This week’s best deals included a wide variety of Apple products and related accessories, ranging from the brand new M4 iPad Pro to Samsung’s ViewFinity S9 5K Display.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Note: You need a My Best Buy Plus/Total membership to see these deals.
The most notable deal of the week appeared at Best Buy, which still has the new M4 iPad Pro on sale at $50 off for My Best Buy Plus/Total members. These iPad Pros were just announced this week, so this is the first pre-order discount we’ve seen on the tablets.
Adobe
What’s the deal? Get 40% off Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps
Adobe is offering first-time subscribers of the Creative Cloud All Apps plan a 40 percent discount on the service, priced at $35.99 per month. This is for your first year of the subscription plan, and it includes access to more than 20 creative apps like Photoshop and Illustrator.
Amazon kicked off the week with the first notable discount on the AirPods 3 since February. You can still get these earbuds for $139.99 right now, down from $169.00, and the AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro 2 are also on sale.
M3 MacBook Air
What’s the deal? Get up to $149 off M3 MacBook Air
Note: You won’t see the deal price until checkout.
Amazon introduced $149 off the M3 MacBook Air this week, starting at $1,149.99 for the 256GB model, down from $1,299.00. You can also get a few discounts on the 512GB models with both 8GB and 16GB RAM.
Samsung
What’s the deal? Save on Samsung’s best monitors and TVs
Samsung marked down a collection of monitors and TVs earlier in the week, with notable deals on the popular ViewFinity S9 5K Smart Monitor ($600 off) and Smart Monitor M8 ($300 off).
Finally, Amazon is discounting every model of the M1 iPad Air this week. You’ll find $150 off these tablets, priced starting at $449.00 for the 64GB Wi-Fi model.
Keep up with all of this week’s best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.
Apple’s iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models concurrently, which is why we sometimes get rumored feature leaks so far ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and already we have some idea of what to expect from Apple’s 2025 smartphone lineup. If you plan to skip…
Apple today held the first event of 2024, debuting new iPad Air and iPad Pro models and accompanying accessories. While the event was faster than normal and took 40 minutes, we’ve condensed it down even further for those who want a quick overview of everything that was announced. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. We’ve also got a full recap of all of the coverage…
Apple today announced that iOS 17.5 will be released to the public “soon,” following over a month of beta testing. While the software update is relatively minor, it does have a few new features and changes, as outlined in the list below. “The new Pride Radiance watch face and iPhone and iPad wallpapers will be available soon with watchOS 10.5, iOS 17.5, and iPadOS 17.5,” said Apple, in its…
I search the web almost every week and pick out the best laptop deals that are available and worth buying for multiple budgets and needs. There’s usually a small selection at any one time, but Amazon is in the middle of a big laptop sale right now with dozens of great devices to choose from. I’m here to help narrow them down, with the seven top laptop deals I recommend at the mega-retailer.
The first and best option for most is this affordable Asus Vivobook 15 for $259.99 (was $329.99). It’s a great price for a standard everyday laptop that will easily handle your basic computing needs, such as web browsing, sending emails, light admin work, streaming media and more.
If you’re after more power then you’ve got several good options. The highlight is the MacBook Air M2 for $849 (was $1,049), which is a return to the record-low price for Apple‘s highly-rated premium laptop. For those who would prefer a Windows machine, this Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro is down to $919.99 (was $1,449.99) – that’s another lowest-ever price for a slick and powerful laptop with a stellar AMOLED display.
Find all of these offers and more below, including a super-cheap Chromebook and budget gaming laptop that I’ve picked out from the Amazon sale.
Of all the biggest missed opportunities in Microsoft’s rather long history of squandered chances, Windows on Arm is the one I’m saddest about – but that could soon change.
When Windows 10 on Arm was first being touted (the less said about the earlier Windows RT the better), the promise of a fully-fledged version of Windows running on Arm-based hardware usually found in smartphones and tablets (rather than the more common Intel and AMD hardware) was incredibly exciting.
We were told that Windows 10 on Arm would combine the power and flexibility of the best laptops with some of the best features of smartphones and tablets – particularly speedy boot times, fast resume, always-connected internet, and day-long battery life.
Unfortunately, the reality was quite different from those lofty promises. While battery lives of Windows 10 on Arm devices were certainly impressive for the time, performance was poor, especially considering that Windows 10 on Arm devices were also very expensive.
Worst of all, these devices could only run apps downloaded from the Windows Store (now known as the Microsoft Store), and those apps had to have Arm-compatible versions.
(Image credit: Microsoft / Dell)
Unfortunately, most Windows apps are designed for Intel and AMD hardware (also known as x64 architecture). This makes sense as the vast majority of Windows devices – especially during the Windows 10 years – was built on x64 hardware. So, many app developers didn’t see the point of making Arm-compatible versions, and this meant that not only were Windows 10 on Arm devices more expensive and less powerful than standard Windows 10 laptops, but they also couldn’t run a lot of the most popular applications – a fatal combination.
Poor sales of Windows on Arm devices inevitably followed, and that, in turn, meant app developers were less likely to port their products to Arm.
