The best deals on MacBooks right now

7 min readAug 16, 2022

Only the best deals on Verge-approved gadgets get the Verge Deals stamp of approval, so if you’re looking for a deal on your next gadget or gift from major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and more, this is the place to be.

With multiple configurations and various models to choose from, finding a deal on an M1-equipped MacBook or Mac Mini is not all that difficult. It’s a slightly different story for the MacBook Pros with the beefier M1 Pro and M1 Max CPUs, but any bit of savings you can get on the latest Pro models is sure to be worthwhile. As for the new 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air with M2 processors, it may take a while to see some consistent deals.

Here, we’ll run through the discounts that are currently available for the current MacBooks, as well as any deals to be had on the Mac Mini. Of course, there are still some lingering discounts available for older, Intel-based configurations — which are compatible with macOS Monterey and the upcoming macOS Ventura — but we strongly recommend opting for a newer model now that Apple has its M1 and M2 chips across the MacBook Air and Pro lines. There is really no downside to opting for Apple’s own silicon, save for Windows Boot Camp holdouts.

Alternatively, purchasing refurbished is another way to save money on an Apple computer. Apple’s refurbished store provides a one-year warranty on all products and generally has discounts of 15 to 20 percent off the price of a new model. Two other retailers to look at for refurbished MacBooks are Best Buy and Amazon. If you’re looking for a new model, however, here are the best MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini deals available.

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THE BEST MACBOOK AIR DEALS

The MacBook Air is Apple’s entry-level laptop. It’s best suited for typical productivity work, with a comfortable keyboard, excellent trackpad, and all-day battery life. The newly redesigned M2 version of the MacBook Air is now out, but even with the arrival of that pricier model, the 2020 version with an M1 processor and fanless design remains in the lineup as the budget option. For most people, the M1 Air ticks all the right boxes when it comes to performance and price, which is why it’s the one we recommend for budget-minded MacBook buyers in our best laptop you can buy guide, even with the M2 now available.

MacBook Air with M1 (late 2020)

$899
$1,000
11% off

The MacBook Air is Apple’s entry-level laptop, which comes outfitted with the company’s new M1 chip in one of three different colors (silver, space gray, and gold).

The base MacBook Air with the M1 chip has 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. It typically sells for $999, but we’ve seen it very rarely dip as low as $799.99. Currently, B&H Photo has it for $899 while Best Buy has it for $899.99 — about $100 off from either retailer. That’s a solid deal, though not the better $849.99 we saw recently. As for configurations with larger storage, it’s a bit slim pickings right now, with most retailers priced at MSRP.

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THE BEST MACBOOK PRO DEALS

The MacBook Pro line has been split into two different segments — for the time being. The M1-powered MacBook Pro of 2020 and its new 2022 replacement with the M2 processor remain the Touch Bar holdouts. These are siblings to the 2020 MacBook Air, with similar designs save mostly for a fan that allows them to run at peak performance for longer.

At this point, it’s best to avoid the older 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro and opt for the newer M2 version with its exceptional battery life. Yes, it’s still plagued by the Touch Bar and its base model has its shortcomings on speed, but we’re already seeing some good discounts on this new laptop (even if it does look kind of old). The 256GB 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro is currently $1,149 ($150 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, and the 512GB version is now $1,299 ($200 off) at Best Buy.

13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 (2022)

$1,149
$1,299
12% off

The latest configuration of the 13-inch MacBook Pro can be equipped with the new M2 CPU and can be configured to have up to 24GB of unified memory.

As for the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros announced in October, they come with the M1 Pro or optional M1 Max CPUs and are the likely choice of demanding creative professionals. Deals on the 14-inch M1 Pro-equipped 512GB base model have dried up (for now); however, if 1TB of storage sounds enticing, you can save $300 at Best Buy or Amazon and get that configuration for $2,199.

As for the 16-inch MacBook Pro with 512GB of storage and the M1 Pro, Amazon and Best Buy have it for $2,199 ($300 off). Likewise, you can save $300 when stepping up to the 16-inch model with 1TB SSD. These discounts are around as steep as they get for the 14- and 16-inch models — if you’re in the market for a workhorse laptop, be sure to take advantage.

Our reviews of the latest MacBook Pro line were absolutely beaming with praise. Whether it was the beautiful display or the remarkable performance and battery life they exhibited, these premium laptops are investments that we can wholeheartedly recommend. As soon as there’s a steep price break on these impressive laptops, we’d suggest that anyone in the market for a new laptop consider purchasing one, as they’re likely to sell out fast.

14-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro (2021)

$2,199
$2,499
13% off

The 14-inch MacBook Pro can be equipped with either the new M1 Pro or M1 Max CPU and can be configured to have up to 64GB of unified memory.

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16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro (2021, 512GB)

$2,199
$2,499
13% off

The new 16-inch MacBook Pro is a creative powerhouse equipped with Apple’s latest silicon. Configurable with either the M1 Pro or M1 Max, the 16-inch screen can be lent out to up to three external displays and a 4K TV simultaneously thanks to its vast array of ports.

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THE BEST MAC MINI DEALS

While it is not an Apple laptop, the Mac Mini is an affordable desktop computer with macOS. It does not include a display, keyboard, or mouse (so you’ll have to supply your own), but this compact machine is an excellent performer if you aren’t concerned about portability. It’s fast, efficient, and comes outfitted with Wi-Fi 6.

Like the 2020 MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro, the Mac Mini features Apple’s M1 processor. It starts at $699, with the price varying based on your RAM and storage configurations. We often see it selling in its base configuration with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for $659 or less at multiple retailers. However, right now, the major stores aren’t offering any sales. The best deal is from Costco, where the wholesale retailer has it for $569.99 through August 21st — though it’s limited to paying members or you’ll have to pay a 5 percent surcharge ($33.50 in this case). At this time, even with the non-member fee, that’s the best price around.

The new Mac Studio may be getting all the recent praise, but that’s a much pricier machine. The little M1 Mac Mini is still a very capable desktop for everyday users who dabble in some creative work, even if general deals on it have recently gotten a little quiet.

Apple Mac Mini with M1 (256GB)

$570
$699
19% off

Apple’s most affordable Mac desktop computer is powered by the custom M1 chip. It comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage in its base model but can be configured with up to 16GB RAM and 2TB of storage.

$570 at COSTCO