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The “major cut” was real during Black Friday 2025—but it applied to specific M4 MacBook Pro configurations, not every model. Reported discounts included about $300 off an M4 MacBook Pro at Amazon and up to $440 off a high-end 14-inch M4 Max configuration. However, Apple’s M5 MacBook Pro arrived in October 2025 at the same $1,599 starting price as the original 14-inch M4, so an M4 deal is worthwhile in 2026 only when it is meaningfully cheaper than a comparable M5.
Black Friday 2026 falls on November 27. No live 2026 Black Friday price should be treated as verified before retailers publish their offers.
What the M4 MacBook Pro cost at launch
Apple announced the M4 MacBook Pro on October 30, 2024, with availability beginning November 8. U.S. launch pricing was:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors| Model | Launch price |
|---|---|
| 14-inch MacBook Pro with base M4, 16GB memory and 512GB SSD | $1,599 |
| 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro | From $1,999 |
| 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro or M4 Max | From $2,499 |
The base 14-inch model used a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB of unified memory and a 512GB SSD. Eligible students, parents, faculty and staff could buy the base model through Apple’s education store for $1,499 at launch—already $100 below standard retail. See Apple’s launch announcement for the original specifications and prices.
#1 Best Overall
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 80% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
How large were the Black Friday 2025 discounts?
Published Black Friday coverage supports discounts in the $300-to-$440 range, but the figures refer to different configurations. They should not be interpreted as a universal markdown across the M4 range.
| Reported example | Reported saving | Approximate percentage | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base-price comparison of a $1,599 model | $200 | 12.5% | Useful benchmark, not a claim that every SKU reached this price |
| M4 MacBook Pro deal reported by Macworld | About $300 | 18.8% against $1,599 | Check the exact chip, memory, storage and retailer listing |
| 2024 14-inch M4 Max configuration reported by Forbes | Up to $440 | About 17.6% against a $2,499 benchmark | A high-end model; not representative of the base MacBook Pro |
That is enough to call some 2025 offers a major cut in ordinary consumer terms: a discount of roughly 15% or a saving of several hundred dollars on an expensive laptop. But the exact original price and sale price matter more than the headline “up to” figure. A $440 saving on an M4 Max may still leave a buyer spending far more than someone choosing a discounted base 14-inch model.
Macworld reported an approximately $300 M4 MacBook Pro discount in its 2025 Apple Black Friday coverage. Forbes reported the $440 saving on a 2024 14-inch M4 Max model.
Rank #2
- SUPERCHARGED BY M5 — The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI to personal, professional, and creative tasks. Featuring all-day battery life and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display with up to 1600 nits peak brightness, it’s pro in every way.*
- HAPPILY EVER FASTER — Along with its faster CPU and unified memory, M5 features a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance. So you can blaze through demanding workloads at mind-bending speeds.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.
- APPS FLY WITH APPLE SILICON — All your favorites, including Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud, run lightning fast in macOS.*
Why the M5 changes the buying decision
Apple introduced the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 in October 2025. It also started at $1,599 in the U.S. and began arriving on October 22, 2025, making the M4 a previous-generation product rather than the current entry-level Pro. The transition is documented in Apple’s M5 announcement.
For that reason, compare an M4 sale with the M5’s actual price for the same memory, storage and screen size—not with the M4’s original MSRP alone. A discount from $1,599 can look impressive while still being poor value if the M5 is available for only $100 or $150 more.
| Situation | Practical judgment |
|---|---|
| M4 is at least $300 below a comparable new M5 | Strong value if the configuration and warranty are right |
| M4 is $200–$300 cheaper | Generally good, especially when it has the required storage and memory |
| M4 is less than $150 cheaper | Usually weak unless the M4 has a configuration advantage |
| M4 costs the same as, or nearly the same as, a new M5 | Choose the M5 for longer useful life and newer-generation hardware |
These are practical buying thresholds, not official industry standards. They also assume the two laptops are genuinely comparable. A new M5 should not be compared with an open-box M4 or a marketplace unit simply because the advertised prices are close.
Rank #3
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 80% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
Which M4 MacBook Pro configuration is worth considering?
14-inch M4, 16GB/512GB
This is the baseline comparison for most shoppers. It suits office work, coding, college, research, photo editing and many creative workloads while retaining the Pro’s high-quality display, ports, active cooling and sustained-performance advantages over a MacBook Air.
Check that a low advertised price has not been created by reducing memory or storage. A smaller SSD may force expensive external storage, while insufficient unified memory can shorten the laptop’s useful life for development or creative applications.
14-inch M4 Pro
The M4 Pro is more appropriate for sustained software builds, large photo catalogs, professional video editing, 3D work and workloads that regularly use many CPU or GPU cores. It costs more, but a substantial sale can make it a better long-term purchase than adding expensive memory or storage to a base model.
Rank #4
- SUPERCHARGED BY M4 PRO OR M4 MAX — The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro or M4 Max chip gives you outrageous performance in a powerhouse laptop built for Apple Intelligence.* With all-day battery life and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display with up to 1600 nits peak brightness, it’s pro in every way.*
- CHAMPION CHIPS — The M4 Pro chip blazes through demanding tasks like compiling millions of lines of code. M4 Max can handle the most challenging workflows, like rendering intricate 3D content.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE—Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data—not even Apple.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.
