The best deals on MacBooks right now

Apple sells MacBooks equipped with its own M-series chips in a wide range of sizes and price points. The offerings start with the 13-inch M1 MacBook Air from 2020 at $999 (which is being replaced by the M2 Air — at the same price point — now that Apple has officially discontinued it to make room for the M3 MacBook Air) and go all the way up to the latest 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 starting at $2,499. But finding a deal on a current Mac with an M1, M2, or even the new M3 chip — as well as the higher-end M3 Pro and M3 Max — is actually not that difficult.

While Macs may not experience perpetual discounts, it’s not uncommon to see various current models discounted by as much as $400. Alternatively, purchasing refurbished options directly from Apple is another way to save money without as much waiting for the changing winds of deals 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 right now.

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 discontinue it. 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 several 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 typically sells for $999, but Amazon and Best Buy are currently discounting it to $749.99 ($250 off), matching its lowest price to date. 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.

M2 MacBook Air

As for the fancier 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip, the base model with 256GB of storage and an eight-core GPU recently received a price drop. It started at $1,199 originally before falling to $1,099 last year, and now, its pricing starts at the same $999 that the original M1 model did.

As for deals, the 13-incher is currently selling for $899 ($100 off) at B&H Photo with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. You can also get it with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage at B&H Photo for $1,149 ($150 off), 8GB of RAM and 512GB SSD at Best Buy and B&H Photo for $1,199 ($200 off), or the 16GB RAM, 512GB storage model from B&H Photo for $1,299 ($200 off). Heavier users can jump up to the 10-core / 16GB / 512GB SSD configuration for $1,399 at B&H Photo ($200 off).

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

It does have some slight downsides, like slower storage in the base 256GB configuration and a notch cutout in its otherwise excellent screen. But even so, there hasn’t been a more travel-friendly laptop offered by Apple since the days of the polarizing 12-inch MacBook, and this one’s good enough to be the No. 1 laptop we now recommend in our buying guide.

The 15-inch MacBook Air with M2 is a lot like a blown-up 13-inch Air, and judging from our glowing review, there’s nothing wrong with that. Like its smaller counterpart, it has an M2 chip, two Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C ports, MagSafe charging, and its base model comes with a 256GB SSD and 8GB of RAM. But it differs by having a larger, 15.3-inch notched screen with 2880 x 1864 resolution, six speakers instead of four, a 10-core GPU that costs extra on the 13-inch, and a higher starting price of $1,299. Bumping up to a larger, faster 512GB of storage will run you $1,499.

Surprisingly, the 15-inch M2 Air started receiving some discounts even before it shipped, which let early adopters save between $50 and $100. As of right now, the best deals we can find include an 8GB RAM / 256GB SSD model that’s down to $1,099 ($200 off) at Best Buy and B&H Photo. You can also get the 8GB / 512GB model for $1,299 ($200 off) at Best Buy and B&H Photo, and 16GB of RAM with a 1TB SSD for $1,699 ($200 off) at Best Buy. There’s also a 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD model with a 10-core M2 for $1,499 ($200 off) at B&H Photo.

The best MacBook Pro deals

The MacBook Pro line is once again in a transitional phase. Apple announced Macs using a new M3 processor at its “Scary Fast” event in October, including a new 14-inch MacBook Pro that replaces the 13-inch M2 model. That means Touch Bar Macs are finally dead, but some of those outgoing M2 models are still available for now. You’ll find any deals on them further down, but first, let’s focus on the new M3 generation.

M3 and M3 Pro MacBook Pro

The new 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 get it on a deal that puts more price distance between it and the M3 Pro version. The base model with 512GB of storage and 8GB of RAM on sale has been as much as $200 off. If you can’t wait for that deal to come back around, you can find it at Amazon and B&H Photo for only a smidge more at $1,449 ($150 off).

The 1TB configuration with 8GB of RAM is also selling for its all-time low of $1,599 ($200 off) at Amazon and B&H Photo, while the configuration with a 512GB SSD and 16GB of RAM is selling for $1,699 ($100 off) at B&H Photo. That said, if you plan on going with a higher-spec configuration than that, you’ll likely want to spring for the M3 Pro model instead (see below).

The 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros for 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.

While these models are still quite new, versions that actual humans buy have begun receiving discounts. The 14-inch MacBook Pro in its base configuration with the M3 Pro (11-core CPU / 14-core GPU), 18GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD is currently on sale for $1,799 ($200 off) at Best Buy and B&H Photo. You can also step up to the version with 1TB of storage and a 12-core / 18-core M3 Pro for $2,099 ($300 off) in space black at B&H Photo or $2,199 ($200 off) at Amazon and in silver at B&H Photo.

If you need more horsepower, you’ll want to consider the 14-inch M3 Max MacBook Pro (14-core CPU / 30-core GPU) with 36GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, which is going for $2,999 ($200 off) at Amazon and Best Buy.

As for the base 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro (12-core CPU / 18-core GPU), 18GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, it’s selling for $2,249 ($250 off) at Amazon and B&H Photo. The 512GB SSD and 36GB RAM model is down to $2,699 ($200 off) at Amazon, B&H Photo, and Best Buy. If you need the 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M3 Max (14-core CPU / 30-core GPU) in this size, the starting configuration with a 1TB SSD and 36GB of RAM has fallen to $3,249 ($250 off) at Amazon and B&H Photo. You can also step up to the M3 Max (14-core CPU / 30-core GPU) with 1TB and 48GB of RAM for $3,749 at Amazon and B&H Photo.

M2 Pro MacBook Pro

As for the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros from early 2023 with M2 Pro / Max processors, they’re still more than capable — they may even be a better value than the new models if you can find them at a steep discount. However, Apple has seemingly discontinued the M2 MacBook Pro, and it’s tough to find new models of either size in stock, let alone those on discount. Unless you’re willing to buy used or refurbished MacBooks, we’d recommend just going for the M3 models at this point.

M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pro

For now, the older 2021 MacBook Pros can occasionally be had for some steep discounts that actually make a two-generation-old laptop still worth considering. You’re unlikely to find any base models still kicking around, but if you want a souped-up configuration on the cheap, you may be in luck.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro from 2021 with an M1 Pro chip, 16GB of RAM, and an expanded 1TB of storage is available at B&H Photo for $1,999 ($700 off). You also can find a 16-inch M1 Max model (32-core GPU) with 2TB of storage and 64GB of RAM at B&H Photo for $2,699 ($1,200 off). Deals and inventory on new M1-based MacBooks are rare to come by these days, but keep checking back as we continue to monitor availability.

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. It’s an excellent upgrade to 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.

Right now, Amazon and B&H Photo have the base M2 Mac Mini with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for $499 ($100 off). You can also buy an upgraded 16GB of RAM, 256GB SSD model at B&H Photo for $749 ($50 off).

The M2 Mac Mini remains a great value for a desktop computer, with the M2 Pro version functioning like a baby Mac Studio for much less.