Selected M4 MacBook Air configurations were discounted by about $250 at major retailers on Cyber Monday, November 30, 2025. That was a retailer markdown, not evidence that Apple cut the MacBook Air’s price in its own store. Cyber Monday 2026 is November 30, and no 2026 offer is confirmed as of August 18, 2026. If you are shopping now, compare the M4’s price with the newer MacBook Air before deciding whether the older model is worth the savings.
What the $250-off deal actually covered
Cyber Monday 2025 coverage reported several M4 MacBook Air offers. Prices changed by retailer and listing: the 13-inch 16GB/256GB model was reported at $738.04 at Amazon and around $749 elsewhere; the 15-inch 16GB/256GB model was $949; and a 13-inch 16GB/512GB configuration was also reported at $949. The $999 and $1,199 reference prices corresponded to the respective configurations. These were time-sensitive promotions, not ongoing prices. MacRumors’ Cyber Monday coverage, Macworld’s deal roundup, and TechRadar’s Best Buy coverage document the reported offers.
| Configuration reported in 2025 | Reported sale price | Reference price | Approximate saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13-inch M4, 16GB memory, 256GB SSD | $738.04 at Amazon; around $749 at other retailers | $999 | About $250–$261, depending on listing |
| 15-inch M4, 16GB memory, 256GB SSD | $949 | $1,199 | About $250 |
| 13-inch M4, 16GB memory, 512GB SSD | $949 | $1,199 | About $250 |
The 13-inch price difference reflects separate retailer listings and timing, not one guaranteed checkout price. Stock could be limited, and the price depended on the exact listing. These figures do not establish a live deal for 2026.
Was it Apple’s sale?
Not necessarily. The reported price cuts were retailer discounts. Apple’s store can offer different kinds of value—such as education pricing, trade-in credit, financing, or a gift card—but a gift card is not the same as an instant reduction in the laptop’s price. Call a promotion an Apple discount only when Apple is the seller or the offer is explicitly Apple-sponsored.
For a listing on Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, or another marketplace, check the seller and fulfillment details as well as the price. A third-party seller’s listing may have different return, warranty, and delivery terms from a product sold directly by the retailer.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
Is there a $250 M4 deal for Cyber Monday 2026?
No such offer is established as of August 18, 2026. Cyber Monday 2026 falls on November 30, so a future promotion should not be treated as confirmed until a dated listing appears. Apple’s Mac shopping page currently presents newer MacBook Air models and lists the Air from $1,299; that is Apple’s current starting price, not a price comparison for every retailer or configuration.
When a 2026 listing is available, verify the exact model, configuration, seller, condition, checkout price, stock, and return terms. A headline saying “$250 off” is not enough to determine whether the deal is good value.
What you get with the M4 MacBook Air
Apple introduced the M4 Air in 2025 in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes. Both have a 10-core CPU, 16GB of base unified memory, 256GB of base SSD storage, a 12MP Center Stage camera, MagSafe 3, two Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. The 13-inch model is available with an 8-core or 10-core GPU; the 15-inch model has a 10-core GPU. Apple lists battery life of up to 18 hours of video streaming for each size; that is Apple’s estimate, and actual battery life varies with use and configuration. See Apple’s 13-inch M4 specifications and 15-inch M4 specifications.
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.
- 13-inch: A 13.6-inch display in a more compact laptop, suited to commuting, classes, travel, and everyday productivity.
- 15-inch: A 15.3-inch display and 10-core GPU, useful when you want more room for spreadsheets, split-screen work, or timelines without attaching a monitor.
Both sizes have a headphone jack, but only two Thunderbolt/USB-C ports in addition to MagSafe. There is no built-in cellular connection. Apple’s listed memory and storage configurations are not user-upgradable after purchase, so choose them with your likely use in mind.
Choose storage and memory for the way you work
When 256GB storage is enough
256GB can work for browser-based tasks, documents, streaming, and schoolwork—particularly if you keep files in cloud storage. It can become restrictive if you store large photo or video libraries, games, development tools, or virtual machines on the laptop. If you expect to keep substantial files locally, 512GB is the safer choice. An external SSD can add capacity, but it is an extra item to carry and manage.
When to consider more than 16GB of memory
16GB suits mainstream productivity and general creative work. Consider a higher-memory configuration if you routinely multitask with demanding apps, work with large photo projects, develop software, run virtual machines, or plan to keep the laptop through many years of heavier workloads. Memory, like internal storage, cannot be upgraded later.
Rank #3
- 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.
How to decide whether the M4 is worth buying
The key comparison is the total price of the M4 configuration you want against a comparable newer MacBook Air—not the size of the advertised discount alone. A lower price on an older model can be sensible if the savings are substantial and its fixed memory and storage meet your needs. If a newer Air is within roughly $100–$150, paying the difference may be worthwhile for buyers who value the newer generation or want the longest practical ownership horizon. The current Apple starting price is not a like-for-like comparison; check the same screen size and storage at checkout.
- Buy the M4 if: the 13-inch 16GB/256GB model is near $749 or less, or the 15-inch 16GB/256GB model is near $949 or less, from a reputable seller, and the configuration fits your needs. These are value thresholds based on the reported 2025 deals, not a promise of future pricing.
- Look at a newer Air if: its comparable configuration costs only a little more, or you place a high value on buying the current generation.
- Consider Apple Certified Refurbished: if the discount versus a new unit is meaningful and you prefer Apple’s refurbishment process. Apple says refurbished products include a one-year limited warranty and supply is limited; prices and configurations vary. Check the refurbished MacBook Air listings for the available model rather than assuming a particular M4 configuration is in stock.
- Compare a MacBook Pro: if you need sustained heavy video, 3D, code-compilation, or machine-learning workloads, a more advanced display, or additional ports. Compare the actual price and configuration rather than assuming every Pro model is a better buy.
Apple identifies the 13-inch M4 Air as Mac16,12 and the 15-inch version as Mac16,13. If a listing’s configuration is unclear, Apple’s Mac model identification guide can help confirm the model family.
Quick Recap
Check these details before paying
- Match the configuration: Confirm screen size, memory, SSD capacity, GPU option, color, and model number. Similar product names can hide different specifications.
- Confirm condition: Make sure the listing is new if that is what you intend to buy. Open-box, refurbished, and renewed products are not equivalent to new units.
- Identify the seller: On marketplaces, check who sells and ships the laptop. Review the seller’s terms rather than relying on the retailer’s name at the top of the page.
- Check the reference price: Find out whether the comparison is against Apple’s suggested price, a previous retailer price, or the seller’s stated value.
- Look for conditions on the advertised price: Check for a coupon, membership, app checkout, credit card, financing, or trade-in requirement. Do not count a gift card as an instant discount unless you would use it and its restrictions suit you.
- Review delivery, returns, and warranty: Check the delivery date, holiday return window, any restocking fee, and warranty coverage before ordering.
- Calculate your real cost: Add sales tax and any required accessory or financing cost. A credit offer is not a discount if it requires borrowing on terms you do not want.
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.
