You’re looking for a new laptop and everybody is screaming about the M4. I get it. The new shiny object is hard to ignore. But honestly, if you’re hunting for the best value right now, you’re looking at the wrong chip. The real money-saving magic is happening in the secondary market and clearance aisles for the previous generation.
I’ve been tracking Apple’s pricing cycles for a decade. Usually, when a new model drops, the old one just... lingers. Not this time. Retailers are aggressively slashing prices to clear out warehouse space. You can basically steal a high-spec machine if you know where to look.
The Reality of MacBook Air M3 Deals Right Now
Let’s be real: Apple Intelligence is the big marketing push for 2026. Because the M3 chip handles those AI tasks almost as well as the M4, the "older" model hasn't actually aged. It still feels like a flagship. But the price tag? That's a different story.
Currently, the 13-inch MacBook Air M3 with 16GB of RAM is hovering around $738 to $899 at places like B&H Photo and Amazon. That’s a massive drop from its $1,099 launch price. If you’re okay with the base 8GB model (which I generally don't recommend for 2026, but hey, budget is budget), you might even find it as low as **$510** in "open-box" condition at Best Buy.
The 15-inch model is where the "blowout" deals are really getting wild. I’ve seen the 15-inch M3 with 24GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD plummet to $1,099. That is a $600 discount off the original MSRP. For a laptop that was top-of-the-line just a year ago, that’s kind of insane.
Where to Actually Find the Savings
Don't just go to the Apple Store. They’ll charge you full price or maybe give you a tiny $100 "education" discount if you're a student. Instead, hit these spots:
- Best Buy: They are the kings of the "Open-Box" deal. Often, someone buys an M3, realizes they wanted the 15-inch instead of the 13-inch, and returns it two days later. You get a basically new machine for $200 less.
- Amazon: Their pricing is erratic. One hour the M3 is $899, the next it’s $949. Use a price tracker or just refresh often.
- B&H Photo: Usually the best for upgraded configurations. If you want 16GB or 24GB of RAM—which you should—B&H often beats Amazon on price.
- Apple Refurbished: People sleep on this. It's the only way to get a "used" Mac that is literally indistinguishable from a new one, complete with a full warranty and a brand-new outer shell.
Why the M3 is the Better Buy Than the M4
Price is the obvious winner, but let's talk about the "why." Most users won't notice the difference between an M3 and an M4 in daily life. Opening Chrome? Same. Writing an email? Same. Streaming 4K video? Exactly the same.
👉 See also: Prime Video Subscription Cancel: What Most People Get Wrong
The M3 was built on a 3nm process. It's incredibly efficient. While the M4 adds a slightly better webcam and a new blue color, is that really worth an extra $300 to $400? For most of us, nope.
One big thing people get wrong: they think the M3 won't support the latest software. Wrong. The M3 is a beast. It supports dual external displays (with the lid closed) and Wi-Fi 6E. It’s future-proofed for at least the next 5-6 years.
Pricing Comparison: M3 vs M4 (Early 2026)
If you look at the 13-inch models side-by-side, the M4 starts at $999. You can regularly find the M3 for $799 or less. That $200 gap pays for a lot of accessories—or a nice weekend trip.
The 15-inch gap is even wider. A new M4 15-inch will set you back $1,299 minimum. Meanwhile, those 15-inch M3 clearance units are sitting at $999. Saving $300 on a laptop that performs 90% as well is a no-brainer for anyone who isn't a professional video editor.
What about the M2?
You might see the M2 Air for $699 or $599. It’s tempting. It really is. But here’s the catch: the M2 only supports one external monitor. If you ever plan on using a desk setup with two screens, you’ll regret the M2. The M3 fixed this. Plus, the M3 has a much faster Neural Engine for all those new AI features Apple is rolling out.
Actionable Steps for Your Purchase
- Check the RAM first. Do not buy an 8GB model in 2026 if you can avoid it. Look for MacBook Air M3 deals specifically on the 16GB or 24GB versions.
- Monitor Best Buy "Member" deals. If you have their Plus or Total membership, they sometimes drop the price of the M3 even further than what’s listed for the public.
- Trade in your old gear. Best Buy and Apple are offering decent trade-in values right now because they want to lock you into the ecosystem. I’ve seen people trade an old Intel Mac and get $300 off an M3, bringing the out-of-pocket cost down to effectively nothing.
- Verify the "Sold by" on Amazon. Only buy if it says "Sold by Amazon.com" or "Sold by Apple." Third-party sellers on there can be sketchy with "renewed" items that aren't actually Apple-certified.
Basically, if you find a 13-inch M3 with 16GB of RAM for under $850, buy it. If you find a 15-inch M3 for under $1,000, buy it. The stock of these M3 models is finally starting to dwindle as the M4 takes over, so these "clearance" windows don't stay open forever. Once the M3 stock is gone, your only "cheap" option will be the M2, which is a significant step down in terms of multi-monitor support and AI longevity.
Focus on the 16GB RAM configurations at B&H Photo or Best Buy Open-Box sections to get the most longevity for your dollar. Compare the final checkout price including tax, as some retailers like B&H offer tax-equivalent savings via their Payboo card in certain states.