Update: As of Thursday morning, MacConnection has undercut all resellers on MacBook, MacBook Pro and iMac prices. Please see the price matrix, below.
For example, MacMall (sale), ClubMac (sale), and OnSale.com (sale) each kicked-off 72-hour Black Friday sales at midnight that are scheduled to run through 11:59 p.m. pacific time on Friday. Meanwhile, others like MacConnection and Best Buy have similarly put into effect their lowest prices on Macs this calendar year.
For those unaware, Black Friday is the day immediately following the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, marking the beginning of the traditional holiday shopping season. The term "Black Friday" dates back to the 1970s, when it was coined as such by retailers who saw heavy foot traffic on that day as a means of getting out of the red and returning to the black (or turning a profit).
MacBooks and Mac minis
Thus far, MacMall and MacConnection are offering the lowest price we've seen this year on Apple's white MacBook at 884.99, a savings of $114 after rebates. And for its part, MacMall is extending the deepest discounts on new Mac minis, selling the 2.26GHz model for $549.99 and the 2.53GHz model for $744.98, also after rebates.
MacBook Pros and iMacs
For MacBook Pros and iMacs, MacMall, ClubMac, OnSale, and MacConnection all offer fairly competitive pricing. Some noteworthy standouts include the 2.26GHz 13" MacBook Pro and 3.06GHz Dual 21" iMac, each for $1,068.99 at MacMall — a $130 savings. The reseller is also offering the 2.66GHz 15" MacBook Pro for $1,798.97 ($200 savings) and the 3.06GHz Dual 27" iMac for $1,584.99 ($130 savings). The best price on the 2.80GHz 17" MacBook Pro is $2,248.99, a savings of $250.
Meanwhile, Best Buy is also offering the new 3.06GHz 21.5-inch iMac for $1,099 — a $100 savings without a rebate, unlike many reseller deals.
MacBook Airs and Mac Pros
Finally, MacMall is extending the lowest prices on MacBook Airs at $1,398.98 for the 1.86GHz model and $1,689.98 for the 2.13GHz configuration. Discounts on Mac Pros span $200 to $220 from the vast majority of the resellers.
Apple's Black Friday Sale
Apple on Friday will also launch its annual Black Friday sales through its online and brick-and-mortar retail stores, however the Mac maker's discounts have historically (2008, 2007, 2006, 2005) been more modest than those of its authorized resellers. For instance, last year's most compelling deals amounted to $50 off white MacBooks and $101 off aluminum MacBooks and iMacs.
Mac Price Guide
AppleInsider's Mac Price Guide (also embedded above) offers a side-by-side comparison of Apple's retail and educational pricing with those of its most popular resellers. It'll be updated constantly throughout the week. Lowest prices are in bold typeface.
34 Comments
Micro center has the new unibody plastic MacBook for $800 on Friday.
And your local Best Buy, those set up to resell Apple Computers, have significant discounts on all their Apple Computers.
This is the case through today, at least.
Just picked the 21.5In 3.06GHz model for $1399.00,
PLUS 18 months free interest on their Best Buy Card.
Pay for that baby in 17 equal payments of $88.05
Now THAT's A DEAL!!
When Black Friday comes
I'll stand down by the door
And catch the grey men when they
Dive from the fourteenth floor
When Black Friday comes
I'll collect everything I'm owed
And before my friends find out
I'll be on the road
When Black Friday falls you know it's got to be
Don't let it fall on me
When Black Friday comes
I'll fly down to Muswellbrook
Gonna strike all the big red words
From my little black book
Gonna do just what I please
Gonna wear no socks and shoes
With nothing to do but feed
All the kangaroos
When Black Friday comes I'll be on that hill
You know I will
When Black Friday comes
I'm gonna dig myself a hole
Gonna lay down in it 'til
I satisfy my soul
Gonna let the world pass by me
The Archbishop's gonna sanctify me
And if he don't come across
I'm gonna let it roll
When Black Friday comes
I'm gonna stake my claim
I'll guess I'll change my name
If your planning on getting a large $$ Mac or Apple gear within the next 18 months or so, do get one during this holiday deal season. Mail order from company without a physical presence in your state to avoid the tax (ask them too to make sure, they might collect it anyway) Apple collects tax in all states regardless.
Prices and unemployment are set to rise the beginning of the new year.
I wish the $599 mini was $100 off