With Apple requiring an M1 chip or newer for its services, there’s never been a smarter time to purchase your first MacBook or upgrade from an older model. In the era of Apple Silicon, MacBooks are more budget-friendly than before, with the most affordable options starting under $700. Holiday sales make it an even more opportune moment to invest in a new MacBook without straining your finances.
M1 MacBook Air
Since the introduction of Apple Silicon, Apple has launched three versions of the MacBook Air featuring the M1, M2, and M3 chips. The M1 MacBook Air retains the classic wedge shape familiar from the Intel days, a design that many users still appreciate.
The M1 MacBook Air, although launched four years ago, is still a fantastic choice given its pricing. It delivers remarkable performance thanks to the M1 chip, features a beautiful retina display (albeit with thicker bezels compared to newer models), offers a comfortable keyboard, and can last up to 18 hours on a single charge, all without sounding like a jet engine when in use.
As the oldest model here, the M1 MacBook Air is also the most budget-friendly. However, finding new units with more than 256GB of storage can be challenging, so for those needing additional space, opting for a newer model is recommended. On the upside, it remains the only Apple Silicon MacBook available in a true Gold finish.
The M1 MacBook Air is available for as low as $649 at Walmart in Silver, Space Gray, and Gold.
- 13-inch MacBook Air (M1) with 256GB storage, 8GB memory: $649 at Walmart
M2 MacBook Air
In 2022, Apple unveiled a redesigned MacBook Air featuring a slimmer profile, larger display with narrower bezels, and the return of MagSafe charging. New colors, including Starlight and Midnight, were introduced alongside the traditional Silver and Space Gray, with Gold discontinued.
If you seek a contemporary MacBook without overspending, the M2 model is your best wager. Since it’s not the latest version, it frequently goes on sale. Although it may not be as fast as the M3 variants, it still packs a punch. Moreover, you can now find models with up to 16GB of unified memory.
Deals on the M2 MacBook Air start at $749 for the 256GB storage variant with 8GB of memory from various retailers – offering savings of up to $250! Models equipped with 16GB of memory are starting at $799.
M3 MacBook Air
Earlier this year, Apple updated the MacBook Air with the M3 chip, making it the most recent model available. It retains the same design as its predecessor but offers enhanced speed. The M3 model won’t be replaced by the M4 until next year, but there are still attractive deals for those seeking the latest chipset.
Currently, you can find discounts of up to $250, and there are options featuring 512GB of storage, along with deals for 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 (coupon needed)
- 13-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage, 16GB of memory: $1099 at Amazon (coupon needed)
- 13-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage, 24GB of memory: $1299 at Amazon (coupon needed)
15-inch models with M3 chip:
- 15-inch MacBook Air with 256GB of storage, 16GB of memory: $1099 at Amazon (coupon needed)
- 15-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage, 16GB of memory: $1299 at Amazon (coupon needed)
- 15-inch MacBook Air with 512GB of storage, 24GB of memory: $1499 at Amazon (coupon needed)
14-inch MacBook Pro
In 2021, Apple revamped the MacBook Pro, introducing a new 14-inch miniLED display with ProMotion, expanded connectivity options (including HDMI and an SD card reader), and improved battery life and thermal performance. It was also the first model to feature a 1080p webcam.
Though the 14-inch MacBook Pro may not be as budget-friendly as other MacBooks mentioned, it offers an impressive display and additional ports, with several attractive deals available.
Two primary versions of the 14-inch MacBook Pro will be discussed here, one featuring the M3 chip and the other utilizing the M4 chip family.
The base M3 model comes with 8GB of memory and lacks an additional USB-C port on the right side. While this is a reasonable compromise, it offers the most budget-friendly way to experience Apple’s remarkable miniLED display on a laptop.
M4 models start with a minimum of 16GB of memory and are equipped with a complete suite of ports. They also include a 12MP ultra-wide camera for Center Stage, enhancing video calls significantly.
With the M3 model as the previous generation, there are great discounts to be found, with savings of up to $300 available. New M4 models also feature enticing discounts already.
M3 chip models:
M4 chip models:
This article is not focused on this, but if you’re interested in a 16-inch MacBook Pro, Best Buy has an excellent clearance sale on M3 Pro models starting at $1999.
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