Amazon's Weekend Sale Has Record Low Prices on M3 MacBook Air, Available From $899

[amartinez1660]

Hi,

Just to know: how much do you pay for the Windows license?

This reminds me to take into consideration, during the usual debate “windows PCs are so much cheaper”, all the things that we take for granted: Windows cost itself (although many include at least a personal basic license), MS Office costs, cleaning the usual bloat the PC comes installed with like the 3-months antiviruses, the constant windows updates done at the worse possible timing, flimsy drivers combination at times, etc…

The amount of times I go into a meeting and someone has to ask for a minute because their webcam suddenly stopped working or need to reinstall/repair some software about it or the mic is acting up.

Taking all those annoying hurdles into the price evaluation. And $899 (which is $492 in year 2000 dollars) is definitely then a steal.

 

[svish]

Good prices for the M3 MacBook Air.

 

[Kevin2055]

For me to buy a Macbook it needs at least 1TB storage and 16GB RAM at maybe $1000 price. I may have to run Windows on a VM and would like some storage space and RAM for that. But until then I guess I'll wait.

Just buy windows

 

[TechRunner]

Yeah and as someone who's been buying Macs (only) since the 1980s if you look across the lifetime of product lines and adjust for inflation, these are crazy good prices. Tempting to get an $899 just for light use.

Exactly. I paid $899 for my base model 2015 (4/128) MBA, so a base M3 with color options and 8/256 for that price is a very good deal when viewed through the lens of inflation adjustment.

 

[amaze1499]

What a shelf life those MBA’s have. 8/256 is the way to go.

 

[Fuzzball84]

The 8 GB RAM thing is a long running complaint. But the reality is that most of Apples consumers get by on 8 GB without any issue. If you need more, you know you do and would spec accordingly. But for average consumer use 8 GB is actually enough considering the use and lifespan of the device. Apple make the hardware and software and they have optimized the OS and most Apps for the base model.

For the vast majority of Apple consumers it’s not an issue. If you’re a “Pro”, well you know and would spec it up as appropriate.

 

[iHorseHead]

Yes but it’s 8 GB ram, 256 GB storage.

In my country you'd pay $1500 for such specs. Wanna trade? And the average salary is $1200 a month.

 

[Fuzzball84]

Considering the incomes of average people in the U.S., $899 is still a bit high and not a fair price, but still much closer to a fair price than the $1,099 that the greedy corporate scumbag Tim Cook charges.

Tim is running a business, and a prosumer focused one at that. When you consider that the product you’re buying is not a regular computer, but a premium design for a certain consumer, and isn’t all about RAM and processor specs… then even 1099 is still a steal.

Anything like this being available in late 90s or early 2000 would have had a several thousand dollar price tag (adjusting for inflation).

Scales of economy and super efficient manufacturing mean we get devices that 20 to 30 years ago you would never dream of, and never ever see at such a price tag.

I’d say we are fortunate in this generation to have such good technology at such low prices.

 

[adamw]

I agree with other people who are posting here: that 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD models are way too small in mid-2024 for a laptop or an iMac. We need to do better Apple, and set the bar at least at 12GB RAM (16GB RAM preferred) and make available larger spec configuration at retailers, instead of just the lower end spec units. People should not have to order larger end "custom configuration" models directly from Apple's website -- they should be available at many retailers.

 

[Salt City Ute]

Considering the incomes of average people in the U.S., $899 is still a bit high and not a fair price, but still much closer to a fair price than the $1,099 that the greedy corporate scumbag Tim Cook charges.

I don’t understand why you’re on this site. It seems highly likely that you dislike Apple. Perhaps your time would be better spent at the feet of Michael Dell.

 

[Rychiar]

Picked up an M2 for Father's day.

After 9 years he's 10GB away from the 128GB ssd of his 2015 pro so it's time. Not even really sure if hes gonna notice the other upgrades but its necessary for him not to have to worry about storage.

I don't even understand how a computer can run Mac OS with only 128gb inside... I take it he does nothing at all with photos or graphics or music, and only stores text documents, lol

 

[concentricity]

A lot of the same configs are available refurb from Apple for even less. And Apple Refurb is essentially brand new but in a white box. Sometimes you even get a higher spec than what you ordered.

 

[ThomasJL]

I don’t understand why you’re on this site. It seems highly likely that you dislike Apple. Perhaps your time would be better spent at the feet of Michael Dell.

Apple has been my favorite computer brand since the 1980s. I like the Steve Jobs era Apple. I dislike the Tim Cook era Apple. As for Michael Dell, I think he is a corporate suit with no vision, just like Tim Cook.

 

[concentricity]

I agree with other people who are posting here: that 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD models are way too small in mid-2024 for a laptop or an iMac. We need to do better Apple, and set the bar at least at 12GB RAM (16GB RAM preferred) and make available larger spec configuration at retailers, instead of just the lower end spec units. People should not have to order larger end "custom configuration" models directly from Apple's website -- they should be available at many retailers.

