Cheap MacBook prices are a rarity, but if you're shopping for the right models, you might be surprised with the deals you can get away with. We're here to show you all the latest MacBook sales so that you can pick up a luxury laptop at a price that doesn't scare away entry level buyers.
We've tracked down the latest offers for every type of Apple laptop out there. We've got you covered for the standard 12-inch MacBooks, the 13, 15, and 16-inch MacBook Pros and if you want something that sits between the two, then you'll want to take a look at our MacBook Air section.
We've pulled the best cheap Macbook prices from the latest sales on a wide range of Apple's lineup via our price comparison technology which searches through the best retailers every day. All the newest MacBook models are covered of course, but we've also compared prices on some of the older MacBooks still readily available as you can save a lot of money by skipping back to an older model while still getting an excellent piece of tech.
All you need to do now is work out whether it’s a MacBook, a MacBook Pro or a MacBook Air that you want. We'll help though by telling you about each one of them.
If you're not quite set on a MacBook (they are rather pricey), then we have some alternative guides for you. Take a look at our selection of best laptops for other top performing machines or our cheap laptop deals for solid buys that won't break the bank as we search for great offers all year round. If the freshest cheap MacBook prices are what you're after though, you'll find them all below.
- Check out the full Mac range at Apple
- Looking for something a little more flexible? Check out the best iPad deals happening right now
2020's MacBook Air is here, and it brings a pretty powerful overhaul of the previously underwhelming Air range. This is no longer a watered down Pro, but instead a lightweight luxury laptop with the specs to support itself in its own right.
That means the latest 10th generation processors with up to quad-core CPUs now available for the first time on an Air, double the storage space at entry, and up to 16GB RAM on offer as well. You'll be maxing out the spec sheet to pick up that configuration, but in even better news, the entry level model also starts at a lower sub-$1,000 / £1,000 price as well.
That means there's a new face on the street if you're looking for a cheap MacBook and with a brand new keyboard in tow, it's easily one of the best models to pick up right now.
The MacBook Air 2019 is only marginally different from the 2018 version which it looks set to replace. And, sales aside, the 2019 MacBook prices are already a little cheaper at some stores, so it's generally worth trying to pick up this version instead.
The 2019 MacBook Air's main selling points over the 2018 model is the addition of the MacBook Pro's True Tone screen that automatically adjusts color temperatures on the screen depending on the ambient light of the room you're working in. A new third-generation Butterfly keyboard is less likely to see keys sticking or becoming unresponsive too, which has been an issue dogging multiple MacBooks in recent years.
The MacBook Air 2018 includes the excellent Retina screen display from the far more expensive MacBook Pro models, and the bezels are 50% thinner than the previous generation of MacBook Air. The keyboard is four times as stable as before and the Force Touch trackpad is 20% bigger too, which is great for multi-touch interactions. Audio hasn't been overlooked, as the speakers are now 25% louder and a new mic array means asking Siri for assistance is easier. Touch ID has finally come to the Air series too meaning you can log in or verify purchases via a simple touch.
You also get two Thunderbolt ports, but legacy options have been removed, so you may want to consider our guides for the best USB-C adapters or the best USB-C hubs. Inside the gorgeous chassis, you get an upgraded 8th-gen dual-core processor, Intel UHD graphics and the SSDs now run 60% faster and support larger sizes than the 2017 line. We didn't expect the new MacBook Air's form factor to improve given it was already pleasingly discrete but it's now 10% smaller and a quarter of a pound lighter. The 2018 MacBook Air prices start higher than ones for the 2017 edition did, but we'll compare the latest deals for you below thanks to our engaged price comparison technology. Prices for the new MacBook Air 2018 start at $1199 / £1199 / AU$1849 for the entry level versions. So anything under that is a bonus for the newest member of the cheap MacBook Air family.
We have to admit, we thought Apple was done with the MacBook Air line after the Pro lineup became just as compact and almost as light. In 2017, Apple gave the 13-inch MacBook Air its first update since 2015. This meant you could get a much healthier 8GB of RAM instead of 4GB along with a processor upgrade to 1.8GHz (over 1.6GHz) making it much better at multi-tasking. Stock of this older MacBook Air will gradually run out at retailers as the newer model above phases it out, and MacBook prices could fluctuate due to its age. But while new stock is still available, this is your best bet for a cheap MacBook Air.
- Shop cheap luxury laptops with refurbished MacBook deals
Apple didn't release a standard MacBook in 2018 or 2019, instead focusing on the Air and Pro lines, so this is the newest regular MacBook you can buy. The screen and compact dimensions on the 2017 MacBook are the same as the 2016 edition. The main improvement with the latest version is the inclusion of the 7th-gen Kaby Lake processors in either m3, i5 or i7 configurations. 2015 MacBook owners are the most likely to notice and appreciate the improvements, but if you're still looking for a cheap MacBook and the Air model doesn't provide the power you need, these MacBook prices could be for you.
The internal specifications on the 2016 12-inch MacBook might be lagging behind the most recent version nowadays, but if you're not planning on pushing the device too hard with demanding tasks then it could be a great money-saving option for you.
