Best MacBook deals for October 2021

With multiple configurations and various models to choose from, including some equipped with Apple’s new M1 processor, finding a deal on a MacBook or Mac Mini is not all that difficult.

Here, we’ll run through the discounts that are currently available for the latest MacBook models, as well as any deals to be had on the Mac Mini. Of course, there are also frequent discounts available for older Intel-based configurations — which will be compatible with macOS Monterey upon its release later this year — and we’ll highlight those when we find them.

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. For now, however, these are the best MacBook and Mac Mini deals you can take advantage of.

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 most recent model includes the Apple-designed M1 processor and lacks a fan for quiet, efficient performance. It ticks all right boxes when it comes to performance and price, which is why it’s our number one pick for the best laptop of 2021.

MacBook Air with M1

The MacBook Air is Apple’s entry-level laptop, which comes outfitted with the company’s new M1 chip and 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, however, it’s currently available at Amazon and Best Buy for $850. The $1,249 512GB configuration is also on sale in all three colorways at Amazon and Best Buy for $1,100, its best price to date. These deals can come and go quickly, though, we expect more to come as the holiday shopping season draws near.

The best MacBook Pro deals

The touch bar-equipped MacBook Pro comes in more sizes and options than the Air, and it’s geared more toward demanding use cases. The base model is the 13-inch, M1-powered variant, which includes a brighter screen, longer battery life, and an internal fan designed to maintain performance under increased workloads. The M1 MacBook Pro 13 normally starts at $1,299, but the base model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is on sale for $120 off at Amazon, bringing it down to $1,179. The larger, 512GB variant is also on sale at Amazon for $1,349, its second-best price to date.

While there have been rumors throughout the year of a redesigned MacBook Pro, one with an M1X processor and additional ports, we might not see it until further into the fall.

MacBook Pro with M1

The MacBook Pro 13 has the same M1 processor as the Air but includes a brighter screen, longer battery life, and a fan for better sustained performance.

Of course, you can also buy some older MacBook Pro models, including the 13-inch, mid-2020 model. The older device features four Thunderbolt ports, Windows bootcamp-ready Ice Lake processors, the current scissor-switch keyboard, increased RAM, and various storage configurations. Right now, the 13-inch model is available in several configurations at Amazon, including one with a 10th-gen i7 Intel processor and 512GB of storage for $1,999 and one with 1TB of storage and a 2.0GHz 10th-gen Intel Core i5 processor for $1,700, which is $300 off the list price. You can also pick up the model with 512GB of storage and a 10th-gen Intel Core i5 for $1,500.

If you want a bigger laptop with more horsepower, the 2019 MacBook Pro 16 is the top-of-the-line model. Compared to its predecessor, it has a better keyboard, newer processors, and improved speakers. There are several configurations available with more storage and speedier processors — you can also get the 16-inch model with an Intel Core i9 CPU and 1TB of storage for $2,695 at Amazon, for instance — but deals are few and far between.

MacBook Pro 16-inch (late-2019)

A fifth-gen MacBook Pro with a 16-inch Retina display in addition to a better keyboard, processor, and speakers when stacked up against its predecessor.

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 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro 13, the Mini features Apple’s new M1 processor. It starts at $699, with the price varying based on your RAM and storage configurations. The outright best deal on the base Mac Mini is at Amazon, where you can pick up the 256GB model for $600 and the 512GB configuration for $799. B&H Photo is also matching Amazon’s current price for the 512GB model, though, no other retailers are at this time.

Apple Mac Mini with M1

Apple’s most affordable Mac desktop computer is now 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.