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Whether you’re buying a brand-new MacBook or looking for a renewed and refurbished one, there are many great places to get your MacBook with awesome discounts. Here are my favorite places to find MacBooks on sale.
1Apple Education Store
The Apple Store is the first place you go for information on buying a new MacBook, but if you’re trying to buy one at a discount, know that there are better options. However, you might still want to consider Apple if you’re a student—or you know a student.
The Apple Education Store is Apple’s official store for student discounts. Available through Apple directly, discounts and freebies change often, but you’re always getting a good deal on brand-new Apple MacBooks and other products.
You can also connect to Apple’s Education Store usingUNiDAYS, a central hub for all retailers offering student discount deals. With UNiDAYS, you only need to upload your student credentials once, and you can access all student deals easily.
I bought my first MacBook Air from Apple using a student discount in 2014. Not only was it a hefty discount, but I also got free Beats headphones and an iTunes Store voucher along with my purchase.
Sometimes, Apple offers discounts on MacBooks themselves, freebies with a full-priced MacBook, or gift cards. As of this writing, you can take advantage ofApple’s Higher Education Offerto receive a $150 Apple Gift Card when you purchase a MacBook through the Apple Education Store.
Visit:Apple Education Store
2Amazon Renewed
Amazon is often the go-to store for many who want to buy online. Amazon Renewed is a section of the site that sells pre-owned, refurbished, and open-box products, including MacBooks. An open-box MacBook is as good as brand new, and it comes with the Amazon Renewed Guarantee.
Open-box MacBooks from Amazon Renewed will be the closest you can get to a like-new MacBook at a discounted rate. Choose the Premium condition, which is stated as having no scratches on the screen, no visible dents or marks from 12 inches away, more than 90 percent battery health, and comes with original packaging and accessories.
There are other condition types—Excellent, Good, and Acceptable—but you’ll feel like you’re getting a pre-owned Macbook rather than a new discounted one.
Visit:Amazon Renewed
Best Buy is a favorite for technology and gadgets. Not only does Best Buy sell brand new MacBooks with great discounts—like a $300 or $500 saving, as seen at the time of writing—but you can also buy open-box and refurbished MacBooks at a higher discount from the store.
Cost is one factor in deciding, but you should research first onwhich MacBook is best for youand your use before buying one.
you may find new MacBooks on sale from the Best Buy website or your local Best Buy store. With over 1,000 Best Buy stores in North America, you won’t have to travel far to find one in person if you’re set on an open-box or refurbished MacBook.
Visit:Best Buy
4Walmart Restored
America’s biggest grocery store sells everything you’d ever need, including MacBooks. Whether you’re shopping in person or online through its website, you can buy both new and restored MacBooks at great prices from Walmart. Only select stores sell MacBooks in person, though.
At the time of writing, you can buy a restored 11-inch MacBook Air with a bundle including a pair of wireless earbuds and a wireless mouse, all for under $200. Even for an older model, this is a great price. Be aware that the restored sellers are different from buying directly from Walmart.
You can even find new MacBooks at great prices at Walmart. It also offers Apple deals on some products, such as savings of $50 on MacBook Air models. New MacBooks are sold directly from Walmart and can be purchased along with eitheran AppleCare+ extended warranty planor Walmart’s own protection plan.
Visit:Walmart Restored
Wholesale giant Costco provides the world with an abundance of everything. Besides eyeglasses, deck chairs, and groceries to feed large families, you’re able to also buy the latest MacBook models.
Costco allows for Mac trade-ins, which pay up to $1,200 on a Costco gift card; you can use that toward a new MacBook purchase or anything else in Costco’s inventory. While it’s up to you totrade in your MacBook with Apple or a third partylike Costco, know that both options have their benefits.
At the time of writing, you can buy a 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro chip from Costco for around $250 less than what Apple charges on its site. That’s a great discount, even when you include the annual cost of a Costco membership.
You can purchase MacBooks from Costco in-store or online with different delivery or pickup options available. You must be a Costco member or a companion of a Costco member to purchase.
Visit:Costco
6Facebook Marketplace
While it’s rare you’ll find a brand new, reputable MacBook through Facebook Marketplace, we couldn’t list great places for discounted MacBooks without including this gem.
I bought my second MacBook through Facebook Marketplace. The seller listed a two-year-old MacBook Pro at a great price, but I also managed to get $50 off the listed price. The seller even threw in some USB converters along with the charging cables.
Facebook Marketplace items are sold as Buyer Beware. You’re responsible for researching the item, checking its condition, and being cautious to avoid getting scammed, which is unfortunately common. Always followsafety tips while using Facebook Marketplace, especially when buying a high-value product like a MacBook.
Visit:Facebook Marketplace
7Military Post Exchange (PX) Stores
Post Exchange Stores, commonly known as PX Stores, are only found on US military bases. This means you can only purchase a MacBook from a PX Store if you’re active duty, a veteran, or accompanied by someone with a valid military ID—they must be the person making the purchase.
PX Stores and all stores at US military bases do not include sales tax on their products, which means you can buy a brand-new MacBook without paying tax. And if that’s not enough, PX Stores occasionally sell MacBooks with an added discount.
You may not find the latest MacBook models at PX Stores, but all MacBooks sold are brand new, unopened, and unused. You’ll also find other Apple products like iPads, butMacs can offer much more than iPads.
Visit:The Exchange
With this wealth of knowledge for discounted MacBooks, you’ll have plenty of places to research, visit, and hopefully find your new MacBook within your budget. While you’ll have the best luck buying a brand-new MacBook from the Apple Education Store, Costco, or Walmart, a refurbished or pre-owned unit from places like Facebook Marketplace or Best Buy can also yield fantastic savings if you’re careful.