(Image credit: Yaaaaayy / Shutterstock)
Breaking the vicious cycle
Unfortunately, the lack of both apps and customers set off a vicious cycle that impacted the success of later Windows 11 on Arm devices.
However, there have been some exciting breakthroughs that could positively affect the fortunes of Windows 11 on Arm devices, and might finally allow them to reach their full potential.
The most important development has been the launch of the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus and Elite chips. Qualcomm is one of the biggest companies in the world, and while it might not have the kind of brand recognition that the likes of Intel and AMD have, its Arm-based chips have been powering millions of mobile devices around the world. The company has been a key partner of Microsoft’s when it comes to Windows on Arm devices and has applied its experience of making Arm chips for mobile devices to create more powerful chips for computing devices. While these haven’t always been successful, the latest generation promises some very exciting things.
This struck me as evidence that Qualcomm might have cracked two of the biggest issues with Windows on Arm devices. First, there’s the performance. While Baldur’s Gate 3 on the Snapdragon X Elite-powered device was playable, it won’t trouble the best gaming laptops – but the fact that it even ran at all is impressive. This bodes well for the day-to-day performance of Snapdragon X Elite-powered laptops.
There’s also the important fact that there’s no Arm version of Baldur’s Gate 3 for Windows devices. This means that the game is using emulation to allow it to work on Arm hardware. This comes at a performance cost, which makes the playable state of the game on the Snapdragon X Elite even more impressive. It also shows that even demanding non-Arm applications can be made to work on Arm hardware without needing a native Arm version. This could pave the way for more programs coming to Windows on Arm – and it isn’t dependent on the developers making dedicated versions. This could address the issue of a lack of apps on Windows on Arm.
Alongside the Snapdragon X Elite, Qualcomm also has Snapdragon X Plus, a more affordable chip that lowers the CPU core count (10 cores compared to the Elite’s 12) and lower speed (3.4GHz vs 3.8GHz). If the performance remains competitive (and early benchmark leaks suggest that it does), and the price is low enough, we could see Windows on Arm devices that aren’t overpriced and offer much better value for money – addressing yet another common criticism of Windows on Arm devices.
(Image credit: Apple)
The Apple effect
Before the launch of the Snapdragon X series, Windows on Arm was in a bad place. Things looked particularly grim as Microsoft’s old rival, Apple, was enjoying huge success and critical acclaim with its lineup of Macs powered by its M1 (and later M2 and M3) chips – which are built on Arm architecture.
While Windows on Arm struggled, the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) and co were proving that Arm-powered laptops weren’t just viable, they could be the future of computing. Offering the long battery lives and quick startups we’d been promised, Apple’s first generation of Mac and MacBooks that ran on the company’s Arm-based chips, rather than the Intel hardware of older models, were a hit. And, while the MacBook Air’s launch price of $999 / £999 / AU$1,599 wasn’t exactly cheap, it was a competitive price point. And with the M1 providing an excellent level of performance, the high price tag is far more justified.
The best thing about the M1 Apple Macs was a tool by Apple called Rosetta 2. This was an emulation layer that allowed almost all existing Mac apps to run on the new M1 hardware. This meant Mac users switching to an M1 device would be able to use pretty much all of their important apps and programs, even if M1 native apps were thin on the ground.
This was a canny move by Apple, as it meant that M1 products were a big success, and because of that, app developers started making versions of their products that could run on M1 hardware without the need for emulation – and could take full advantage of Apple’s chip.
When the M2 series of Macs and MacBooks came out, Rosetta 2 was still in use – but the number of times I’ve had to use it when using an M2 MacBook dropped significantly, as there was a growing library of M2 apps.
By the time the M3 chips rolled around late last year, the number of times I (and other users) had to rely on Rosetta 2 was even rarer. Very few bits of software can be considered a success if fewer people need to use it, but that’s exactly what happened here. Rosetta 2 allowed Mac owners to switch to Arm-based Macs with ease, while also giving app developers the time to develop native apps. And the more people that switched to Arm Macs, the more attractive it became for app developers to port their apps to the platform.
(Image credit: Accogliente Design / Shutterstock)
It’s now up to Microsoft
So, Apple proved that Arm-based laptops can be successful, and Qualcomm looks like it could have addressed many of the hardware issues. Does this mean the next generation of Windows on Arm devices will be a slam dunk?
Sadly, that’s not a guarantee just yet as there’s one company that needs to pull its weight to give Windows on Arm devices their best chance of success: Microsoft.
While it’s obvious that Microsoft would want Windows on Arm to succeed, the way it’s handled previous generations has been frustrating. The fact that there’s never been a tool similar to Rosetta 2 that would make running non-Arm apps run easily is particularly annoying.
Now, I’m sure this is due to it being a very complex job. After all, Windows devices are made by various manufacturers that use components from different companies, which leads to a potentially limitless range of Windows PC configurations. Macs, on the other hand, have much more limited configurations, with the hardware mainly being built by Apple.
However, the lack of apps is perhaps the biggest hurdle still standing for Windows on Arm, especially when there are Macs out there that can run a much wider range of apps. And, this is a problem that should be in Microsoft’s powers to do something about.
