MacBook Air discounts hit record lows at Amazon and Best Buy

Major retailers including Amazon and Best Buy are offering steep discounts across Apple MacBook Air models this week, with prices for recent and previous-generation machines falling to record lows and creating new choices for buyers weighing performance against cost. As of Sept. 15, Amazon listed the 13.6-inch MacBook Air with Apple M4 chip, 16GB of unified memory and 256GB SSD for about $799, and Best Buy was selling a 13-inch MacBook Air M2 with similar memory and storage for roughly $699, according to retailer listings and price trackers.

The Amazon promotion covers several M4 configurations, with 13-inch models starting at $799 and 15-inch M4 options reduced by roughly $200, bringing a 15-inch M4 with 16GB and 512GB to about $1,199. Amazon also offered a deeper clearance of an M3 15-inch MacBook Air configuration with 24GB of unified memory and 512GB of storage for about $1,199, matching the price of some M4 entry-level configurations, according to retail listings. Best Buy’s M2 offer represents a record low for that model, lowering the entry price for users who prioritize battery life and portability over the newest silicon.

Each generation brings tradeoffs. The M4-equipped...