Technology

Best MacBook deals for October 2024

Apple currently sells MacBooks equipped with its own M-series chips in a wide range of sizes and price points. It recently discontinued the M1 MacBook Air to make room for the M3 Air, but some retailers are still selling the last-gen laptop starting at $649 — a far cry from the $2,499 starting price of the latest 16-inch MacBook Pro. Purchasing a new MacBook can certainly be a pricey endeavor, but thankfully, finding a deal on a current M3-based model is actually not that difficult.

Although Macs may not experience perpetual discounts, it’s not uncommon to see various models discounted by as much as $400. Alternatively, purchasing refurbished options directly from Apple is another way to save money without waiting for the changing deal winds to blow your way. It’s also the only option to find certain SKUs of older models as Apple continues to move forward on newer releases. Apple’s refurbished store provides a one-year warranty on all products and generally offers discounts of up to 15 to 20 percent off the price of a new unit.

But if you want to buy new and you’re looking to save whatever you can, here are the best MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini deals available.

The best MacBook Air deals

M1 MacBook Air

The M1 MacBook Air was considered Apple’s entry-level laptop before the M3 model’s arrival prompted Apple to stop selling it directly in its online and brick-and-mortar stores. But while the redesigned M2 version of the MacBook Air (which has been with us for a while as well) seems poised to take over as the top value choice, the 2020 version with an M1 processor and fanless design remains available at some retailers as a solid budget option. It’s best suited for typical productivity work, with a comfortable keyboard, an excellent trackpad, and all-day battery life. For many people, the M1 Air still ticks the right boxes when it comes to performance and price, even if it’s long enough in the tooth to have been fully dethroned in our guide to the best laptops.

The base MacBook Air with the M1 chip comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It’s becoming harder to find in new condition, but Walmart has committed to keeping it around for the foreseeable future and is currently discounting it to $649 ($350 off) — a special sale price that’s hung around since the retailer ran its counter-Prime Day promotions in July. The M1 Air may be a few years old now, but it’s still hard to beat in terms of value, especially when it comes to everyday performance and battery life.

The MacBook Air is the most impressive laptop I’ve used in yearsThe MacBook Air is the most impressive laptop I’ve used in yearsThe MacBook Air is the most impressive laptop I’ve used in yearsThe MacBook Air is the most impressive laptop I’ve used in years

The 2020 MacBook Air has been discontinued but remains a great value and is still easy to find on sale at some retailers. It comes outfitted with the company’s M1 chip in one of three different colors (silver, space gray, and gold).

M2 MacBook Air

As for the 13-inch MacBook Air with M2 chip from 2022, it may be on its way out, as availability for the 15-inch version is waning. But, outside of opting for the newer M3 models (see further below), you can at least get the base 13-inch M2 model with 256GB of storage and an eight-core GPU at Amazon and B&H Photo for $899 ($100 off). The model with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, meanwhile, is available for as low as $1,049 ($150 off) at Amazon and B&H Photo, which is a pretty good price for one of the step-up models.

Surprisingly, Best Buy is also still selling the 15-inch MacBook Air M2 in its base 8GB / 256GB configuration for $1,099 ($200 off).

The M2 MacBook Air is a super slim, lightweight laptop with a 1080p webcam and a handy magnetic charger that frees up one of its two USB-C ports. Although its M2 processor didn’t kick-start a revolution like the M1 generation, it’s a great performer for any user, including more demanding creatives.

It does have some slight downsides, though, including slower storage in the base 256GB configuration and a notch cutout in its otherwise excellent screen. But even so, Apple hasn’t offered a more travel-friendly laptop since the days of the polarizing 12-inch MacBook, and this prior-gen model was once good enough to top our list of the best laptops.

