If you were hoping for a new MacBook for the holidays, don’t despair. The end of the year brings some surprising savings on every model from the M5 MacBook Pro down to the humble M1. Our shopping experts consistently rank MacBooks among the best laptops you can buy, including naming the M4 MacBook Air our top pick overall. Still, even great tech feels better when you don’t pay full price.
Apple rarely (if ever) offers direct discounts but you can save hundreds with other retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy and Adorama. With more than 20 years of experience, Matt Elliott is one of CNET’s resident laptop experts and he’s collaborated with our team of deals experts to bring you the best MacBook bargains available right now.
If you want Apple’s most powerful laptop yet, the cutting edge M5 MacBook Pro is already seeing some savings, especially if you have a device to trade in. We’ve also rounded up the best deals on other Apple devices, including iPads, Apple Watches and iPhones, so you can stretch your budget a little further.
Best M5 MacBook deals
Apple just upgraded the 14-inch MacBook Pro with a new cutting-edge M5 chip. This advanced model was released in October, so major discounts are still hard to come by. We’ll continue updating this page with new offers as they appear.
M5 MacBook Pro (14-inch) at Apple: $1,599
Apple is the obvious choice if you’re looking to snag the new M5 MacBook Pro. The basic 14-inch model comes equipped with a 10-core CPU, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, and starts at $1,599.
If you’re looking to upgrade, you can score some savings by trading in your old Mac. You’ll also get 3% cash back if you make the purchase with your Apple Card.*
M5 MacBook Pro (14-inch) at Best Buy: $1,599
Although Best Buy has several configurations of the new M5 MacBook Pro available there are no straightforward discounts right now. You can potentially cut the cost more when you trade in your old laptop. Models from Apple, Microsoft, Acer, HP and most major brands are all accepted, but your trade-in can’t exceed the cost of the new laptop. You will get three months of Apple Music and Apple Arcade with your purchase, along with two months of iCloud storage and two months of Apple TV.
M5 MacBook Pro (14-inch) at Amazon: $1,512
Amazon has the M5 MacBook Pro available now and is one of the only outlets offering a direct discount, albeit a modest one. If you choose the 16GB and 512GB SSD model in black, you’ll receive an $87 discount.
M5 MacBook Pro at B&H: $1,449
B&H is offering the black M5 Pro for $150 off for a limited time. It also has a trade-in program that could help you save a bit more if you have an eligible device. If you pay with a Payboo credit card*, you can save a little on the tax. Keep in mind that the space gray model is still $1,449.
Best M4 MacBook deals
M4 MacBook Air (13-inch) at Amazon: $799
The latest MacBook Air is our absolute favorite laptop of 2025. Now down to just $799, it has a speedy M4 processor and comes in a new lovely sky blue color. The device also keeps the same lightweight design people have grown accustomed to. Right now, it’s $200 off at Amazon, which is a great discount on a new Apple device.
M4 MacBook Air (15-inch) at Amazon: $999
The biggest MacBook Air Apple sells has a nice discount of $200 right now, making it $999 on Amazon. The basic configuration has 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, as well as the cutting-edge M4 chip. Amazon deals fluctuate often, so check back in case they slide back down. Need more space? The 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD configuration is also $250 off, bringing it down to $1,199.
M4 Pro MacBook Pro (16-inch) at Amazon: $2,190
If a big screen is your top priority, you can score a $309 discount on the 16-inch model of the latest MacBook Pro, dropping the price to $2,190 on Amazon. It features the M4 Pro processor and 24GB of RAM for blazing-fast performance, but not all colors are necessarily the same price currently.
M4 Max MacBook Pro (14-inch) at Best Buy: $2,799
The M4 Max version of the MacBook Pro comes in two sizes: 14 inches and 16 inches. The M4 Max chip has up to 16 CPU cores and 40 GPU cores, making it great for gamers. This version also includes Thunderbolt 5 connectivity. The M4 Max MacBook Pro is Apple’s most powerful option and right now the space black and silver are on sale.
M4 MacBook Pro (14-inch) at B&H: $1,299
This 14-inch MacBook Pro has an M4 chip and is built to support Apple Intelligence, delivers a gorgeous 3K resolution and can handle demanding applications or gaming. There are a few configurations on sale, including this midrange model with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
Best M3 MacBook deals
M3 MacBook Air (15-inch) at Best Buy: $1,066
If you don’t mind a previous-gen model, this Best Buy deal is a great chance to pick one up at an amazing price. This midrange 15-inch model has 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, with both the midnight and space gray colors on sale right now.
M3 Pro MacBook Pro (14-inch) at Adorama: $1,819
If you need something with a little more kick, you can save some serious cash when you upgrade to the M3 model with a Pro chip. It features an 11-core processor, 512GB of storage and a blistering 18GB of RAM. Keep in mind that this discount only applies to the space black version of this laptop.