While some of the cheapest prices might be reserved for refurbs, the 2016 MacBook is still a fantastic device and it's one of the most portable options in Apple's laptop lineup.
The new keyboard is sitting well on the 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro, a feature many will be looking forward to with this generation's refresh of each lineup. With the 13-inch MacBook Pro being the model of choice for most creative professionals due to its balance between power and affordability, it's likely that some frustration may arise from the baseline model's use of an 8th generation processor. That's a pretty old CPU for a laptop priced well over $1,000 but with improved RAM speeds and double the storage on offer, less power hungry individuals might be able to stomach the drop.
Boosted versions of the 2020 MacBook Pro, however, tell a different story (albeit one with a price tag that leaves the entry buyers behind). With the latest 10th generation processors and up to 4TB of SSD storage on offer, there's certainly room to pack some significant guts into this smaller model - if you've got the cash.
Released just as 2019 was drawing to a close, the 16-inch MacBook Pro was set upon the world in order to replace the 15-inch model released earlier in the year. There's far more than a few inches tacked onto the display, however. Top of the range specs will bring you an 8-core 9th generation i9 processor, 64GB RAM and an 8TB SSD - at a price that pushes $6,000. That means there's some mind-blowing power on offer here, but very few will actually get to experience it. At entry level you can expect a MacBook Pro price of just over $2,000, which is far more manageable but far from the cheap MacBook prices we all dream of.
Keeping all that power contained is, of course, the larger 16-inch chassis, but there's also an improved keyboard and brighter Retina display on offer here. 11 hours of battery life is an impressive feat at this spec, but if you're after a portable laptop to throw into a backpack, you might want to take a look at some smaller models - this beast weighs in at 2kg.
The 2019 15-inch Apple MacBook Pro is, strictly-speaking, just the 2018 model stuffed with even more powerful spec. Depending on how much cash you're willing to splash, you can get up to 32GB of RAM with 9th-gen i7 6-core or i9 8-core processor options available too.
We're starting to see MacBook sales hitting this 2019 model, so you'll usually be able to find a decent price cut on some of the more expensive configurations. It's no longer the most powerful MacBook Pro on the market, but you're still picking up some fantastic specs here and the staying power on these machines is pretty incredible.
The 2018 version of the 13-inch Apple MacBook Pro was the first to come with the Touch Bar as standard on most models and features a range of improvements over previous versions. True Tone technology inside the display keeps this cheap MacBook Pro feeling fresh, and you're picking up one of the newer, less 'clicky' keyboards to boot.
Under the hood, you'll find the 8th-gen Coffee Lake core processor and the quad-core CPUs double the performance of the 2017 models. With more options for larger RAM too, options really open up for creatives and professionals with the MacBook Pro 2018. If you're looking for the best MacBook Pro prices for solid performance on a budget, you'll do well to check out this older release.
The larger 15-inch version of the 2018 MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar is generally going to cost a fair bit more than the 13-inch model, but that's not just because of the larger screen. Apple have also pumped an impressive range of specs inside this bigger model. Increased RAM supports the extra processing power (a six core Coffee Lake processor), and larger SSD storage opens your MacBook Pro to even greater multitasking and more complex workflows.
The True Tone screen technology and quieter keyboard are also added improvements over the 2017 model. This really is a powerhouse laptop for designers and industry creatives. If you don't need all that gear though, we'd consider the cheap MacBook Pro 13-inch model.
The older 13-inch MacBook Pros are amongst the cheaper options if you want to go Pro. These versions don't come with a Touch Bar which is something to factor in when comparing how much you'll save versus the added functionality the new tech could add to your work and computing life in general.
These are incredibly light for MacBook Pros, but they still pack an incredible punch with 2.3GHz and dual core processors ranging from i5 to i7. The trackpads are larger than older MacBook Pros too and you're getting fantastic Retina displays which still look stunning today. This is a cheap MacBook Pro price that reflects the age of the laptop but also maintains that Apple power to keep your older model running well.
How to find the best MacBook deals
MacBook deals are hard to come by for a reason - these machines last. That means Apple rarely discounts its older laptop lines with new generations so it's harder to find that standout price if you're willing to swallow a few years on the market. That doesn't mean you're stuck with launch prices, however. In fact, MacBook sales are fairly common around certain times of the year, and do generally fall in line with new releases. While you might not find major discounts on cheaper entry level models, those shopping for the more specced out lines can enjoy some significant price drops around the holidays and major Apple launch windows.
Cheap MacBook prices: is it worth buying a pre-2017 MacBook?
We'll say it again, MacBooks last. Many 2015 MacBook Pros are still running healthy to this day, though you might struggle to cram the latest MacOS releases onto them. But we'll say something else again, cheap MacBooks don't tend to lose their value. That means you can easily spend $1,000 on a MacBook from before 2017 and miss out on the latest processors, RAM speeds, hardware features, and SSD storage sizes of the newer models, sitting at similar prices.
That means if you do spot a particularly good MacBook deal on an older model, it may well be worth your time. If you find yourself shopping between the $800 and $1,500 mark, however, double check you can't pick up something newer for the same price.
Why not upgrade your storage with a cheap hard drive or SSD? See the best hard drive and SSD deals.
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