Microsoft does have tools for getting non-Arm software running on Arm hardware using emulation, but it hasn’t taken off in the same way, mainly because it’s not as easy to use and doesn’t work quite as well, with some apps still refusing to run.
If Microsoft can’t come up with a Rosetta 2-beating solution, then it needs to do more work convincing app developers to port their software to Arm. This might be a difficult feat, especially when the user base is so low, but Microsoft is a very successful company with plenty of resources. It could provide financial incentives, or offer developers and tools to help port the biggest apps.
Microsoft is also a hardware company, and its past attempts to create Windows on Arm devices suffered from the problems that have become all too familiar. The Surface Pro X, for example, came with Microsoft’s SQ1 Arm-based chip, made in conjunction with Qualcomm. It was also overpriced and didn’t perform well.
However, if these devices come out with unappealing price tags, poor performance, and a continued lack of app support, then it could be the end of the Windows on Arm dream. After all, if Microsoft itself can’t make a success of it, what hope do other companies have?
If you’re thinking it’s a little soon for a whole new chip and line refresh, you’d be right. The M3 chip was officially announced just last October at Apple’s Scary Fast event, and we’ve literally only just seen a new M3 MacBook Air model. If the rumor is true, the entire Mac lineup will be receiving a new chip generation together for the first time.
While Gurman is well known for being a reliable leaker, until we get official word from Apple we should take this list with a pinch of salt. That being said, it’s an exciting lineup, starting with brand new MacBook Pros and a refresh of the iMac fitted with the M4 chip. Hopefully, the new iMac is another chance for Apple to finally add more colors to the iMac range.
2025 looks littered with exciting refreshes as well, with Gurman hinting at the M4 Ultra chip being introduced through the Mac Pro – a surprise given that we haven’t even seen an M3 Ultra yet. As we said when the news of the rumored refresh, the move to do a very quick turnaround and have a sweeping hardware update like this seems like a desperate attempt to catch up to the competition in the sphere of AI-focused chips and computers.
Apple is known to ‘watch and wait’ when it comes to diving into new technology, and it seems like the company is ready to introduce its take on AI-focused consumer computing. While the company has been rocking its ‘Neural Engine’ tech for AI workloads all the way back to the A11 Bionic chip in the iPhone 8, the recent AI explosion and the prevalence of neural processing units means that Apple is likely keen to give its AI tech a boost – although it definitely runs the risk of upsetting anyone who recently purchased an M3 Mac product…
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Best Buy has kicked off the week with the introduction of a new sitewide sale that includes big discounts on video game consoles, TVs, headphones, and Apple products. Specifically, you can find all-time low prices on the iPad Air and M2 MacBook Air during this event.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Video Games
Sony’s PlayStation 5 Slim console launched last November and Best Buy and other retailers have been hosting solid deals on the hardware for a few weeks now. At Best Buy, you can get the PS5 Slim (Disc Edition) Spider-Man 2 Bundle for $449.99, down from its launch price of $499.99.
The PS5 Slim (Digital Edition) Spider-Man 2 Bundle is available for $399.99, down from $449.99. Sony increased the price of the Digital Edition by $50 at the launch of the new Slim consoles, so this deal effectively brings the price back down to the level of the original PS5 Digital Edition.
Both bundles also include the Spider-Man 2 game as a digital download, which is an extra value worth $69.99 when not on sale. You can also find video game gift cards on sale at Best Buy this week, as well as Nintendo Switch consoles and games.
iPad Air
Best Buy has every model of the 5th generation iPad Air on sale at an all-time low price right now, starting at $449.99 for the 64GB Wi-Fi tablet, down from $599.00. These are $150 off across the board, and also include best-ever prices on both cellular models.
iPad Mini
Best Buy has the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 6 for $399.99 this week, down from $499.00, and the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad mini is available for $549.99, down from $649.00. Both of these are solid second-best prices on the iPad mini 6.
MacBook Air
Best Buy has both the 13-inch and 15-inch M2 MacBook Air models on sale at all-time low prices right now. The steepest discounts can be found on the larger display model, with the 256GB M2 15-inch MacBook Air priced at $999.00, down from $1,299.00. You can also get the 512GB M2 model on sale at $1,199.00, down from $1,499.00.
If you’re on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
The Amazon Big Spring Sale is in full swing. While not as heavy on tech deals as regular Prime Day is, there are some good Amazon deals available on tech we recommend, including a number of Apple devices. In truth, the pickings are pretty slim — and most of these discounts are not explicitly tied to the spring sale — but they’re still worth noting as some of the best tech deals we found amongst all of the clothing, home goods and outdoor gear on sale at Amazon right now. Here are the best Apple deals we could find in the Amazon Spring Sale. As a reminder, this sale will run through March 25 and isn’t exclusive to Prime subscribers.