M3 MacBook Air (13-inch) at Best Buy: $1,094
Although the M4 MacBook Air is speedy, an M3 is still an excellent upgrade that packs a punch. This Apple MacBook Air is now $1,094 at Best Buy, saving you $200 on a laptop with 24GB memory and 512GB SSD.
Best M2 MacBook deals
Now two generations old, the M2 MacBook Pro is getting a little tough to find in stock, though we did find one at Best Buy for a decent discount. We also spotted a refurbished model for $640 at BackMarket. We’ve found a couple ofdeals on the M2 MacBook Air.
M2 MacBook Air (13-inch, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD) at Adorama: $1,149
This configuration is one of the few M2 MacBook Air you can still find on sale in new condition. It comes equipped with an 8-core M2 chip, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, as well as a 13.6-inch liquid retina display.
M2 MacBook Air (13-inch, 16GB RAMm 256 GB SSD) at Best Buy: $799
You can pick up the 8-core M2 chip, 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage model for $799 at Best Buy. There are no straightforward discounts however with Best Buy, there is always the potential to save with trade-in credit.
M2 MacBook Pro (13-inch) at Best Buy: $1,299
One of the few carrying the M2 MacBook Pro,Best Buy has the 24GB, 1TB model for a hefty $800 off right now.
Best M1 MacBook deals
M1 MacBook Air (13-inch) at Walmart: $599
Although the M1 MacBook Air is a couple of generations old at this point, it’s still our top pick for those on the hunt for an affordable MacBook. It’s already the most affordable MacBook on the market, and this slight discount at Walmart makes it an even better value. All three colors are currently in stock and on sale.
What is the best MacBook deal right now?
Right now the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro is on sale for $1,449 at B&H, a rare straightforward discount of $150. If you’re not set on the M5, you can currently pick up the previous generation M4 MacBook Pro for $300 off at B&H right now.
*All information about the Apple Card credit card and Payboo credit card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
MacBook prices
| Model (with chip and screen size) | List price | Best price (current) | Best price (all-time) |
|---|---|---|---|
| M3 MacBook Air (13-inch) | $1,299 | $1,094 | $799 |
| M3 MacBook Air (15-inch) | $1,299 | $1,066 | $999 |
| M4 MacBook Air (13-inch) | $999 | $799 | $749 |
| M4 MacBook Air (15-inch) | $1,199 | $949 | $949 |
| M3 MacBook Pro (14-inch) | $1,999 | $1,819 | $1,199 |
| M4 MacBook Pro (14-inch) | $1,599 | $1,299 | $1,299 |
| M4 MacBook Pro (16-inch) | $2,499 | $2,190 | $2,154 |
| M5 MacBook Pro (14-inch) | $1,599 | $1,449 | $1,349 |
*Note that “all-time” means the best price we’ve seen on a new model at an Apple-authorized retailer in the product’s lifetime. Prices change frequently and may differ between colors.
How we choose MacBook deals at CNET
CNET’s dedicated deals writers have years of experience scouting the best deals out there on top tech, including bargains on Apple devices. Our combined expertise helps us discern which standout deals are truly a good bargain — evaluating the model, year, specs, discount and our reviewer’s thoughts for each model. We also ensure that all deals featured on this list are sourced from a trustworthy retailer, so you never have to wonder if a bargain is too good to be true.
You can occasionally find MacBooks on sale throughout the year, but the deals are unpredictable, short-lived and typically fall short of the prices we see during major shopping events. If you’re looking to grab an Apple laptop at the lowest price possible, you’ll want to save your shopping for Black Friday, Cyber Monday or Amazon Prime Day. If you don’t want to wait for the next major event, be on the lookout for weekend flash sales at major retailers like Best Buy, as they’re fairly frequent and often include big discounts on Apple tech.
Apple rarely offers discounts on its own devices, so you’ll have to look elsewhere if you’re hoping to find a MacBook on sale. Major retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart are good places to start, especially during major shopping events. However, it’s also worth seeing what deals are available at smaller online retailers like Adorama, B&H Photo and Newegg, as they may offer some under the radar bargains that aren’t being matched at larger competitors.
One of the most important factors to consider is which configuration is on sale. A $500 discount might look enticing, but it may be exclusive to an upgraded version of the laptop with maxed-out specs, so you’ll ultimately end up paying more for expensive hardware you may not need. Be sure to check the storage, memory, screen size and processor to make sure the configuration fits your needs and your budget.
While Amazon, Best Buy and Adorama typically have the best prices, one benefit to paying full price and buying from Apple is that you can customize the machine, adding more RAM or a higher-capacity solid-state drive. The models sold by Amazon and other retailers have fixed configurations.
It’s also worth noting that you can find refurbished MacBooks on Apple’s Certified Refurbished Mac page. Refurb inventory changes rapidly, so you might not always see the latest MacBook Air or Pro available. If you’re on the hunt for a specific model, it’s worth keeping an eye on this page because you can lock in substantial savings.
Apple also offers students an educational discount, which can trim hundreds of dollars from the price of a new laptop or tablet.
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