With the requirement for Apple Intelligence being an M1 chip or newer, now is an ideal time to invest in your first MacBook or upgrade from an older unit. Thanks to the Apple Silicon era, MacBooks are more budget-friendly than ever, with entry-level models available for under $700. The upcoming holiday discounts present an excellent opportunity to purchase a new MacBook without overspending.
M1 MacBook Air
Since the onset of the Apple Silicon era, Apple has released three versions of the MacBook Air: M1, M2, and M3. The M1 MacBook Air retains a well-known wedge design reminiscent of the Intel models, which many users may prefer.
The M1 MacBook Air, despite being four years old, continues to be a fantastic value for its performance. It features remarkable speed due to the M1 chip, a beautiful Retina display (with slightly thicker bezels compared to newer models), an excellent keyboard, and boasts up to 18 hours of battery life without sounding like a jet engine when opened in public.
As the oldest option on this list, the M1 MacBook Air is also the most budget-friendly. However, it may be harder to find new models with over 256GB of storage, so if you require more space, you will need to consider a newer model. On the upside, it remains the only Apple Silicon MacBook available in a classic Gold hue.
The M1 MacBook Air can be purchased for as low as $649 at Walmart in all three colors: Silver, Space Gray, and Gold.
- 13-inch MacBook Air (M1) with 256GB of storage, 8GB of memory: $649 at Walmart
M2 MacBook Air
In 2022, Apple unveiled the redesigned MacBook Air featuring a sleeker profile, a larger display with narrower bezels, and the return of MagSafe. It also introduced new colors: Starlight and Midnight, alongside the traditional Silver and Space Gray, while Gold was omitted.
If you seek a contemporary MacBook while still being budget-conscious, this model is your best choice. As it’s not the newest iteration, it often sees significant discounts. Although it might be slightly slower than the M3 versions, it still stands as one of the top offerings. Moreover, it can now be configured with up to 16GB of unified memory.
There are attractive deals on the M2 MacBook Air, with prices starting at $749 for 256GB of storage and 8GB of Unified Memory from various retailers – potentially saving you up to $250! Models with 16GB start at $799.
M3 MacBook Air
Earlier this year, Apple refreshed the MacBook Air with the M3 chip, making it the latest model available. It retains the same design as previous iterations but offers enhanced speed. The next M4 refresh is not expected until next year, though there are excellent deals on this model if you want the newest chipset.
Currently, you can find discounts of up to $250, and configurations with 512GB of storage are available. There are also good offers on the 15-inch version of the M3 MacBook Air.
13-inch models with M3 chip:
- 13-inch MacBook Air with 256GB of storage, 16GB of memory: $899 at Amazon (requires on page coupon)
- 13-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage, 16GB of memory: $1099 at Amazon (requires on page coupon)
- 13-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage, 24GB of memory: $1299 at Amazon (requires on page coupon)
15-inch models with M3 chip:
- 15-inch MacBook Air with 256GB of storage, 16GB of memory: $1099 at Amazon (requires on page coupon)
- 15-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage, 16GB of memory: $1299 at Amazon (requires on page coupon)
- 15-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage, 24GB of memory: $1499 at Amazon (requires on page coupon)
14-inch MacBook Pro
Apple revamped the MacBook Pro in 2021, introducing a new 14-inch miniLED display featuring ProMotion, additional ports (including an HDMI port and SD card reader), larger batteries, and improved thermal performance. This model also debuted a 1080p webcam for the first time.
While the 14-inch MacBook Pro may not be as economical as other options listed here, those seeking that exceptional display and extra ports can still find compelling deals.
We will focus on two primary variations of the 14-inch MacBook Pro: the one equipped with the M3 chip and the one using the M4 family of chips.
The baseline M3 model comes with 8GB of memory and lacks an additional USB-C port on the right side. While this is a trade-off, it offers an economical way to access Apple’s remarkable miniLED display in a laptop form.
Conversely, M4 models start with a minimum of 16GB of memory and include a complete selection of ports. They also feature a 12MP ultra-wide camera for Center Stage, making video calls much more engaging.
Since the M3 model is no longer the most current version, there are excellent discounts available, with savings of up to $300. There are also enticing offers on the new M4 models.
M3 chip models:
M4 chip models:
While this isn’t the main focus of the article, if you’re interested in a 16-inch MacBook Pro, Best Buy has a great clearance offering on M3 Pro models starting at $1999.
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