Apple currently sells MacBooks powered by its own M-series processors in a wide range of sizes and prices, all of which run the company’s latest operating system, macOS 26. Buying a new MacBook can be complicated if you’re trying to figure out what specs you need, but finding a deal on a relatively fast model is surprisingly easy, especially since Apple increased the starting RAM on several models in late 2024.
These days, it’s not uncommon to see various MacBooks discounted by up to $800. Alternatively, purchasing refurbished options directly from Apple is another way to save money without waiting for the changing winds of deals to blow your way. This is also the only option to find certain configurations of older models as Apple continues to move forward with new releases. Apple’s refurbished store offers a one-year warranty and typically discounts new units up to 20%.
But if you want to buy new and are looking to save whatever you can, here are the best MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini deals available.
In March, Apple released an updated MacBook Air, available in a 13- and 15-inch configuration with an M4 processor. Interestingly, the latest Air starts at a lower price than the previous model, but it offers slightly faster performance and twice the base RAM at 16GB. It can also connect to two external monitors with the lid open, comes in a cool sky blue color, and has the 12-megapixel Center Stage webcam from the latest MacBook Pro. Needless to say, there’s a lot to like.
The 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air are also currently receiving significant discounts. You can buy the base 13-inch model with a 10-core CPU, eight-core GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage on sale at Amazon and Best Buy for around $799 ($200 off), just $50 off its lowest price yet. If you prefer the larger 15-inch model, the entry-level configuration with a 10-core GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage is on sale for around $999 ($200 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which remains its second-best price yet.
In November 2024, Apple launched the M4 series MacBook Pro. Notably, the base 14-inch MacBook Pro M4 is the first to launch with 16GB of RAM – double the previous generation’s starting memory – and 512GB of storage for the same $1,599 starting price as the last generation model. It also gets a third Thunderbolt 4 port, positioned on the right side and supporting two external monitors when the lid is open. Also new to this model is an improved 12-megapixel webcam that supports Center Stage and a new Desk View feature, as well as the option to add a nano-texture display for an additional $150. It is also available in space black.
The 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips also received additional RAM, bringing them to 24GB. They also start with 512GB of storage and cost $1,999 and $2,499, respectively. While the total port selection hasn’t changed from their respective M3 Pro and M3 Max counterparts, you’ll get faster Thunderbolt 5 ports on these more substantial models. This is in addition to the SD slot, dedicated full-size HDMI port and 3.5mm jack. They also feature the upgraded 12-megapixel Center Stage webcam with Desk View, as well as the optional nano-texture display option.
Many variants of the MacBook Pro M4 with different screen and processor configurations are currently on sale. For example, the 14-inch M4 Pro with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage is available for $1,299 ($300 off) at B&H Photo. You can also get the 14-inch Pro with 24GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and an M4 Pro chip (12-core CPU/16-core GPU) at Amazon and Best Buy for $1,749 ($250 off), which is a solid discount even if it’s not the biggest price drop we’ve seen in recent months.
The base 16-inch MacBook Pro, meanwhile, is on sale at Amazon and Best Buy with an M4 Pro chip, 24GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage for around $2,249 ($250 off), which is $120 more than the all-time low we saw on Black Friday.
Apple’s latest revision of the 14.2-inch MacBook Pro adds the M5 processor. The generational leap will be felt most by those with an older MacBook Pro, not those upgrading from the M4, unless you use specific AI applications that leverage the chip’s new neural accelerators. As for the other design changes and upgrades made to the interior and exterior of this MacBook Pro, there aren’t really any major ones of note; in fact, it looks so much like the M4 model that our reviewer Antonio Di Benedetto had to write “M5” on a post-it just to be able to tell them apart. That being said, this is still an incredible laptop, and one that’s just starting to get minor discounts.
The base 14.2-inch model with the M5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage is down to $1,449 ($150 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo, which is $100 less than its best price yet.
The newest Mac Minis in town are the M4-based models, arriving in late 2024. Apple has reduced the horizontal footprint of its desktop and paired it with its M4 chipset and 16GB of RAM, double that of the previous generation and bringing it in line with other 2024 base Mac models. That makes Apple’s latest desktop a considerable value.
Deals on the latest Mac Mini are a little easier to find now than at launch, which is a good thing since the outgoing M2 model is becoming increasingly difficult to find. The M4 Mac Mini starts with an M4 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage for $599. That’s an incredible value for a small desktop that can compete with the Mac Studio and Mac Pro when it comes to certain tasks, including light gaming, 4K video editing, and 3D modeling. Vertically, the M4 Mac Mini is a bit thicker than the last-generation M2 model at 2 inches tall, but it’s only 5 inches wide and 5 inches deep.
In addition to the odd decision to place the power button on its underside, Apple has moved the 3.5mm headphone jack and two of its five USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports to the front. The rear includes three additional Thunderbolt ports, an HDMI output, and a Gigabit Ethernet port. You can also get the Mac Mini with an M4 Pro chipset starting at $1,399, which comes with faster Thunderbolt 5 storage and the ability to upgrade to 10 gigabit Ethernet for an extra $100.
In the past we’ve seen the base Mac Mini drop to $469, but right now it’s only on sale at Amazon and B&H Photo with an M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD for $499 ($100 off). If you need more storage, you can upgrade to the version with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for $689 ($110 off) at Amazon and B&H Photo. Meanwhile, the base model M4 Pro with 24GB of RAM and 512GB of storage is on sale for $1,269 ($130 off) at Amazon and B&H Photo.
Update January 16: Updated to reflect current pricing and availability.
Source | domain www.theverge.com
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