8/256 is absolutely fine for a LOT of people. And having that low baseline allows essentially anyone who wants it to have access to an incredibly powerful, secure, well-built, long lasting laptop.

Also, maybe you missed the memo, but Apple DOES offer 16/512 as a standard config now, meaning it's available at retailers. You do NOT have to custom configure only from Apple to get it.

 

[davide_eu]

This reminds me to take into consideration, during the usual debate “windows PCs are so much cheaper”, all the things that we take for granted: Windows cost itself (although many include at least a personal basic license), MS Office costs, cleaning the usual bloat the PC comes installed with like the 3-months antiviruses, the constant windows updates done at the worse possible timing, flimsy drivers combination at times, etc…

The amount of times I go into a meeting and someone has to ask for a minute because their webcam suddenly stopped working or need to reinstall/repair some software about it or the mic is acting up.

Taking all those annoying hurdles into the price evaluation. And $899 (which is $492 in year 2000 dollars) is definitely then a steal.

No,

My question was much more simple: how much do you pay a Windows license to use it in a Virtual Machine?

 

[davide_eu]

I don't even understand how a computer can run Mac OS with only 128gb inside... I take it he does nothing at all with photos or graphics or music, and only stores text documents, lol

Don't forget in many cases mac pc are "shown", not "used".

 

[GimmeDatApple]

The prices on the higher end configs are the same as they were last week, in case anyone is confused by Macrumors phrasing of ’best ever’. I paid $1329 for the 13 inch M3 16/512 back on June 7th.

 

[Fuzzball84]

Apple has been my favorite computer brand since the 1980s. I like the Steve Jobs era Apple. I dislike the Tim Cook era Apple. As for Michael Dell, I think he is a corporate suit with no vision, just like Tim Cook.

Apple is defined more than just one person. Many people had to push and pull Steve Jobs on so many products for them to ever have been released. If things had been left solely to Steve himself I doubt they would have had the success they did. Equally, Tim is just one person and I think he’s done well. But behind the scenes there are so many people working on things.

It’s the same with any company. You can have a boring person running it, and have the people they employ go do the exciting stuff. Sometimes a safe pair of hands is what a business needs. The only reason for the existence of a business is to make money, and Tim has done that more than anyone. Apple isn’t a Charity or Hobby Club.

 

[Plutonius]

If people really want to save money, buy from the Apple refurbished store.

 

[CausticSoda]

8/256 is absolutely fine for a LOT of people. And having that low baseline allows essentially anyone who wants it to have access to an incredibly powerful, secure, well-built, long lasting laptop.

It's just a shame that people who need a bit more seem to subsidise this by paying way over the odds, in this case $400+ for another 8Gb RAM and 256Gb storage.

 

[whcchief]

Yeah and as someone who's been buying Macs (only) since the 1980s if you look across the lifetime of product lines and adjust for inflation, these are crazy good prices. Tempting to get an $899 just for light use.

God forbid the prices of tech have gotten cheaper massively so along the way...

 

[Beau10]

I wish Apple though made 1 TB MacBook Air available as prefigured configuration available to buy on Amazon instead of forcing users to pay full price at Apple’s website as customized configuration. 512 GB max is not going to cut it for most users that are looking to get powerful machine on a budget……

NYC based online retailers like Adorama and B&H often have all sorts of custom configs available at discount. This has been true for over a decade.

 

[Kay_Ess]

No such prices in Sweden, but we also have taxes included in our prices.
I've learned that's not the case in US when you talk abt yr prices.
I’m however enjoying my M3, that I payed approx. $2000 /20000 Skr for. all included.
with 16/500.

Is that a 15? Which store was that?😇
Here in Norway the entry level 15 is still almost 2500 bucks. I was going to fly to the USA when M4 gets released if the screen gets an update, but could consider driving to Sweden instead!

 

[Chaparral02]

Does this include Amazon UK ? 🤔

 

[Lioness~]

Is that a 15? Which store was that?😇
Here in Norway the entry level 15 is still almost 2500 bucks. I was going to fly to the USA when M4 gets released if the screen gets an update, but could consider driving to Sweden instead!

No, a 13" at the Swedish Apple Store online.
It's not a lot different prices here between Apple Store and the other stores that sells Mac's actually.
I checked it up, and didn't feel it was worth the hassle to buy it elsewhere.
Apple always pays better for tradeins such as my old 2018 MBA that had fulfilled its service too.
It's also way smoother and easier with Apple. They deliver and pick up at my door, while other companies don't.
Only once have something caused problem with Apple's delivery over the yrs. It was when my Apple Studio Display should be delivered, but 1 call with the right person at Apple solved it, and 15 mins later it arrived well at my door.