Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Apple discontinued the M1 MacBook Air following the debut of the M3 Airs earlier this month. But you can still get your hands on the first Apple silicon laptop for as low as $649.
Best Buy is taking a whopping $350 off the M1 MacBook Air, making it insanely more affordable.
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2020 MacBook Air’s performance and battery life will impress you
Apple announced the MacBook Air with M1 chip alongside the 13-inch MacBook Pro in late 2020. It was the company’s first Apple silicon laptop, and it blew the competition away with its performance, efficiency, and battery life.
Following the launch of the M2 MacBook Air in 2022, Apple cut the price of the M1 model to $999. Despite its dated design, this made the M1 Air a great entry-level machine for college students and light use. The all-day battery life is a cherry on top. It ensures the laptop lasts through a day of heavy use with ease without overheating despite its fanless design.
While reviewing the M1 MacBook Air for Cult of Mac, our editor, Leander Kahney, opened 650 Safari tabs. This was with several tasks running in the background, including downloading Photos and Office 365. If anything, this should give you an idea of the M1 MacBook Air’s incredible performance.
The same pros and cons still apply in 2024. If you can live with the M1 MacBook Air’s chunky bezels and dated design, its performance and battery life will impress you. Unlike the M3 MacBook Air, the 2020 model can only power one external display.
M1 MacBook Air for $649 is a steal deal
While Apple has officially discontinued the M1 MacBook Air, there’s no reason not to buy it. At $649, it is also the cheapest way to get a powerful MacBook for daily use. You will still get a standard one-year warranty, which you can extend further with AppleCare+.
Buy from: Best Buy