Walmart Selling MacBook Air With M1 Chip for $649 Starting Today

[JPack]

Given that Apple is still selling the iPad 10, which has the A14, which is using the same process and cores and NPU as M1, plus the fact that the A10, A12 and A13 are still supported, I think it’s still going to be a long time before the M1 becomes even close to dated.
Also, consider the fact that even though the M1 was *first* released in 2020, it was still being built into new products in 2022 with the iPad Air.
Keeping this in mind, it’s unlikely to lose support until 2027 at the earliest, and that’s worst case scenario.

The problem is, Apple doesn’t work that way. They don’t care about the tech specs.

Apple uses the launch date of the product to determine support.

Case in point: iPad Pro 10.5 with A10X and 4GB RAM doesn’t support iPadOS 18. iPad 7 with A10 and 3GB does. The reason is simply because iPad Pro was launched in 2017 and iPad was launched in 2019.

Worst case scenario is M1 MBA loses major macOS updates in 2026 because Apple supports Mac for 6-7 years. The n-1 and n-2 macOS updates doesn’t really count since Apple admits they don’t contain all the known security fixes.

 

[brofkand]

They are just clearing out parts for Apple
That's all this is

Dumping old parts and stock that Apple couldn't overcharge people for back when these were newer
This is a 4 year old computer

Good luck on the support timeline for M1 stuff .. nobody knows, but I'm betting "the under"

I don't know if you know this, but just because Apple stops supporting a device doesn't mean it stops working.

That said this machine should be closer to $500 given its age and specs IMO.

 

[thettareddast]

Writing this comment from an M1 Air (with 16GB of RAM) and I cannot imagine replacing this unless for fun any time in the next several years.

I bought the 8GB M1 at launch. Still using it. Still no reason to upgrade.

Previously, i had been buying new Macs every 2/3 years.

$650 for this machine today is still an insane value.

 

[nt5672]

Won't be long before we see Apple's Cook transition the whole Apple product line to Walmart. When you have unreliable products with no innovation, they belong in Walmart, not fancy Apple retail stores.

 

[cwwilson]

I will say the M1 MBA is pound for pound the greatest computer Apple ever made in my opinion. I love mine to the point that I still haven’t replaced it. It’s just so good I can’t let it go even though it’s getting up there in age it still performs greatly. The size, weight, design is all classic.

It will go down as one of Apple’s greatest success stories much like the 2015 15” MBP (which I also own). 🥰

 

[iJulio]

I will say the M1 MBA is pound for pound the greatest computer Apple ever made in my opinion. I love mine to the point that I still haven’t replaced it. It’s just so good I can’t let it go even though it’s getting up there in age it still performs greatly. The size, weight, design is all classic.

It will go down as one of Apple’s greatest success stories much like the 2015 15” MBP (which I also own). 🥰

100% Agree. I also use an M1 MacBook Air and I don’t see a need to upgrade it anytime soon — it’s still very fast and everything just works. I also appreciate the classic wedge design that is iconic of the Air line.

 

[jlc1978]

Even if making them still, it's almost certainly due to old stock of the parts used

No matter how you slice it ... it's old componentry (in tech terms)

However, if it meets teh needs of the targets audience then the age of the components will not matter. It will surf the web, check emails, write stuff, etc. for a long time.

The newest developer platform from Apple won’t even RUN ON 8GB of ram.

Most Apple users aren't developers, and this model isn't aimed at developers.

Anyone who might want to have a passable, fully featured, macOS experience say... next year?

They will care

As long as it works in its existing configuration, they won't care. I know plenty of folks who are running older versions of Mac OS and their machines meet their needs so they don't care if next year's OS is more powerful.

I will say the M1 MBA is pound for pound the greatest computer Apple ever made in my opinion. I love mine to the point that I still haven’t replaced it. It’s just so good I can’t let it go even though it’s getting up there in age it still performs greatly. The size, weight, design is all classic.

Exactly. For many people its the ideal machine, and at $649 gives them a very affordable, relative to other Macs and PCs, price point.

 

[mudflap]

It's a reasonable price if you're getting it for a kid for school. Of course, there are cheaper PC options, but if you insist on getting a MacBook.

Is there a cheaper PC laptop as powerful as this one? I'd buy this in a heartbeat if I needed it, and I'd install that thermal pad hack again too.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

My retired IT developer uncle still has an M1 Mac Mini with 8GB of RAM. It still works FLAWLESSLY for what he needs. I would right now recommend this laptop for $649 over the mountains of similarly priced windows junk out there.

If you have normal computer needs, this will work for YEARS.

 

[JPack]

This is a good deal, people here acting like the M1 chip sucks or something. I have a base M1 Mac mini and I do all my editing for my YouTube channel, photography, and graphic design on it with no problems. There is nothing wrong with the chip and the price is an excellent entry point for people wanting to get an inexpensive Mac.

It was good in 2020. Time marches on. Apple historically supports Mac with major macOS updates for 6-7 years.