Photo by Billy Steele / Engadget
The AirPods Pro are on sale for $189, which is close to a record low for the model with a USB-C charging case. The AirPods Pro are the “best for iOS” pick in our guide to the best wireless earbuds: They sound nice, their active noise cancellation (ANC) is strong enough for most situations and, most notably, they provide several unique perks when connected to another Apple device, from faster pairing to hands-free Siri to an adaptive EQ. The built-in mic isn’t the best for calls, and the six-ish-hour battery life is just OK, but this is still a good buy if you’re all-in on Apple. We gave the second-gen AirPods Pro a score of 88 in our review. It’s worth noting that new noise-canceling AirPods may arrive later this year, according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, but an updated version of the AirPods Pro specifically isn’t expected until 2025.
A single AirTag is on sale for $24, which is $5 off and close to its record low price. These are the best Bluetooth trackers for those with iOS devices since they use the vast Find My network to keep track of your belongings. You can force them to ring to help you find your stuff if you’re within close range, and newer iPhones can even display directions on their screens to guide you to your lost stuff. Just make sure to pick up a holder if you intend on attaching the AirTag to your keys.
The second-gen Apple Pencil is back down to $79, which is another deal we’ve seen a couple of times in recent months but still matches the stylus’ all-time low. Apple normally sells this model for $129, though it often goes for less at third-party retailers. The discount is also available at Walmart and Best Buy. We recommend the second-gen Pencil in our guide to the best iPad accessories. It’s the only stylus to support pressure sensitivity across iPadOS, so it’s consistently accurate for drawing and note-taking. Since it can attach to the side of an iPad magnetically, it’s easy to connect and charge as well. Just make sure your tablet is compatible first.
Do note, though, that Apple is reportedly planning to release a new Pencil imminently, possibly as soon as next week. Exactly what upgrades this new model will include are unclear, but if you want the latest and greatest, it’s worth waiting. That said, we’d expect any next-gen Pencil to start at a higher price than this discount, so this is still a decent chance to save.
As of this writing, the cellular Product Red version of the Apple Watch Series 9 is on sale for $319 during Amazon’s Spring sale. The Series 9 is the top pick in our smartwatch buying guide thanks to its solid performance, spacious and responsive screen, handy Double Tap gesture controls and plethora of workout tracking features.
The newest MacBook Airs were only announced two weeks ago, so we haven’t seen any massive discounts just yet. However, if you’re looking to make the upgrade early, the entry-level 13- and 15-inch models are each $50 off at Amazon. That drops the former to $1,050 and the latter to $1,250 — nothing huge, clearly, but still a bit better than buying from Apple.
We gave the new MacBook Airs a review score of 90 and now call them the top pick in our laptop buying guide. Neither model is a radical departure from its predecessor, but that’s not a bad thing: This design was already thin, light and well-made, with an accurate display, comfortable keyboard and trackpad, long battery life and enough performance for mainstream use. Now, they’re a little bit more powerful with upgraded M3 chips; they support faster Wi-Fi 6E connections; and they can output to two external displays (albeit only when the laptop lid is closed). Just remember that these entry-level models only have 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, so you should only buy one if you’ll stick to less demanding tasks.
We’ll note that the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air is also on sale for $899 at B&H. That’s $100 off Apple’s list price. This model won’t be quite as fast or futureproof as the latest version, but it’s very similar otherwise, so it remains worth considering if you really want to save cash. The now-discontinued M1 MacBook Air, meanwhile, is now going for $699 at Walmart. That one is a more noticeable drop-off from the M2 or M3 models, but at that price it’s still fast and reliable enough that it could make sense for those desperate to buy a MacBook for as little as possible.
The Beats Studio Buds + are back on sale for $130 in various colors, which is roughly $20 off the true wireless earbuds’ average street price and $40 off Beats’ list price. The only time we’ve seen them go for less was a brief drop to $120 around Black Friday. This deal is also available at other retailers, including Target, Best Buy and B&H.
We gave the Studio Buds + a review score of 84 last year. As Beats is an Apple subsidiary, this pair provides many of the iOS-friendly perks you’d get from a set of AirPods, such as faster pairing, Find My tracking, hands-free Siri and Control Center integration. Unlike AirPods, they offer similar features on Android as well. A comfy fit, decent ANC and a mostly neutral sound profile also help. However, other AirPods features like audio sharing and automatic device switching (with Apple gear) aren’t supported, nor is wireless charging or wear detection. And the ANC and audio quality are a step down from the AirPods Pro. Still, if you dig the style and want to save some cash, the Studio Buds + are worth considering.
Most people should hold off on buying a new iPad right now. Apple is widely expected to announce new tablets in the coming weeks, with past reports suggesting that we’ll see two new iPad Pros, a refreshed iPad Air and an all-new Air model with a 12.9-inch display. That said, neither the 10th-gen iPad nor the iPad mini are expected to be updated until later in 2024, so if one of those slates suit your needs and you absolutely must buy a new tablet today, both should be a little safer to buy than the iPad Air or iPad Pro. (Or the older 10.2-inch iPad, which is likely to be discontinued with the next round of refreshes.) We’ll highlight a couple of decent prices on those devices below.
Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
As of this writing, the 10th-gen iPad is available for $349 at Amazon and Best Buy. That ties the 10.9-inch slate’s all-time low and comes in $100 below Apple’s list price. We wouldn’t be surprised if this device received a permanent price cut when the new Air and Pro models are announced, but it’s a solid value with this discount either way. We gave 10th-gen iPad a review score of 85 back in 2022. It lacks the laminated display, M-series chip and second-gen Pencil support of the iPad Air, but its design is mostly similar, it’s plenty fast for reading and streaming and it gets the same 10-ish hours of battery life. Its front-facing camera is also located on the landscape edge, which is a more natural spot for FaceTime calls.
The iPad mini, meanwhile, is available for $400 at Amazon and Target. This is another discount we’ve seen for much of the last few months, but it still represents a $100 drop from Apple’s MSRP. This one was released way back in September 2021 and is past due for an update, but it remains the only compact tablet in Apple’s lineup. It’d make the most sense if you want to treat your iPad like a high-end e-reader, as it’s the easiest model to hold with one hand and tuck away in a bag. It’s still durable and fast enough for the basics beyond that, plus it works with the second-gen Apple Pencil. You probably wouldn’t want to use an 8.3-inch tablet for any serious work, though. You can read our review for a full breakdown.
Amazon’s latest multi-day deals event, the Big Spring Sale, is going on right now. While not as heavy on tech deals as regular Prime Day is, there are some good discounts available on tech we recommend, including a number of Apple devices. In truth, the pickings are pretty slim — and most Apple deals are not explicitly tied to the spring sale — but they’re still worth noting as some of the best tech deals we found amongst all of the other discounts available on Amazon right now. Here are the best Apple deals we could find in the Amazon Spring Sale. As a reminder, Amazon says this sale will run through March 25 and isn’t exclusive to Prime subscribers.
Photo by Billy Steele / Engadget
The AirPods Pro are still on sale for $180, which is a new record low for the model with a USB-C charging case. The AirPods Pro are the “best for iOS” pick in our guide to the best wireless earbuds: They sound nice, their active noise cancellation (ANC) is strong enough for most situations and, most notably, they provide several unique perks when connected to another Apple device, from faster pairing to hands-free Siri to an adaptive EQ. The built-in mic isn’t the best for calls, and the six-ish-hour battery life is just OK, but this is still a good buy if you’re all-in on Apple. We gave the second-gen AirPods Pro a score of 88 in our review. It’s worth noting that new noise-canceling AirPods may arrive later this year, according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, but an updated version of the AirPods Pro specifically isn’t expected until 2025.
The second-gen Apple Pencil is back down to $79, which is another deal we’ve seen a couple of times in recent months but still matches the stylus’ all-time low. Apple normally sells this model for $129, though it often goes for less at third-party retailers. The discount is also available at Walmart and Best Buy. We recommend the second-gen Pencil in our guide to the best iPad accessories. It’s the only stylus to support pressure sensitivity across iPadOS, so it’s consistently accurate for drawing and note-taking. Since it can attach to the side of an iPad magnetically, it’s easy to connect and charge as well. Just make sure your tablet is compatible first.
Do note, though, that Apple is reportedly planning to release a new Pencil imminently, possibly as soon as next week. Exactly what upgrades this new model will include are unclear, but if you want the latest and greatest, it’s worth waiting. That said, we’d expect any next-gen Pencil to start at a higher price than this discount, so this is still a decent chance to save.
You can pick up an Apple Watch Series 9 for as low as $330 right now during the Amazon Spring Sale. While that’s not a record low for the 41mm model, it’s a decent sale price for this time of year. Note that not all colors and sizes are on sale, and some of them require you to clip an on-page coupon to get the final sale price. The Series 9 is the best smartwatch you can get today thanks to its solid performance, spacious and responsive screen, handy Double Tap gesture control and its plethora of workout tracking features.
The newest MacBook Airs were only announced two weeks ago, so we haven’t seen any massive discounts just yet. However, if you’re looking to make the upgrade early, the entry-level 13- and 15-inch models are each $50 off at Amazon. That drops the former to $1,050 and the latter to $1,250 — nothing huge, clearly, but still a bit better than buying from Apple.
We gave the new MacBook Airs a review score of 90 and now call them the top pick in our laptop buying guide. Neither model is a radical departure from its predecessor, but that’s not a bad thing: This design was already thin, light and well-made, with an accurate display, comfortable keyboard and trackpad, long battery life and enough performance for mainstream use. Now, they’re a little bit more powerful with upgraded M3 chips; they support faster Wi-Fi 6E connections; and they can output to two external displays (albeit only when the laptop lid is closed). Just remember that these entry-level models only have 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, so you should only buy one if you’ll stick to less demanding tasks.
We’ll note that the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air is also on sale for $899 at B&H. That’s $100 off Apple’s list price. This model won’t be quite as fast or futureproof as the latest version, but it’s very similar otherwise, so it remains worth considering if you really want to save cash. The now-discontinued M1 MacBook Air, meanwhile, is now going for $699 at Walmart. That one is a more noticeable drop-off from the M2 or M3 models, but at that price it’s still fast and reliable enough that it could make sense for those desperate to buy a MacBook for as little as possible.
