With the necessity of Apple Silicon starting from the M1 chip or later, there’s no better time to either purchase your first MacBook or upgrade from an older model. Thanks to the Apple Silicon shift, MacBooks are now more budget-friendly than ever, with entry-level models available for under $600. Cyber Monday promotions make this an ideal period to acquire a new MacBook without straining your finances.
For the latest Cyber Monday deals, check out our friends at 9to5Toys.
M1 MacBook Air
Since the inception of the Apple Silicon lineup, Apple has released three versions of the MacBook Air powered by the M1, M2, and M3 chips. The M1 MacBook Air features a classic wedge design reminiscent of its Intel predecessors, which many users still appreciate.
Despite being nearly four years old, the M1 MacBook Air continues to deliver exceptional value. It features the powerful M1 chip that ensures swift performance, a beautiful Retina display (although with thicker bezels compared to more recent models), an excellent keyboard, and up to 18 hours of battery life. Plus, it operates quietly without sounding like an airplane when opened in public.
Being the oldest model on this list, the M1 MacBook Air is also the most economical choice. However, finding new units with more than 256GB of storage can be challenging, so those needing extra space might consider newer models. A unique point is that it is still the only Apple Silicon MacBook available in the appealing Gold color.
Currently, you can purchase the M1 MacBook Air for as low as $599 at Walmart, available in all three colors: Silver, Space Gray, and Gold.
- 13-inch MacBook Air (M1) with 256GB storage and 8GB memory: $599 at Walmart
M2 MacBook Air
In 2022, Apple unveiled a redesigned MacBook Air sporting a sleeker profile, a larger display with thinner bezels, and the return of MagSafe. It debuted in new colors, Starlight and Midnight, alongside Silver and Space Gray, while Gold was discontinued.
If you’re after a modern MacBook that’s still budget-friendly, this is likely your best option. Being not the latest model, it often sees sales. Apart from being slightly slower than the M3, it remains virtually top-notch. Additionally, you can now get it with up to 16GB of unified memory.
Great discounts on the M2 MacBook Air can be found, starting at $749 for 256GB of storage and 8GB of Unified Memory from various retailers, which is up to $250 off! Models with 16GB start at $799.
M3 MacBook Air
This year, Apple updated the MacBook Air with the latest M3 chip, making it the current top model. It shares the same design as its predecessor but offers enhanced performance. While an M4 refresh is anticipated for next year, there are still some attractive deals for those seeking the most recent chipset.
At present, you can find savings of up to $250 off, with configurations that include 512GB of storage. Discounts are also available for the 15-inch version of the M3 MacBook Air.
13-inch models with M3 chip:
15-inch models with M3 chip:
14-inch MacBook Pro
In 2021, Apple reimagined the MacBook Pro, introducing a completely redesigned 14-inch miniLED display with ProMotion, along with additional ports (notably an HDMI port and an SD card reader), larger batteries, and improved thermals. It also includes a 1080p webcam for the first time.
While the 14-inch MacBook Pro comes at a higher price compared to other MacBooks, it provides an exceptional display and extra connectivity options, along with some commendable deals.
We’ll highlight two primary versions of the 14-inch MacBook Pro: one equipped with the M3 chip and the other utilizing the M4 series of chips.
The base model featuring the M3 comes with 8GB of memory and lacks an additional USB-C port on the right side. Though it’s a decent trade-off, it’s the most affordable option for experiencing Apple’s amazing miniLED display on a laptop.
M4 models start with at least 16GB of memory, offering a comprehensive range of ports including a 12MP ultra-wide camera for Center Stage, enhancing the FaceTime calling experience.
With the M3 model now being older, considerable savings of up to $300 are available. Meanwhile, attractive discounts on new M4 models have already started showing up.
M3 chip models:
M4 chip models:
Although not our main focus, for those interested in a 16-inch MacBook Pro, Best Buy is currently offering notable clearance deals on M3 Pro models starting at $1999.
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