The M2 MacBook Air is opened, facing the camera. Its display is on, showcasing a psychedelic purple and black wallpaper created by The Verge’s art and illustration team.The M2 MacBook Air is opened, facing the camera. Its display is on, showcasing a psychedelic purple and black wallpaper created by The Verge’s art and illustration team.The M2 MacBook Air is opened, facing the camera. Its display is on, showcasing a psychedelic purple and black wallpaper created by The Verge’s art and illustration team.The M2 MacBook Air is opened, facing the camera. Its display is on, showcasing a psychedelic purple and black wallpaper created by The Verge’s art and illustration team.

The 2022 MacBook Air is a thin, lightweight device powered by Apple’s M2 chip. The M2 model touts an improved 1080p webcam and a better display than its predecessor while retaining features like long battery life and MagSafe charging.

M3 MacBook Air

The M1 Air and its wedge had to perish for the M3 MacBook Air to exist. Apple’s updated entry-level laptops arrived in both 13- and 15-inch variants simultaneously this time, bringing with them slightly faster performance and a slate of minor upgrades. Apple added Wi-Fi 6E, for one, along with an additional Thunderbolt port that allows you to use two external displays when the lid is closed. They also continue to offer 18 hours of battery life and a MagSafe charging port, though the M3 Air starts at a slightly higher price than its predecessor at $1,099.

Thankfully, the base MacBook Air 13 is currently on sale at Amazon and B&H Photo with an M3 chip, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage for $999 ($100 off), matching its second-best price to date. You can also find a discount on the 8GB RAM / 512GB SSD model, which drops it to $1,199 (also $200 off) in select colors at Amazon and B&H Photo. An upgraded 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD configuration is also on sale for $1,349 ($150 off) at Amazon.

As for the 15-inch Air, the base 8GB / 256GB model is available starting at$1,199 ($100 off) at Amazon and B&H Photo. You can also get it in 8GB / 512GB configuration for $1,399 ($100 off) at Amazon. If you can spring for the upgraded model with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, it’s an easy recommendation that should treat you better in the long haul, one that’s currently available for $1,549 ($150 off) at Amazon and B&H Photo.

The MacBook Air M3 is a jack-of-all-trades, with a balanced combination of performance and power efficiency. It also now supports dual displays with the lid closed, and the storage speed is noticeably faster. You don’t need to think about if this laptop will meet your needs — it just will. Read our review.

A photo of Apple’s M3-powered MacBook Air laptop.A photo of Apple’s M3-powered MacBook Air laptop.A photo of Apple’s M3-powered MacBook Air laptop.A photo of Apple’s M3-powered MacBook Air laptop.

The 15-inch MacBook Air is also equipped with Apple’s M3 chip. It features a larger display and better speaker array than the 13-inch MacBook Air M3. Read our review.

The best MacBook Pro deals

During its “Scary Fast” event last year, Apple announced new MacBook Pros that use M3 processors — including a new 14-inch model that replaced the 13-inch M2 model. That means the Touch Bar Mac is finally dead, replaced by Apple’s new M3-based MacBooks. According to rumors, Apple may introduce new M4-based MacBook Pro models later this month, but there’s no telling when we’ll see the first discounts on them. Thankfully, the current M3 models are relatively easy to find on sale.

M3 and M3 Pro MacBook Pro

The entry point into the MacBook Pro world is a MagSafe-equipped MacBook Pro that uses the existing 14-inch design and slightly pares it down. The 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro has the same 3024 x 1964 resolution display and 120Hz refresh rate as its pricier siblings, and in addition to a MagSafe charging port, it has an SD card slot and HDMI port. However, it starts with just 8GB of RAM and lacks the third USB-C / Thunderbolt port found on the M3 Pro and M3 Max models (as well as Thunderbolt 4 speeds).

The M3 MacBook Pro may be a bit of an odd middle child in some ways, but it’s still a very good laptop — especially if you can find a deal that puts more price distance between the M3 model and the M3 Pro version. Fortunately, the base model with 512GB of storage and 8GB of RAM is currently on sale for its all-time low of $1,299 ($300 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. The step-up configuration with 1TB of storage is also on sale at Amazon and Best Buy for $1,499 ($300 off), matching the lowest price we’ve seen.

