The best MacBook deals in October 2024

Three Apple MacBook models on a pink background
(Image credit: Future / Apple)

Apple makes some of the best laptops you can buy but these devices can make a serious dent in your bank balance. Fortunately, MacBook deals are regularly available so you can save a lot off the price of these premium devices – and I've gathered all the best ones available today right here.

In terms of deals, several record-low prices have been available over the last couple of months and I expect many of those to return as we approach the big end-of-year sales. There's the second Amazon Prime Day deals event on October 8 – 9 and then the Black Friday deals season follows right after so it will likely be the best time to buy.

Just be aware that some best-ever deals on last-generation devices could expire soon and be gone for good by Black Friday as the MacBook Air M1 has been discontinued and stock of the M2 is slowly disappearing. If you're interested in the latest devices, check out our MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) review and MacBook Air 15-inch (M3) review for our thoughts. Safe to say, we think these new laptops are the best MacBooks you can buy today.

Remember to also check if you're eligible for extra savings thanks to the Apple student discount and the exclusive additional discounts for My Best Buy members.

Best MacBook deals - quick links

The best MacBook deals in September 2024

MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024): $1,099$999 at Amazon
DisplayProcessor RAMStorageOS

MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024): was $1,099 now $999 at Amazon
Display
- 13 inches
Processor - Apple M1
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 256GB
OS - MacOS

It isn't the best time to buy the latest MacBook Air M3 right now as this is the best deal available right now and it's $150 more than the record-low price. I'd suggest waiting until the end-of-year sales get underway if this laptop is on your shopping list and it will be way cheaper over the next couple of months. Our five-star MacBook Air 13-inch M3 review praised its excellent performance, lengthy 18 hours of battery life and slick fan-less design. We think it's the best laptop you can buy right now for creatives and anyone after a high-end device so if you've got a decent budget you''ll love this portable and powerful machine.

MacBook Air M2 (2022): $999$849 at Best Buy
DisplayProcessorRAMStorageOS

MacBook Air M2 (2022): was $999 now $849 at Best Buy
Display
- 13.6 inches
Processor - Apple M2
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 256GB
OS - macOS

Best Buy has the MacBook Air M2 for $50 more than its lowest-ever price right now. Even though a newer M3 version is available, we concluded that this is still one of the best laptops you can buy in our MacBook Air M2 review, thanks to the stylish design, clear display, impressive performance, and long 18-hour battery life. For those needing a premium powerhouse for creative apps such as photo editing, video editing and more intense workloads, this is worth the investment.

Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020): $999$649 at Walmart
DisplayProcessorRAMStorageOS

Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020): was $999 now $649 at Walmart
Display
- 13 inches
Processor - Apple M1
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 256GB
OS - MacOS

Walmart is offering the MacBook Air M1 for a new record-low price of $649, which is a steal for the device that sat atop our best laptop guide for many months. It may be a little dated now but this is still a powerful Apple device that holds up well in 2024. It can handle the computing needs of most users: be that work, browsing, video calls and even some creative tasks such as video and photo editing. Just be aware that Apple has ceased production on this model, so while it's still being supported, it may be your last chance to snag one of the best laptop deals ever before it disappears from the digital shelves for good.

MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3, 2023): $1,599$1,299 at Amazon
DisplayProcessorRAMStorageOS

MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3, 2023): was $1,599 now $1,299 at Amazon
Display
- 14 inches
Processor - Apple M3
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 512GB
OS - MacOS

Amazon has the latest MacBook Pro 14-inch back down to a record-low price right now. Boasting a powerful M3 chip, stunning liquid retina display and an impressive 22 hours of battery life, this is a complete creative workstation. We awarded this model 4.5 stars out of five in our MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3) review, praising the overall performance, elegant design and long-lasting battery.

How to find the best MacBook deals

MacBook deals are fairly regular, but Apple doesn't tend to discount these machines by a whole lot as they are premium devices that are built to last. That means Apple usually waits a long time to slash the price of its older MacBook models following the launch of a new generation. Even still, picking up an older but still capable MacBook is often the way to get the best deal.

As for when is the best time to buy, the good news is that MacBook sales are fairly common around certain times of the year. There are small price cuts every so often and after new releases, but the major discounts are held back until the biggest shopping events of the year such as Black Friday and the back-to-school sales. With that in mind, it's best to keep an eye out for superior MacBook deals in July and November.

Is a MacBook worth it?

Sure, it's a hefty initial investment, but buying a MacBook can be worth it in the long run. Apple's laptops are built with longevity in mind, so they offer excellent value over other devices that you may need to replace every couple of years. 

It's also worth checking out the Best Buy discounts and Apple promo codes currently available for other ways to save on your purchase.

Is it worth buying a pre-2020 MacBook?

We'll say it again, MacBooks last. Many devices from 2020 (or even earlier) still run incredibly well to this day. That means it's not worth dismissing these older machines immediately.

However, these older devices don't tend to lose their value, either. That means you can easily spend $1,000 on a MacBook from before 2020 and miss out on the latest processors (including the fantastic M2 and M3 chips), as well as more RAM, faster SSD storage and other useful hardware features.

All things considered, we genuinely think it's best to go for a newer MacBook if you have the option as there has been a considerable jump in power and performance in the models released from 2020 onwards. It'll be worth it for the extra cash and you'll future-proof yourself for much longer by taking this approach.

Interested in more Apple tech? We've also got a look at more discounted goodies including the best Apple Watch deals, all the cheapest AirPods deals and top Apple Pencil deals.

If your budget doesn't stretch to one of Apple's premium machines, our hubs dedicated to the latest laptop deals and Chromebook deals are worth a look for a wider variety of cheaper and mid-range options.

Or, if you decide you need something more flexible than a laptop that's still within the Apple ecosystem, you can always take a look at the latest iPad deals.

James Pickard
Senior Deals Editor

James Pickard is a Deals Editor at TechRadar. After many years of scouring the net for the cheapest games and tech for his personal use, he decided to make it his job to share all the best bargains and coupon codes with you. James also has almost a decade of experience covering some of the biggest sales events of the year at Eurogamer and VG247, including Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Amazon Prime Day. When not deals hunting or stacking coupon codes to get the biggest savings, James can be found on the PS5, watching a classic film noir or cheering on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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