The Beats Studio Buds + are back on sale for $130 in various colors, which is roughly $20 off the true wireless earbuds’ average street price and $40 off Beats’ list price. The only time we’ve seen them go for less was a brief drop to $120 around Black Friday. This deal is also available at other retailers, including Target, Best Buy and B&H.
We gave the Studio Buds + a review score of 84 last year. As Beats is an Apple subsidiary, this pair provides many of the iOS-friendly perks you’d get from a set of AirPods, such as faster pairing, Find My tracking, hands-free Siri and Control Center integration. Unlike AirPods, they offer similar features on Android as well. A comfy fit, decent ANC and a mostly neutral sound profile also help. However, other AirPods features like audio sharing and automatic device switching (with Apple gear) aren’t supported, nor is wireless charging or wear detection. And the ANC and audio quality are a step down from the AirPods Pro. Still, if you dig the style and want to save some cash, the Studio Buds + are worth considering.
Most people should hold off on buying a new iPad right now. Apple is widely expected to announce new tablets in the coming weeks, with past reports suggesting that we’ll see two new iPad Pros, a refreshed iPad Air and an all-new Air model with a 12.9-inch display. That said, neither the 10th-gen iPad nor the iPad mini are expected to be updated until later in 2024, so if one of those slates suit your needs and you absolutely must buy a new tablet today, both should be a little safer to buy than the iPad Air or iPad Pro. (Or the older 10.2-inch iPad, which is likely to be discontinued with the next round of refreshes.) We’ll highlight a couple of decent prices on those devices below.
Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
As of this writing, the 10th-gen iPad is available for $349 at Amazon and Best Buy. That ties the 10.9-inch slate’s all-time low and comes in $100 below Apple’s list price. We wouldn’t be surprised if this device received a permanent price cut when the new Air and Pro models are announced, but it’s a solid value with this discount either way. We gave 10th-gen iPad a review score of 85 back in 2022. It lacks the laminated display, M-series chip and second-gen Pencil support of the iPad Air, but its design is mostly similar, it’s plenty fast for reading and streaming and it gets the same 10-ish hours of battery life. Its front-facing camera is also located on the landscape edge, which is a more natural spot for FaceTime calls.
The iPad mini, meanwhile, is available for $400 at Amazon and Target. This is another discount we’ve seen for much of the last few months, but it still represents a $100 drop from Apple’s MSRP. This one was released way back in September 2021 and is past due for an update, but it remains the only compact tablet in Apple’s lineup. It’d make the most sense if you want to treat your iPad like a high-end e-reader, as it’s the easiest model to hold with one hand and tuck away in a bag. It’s still durable and fast enough for the basics beyond that, plus it works with the second-gen Apple Pencil. You probably wouldn’t want to use an 8.3-inch tablet for any serious work, though. You can read our review for a full breakdown.
Amazon has kicked off its latest multi-day deals event, dubbed the Big Spring Sale. Although this event isn’t nearly as heavy on tech deals as summer Prime Day, there are still a few good gadget discounts to note. If you’re specifically looking for a new Apple device, we’ve compiled the best Apple deals we could find below. In truth, the pickings are pretty slim — and those specifically on the market for a new iPad should probably hold off for now (more on this below) — but we’d be remiss not to mention a few good offers on the AirPods Pro, Apple Pencil and MacBook Air. Here are the best Amazon Big Spring Sale Apple deals we could find. We’ll update this post if more worthwhile discounts arise. As a reminder, Amazon says this sale will run through March 25 and isn’t exclusive to Prime subscribers.
Photo by Billy Steele / Engadget
The AirPods Pro are still on sale for $189, which matches the lowest price to date for the model with a USB-C charging case. We’ve seen this deal on Amazon for much of the last few months, but it’s still $60 less than buying from Apple directly, so it’s hard to complain. This offer is also at Best Buy.
The AirPods Pro are the “best for iOS” pick in our guide to the best wireless earbuds: They sound nice, their active noise cancellation (ANC) is strong enough for most situations and, most notably, they provide several unique perks when connected to another Apple device, from faster pairing to hands-free Siri to an adaptive EQ. The built-in mic isn’t the best for calls, and the six-ish-hour battery life is just OK, but this is still a good buy if you’re all-in on Apple. We gave the second-gen AirPods Pro a score of 88 in our review. It’s worth noting that new noise-canceling AirPods may arrive later this year, according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, but an updated version of the AirPods Pro specifically isn’t expected until 2025.
The second-gen Apple Pencil is back down to $79, which is another deal we’ve seen a couple of times in recent months but still matches the stylus’ all-time low. Apple normally sells this model for $129, though it often goes for less at third-party retailers. The discount is also available at Walmart and Best Buy. We recommend the second-gen Pencil in our guide to the best iPad accessories. It’s the only stylus to support pressure sensitivity across iPadOS, so it’s consistently accurate for drawing and note-taking. Since it can attach to the side of an iPad magnetically, it’s easy to connect and charge as well. Just make sure your tablet is compatible first.
Do note, though, that Apple is reportedly planning to release a new Pencil imminently, possibly as soon as next week. Exactly what upgrades this new model will include are unclear, but if you want the latest and greatest, it’s worth waiting. That said, we’d expect any next-gen Pencil to start at a higher price than this discount, so this is still a decent chance to save.
