With the necessity of an M1 chip or newer for Apple Intelligence, there’s never been a better moment to purchase your first MacBook or upgrade from an older one. Thanks to the Apple Silicon transition, MacBooks have become more accessible, with prices starting below $700. The Presidents Day sales further enhance the opportunity to get a new MacBook without overextending your budget.
M1 MacBook Air
Since the advent of Apple Silicon, Apple has released three MacBook Air models: M1, M2, and M3. The M1 MacBook Air still showcases the classic wedge design seen in Intel models, which many users might still favor.
The M1 MacBook Air, despite its four-year age, continues to be a fantastic value-for-money option. It delivers impressive speed due to the M1 chip, boasts a brilliant Retina display (though with slightly thicker bezels than newer models), features an excellent keyboard, and offers up to 18 hours of battery life. Additionally, it doesn’t sound like a jet engine when opened in public.
As the oldest model in this selection, the M1 MacBook Air is also the most budget-friendly. However, it can be challenging to find new models with more than 256GB of storage, so if extensive storage is a requirement, consider a newer model. On the upside, it’s also the only Apple Silicon MacBook available in a classic Gold color.
You can find the M1 MacBook Air starting at $629 at Walmart, available in Silver, Space Gray, and Gold.
- 13-inch MacBook Air (M1) with 256GB of storage, 8GB of memory: $629 at Walmart
M2 MacBook Air
Apple unveiled a revamped MacBook Air in 2022 with a sleeker profile, a larger display featuring thinner bezels, and reintroduced MagSafe charging. Along with the classic Silver and Space Gray, it also introduced new colors: Starlight and Midnight, though Gold was omitted.
If you desire a contemporary MacBook while being budget-conscious, this is an ideal choice. As it is no longer the latest model, it frequently goes on sale. Although slightly slower than the M3 models, it is still one of the top selections available. Additionally, it can now come equipped with 16GB of unified memory, offering double the RAM options compared to earlier.
Great discounts are available for the M2 MacBook Air, starting at $749 for 256GB of storage and 16GB of Unified Memory across various retailers—up to $250 off!
- 13-inch MacBook Air with 256GB of storage, 16GB of memory: $749 at Amazon, $749 at Best Buy (note that Amazon requires an on-page coupon, while Best Buy demands Plus membership)
M3 MacBook Air
Apple updated the MacBook Air with the M3 chip early last year, making this the latest model. It retains the design of previous MacBook Air models, just with improved speed.
Currently, you can find up to $250 off, with options available for configurations featuring 512GB of storage. Deals are also present 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
Apple revamped the MacBook Pro in 2021, introducing a new 14-inch miniLED display with ProMotion, along with additional ports (including HDMI and an SD card reader), larger batteries, and improved thermal performance. It also includes a 1080p webcam for the first time.
Although the 14-inch MacBook Pro is priced higher than other MacBooks mentioned, those seeking an outstanding display and more connectivity options can still find worthwhile deals.
Recently, Apple introduced the updated baseline 14-inch MacBook Pro equipped with the M4 chip, incorporating many high-end features into the entry model. The M4 versions come standard with at least 16GB of memory and feature a comprehensive array of ports. They also include a 12MP ultra-wide camera for Center Stage, enhancing the experience of FaceTime calls.
M4 chip models:
- M4 MacBook Pro with 512GB of storage, 16GB of memory: $1399 at Amazon (an on-page coupon is required)
- M4 MacBook Pro with 1TB of storage, 16GB of memory: $1599 at Amazon (requires an on-page coupon)
- M4 Pro MacBook Pro with 512GB of storage, 24GB of memory: $1749 at Amazon (on-page coupon required)
Follow Michael: X/Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram
