Apple’s MacBook Air is the focal point of early Black Friday shopping this year, with several notable discounts across the latest M4 models, a steep markdown on a high‑RAM M3 configuration, and refurbished vintage MacBooks priced for impulse buys. The sales create clear choices for shoppers weighing raw performance, memory needs and tight budgets.

What’s on sale right now

  • 13‑inch MacBook Air with the M4 chip (16GB RAM / 256GB SSD) — $799 (was $999). This is the M4 model that reviewers have called the best Apple laptop of 2025, and the $799 price is an all‑time low for the configuration.
  • 13‑inch MacBook Air with the M3 chip (24GB RAM / 512GB SSD) — $999 (limited to the silver configuration at the time of posting). That model originally debuted at $1,699 and later briefly listed at $1,499; today's cut represents substantial savings off launch pricing.
  • 15‑inch M4 MacBook Air configurations and higher‑storage M4 variants are also seeing roughly $200 off list across many retailers.
  • Refurbished options: grade‑A M1 MacBook Air (2020) offers around $385 in some refurb listings; much older 2017 MacBook Air refurbs have appeared in the $180 range.

    • Retailers involved in these early Black Friday promotions include major online sellers and electronics outlets; selection and stock are shifting quickly as the discounts propagate.

    How the models compare — raw specs and real‑world tradeoffs

    M4 (current generation at the deep discount)
  • Strengths: Apple's M4 delivers faster single‑ and multi‑core performance than prior chips, improved battery life (advertised up to ~18 hours), and a brighter Liquid Retina display (13.6‑inch, up to 500 nits, P3 wide color gamut). Modern features include MagSafe charging and system‑level Apple Intelligence tools.
  • Ports and limits: Two Thunderbolt 4 ports and MagSafe; display is capped at 60Hz. Reviewers also note the asymmetric port layout may be inconvenient for some desk setups.
  • Value at $799: Strong pick for most buyers — power, battery life and build quality now undercut many mid‑range Windows laptops.
    • M3 (previous generation, high‑RAM configuration on sale)
  • Strengths: The M3 MacBook Air in the 24GB/512GB spec offers a generous unified memory pool for heavy multitasking, virtualization or creative workflows that benefit from higher RAM counts. The M3 features an 8‑core CPU and 10‑core GPU and remains a competent performer.
  • Why buy it now: At $999 for 24GB/512GB this M3 configuration sits $200–$300 below comparable M4 pricing in current sales, making it an attractive value for buyers who prioritize RAM over the absolute latest silicon.
  • Drawbacks: Some buyers will prefer the newer M4 chip for its uplift in efficiency and single‑thread performance; availability for the discounted M3 is already limited (for example, some colors sold out quickly).
    • Refurbished and older models
  • M1 (2020) refurbished: The M1 chip was a game changer and remains very capable for students and office workflows. Refurb grade‑A listings near $385 can be a sensible entry point into macOS for price‑sensitive buyers.
  • 2017 and older refurbs: Very cheap at under $200 in some promotions, but with much older Intel hardware and shorter remaining lifespan; fine as a secondary machine or light‑duty travel laptop.

    • Who should buy which deal?

  • Get the M4 at $799 if: you want the best balance of performance, battery life and future longevity for general use, creative work or long‑term ownership.
  • Consider the M3 24GB/512GB at $999 if: you need extra unified memory now (for heavy multitasking, VMs, or large media projects) and are willing to accept an older chip for a lower price per gigabyte of RAM.
  • Pick a refurb (M1 or older) if: your budget is tight, your workflows are basic (web, email, streaming, light document work), or you want a secondary or backup Mac without spending a lot.

    • Caveats and timing

  • Limited stock and model/color availability: Some discounted SKUs (notably the M3 24GB/512GB) were available only in certain finishes when the deals first surfaced. If you need a specific configuration or color, check inventory quickly.
  • Price volatility: Early Black Friday promotions often move fast; deeper discounts on higher‑end M4 configurations are possible but less likely. Historically, older chips and refurbished units see the steepest percentage cuts.
  • Newer silicon looms: Apple continues to iterate on its chips. If you prioritize getting the absolute newest M‑series hardware, you may choose to wait; if you prioritize value, these deals are compelling now.

    • Buying guidance

  • Compare final vendor prices (tax and shipping included) and return/refurb warranty terms before you click.
  • If you lean on memory‑heavy workflows, prioritize unified RAM over larger storage; external SSDs can be cheaper than upgrading internal storage.
  • For students and price‑sensitive buyers, refurbished M1 units offer a solid macOS experience for far less money — but factor in shorter remaining life and possibly reduced warranty coverage.

Deals like these condense months of pricing shifts into a short window. Whether you choose the renewed performance bargain of the M4 at an all‑time low, the high‑RAM M3 steal, or a super‑cheap refurb, there are clear options across budgets and needs as holiday promotions kick in.

(For official specs and configuration comparisons, see Apple's MacBook Air overview.)

AppleMacBook AirDealsM4 ChipRefurbished

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