You can pick up an Apple Watch Series 9 for as low as $330 right now during the Amazon Spring Sale. While that’s not a record low for the 41mm model, it’s a decent sale price for this time of year. Note that not all colors and sizes are on sale, and some of them require you to clip an on-page coupon to get the final sale price. The Series 9 is the best smartwatch you can get today thanks to its solid performance, spacious and responsive screen, handy Double Tap gesture control and its plethora of workout tracking features.
The newest MacBook Airs were only announced two weeks ago, so we haven’t seen any massive discounts just yet. However, if you’re looking to make the upgrade early, the entry-level 13- and 15-inch models are each $50 off at Amazon. That drops the former to $1,050 and the latter to $1,250 — nothing huge, clearly, but still a bit better than buying from Apple.
We gave the new MacBook Airs a review score of 90 and now call them the top pick in our laptop buying guide. Neither model is a radical departure from its predecessor, but that’s not a bad thing: This design was already thin, light and well-made, with an accurate display, comfortable keyboard and trackpad, long battery life and enough performance for mainstream use. Now, they’re a little bit more powerful with upgraded M3 chips; they support faster Wi-Fi 6E connections; and they can output to two external displays (albeit only when the laptop lid is closed). Just remember that these entry-level models only have 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, so you should only buy one if you’ll stick to less demanding tasks.
We’ll note that the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air is also on sale for $899 at B&H. That’s $100 off Apple’s list price. This model won’t be quite as fast or futureproof as the latest version, but it’s very similar otherwise, so it remains worth considering if you really want to save cash. The now-discontinued M1 MacBook Air, meanwhile, is now going for $699 at Walmart. That one is a more noticeable drop-off from the M2 or M3 models, but at that price it’s still fast and reliable enough that it could make sense for those desperate to buy a MacBook for as little as possible.
The Beats Studio Buds + are back on sale for $130 in various colors, which is roughly $20 off the true wireless earbuds’ average street price and $40 off Beats’ list price. The only time we’ve seen them go for less was a brief drop to $120 around Black Friday. This deal is also available at other retailers, including Target, Best Buy and B&H.
We gave the Studio Buds + a review score of 84 last year. As Beats is an Apple subsidiary, this pair provides many of the iOS-friendly perks you’d get from a set of AirPods, such as faster pairing, Find My tracking, hands-free Siri and Control Center integration. Unlike AirPods, they offer similar features on Android as well. A comfy fit, decent ANC and a mostly neutral sound profile also help. However, other AirPods features like audio sharing and automatic device switching (with Apple gear) aren’t supported, nor is wireless charging or wear detection. And the ANC and audio quality are a step down from the AirPods Pro. Still, if you dig the style and want to save some cash, the Studio Buds + are worth considering.
Most people should hold off on buying a new iPad right now. Apple is widely expected to announce new tablets in the coming weeks, with past reports suggesting that we’ll see two new iPad Pros, a refreshed iPad Air and an all-new Air model with a 12.9-inch display. That said, neither the 10th-gen iPad nor the iPad mini are expected to be updated until later in 2024, so if one of those slates suit your needs and you absolutely must buy a new tablet today, both should be a little safer to buy than the iPad Air or iPad Pro. (Or the older 10.2-inch iPad, which is likely to be discontinued with the next round of refreshes.) We’ll highlight a couple of decent prices on those devices below.
Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
As of this writing, the 10th-gen iPad is available for $349 at Amazon and Best Buy. That ties the 10.9-inch slate’s all-time low and comes in $100 below Apple’s list price. We wouldn’t be surprised if this device received a permanent price cut when the new Air and Pro models are announced, but it’s a solid value with this discount either way. We gave 10th-gen iPad a review score of 85 back in 2022. It lacks the laminated display, M-series chip and second-gen Pencil support of the iPad Air, but its design is mostly similar, it’s plenty fast for reading and streaming and it gets the same 10-ish hours of battery life. Its front-facing camera is also located on the landscape edge, which is a more natural spot for FaceTime calls.
The iPad mini, meanwhile, is available for $400 at Amazon and Target. This is another discount we’ve seen for much of the last few months, but it still represents a $100 drop from Apple’s MSRP. This one was released way back in September 2021 and is past due for an update, but it remains the only compact tablet in Apple’s lineup. It’d make the most sense if you want to treat your iPad like a high-end e-reader, as it’s the easiest model to hold with one hand and tuck away in a bag. It’s still durable and fast enough for the basics beyond that, plus it works with the second-gen Apple Pencil. You probably wouldn’t want to use an 8.3-inch tablet for any serious work, though. You can read our review for a full breakdown.
Apple’s long-running butterfly keyboard service program for MacBooks is ending soon, with only a few models still eligible for a free repair.
Below, we take a look back at Apple’s butterfly keyboard problems that led to the program.
The Butterfly Keyboard
For much of the 2000s, MacBook keyboards had a traditional scissor switch mechanism. That changed in March 2015, when Apple released an ultra-thin 12-inch MacBook with a low-profile keyboard that used a new butterfly switch mechanism. While the keyboard fit in the 12-inch MacBook’s thin enclosure, it is prone to issues, such as letters repeating unexpectedly or failing to appear when keys are pressed.
