Apple offers a wide selection of options when it comes to the MacBook line. As of 2020, this includes the new M1-enabled 13-inch MacBook Pro, 13-inch MacBook Air, and 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro. As a general rule of thumb, this guide is mainly focused on the older MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, although we have included a few early deals on the new 2020 versions.
/article-new/2020/03/Minimalist-MacBook-Deal.jpg?lossy)
MacBook Pro is the company's mainline laptop computer, available in a 13-inch display or a 16-inch display (the latter is now replacing the previous 15-inch option). This choice will most directly factor into how much you pay for the notebook, with 16-inch options typically starting and exceeding the $2,000 price point, and 13-inch options coming in below that. It's also worth noting that with the introduction of M1 chips on the 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air in November 2020, the 16-inch MacBook Pro does not have the M1 chip.
Apple this year updated the 13-inch MacBook Pro in November 2020, adding an Apple-designed "M1" Arm-based chip to replace the prior Intel chips. M1 chips bring significant speed and efficiency improvements. Apple is selling the new 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro models alongside the higher-end and more expensive 13-inch MacBook Pro models with Intel chips that were introduced in May 2020.
On the lower end, the MacBook Air is Apple's alternative to the MacBook Pro, providing ultra portability and cheaper costs at some cuts to performance. Apple just updated this laptop in November 2020 with the M1 chip, following an update earlier in the year that introduced enhanced specs and a scissor switch keyboard. The 13-inch MacBook Air continues to feature a wedge-shaped aluminum body with a 13-inch Retina display with slim bezels and a large Force Touch Trackpad.
In this guide, you'll find the best currently available prices for the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air at major Apple resellers including Adorama, Amazon, B&H Photo, Best Buy, and MacMall (which is now integrated with TigerDirect). We'll be tracking the best prices for all MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models, particularly focusing on the newest 2019 and 2020 base configurations for each model.
16-Inch MacBook Pro
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is the largest and most powerful notebook from Apple, and it just launched in November 2019. This model comes with up to an 8-core processor, discrete AMD Radeon Pro 5000M series graphics, up to 64GB RAM, up to 8TB of SSD storage, and a 16-inch display, replacing the previous 15-inch MacBook Pro models.
/article-new/2013/09/16inchmacbookpromain.jpg?lossy)
You can get the 512GB 16-inch MacBook Pro (2.6GHz 6-Core, 16GB RAM) for $2,199.00, down from $2,399.00 on Amazon. The more common sale on this model is $2,099, so we recommend waiting for a return of that price tag.
If you want more storage, Amazon also has the 1TB model (2.3GHz 8-Core, 16GB RAM) for $2,499.99, down from $2,799.00. This is a solid discount and one of the more consistent offers for this model.
13-Inch MacBook Pro
Apple's 13-inch MacBook Pro is smaller than the 16-inch model, so you'll be trading internal power for a smaller footprint. Rather than a 6-core or 8-core processor and discrete graphics, the 13-inch MacBook Pro includes a quad-core processor and integrated graphics.
/article-new/2013/09/macbookprodisplay.jpg?lossy)
Apple refreshed the 13-inch MacBook Pro in November 2020 with the Apple M1 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU, 8 or 16GB of unified RAM, a True Tone display and Touch Bar, and up to 2TB SSD storage. The only deals you'll find on these brand new models are at Amazon and Expercom.
At Amazon, you can save $100 on the 512GB ($1,399.00) model of the M1 13-inch MacBook Pro, which is the best price we've ever tracked on this model. Amazon also has the lower-end 256GB model at $1,219.00, down from $1,299.00.
MacBook Air
At the entry-level spot you'll find MacBook Air models. This version of an Apple notebook is perfect for anyone looking for a reliable laptop computer and doesn't plan on performing too many GPU-intensive tasks. Although it could get away with a few word processor-related jobs, MacBook Air is typically for Internet browsing and not working.
/article-new/2019/09/macbook-air-2019.jpg?lossy)
There are some opportunities for discounts on the newest 2020 MacBook Air models at Amazon, which has the 512GB model for $1,199.00, down from $1,249.00.
We follow deals on MacBook Pro and much more over in our full Deals Roundup, so head there for even more information on the latest bargains related to Apple products and accessories.
MacBook Pro Price Charts
MacBook Air Price Chart
