Monday, April 26, 2021

Wanting to snag a MacBook on the cheap? Here are all of the best deals.

Apple's MacBook models have become commonplace in coffee shops and lecture halls across the globe. They used to be rarer sights, but thanks to the proliferation of Apple's mobile devices, namely the iPhone, so many more people are moving to Apple's computer platform for all of the ecosystem benefits it brings.

Best MacBook Deals Available Now

Apple MacBook Pro (Late 2020) | $1,149.99 at Amazon

Though it hasn't been available long, you can already save close to $150 on Apple's M1-powered MacBook Pro at Amazon. The discount applies to both the base 256GB model and the higher-capacity 512GB version. Get your order in quick to avoid an extended wait time, though.

$1,149.99 at Amazon

Traditionally, MacBook pricing has been pretty steep, and that's still true to an extent. However, there is a range of prices in Apple's MacBook lineup and different products to suit varying needs and budgets. Plus, deals are fairly common at some of the most popular retailers so you can score a saving. Keeping up with all of the best Apple deals from around the web can be a pain as they change regularly, but we've got you covered with the sales out there right now.

Whether you're looking for the cheapest MacBook price or want the best MacBook Pro deal you can find, you don't have to look much further than right here. We track MacBook pricing, deals, and discounts from the moment they become available and round up the best below.

Here's a breakdown of current MacBook deals and prices.

Model Regular Price Best Price Current Price
MacBook Air (Early 2020) $999 $749.99 $919.99 at Adorama
MacBook Air (Late 2020) $999 $899 $899 at Amazon
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2020) $1,299 $1,049 $1,099 at B&H
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2020) $1,299 $1,149.99 $1,149.99 at Amazon
MacBook Pro (16-inch, Late 2019) $2,399 $1,999.99 $2,199 at Amazon

We've rounded up the best MacBook Air and MacBook Pro deals that you can find around the web below. Be sure to check out the list and give one of them a try today!

Best MacBook Air Deals

Apple's MacBook Air is aimed at entry-level Mac buyers. It's the most affordable portable Mac in Apple's lineup and is powerful enough to meet most users' day-to-day needs.

In 2020, there are a couple of models to choose from with the early 2020 machine being an upgraded Intel model and the newly-announced Apple silicon model coming out in late 2020 powered by the Apple-made M1 chip. Its 13-inch display offers plenty of room for web browsing, email, documents, and more. While it isn't as well-suited to powerful photo or video-editing tasks like its Pro counterparts, it's still a solid device and is much cheaper.

MacBook Air (Early 2020) | $919.99 at Adorama

This deal at Adorama saves you $80 on Apple's base-level MacBook Air from early 2020. Since this machine has now been discontinued this deal won't last for long and once it's gone, it's gone.

$919.99 at Adorama

Apple MacBook Air (Late 2020) | $899 at Amazon

Amazon is currently taking $100 off the entry-level space gray MacBook Air with M1 chip, dropping it to a record low of $899. The 512GB model is up to $149 off and select deals are matched at B&H.

$899 at Amazon

Best MacBook Pro Deals

Apple has recently updated its top-of-the-line MacBook lineup with 13-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.

Similar to the 13-inch MacBook Air, the smaller MacBook Pro model was upgraded in early 2020 with new Intel processors, though it has now been replaced by the late 2020 model powered by Apple silicon. The larger, 16-inch model hasn't had the same Apple M1 update yet so the most recent model is the Intel-powered 2019 machine.

Apple MacBook Pro (Late 2020) | $1,149.99 at Amazon

Though it hasn't been available long, you can already save close to $150 on Apple's M1-powered MacBook Pro at Amazon. Get your order in quick to avoid an extended wait time, though.

$1,149.99 at Amazon

Apple MacBook Pro (Late 2020) | $1,349.99 at Amazon

The higher-capacity 512GB M1 MacBook Pro is discounted by $149 at Amazon. There's no word on how long this deal will last, though.

$1,349.99 at Amazon

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2020) | $1,099 at B&H

B&H is offering a $200 discount on the entry-level early-2020 13-inch MacBook Pro model, dropping prices as low as $1,099. That's a solid saving if you don't need the latest model.

$1,099 at B&H

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2020) | $1,199 at B&H

The 512GB early 2020 MacBook Pro model is seeing similar savings with $300 off at B&H, dropping prices as low as $1,199. If you want to save on the 1TB model, Amazon is your best bet with up to $250 off.

$1,199 at B&H

MacBook Pro (16-inch, Late 2019) | $2,199 at Amazon

In late 2019, Apple bumped the top-end MacBook Pro display size up to 16 inches and redeveloped the keyboard for a more reliable experience. Since it's been out a few months, it has seen a few discounts, but this $200 price drop at Amazon is one of its best yet. Matched at B&H.

$2,199 at Amazon

MacBook Pro (16-inch, Late 2019) | $2,499 at Amazon

If you want to go for the 1TB version of the latest 16-inch MacBook Pro, Amazon is the place to buy it with as much as $350 off. Act fast, though, as this low price probably won't stick around for long.

$2,499 at Amazon

A more affordable option

If you're hoping to buy an Apple computer but want to spend closer to $500 than $1,000, the Mac mini could be a stellar pick. The latest model features Apple's M1 Chip which is designed exclusively for use on Mac and integrates the CPU, GPU, Neural Engine, I/O, and more into a single system for a boosted Mac mini unlike any that have come before it. With a regular price starting at $699 for the model with 8GB RAM and 256GB, this remains one of the best ways to score yourself a more affordable Mac.

Mac mini (Late 2020) | $669 at Amazon

The all-new Mac mini is discounted by as much as $70 at Amazon. This model features Apple's M1 chip with 8GB RAM, a 256GB SSD, and more. The base model is $30 off with the higher-capacity model seeing a bigger discount.

$669 at Amazon

MacBook Price Tracking

When it comes to MacBook pricing, direct discounts are infrequent and happen seemingly at random points throughout the year. Apple doesn't offer direct discounts (except for students), though some third-party retailers have Apple-focused sales periodically or to coincide with major shopping events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Amazon Prime Day or back to school season. These are the best times to buy.

It's also worth keeping your eyes peeled for when Apple releases new MacBook models. The previous-gen machines won't hang around for long as retailers tend to liquidate the stock via some chunky discounts. Once they're gone, they're gone for good, though.

If you don't need something brand new, a refurbished model is the way to go. When purchased from a reputable seller like Apple or Best Buy you can save a good amount and get hardware that looks and performs like new.

MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro: Which should you buy?

When shopping for a MacBook, Apple has now made it pretty clear which machine is for which prospective buyer. The MacBook Air line is for those that want a lightweight, portable machine and don't need to spend big bucks on all of the power of a MacBook Pro. The Pro line is for, well, professional users. The 13- and 16-inch devices trade off a little bit of portability for added power for tasks like photo and video editing, development, music production, and more.

If you're price-conscious or just want a solid day-to-day computer, the MacBook Air should be your go-to. It's plenty powerful for email, document editing, browsing, and general computing tasks. Thanks to its late 2020 update, it's got the all-new M1 chip which makes for some power and efficiency gains plus a longer battery life.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro just came out with the Apple M1 chip and is the entry point to the Pro lineup. It now starts at $1,300 which is a few hundred bucks more than the Air, but if you need the extra power or want the Touch Bar, it should be where you look next. There are still Intel-based options available if you want to stick with that architecture or want four Thunderbolt ports.

If you need the 16-inch MacBook Pro, you likely already know about it and won't be put off by its high price of entry. It promises the highest specs and largest screen, but also boasts the biggest price tag.


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