It was not until Apple updated the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models with its second-generation butterfly keyboard in October 2016 that customers began to complain about sticky and unresponsive keys in earnest. Apple expanded the butterfly keyboard to the MacBook Air a few years later, leading to even more complaints.
The situation came to a head in May 2018, when Apple was hit with a class action lawsuit in the U.S. alleging that the company knew the butterfly keyboard was defective. An online petition about the issues that year gained nearly 43,000 signatures.
The Program
In June 2018, Apple launched a “Keyboard Service Program” worldwide after it determined that a “small percentage” of keyboards in certain MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models may exhibit one or more of the following behaviors:
Letters or characters repeat unexpectedly
Letters or characters do not appear
Key(s) feel “sticky” or do not respond in a consistent manner
Apple and Apple Authorized Service Providers have been repairing eligible MacBook keyboards, free of charge, for up to four years after the first retail sale of the affected laptop. That window is nearly over, as all eligible models except the two 2019 versions of the 13-inch MacBook Pro were discontinued more than four years ago.
The butterfly switch mechanism for a 2018 MacBook Pro keyboard
The list of all models that were eligible:
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)
Apple discontinued the 2019 model of the 13-inch MacBook Pro in November 2020, so some customers who own that laptop may still be eligible for a free keyboard repair until as late as November 2024, depending on when they purchased it. After that, the service program will be completely over, unless it is extended by Apple.
“We are aware that a small number of users are having issues with their third-generation butterfly keyboard and for that we are sorry,” an Apple spokesperson said, in a statement shared with The Wall Street Journal‘s Joanna Stern. “The vast majority of Mac notebook customers are having a positive experience with the new keyboard.”
The Fix
Starting with the 16-inch MacBook Pro in November 2019, Apple ditched the butterfly keyboard and returned to using a scissor switch mechanism. The change was extended to the MacBook Air in March 2020, and to the 13-inch MacBook Pro in May 2020, marking the end of the problematic butterfly keyboard era for the Mac.
The Settlement
In July 2022, Apple agreed to pay $50 million to settle the U.S. class action lawsuit related to the butterfly keyboard issues. Affected customers who submitted a valid claim by the March 2023 deadline will receive a payment of between $50 and $395.
Baseus rolled out its new Blade 2 Ultra-Thin 65W Laptop Power Bank on Monday. The thin portable power bank keeps MacBooks and other devices going.
The 65-watt, 12000mAh power bank includes a charge information display, intelligent app control and can charge up to two devices at once.
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Baseus Blade 2 Ultra-Thin 65W Laptop Power Bank
The new Baseus Blade 2 smart power bank is super-slim for portability, so you can bring it with you and keep your MacBook going. It comes with intelligent features like a charging status screen and a control app. And it can power up two devices at once.
Baseus described the bank, showcased at CES 2024, this way:
The Blade2 Ultra-Thin Laptop Power Bank stands out with its impressively flat design, weighing approximately 11 ounces. Its sleek dimensions of approximately 0.4 inch thickness, and just 0.3 inch at its thinnest point, make it effortlessly portable, easily slipping into computer bags without occupying much space. This convenient new portable power bank from Baseus provides recharging capabilities anywhere, without the hassle.
Despite the thin portable power bank’s compact profile, its 12000mAh Polymer Lithium battery packs a lot of power. It uses EV-grade Silicon Carbon Anode battery technology. It boasts 20,000 recharging cycles for long-lasting performance, according to Baseus.
Custom digital display and Intelligent Control App
A display tells you the bank’s charging status and an app helps you control the device. Photo: Baseus
The device features 65W fast charging output for laptops and other devices. And its PD60W self-charging input shows up on a custom digital display interface powered by BDIP digital power technology.
Baseus Intelligent Control App enables real-time monitoring, personalized settings and charging insights on the go, Baseus said.
“For maximum convenience and versatility, users can take advantage of superior charging for all their devices with the dual C-port setup that allows them to charge two devices at the same time,” the company said. “Using BPS2.0 intelligent power distribution technology, the 45W and 20W Type-C ports provides complete peace of mind knowing that all their devices can be fully charged and ready to go at a moment’s notice.”
Universally compatible, the thin portable power bank works with more than 1,000 devices and supports PD, SCP, QC, FCP, AFC, and many other fast-charging protocols for a variety of devices.
The power bank comes equipped with up to eight different safety protocols in place. They include short circuit, over-discharge, temperature, over-charge, over-power, restore, over-current and over-voltage protection, Baseus said.
You can buy the Baseus Blad e2 Ultra-Thin 65W Laptop Power Bank at Baseus or Amazon for $99.9. But a promotion running until March 25 discounts it to $69.99. Just check the box on Amazon to use code 30OFFBLADE.
This ultra-slim 65-watt power bank offers fast charging with app control with LED charging status display. The 12000mAh portable charger works with MacBooks, iPhone 15/14 Series, Samsung, iPad, Switch, Steam Deck and more.
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