Apple’s new entry-level model for the MacBook Pro line is now a 14-inch laptop powered by the new base M3 processor. It uses a similar design to the pricier 14-inch MacBook Pro with Apple’s Pro- / Max-series chips but is offered at a lower price with the similar ports and less RAM.

The 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros of late 2023 are another round of spec-bump models, much like their previous 2022 incarnations. Now starting with the M3 Pro chip (or the speedier M3 Max) and 18GB of base RAM instead of 16GB, the new models remain targeted at creatives doing content work like video editing, photo processing, and other graphical work. Like their predecessors and the M1 Pro generation before that, they offer MagSafe charging, three USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI-out, and a full-size SD card slot, with prices starting at $1,999 for the 14-inch and $2,499 for the 16-inch. You can, of course, spec them up the wazoo if you’re willing to pay more, as exhibited by the review unit Apple sent us of the 16-inch model, which cost an eye-watering $7,199.

But rest assured, versions that actual humans buy now receive the occasional discount. For instance, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro (11-core CPU / 14-core GPU), 18GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD is going for $1,699 ($300 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. It was $500 off not long ago, making the current $300 discount good but not that good. As for the base 16-inch Pro — which comes with an M3 Pro chip, 18GB of RAM, and 512GB — it’s on sale starting at $1,999 (a massive $500 off) at Best Buy.

M3 MacBook Pro 14 on a desk with asymmetrical bookshelves behind it.M3 MacBook Pro 14 on a desk with asymmetrical bookshelves behind it.M3 MacBook Pro 14 on a desk with asymmetrical bookshelves behind it.M3 MacBook Pro 14 on a desk with asymmetrical bookshelves behind it.

The new 14-inch MacBook Pro comes in a space black color and is configurable with either an M3 Pro or M3 Max chip. It looks a lot like the previous M2 generation, but spec-wise, the M3 Pro models start with a 12-core CPU, 18GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD.

The M3 Max MacBook 16 in space black in front of a teal and white background.The M3 Max MacBook 16 in space black in front of a teal and white background.The M3 Max MacBook 16 in space black in front of a teal and white background.The M3 Max MacBook 16 in space black in front of a teal and white background.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro remains Apple’s largest laptop for creators and power users. The latest model includes a spec bump to the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips, with a claimed battery life of up to 22 hours, and is configurable with up to 128GB of RAM.

The best Mac Mini deals

The latest Mac Mini comes in a base configuration with Apple’s M2 processor or in a more powerful configuration with the M2 Pro. There’s talk of a new M4-powered Mini with an even smaller design coming soon, but until that happens, the M2 generation remains one of the most affordable yet performant desktop computers you can get (as long as gaming isn’t your priority). The M2 Mac Mini starts with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD for $599, while the M2 Pro model features a superior processor plus gigabit ethernet, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage for $1,299.

The latter model also features an expanded port selection, from two USB-C ports to four. It’s almost like getting an M2 Pro-powered MacBook Pro 14 but in desktop form. However, keep in mind that buying any Mac Mini means you have to provide your own mouse, keyboard, and monitor. Either way, the M2 Mac Mini remains a great value for a desktop computer.

Right now, the base model with an M2 chip, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD is on sale for $499.99 (about $100 off) at Amazon thanks to an on-page coupon. You can also get it at Amazon with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage for $689.99 (about $110 off), which is about $10 more than the lowest price we’ve seen on the 512GB configuration.

If you want to maximize its potential, you can upgrade to the M2 Pro version with a 10-core CPU / 16-core GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage for $1,149 ($150 off) at Amazon. That’s only $50 more than the lowest price we’ve seen on that particular configuration.

A photo of Apple’s 2023 Mac Mini.A photo of Apple’s 2023 Mac Mini.A photo of Apple’s 2023 Mac Mini.A photo of Apple’s 2023 Mac Mini.

The revised Mac Mini for 2023 starts at $599 for an M2-powered model with an eight-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB SSD. The Mini can also be had with the M2 Pro chip, 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD, and a more robust port selection for $1,249.

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