery in major metropolitan areas.

*For more information, please visit: www.istore.co.za.

If you’re thinking of moving your business to Mac, you’re in good company. 

A recent global report predicts a 20% switch to Mac in enterprise environments this year, while a survey by Parallels found that more than half of small to mid-sized businesses choose Mac.

But what are the real benefits of Mac, and just how easy and affordable is it to make the move? With the help of iStore Business, South Africa’s leading Apple Enterprise Solutions provider, let’s lay out a business case to help you on your way.

One: the case for a seamless transition

It’s easy to adapt from PC to Mac. Using Mac’s Migration Assistant, you can safely transfer your contacts, calendars, email accounts and more from your Windows PC during setup. Once you’re settled in, your Mac is ready for business, with a range of powerful, easy-to-use productivity and creativity apps, including Pages for word processing, Numbers for spreadsheets, and KeyNote for presentations.

Two: the case for optimal performance 

Forty years ago, Apple revolutionised personal computing with the introduction of the Mac. Now, comes the new generation of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The M-Series Macs are powered by Apple’s radical silicon System on a Chip (SoC) processor, which integrates multiple components for optimum efficiency.

The result is a breakthrough in speed, performance, memory management, machine learning, and multitasking power.

Three: the case for compatibility

If your business runs Microsoft Office, don’t let that hold you back. So does Mac. 

Mac is fully compatible with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Adobe Creative Cloud, Zoom, Teams, and thousands of other industry-standard apps.

You can even run Windows on a Mac, using virtualisation software. Or you can work in Apple’s own productivity apps — Pages, Numbers and Keynote — and export your documents into other formats with ease.

Four: the case for endurance

With their lightweight yet durable aluminium unibody construction, Mac is made to be used on the move. And when you’re out and about, in transit or in the field, the last thing you want to worry about is your battery running out.

So don’t worry. Thanks to intelligent power management and the unique integration of components on Apple’s all-in-one silicon chip, Mac can last up to 22 hours on a single charge. That should be more than enough to get you through the day, and keep up with your own energy levels.

Five: the case for security

When it comes to the safety and integrity of your precious data, Mac has your back, with rock-solid security features that shield you from intrusion, safeguard against malware, and encrypt and protect your data from unauthorised access. 

That’s why, in a survey by Jamf, more than three-quarters of organisations rated Mac as the most secure computing platform, right out of the box. 

Even if your Mac is lost or stolen, you can protect it remotely using Find My Mac and Activation Lock. Your business is your business. Mac keeps it that way,

Six: the case for value and ROI

Macs are in it for the long run. That’s because of their superior build, integrated hardware and software components, and years of system updates and support. In the long run, Macs are better value too.

The upfront costs of deploying Macs in a business are offset by far lower per-device costs for software, support and everyday running, says a report by Forrester.

On this basis, a Mac costs almost R16 000 less than a PC during a typical three-year lifecycle. Macs also provide significant residual value, with some organisations not needing to replace their devices until after more than five years of usage.

Seven: the case for affordability

With flexible financing from iStore Business, moving to Mac is easier than ever. All the more so if you choose the Business Rental programme, which offers free support for 90 days and the option of trading in your old devices to reduce your monthly repayments. 

Rental removes the need for an upfront outlay, and you can extend or upgrade at the end of the 24-month plan.

All rentals from iStore Business include setup, delivery, technical support and warranty. It’s the most affordable way to bring your business up to speed with Mac.

Eight: the case for a risk-free try-out

If you still need convincing, try this: iStore Business offers a risk-free “Buy and Try” option, which lets you try out a Mac of your choice for 60 days. That includes free tech support and a user training session.

If you’re not 100% satisfied that Mac will change the way you do business for the better, return your Mac for a full refund. 

That’s how confident iStore Business is that you and your team will fall in love with Mac!

For more information on tailored solutions from iStore Business, please visit https://www.istore.co.za/business.

Will a MacBook be suitable for me, no matter what degree I’m enrolled in?

Absolutely. A MacBook is a machine for the Arts, capable of composing music, making movies, and designing beautiful print-ready publications. It’s a machine for the Sciences, ready to visualise datasets, build apps, and explore 3D models. 

It’s a machine for Commerce, equipped to crunch numbers, analyse reports, and produce dazzling presentations. Whatever your discipline, you’ll find that a MacBook has more than enough power and versatility to cope with your academic workload.

That’s why, according to a recent independent survey conducted across five countries, Mac is the computer of choice for 80% of college and university students.

My university requires me to use Microsoft Office for coursework and assignments. Will a MacBook meet the grade?

Yes. MacBooks are fully compatible with the Microsoft suite, as well as with other popular platforms such as Google Workspace and Adobe Creative Cloud.

You can just as easily work on the Mac’s built-in productivity apps, such as Pages and Numbers, and export to Word and Excel when you’re ready. We live in a cross-platform world, and Mac is happily at home in it. 

I’m in it for the long haul, undergrad and post. How likely is it that a MacBook will be able to stay the course with me?

Very likely indeed. With their precision engineering, best-in-class components, and lightweight yet durable Aluminium Unibody construction, MacBooks are built to last.

Take good care of your MacBook, and it’ll easily endure for the length of your studies, no matter how hard you put it to work. 

The proof is in the higher resale and trade-in value of Mac machines, versus their Windows counterparts. Just as you’ll reap the rewards of your commitment to study, so can your investment in Mac pay dividends long after you’ve graduated. 

How well does a MacBook handle the pressures of a typically demanding day, on and off campus?

Without even breaking a sweat. The new generation of M1 and M2 MacBook Airs, for example, are fanless and totally silent. That’s thanks to Apple’s revolutionary SoC (System on a Chip) design, which integrates multiple components on a single chip, significantly boosting efficiency, performance and power.

Another major benefit is improved battery life, which means your MacBook can last up to 18 hours a day on a single charge. You can safely leave your charger at home, and focus on keeping as cool as your Mac when the heat is on.

Some of my classes will be online. How good is the MacBook for remote work?

It’s virtually unbeatable. Every MacBook comes equipped with a high-quality webcam, microphone, speakers, and WiFi connectivity, so you’ll be able to zoom into your virtual classes and conferences with ease. 

This makes it ideal for group work too. You can connect with your peers and fellow researchers on FaceTime, even if they’re using Windows or Android. 

And whether you’re working from home or a coffee shop, you can collaborate, edit and share files across platforms in real-time.

What about privacy and security when I’m using a MacBook on campus or out and about?

Don’t worry. Privacy and security features are hardwired into MacBooks, with multiple layers of protection at the hardware and software level.

FireVault encrypts your data to protect it from authorised access. System Integrity Protection prevents potentially malicious software from modifying your protected files and folders. 

And if you misplace your MacBook, you can remotely enable Activation Lock, which will prevent anyone else from using it and will improve your chances of recovery.

How well do MacBooks work together with other Apple devices?

They work very well together. iCloud keeps your documents, data, and messages in perfect sync, across Mac, iPhone, and iPad. And you can easily pick up where you left off, using Handoff, Apple’s handy continuity feature. 

Start a document in Pages on your MacBook and carry on seamlessly in Pages on your iPhone or iPad. Compose an email on your iPhone and send it later on your MacBook. 

Then there is AirDrop, which allows you to share files and photos swiftly and easily between devices. In the Apple ecosystem, everything works better and smarter together.

Just one more thing. As a student, is there any way I can get a good deal on a MacBook?

There certainly is. Registered students at South African tertiary institutions are entitled to special education pricing at iStore. All you need is a copy of your ID, and proof of registration for the 2024 academic year. 

For more information, visit https://www.istore.co.za/education