- APPS FLY WITH APPLE SILICON — All your favorites, including Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud, run lightning fast in macOS.*
16-inch M4 Pro or M4 Max
Choose the 16-inch models when screen size, thermal headroom, battery capacity or higher memory limits matter more than portability. M4 Max configurations can receive larger dollar discounts because their original prices are higher, but they remain specialized and expensive. Do not select one merely because it has the biggest advertised saving.
Apple Certified Refurbished M4
Apple’s Certified Refurbished MacBook Pro inventory can offer a safer route to an older configuration than an unknown marketplace seller. Availability changes frequently, and the desired screen size, chip, color or storage may not be available when you check. Compare the final price, warranty and condition with new retailer stock rather than assuming refurbished is automatically cheapest.
Where to check for a legitimate deal
- Amazon: Often a source of large instant discounts, but inspect the “sold by” and “shipped by” information, return terms and warranty coverage. Marketplace listings can vary even when product titles look identical. Use Amazon’s M4 search only as a starting point.
- Best Buy: May offer instant promotions, pickup, trade-in options or member benefits. Verify the live product page, seller, condition and return deadline; a search result is not proof of a current price. See Best Buy’s MacBook Pro M4 results.
- Apple: Usually competes through direct support, education pricing, trade-in options, AppleCare+ and sometimes an Apple Gift Card rather than the lowest checkout price. Check the MacBook Pro buying page.
- B&H Photo and Costco: These can be worth checking for retailer promotions, membership pricing or bundled benefits. Include membership costs and restrictions when calculating the real price.
- Apple Certified Refurbished: Best suited to buyers who prioritize Apple-backed purchasing and warranty confidence over guaranteed availability.
Apple discounts are not all the same
Before calling an offer a price cut, identify what the buyer actually receives:
Best Value
- Key Features Apple M4 10-Core Chip 16GB Unified RAM | 512GB SSD
- 14" 3024 x 1964 Liquid Retina XDR Screen 10-Core GPU | 16-Core Neural Engine
- Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Bluetooth 5.3 Thunderbolt 4 | HDMI | MagSafe 3
- SDXC Slot | 12MP Center Stage Camera Backlit Magic Keyboard
- Force Touch Trackpad | Touch ID Sensor macOS with Apple Intelligence
- Instant discount: The checkout price falls immediately.
- Apple Gift Card: The buyer pays the listed price and receives store credit. This is not equivalent to cash savings unless the credit will be used for Apple products or services.
- Education pricing: Available only to eligible customers and sometimes better than a weak public sale.
- Trade-in credit: Convenient, but compare Apple’s valuation with private resale offers before treating it as a discount. Apple’s program is at Apple Trade In.
- Coupon, cashback or membership reward: Confirm eligibility, expiration dates and whether the benefit applies to the exact SKU.
Apple’s current Mac shopping page should be used to check the current lineup, but it is not evidence of a live M4 price. See Apple’s Mac store for current models and availability.
Do not confuse MacBook Air deals with MacBook Pro deals
Black Friday roundups often combine the entire MacBook range. Tom’s Guide reported a $749 price for a 13-inch M4 MacBook Air during Black Friday 2025; that was an Air deal, not evidence that the base M4 MacBook Pro fell to $749. DealNews’ broader coverage also included MacBook pricing that should not be assigned to a standard Pro configuration without checking the product page.
A MacBook Air may be the better personal-finance decision for browsing, office applications, video calls, light coding and general productivity. Choose the Pro when you need its display, additional ports, active cooling or sustained performance. See the Tom’s Guide 2025 deal coverage for the Air comparison, but verify every current offer independently.
Checklist: verify the deal before paying
- Confirm the exact chip: M4, M4 Pro or M4 Max.
- Confirm the screen size: 14-inch or 16-inch.
- Record unified memory and SSD capacity.
- Check the color and model identifier if the retailer provides one.
- Confirm whether the item is new, open-box, refurbished or used.
- Identify the actual seller and fulfillment company.
- Read the return deadline and restocking conditions.
- Check warranty status and AppleCare+ eligibility.
- Determine whether the saving is an instant discount, coupon, gift card, trade-in credit or membership benefit.
- Confirm U.S. availability, tax, shipping charges and stock status.
Previous-generation Apple hardware can sell out in popular memory, color or screen-size combinations once a successor is available. Waiting for the absolute lowest price can therefore mean losing the configuration you actually want.
Should you wait for Black Friday 2026?
If you need a laptop before November 27, do not assume a future Black Friday price will justify delaying an essential purchase. The 2025 discounts provide a useful benchmark—roughly $200 to $440 on selected M4 models—but they do not guarantee the same offers in 2026.
Waiting makes more sense when you can monitor several retailers, accept alternative colors or configurations, and will buy only if the M4 is at least $200–$300 below a comparable M5. It is less attractive when the M4 is already close to the M5 price or when the required configuration is scarce.
Quick Recap
Who should buy the M4?
- Budget Pro buyer: Choose a new 14-inch M4 with 16GB/512GB when the saving is at least $200–$300 versus a comparable M5.
- Long-term buyer: Prefer the M5 when the price gap is small, especially if both models have the same memory and storage.
- Creative professional: Consider an M4 Pro or M4 Max only when your workload uses the extra performance and the discount is substantial.
- Student or educator: Compare education pricing with the public sale; the original base-model education price was already $100 below retail.
- General-productivity buyer: Price a MacBook Air first. A cheaper Air may deliver better value if you do not need the Pro’s display, ports or sustained performance.
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.
