Best MacBook deals for October 2022

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 sometimes a slightly different story for the MacBook Pros with the beefier M1 Pro and M1 Max CPUs, but any savings you can get on those Pro models is sure to be worthwhile. As for the newer 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air with M2 processors, it may take time to see truly sizable savings.

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, you may still find older Intel-based configurations lying around, with some heavy closeout sales. While those are compatible with macOS Monterey and the upcoming macOS Ventura, 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 unit. If you’re looking for a new model, however, here are the best MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini deals available.

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 seekers in our best laptop you can buy guide, even with the M2 now available.

The base MacBook Air with the M1 chip has 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. It typically sells for $999, but Amazon currently has it for its lowest price of $799 ($200 off) in all three color options. That’s as good as it gets on the M1 Air, and it’s still an excellent value nearly two years after its release.

As for the newer, much fancier MacBook Air with the M2 processor, it’s $100 off in the base 256GB configuration at Amazon and B&H Photo in both silver and space gray. That modest discount drops the price of the MagSafe-equipped laptop to $1,099.

The new MacBook Air is a super slim and light laptop, with a 1080p webcam that’s actually usable and that handy magnetic charger that frees up one of its precious 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 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 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 occasionally seeing discounts on this new laptop.

Right now, the only prevalent deal is a tiny $50 discount on the 256GB model at Amazon. That drops the price from $1,299 to $1,249. At this meager deal price, you folks who do intensive creative work may still be better served spending more on the more capable 14-inch MacBook Pro (see below).

As for the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros announced a year ago, they come with the M1 Pro or optional M1 Max CPUs and are the likely choice of demanding creative professionals. The 14-inch M1 Pro-equipped 512GB base model is selling for $1,859 ($140 off) at Amazon. That’s not bad, but it pales in comparison to the $400 discounts we were just seeing recently.

As for the 16-inch MacBook Pro with 512GB of storage and the M1 Pro, both Amazon and B&H Photo have it for $2,199 ($300 off). Likewise, you can also save $300 when stepping up to the 16-inch model with 1TB SSD at either B&H Photo or Amazon (now $2,399). These discounts on the 16-inch models aren’t as steep as the recent $400 ones, but they’re still a good deal on a workhorse laptop.

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.

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, and often much less. However, right now, the major stores aren’t offering any sales. Costco is the lone offering, where it’s on sale for $569.99 ($130 off), though if you’re not a member, you have to pay a 5 percent surcharge of $28.50. That’s as good as it gets for now.

The newer Mac Studio may get 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 widely available deals on it have recently gotten a little quiet.