M1 MBA was launched in 2020 and it's 2024 now. That's 2/3 of the way through 6 years. This means there's only about 2 years of major macOS updates left.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I don't know if you know this, but just because Apple stops supporting a device doesn't mean it stops working.

I do know that, yep!

I still use a 2015 MBP 15"

"Stops working" is not something I said nor implied

 

[orangeadrenaline]

Many are confusing a great quality product (this is) to a great value (this is not) today at 35% off MSRP from 4 years ago.

Again, would you buy an iPhone 12 today for $519? Also a great product but also too old for a 35% discount off of MSRP.

 

[acorntoy]

They are just clearing out parts for Apple
That's all this is

Dumping old parts and stock that Apple couldn't overcharge people for back when these were newer
This is a 4 year old computer

Good luck on the support timeline for M1 stuff .. nobody knows, but I'm betting "the under"

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

Learn about your options for getting service and parts for Apple devices that are past their warranty period.

support.apple.com

Apple stops supporting/repairing a product 7 years after its final official sold date. All these M1's are still being officially sold, and will be supported for at least 7 years.

It's 2024 and the 2017 21.5 iMac is still being supported because apple sold it into 2021. The release year is less important than the last sold year.

 

[orangeadrenaline]

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

Learn about your options for getting service and parts for Apple devices that are past their warranty period.

support.apple.com

Apple stops supporting/repairing a product 7 years after its final official sold date. All these M1's are still being officially sold, and will be supported for at least 7 years.

It's 2024 and the 2017 21.5 iMac is still being supported because apple sold it into 2021. The release year is less important than the last sold year.

They are not being sold by Apple.

 

[acorntoy]

Many are confusing a great quality product (this is) to a great value (this is not) today at 35% off MSRP from 4 years ago.

Again, would you buy an iPhone 12 today for $519? Also a great product but also too old for a 35% discount off of MSRP.

You downvoted me but my post was strictly based on support and NOT value/not to do with anything you are posting about. Care to explain?

 

[acorntoy]

They are not being sold by Apple.

They are being officially sold by a third party.
They come activated with an Apple 1 year limited warranty, that is what that means.

 

[brofkand]

I do know that, yep!

I still use a 2015 MBP 15"

"Stops working" is not something I said nor implied

You made a point about the support timeline of M1. It's pretty much irrelevant especially for someone who would buy a 4 year old computer at Walmart at closeout prices.

 

[acorntoy]

You made a point about the support timeline of M1. It's pretty much irrelevant especially for someone who would buy a 4 year old computer at Walmart at closeout prices.

But you still get 7 years of support. That isn't incorrect. That is pretty relevant when buying a older computer, knowing it will be supported for as long as a newer model. It's fine to say you don't see value in it, but some do.

 

[Corefile]

I got $525 BB store credit for an M1 8/256 trade in at Christmas so I could pick up a 15" M2 16/512. I thought that was an insane price to give me for a 2.5 year old laptop, so $649 does feel very cheap for new.

 

[dannyyankou]

Is there a cheaper PC laptop as powerful as this one? I'd buy this in a heartbeat if I needed it, and I'd install that thermal pad hack again too.

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Slightly lower single core score, slightly higher multi core score. Double the ram and 1TB of storage. Ignore the fact that Best Buy spelled the color “Artic Grey”.

 

[Darren.h]

only 8gb of ram?? not future proof.

 

[orangeadrenaline]

But you still get 7 years of support. That isn't incorrect. That is pretty relevant when buying an older computer, knowing it will be supported for as long as a newer model. It's fine to say you don't see value in it, but some do.

What kind of support do you think Apple will provide you in 2031 if you buy this computer from Walmart today?

Probably a new battery for $200. And even that overpriced part is…wait for it…”subject to parts availability.”

 

[JosephAW]

A few more macOS versions and then it’ll be dropped. Reminds me of my Mac Pro 1,1 got a few macOS versions then Apple dropped it.

 

[G5isAlive]

I do know that, yep!

I still use a 2015 MBP 15"

"Stops working" is not something I said nor implied

but wait you did say..

Models that are barely passable, at the time of purchase, given their AI push and its RAM needs (on Macs)

so.. a 2015 MBP is good enough for some folks (like yourself) but a new in the box MBA designed in 2020 is barely passable?

seems like you are talking out of both sides of your mouth.

btw, how goes that vital apple support on your 2015 that you still use?

Anyone who might want to have a passable, fully featured, macOS experience say... next year?

They will care

seems like there are people out there with far older machines that think they can pass on this experience

 

[G5isAlive]

What kind of support do you think Apple will provide you in 2031 if you buy this computer from Walmart today?

Probably a new battery for $200. And even that overpriced part is…wait for it…”subject to parts availability.”

By support you are talking hardware support by the mention of a battery... on a 7 year old computer. Most average PC's last two to three years, so yeah, 7 years at $700 is $100 a year for good use. What's your point (even if true?)