AppleInsider Staff
With last week's release of new and cheaper MacBook Air models, authorized Apple reseller Best Buy has undercut those prices, offering discounts on the latest refresh, as well as deep price cuts on the previous-generation models, which now start at just $759 plus tax.
For example, the new entry level 11.6-inch MacBook Air, which retails for $899, is currently being offered by Best Buy for $854.99, the cheapest price currently available from Apple resellers. The low-end 13-inch model is also being offered at a discount for $949.99, matching Apple's own eduation pricing on that model.
Legacy models are also being offered at some of the lowest prices ever for a new Mac laptop. For example, a 2013 11.6-inch MacBook Air with a 1.3-gigahertz processor and 128 gigabytes of flash storage is just $759.99 through Best Buy, while the same model with twice the capacity is $949.99.
These prices are currently the lowest available, before taxes, among any of the companies found in AppleInsider's Mac Price Guide. It should be noted that Best Buy charges tax on all orders placed in the U.S. In contrast, other authorized resellers listed in the Price Guides such as
A full comparison of available MacBook Air prices is included below:
And prices with AppleCare warranties:
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15 Comments
Compared to the Ultrabooks in price, I'm not sure there is any price difference with the MBA any longer? Apple had squeezed almost all the oxygen out of the competitor's margins before this last price change... and just in time for the graduation gift market and Mother's Day. Could Apple be showing its claws? Now that Windows 8.x is about as messed up as it could be, the XP crowd might find the Ma OS looks more familiar than the Fisher Price alternative. Apple could end up with a reasonable percentage of those ex-XP users... jest say'n.
Compared to the Ultrabooks in price, I'm not sure there is any price difference with the MBA any longer? Apple had squeezed almost all the oxygen out of the competitor's margins before this last price change... and just in time for the graduation gift market and Mother's Day.
Could Apple be showing its claws? Now that Windows 8.x is about as messed up as it could be, the XP crowd might find the Ma OS looks more familiar than the Fisher Price alternative. Apple could end up with a reasonable percentage of those ex-XP users... jest say'n.
Well I doubt the "XP crowd" is going to jump ship into a Mac, but these lower prices certainly help position Apple to be more competitive in the notebook market. And I agree, the Windows 8 mess is probably helping Apple more than Microsoft knows.
Compared to the Ultrabooks in price, I'm not sure there is any price difference with the MBA any longer? Apple had squeezed almost all the oxygen out of the competitor's margins before this last price change... and just in time for the graduation gift market and Mother's Day.
Could Apple be showing its claws? Now that Windows 8.x is about as messed up as it could be, the XP crowd might find the Ma OS looks more familiar than the Fisher Price alternative. Apple could end up with a reasonable percentage of those ex-XP users... jest say'n.
I'm not sure, but I suspect the 13" interests far more people. 11" is quite small for a notebook screen, although I also find 13" to be cramped.
[quote name="hmm" url="/t/179039/best-buy-now-offering-lowest-pre-tax-prices-on-apples-2013-2014-macbook-airs-starting-at-759#post_2527345"] I'm not sure, but I suspect the 13" interests far more people. 11" is quite small for a notebook screen, although I also find 13" to be cramped. [/quote] I really enjoyed my little 10-11" white MacBook when I was using it. Plenty big for anything I wanted to use it for... UNTIL I bought my current 15" MBP... Now I'm spoiled for life. But, I have to admit, the little white MacBook was damn portable and easy to handle. I'd go back to it for that reason alone.
But, I have to admit, the little white MacBook was damn portable and easy to handle. I'd go back to it for that reason alone.
This is obviously subject to opinion, but I think the 15" rmbp is incredibly portable. With the Airs I see something I never previously witnessed with a notebook. People pick them up with one hand. That might make them feel more portable, but having used a 17", I can't say that I would have any trouble grabbing a 15" while heading out the door. They're around 4 pounds and reasonably compact. The charger adds maybe another half pound?
I don't remember a 10-11" macbook. There was a 12" ibook. Other than that they seem to have started at 13". Everymac seems to agree with me. I don't recall the aspect ratio, so I don't know if that would have made a difference in perception.