If you’re looking for a cheap Mac, here are some of the best strategies to save money without sacrificing quality:
1. Buy Refurbished Directly from Apple
✅ Best for: Like-new condition with full warranty
Apple’s official refurbished store offers MacBooks, iMacs, and Mac Minis at significant discounts (up to 30% off). These devices come with:
✔️ A brand-new battery & outer shell
✔️ Full 1-year warranty (extendable with AppleCare+)
✔️ Same return policy as new products
Tip: Check frequently—inventory updates daily!
2. Look for Older Models (Still Powerful!)
Newer ≠ always better. Some great budget-friendly Macs:
- MacBook Air (M1, 2020) – Still blazing fast, often under $700 refurbished
- Mac Mini (M1/M2) – Best desktop value, starts at $499 (new)
- Intel Macs (2018-2020) – If you need Boot Camp, these can be found cheap
3. Shop Used on Trusted Marketplaces
If you’re okay with used, check:
- Swappa (highly vetted, good prices)
- Facebook Marketplace (local deals, but be cautious)
- eBay (look for “Apple Certified Refurbished” sellers)
Red flags: No original charger, “iCloud locked,” or heavy damage.
4. Wait for Sales & Clearance
- Back-to-School (July-Sept): Free gift cards with Mac purchases
- Black Friday / Cyber Monday: Best discounts (~100−200 off)
- Amazon / Best Buy Open-Box: Often 10-20% off for barely used returns
5. Consider an iPad as a Mac Alternative
If you just need basic computing, an iPad + keyboard (especially refurb iPad Air) can be a great budget Mac replacement.
Final Tip: Avoid Scams!
- Never buy a Mac with an active iCloud lock (it’s unusable).
- Check battery cycles (under 300 is ideal for used MacBooks).
- Prefer sellers with return policies.
Would you like recommendations for a specific budget? Let me know!
I write and edit stories about the latest lust-worthy PC tech all day long, but at heart, I’m a frugal shopper. I’m also an Apple Mac devotee. Combine those two traits, and that means I almost always buy my Apple gear in entry-cost, base configurations. In other words, I’m sensitive to the “starting price.”
Because of that, what happened in the course of the latest Apple MacBook launch struck me. The debut of Apple’s M4-based 13-inch and- 15-inch MacBook Air laptops did have a positive story for budget buyers, to be sure: The M4 MacBook Airs bring Apple’s latest processor to its thinnest and lightest MacBooks for $100 less than before. But there was some collateral damage here: As the M4 Air models entered the building, the $999, M2 13-inch MacBook Air walked out the front door (as expected), while the M3 models were ejected unceremoniously from Apple Park.
These events have shaken up the mix of new-in-box Macs that you can buy for less than $1,000 from official sources. (The aftermarket of used, refurbished, and other resold under-$1,000 Macs is a whole other, woolier story.) But it also raises several questions. Why did this new pricing dynamic come to pass? Which cheap Macs are still available? Can you still buy an M2 or M3 MacBook Air? And what happens next?
