Important: These are prices reported on August 28, 2024, during the U.S. back-to-school sale season—not live August 2026 offers. Treat every figure below as a historical snapshot and verify the exact model, seller and current price before buying. The standout offer was a 15-inch M3 MacBook Air with 16GB memory and a 256GB SSD for $1,349 at B&H; Amazon listed a different 512GB version for $1,449.
The original roundup is documented at 9to5Mac. Its links were affiliate links.
The MacBook Air deals, configuration by configuration
Do not treat the two headline prices as the same laptop. Storage, screen size and retailer differed.
| Model | Memory/storage | Retailer | Historical price | Stated regular price | Discount | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15-inch M3 MacBook Air | 16GB / 256GB SSD | B&H | $1,349 shipped | $1,499 | $150 | Lowest-cost 15-inch option with 16GB |
| 15-inch M3 MacBook Air | 16GB / 512GB SSD | Amazon | $1,449 | $1,699 | $250 | Large screen plus more local storage |
| 13-inch M3 MacBook Air | 16GB / 256GB SSD | B&H | $1,099 | $1,299 | $200 | Lowest-cost 16GB configuration |
| 15-inch M3 MacBook Air | 8GB / 256GB SSD | Amazon | $1,049 | $1,299 | $250 | Large screen for light workloads |
| 15-inch M3 MacBook Air | 8GB / 512GB SSD | Amazon | $1,249 | $1,499 | $250 | Light workloads needing more storage |
These were advertised retailer prices, not a guarantee of Apple’s current MSRP. Tax, seller identity, condition, shipping eligibility, returns and warranty could change the real cost.
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- LEAN. MEAN. M3 MACHINE — With a powerful 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, the blazing-fast MacBook Air with M3 chip is a superportable laptop that sails through work and play.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. It draws on your personal context while setting a brand-new standard for privacy in AI. Coming in beta this fall.
- PORTABLE DESIGN — Lightweight and under half an inch thin, so you can take MacBook Air anywhere you go.
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Amazing, all-day battery life so you can leave the power adapter at home.
- A BRILLIANT DISPLAY — The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display supports 1 billion colors.
Which M3 MacBook Air configuration made sense?
Choose 16GB for headroom
The 16GB models were the more durable choice for browser-heavy work, coding, creative applications and multitasking. MacBook Air memory is unified and integrated; it cannot be upgraded later. An 8GB discount therefore is not equivalent simply because it uses the same M3 chip.
Choose 13 inches for portability and value
The historical $1,099 13-inch 16GB/256GB model was the lowest-cost path to 16GB. It suits travel, office work and general use when a smaller display is acceptable.
Choose 15 inches for workspace
The 15-inch chassis is better for split-screen documents, spreadsheets, editing timelines and presentations, but costs more and takes up more space.
Rank #2
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
Choose 256GB or 512GB deliberately
- 256GB: sensible when photos, video and other large files live in cloud storage or on external drives.
- 512GB: worth the premium for substantial media, game or development libraries and for anyone wanting less external-drive dependence.
In this snapshot, the 15-inch 16GB/512GB model cost $100 more than the 16GB/256GB version. That was the central storage-versus-upfront-cost decision.
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M4 iPad Pro discounts
| Model | Configuration | Historical price | Stated regular price | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11-inch M4 iPad Pro | 512GB, Wi‑Fi | $1,099 | $1,199 | $100 |
| 13-inch M4 iPad Pro | 1TB, Wi‑Fi | $1,749 | Not fully specified in the source excerpt | $150 |
| 13-inch M4 iPad Pro | 1TB, nano-texture, Wi‑Fi + Cellular | $1,999 | $2,199 | $200 |
The 11-inch 512GB model was the accessible headline deal. The 13-inch versions were premium purchases: nano-texture glass and cellular connectivity materially increased the price. Add the Magic Keyboard, Apple Pencil, case and—on cellular models—service costs before comparing the total with a MacBook Air. The iPad Pro is the better fit for touch and Pencil work, drawing, reading and mobile use; the MacBook remains the safer laptop replacement for traditional desktop software, file management and sustained keyboard work.
Apple Watch Series 9 clearance prices
- 41mm models: from $299, generally described as $100 off.
- 45mm Midnight: $329, down from a stated $429.
The coverage presented these as inventory-clearance prices ahead of the expected Apple Watch Series 10 launch. That timing was an expectation at the time, not a confirmed specification or discontinuation announcement. Check case size, GPS versus cellular, material, color and band: discounted stock may be limited, and cellular service can add recurring fees. Compare the saving with the support, health features, warranty and resale runway of a newer watch.
Rank #3
- LEAN. MEAN. M3 MACHINE — With a powerful 8-core CPU and up to 10-core GPU, the blazing-fast MacBook Air with M3 chip is a superportable laptop that sails through work and play.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. It draws on your personal context while setting a brand-new standard for privacy in AI. Coming in beta this fall.
- PORTABLE DESIGN — Lightweight and under half an inch thin, so you can take MacBook Air anywhere you go.
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Amazing, all-day battery life so you can leave the power adapter at home.
- MORE ROOM FOR WHAT YOU LOVE — The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display supports 1 billion colors.
Useful accessory and monitor deals in the same roundup
| Product | Historical offer | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung 27-inch M5 Smart Monitor | $194 (stated regular price $280) | Exact model and whether the list price reflects a discontinued display |
| Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K Thunderbolt 4 monitor | More than $700 off plus $100 credit | Credit terms, model and Thunderbolt capability |
| UGREEN 200W six-port GaN charging station | $104 | Power-delivery allocation and port standards |
| Samsung T7 Shield portable SSD | 2TB for $150 | Usable capacity and interface speed |
| UGREEN 10-in-1 docking station | From $80 (stated regular price $120) | Whether USB-C expansion meets your display and bandwidth needs |
| Spigen 3-in-1 Apple-certified MagSafe stand | 20% off | Certification and charging wattage |
| LISEN 15W MagSafe car charger | $15 with eligible Prime shipping | Prime eligibility and vehicle compatibility |
| Nomad 15W 3-in-1 MagSafe charger | $119 after an advertised 30% discount | Device compatibility and whether premium design justifies cost |
| AirPods Max | $399 (stated regular price $549) | Exact generation, warranty and current alternatives |
| iPhone 15 cases | Nomad leather cases up to 40% off; Apple MagSafe silicone cases from $23.70 (stated regular price $49) | Correct iPhone model and color availability |
A Twelve South ButterFly SE 2-in-1 Qi2 charger was listed as a pre-order, so price and availability required separate confirmation. The broader feed also included unrelated Samsung appliances; they are omitted here because they do not answer an Apple-buying decision.
How to verify an old deal before purchasing today
- Match the exact screen size, chip, memory, storage, connectivity and model number.
- Confirm the retailer, third-party seller and whether the unit is new, refurbished, used or open-box.
- Check coupon, Prime or membership requirements, shipping, tax and color-specific availability.
- Read the return window and manufacturer-warranty terms.
- Compare the price with a current-generation equivalent. By 2026, Apple’s lineup had moved to newer M4/M5-era products, as reflected in later coverage from Macworld and 9to5Mac.
For official current specifications, use Apple’s MacBook Air page, iPad Pro page and Apple Watch page before committing to an older deal.
The Bottom Line
As a historical August 28, 2024 snapshot, the strongest values were the 13-inch M3 Air with 16GB/256GB at $1,099, the 15-inch 16GB/512GB Air at $1,449 for buyers needing screen and storage, the 11-inch 512GB M4 iPad Pro at $1,099, and Series 9 watches at $299–$329. None should be assumed available in 2026 without retailer verification.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
