Last Updated: June 2026 | Reading Time: 5 minutes | Author: First and Geek Editorial Team

Apple’s Mac lineup is seeing some of the deepest discounts in recent memory as retailers adjust pricing following the launch of the new M5 MacBook Air and M5 Pro MacBook Pro. Whether you’re looking for the latest generation or willing to save substantially on last year’s M4 models, there are compelling deals available across the board right now.

Key Takeaways

• The 15-inch M4 MacBook Air with 16GB RAM and 256GB storage is now $949, which is $350 less than the most affordable M5 model Apple currently sells
• The most affordable M5 MacBook Pro configuration with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage is available for $1,400, which is $200 below its launch price and $299 less than the least expensive M5 model Apple offers
• Launch discounts are available on the new M5 Pro MacBook Pro models, with savings up to $50 on select configurations
• The midnight M4 MacBook Air with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage is back at its all-time low price of $1,079, representing a $320 discount

Understanding the M4 and M5 MacBook Air Price Gap

When Apple introduced the M5 MacBook Air, the company made a strategic change to its storage configurations. The new M5 models start at 512GB of storage, eliminating the 256GB option entirely. While this provides more storage out of the box, it also raises the entry price for the latest generation.

For users who don’t need extensive local storage or who primarily rely on cloud services, the discounted M4 models represent exceptional value. The 15-inch M4 MacBook Air with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is currently available for $949, down from its original $1,199 list price. This pricing makes it $350 less expensive than the most affordable 15-inch M5 model, which starts at $1,299 with 512GB of storage.

The performance difference between the M4 and M5 chips is incremental rather than revolutionary. For typical everyday tasks including web browsing, document editing, media consumption, and even light creative work, most users would be hard-pressed to notice meaningful differences between the two generations.

M4 MacBook Air Deals Worth Considering

Several M4 MacBook Air configurations are seeing substantial price reductions as retailers clear inventory. Here are the most notable offers currently available:

• 15-inch M4 MacBook Air with 16GB RAM and 256GB storage: $949 (originally $1,199)
• 15-inch M4 MacBook Air with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage: $1,079 in Midnight (originally $1,399)
• 15-inch M4 MacBook Air with 24GB RAM and 512GB storage: $1,299 (originally $1,599)
• 13-inch M4 MacBook Air with 24GB RAM and 512GB storage: $1,149 (originally $1,399)

The 15-inch model with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage at $1,079 is particularly interesting. It matches the all-time low price seen during Black Friday 2025 and provides a balanced configuration for most users at $170 less than the comparable M5 model’s current discounted price.

M5 MacBook Pro Launch Pricing

The standard M5 MacBook Pro launched with higher base storage than its predecessor, now starting at 1TB instead of 512GB. This change has created an interesting situation where remaining stock of the 512GB M5 MacBook Pro model is available at a significant discount.

The M5 MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage is currently priced at $1,400, which is nearly $200 below its launch price of $1,599. More importantly, it’s $299 less than the entry-level M5 MacBook Pro that Apple currently sells, which comes with 1TB of storage and carries a $1,699 list price.

For users who can work comfortably within 512GB of storage, this represents the most affordable way to access a current-generation MacBook Pro. Stock appears limited on this configuration, and it may not be available indefinitely as Apple has officially discontinued this storage tier.

M5 Pro MacBook Pro Launch Deals

The newly released M5 Pro MacBook Pro models are available with modest launch discounts of approximately $50 across various configurations. While these savings are not dramatic, they represent the best pricing available on Apple’s most powerful laptops:

• 14-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro with 24GB RAM and 1TB storage: $2,149 (regularly $2,199)
• 14-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro with 24GB RAM and 2TB storage: $2,549 (regularly $2,599)
• 16-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro with 24GB RAM and 2TB storage: $2,649 (regularly $2,699)
• 16-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro with 48GB RAM and 2TB storage: $3,049 (regularly $3,099)

The M5 Pro chip delivers meaningful performance improvements for professional workflows including video editing, 3D rendering, software development, and other demanding tasks. These machines are aimed at users who need maximum performance and are willing to pay a premium for it.

Making the Right Choice for Your Needs

The decision between an M4 MacBook Air, standard M5 MacBook Pro, or M5 Pro MacBook Pro ultimately depends on your specific use case and budget. The M4 MacBook Air remains an excellent choice for general productivity, web browsing, media consumption, and light creative work. The substantial discounts currently available make it particularly compelling for budget-conscious buyers or those purchasing laptops for students or family members.

The standard M5 MacBook Pro with 512GB storage at $1,400 offers a middle ground, providing the Pro’s superior display, better speakers, additional ports, and active cooling system at a price point that approaches MacBook Air territory. This configuration makes sense for users who want Pro features but don’t need extensive local storage.

The M5 Pro MacBook Pro is designed for professionals with demanding computational needs. If your workflow involves tasks that regularly tax your current machine, the investment in an M5 Pro model will likely pay dividends in time saved and improved productivity.

Storage Considerations

Apple’s shift toward higher base storage tiers reflects the reality that modern applications, operating systems, and files consume more space than ever before. However, 256GB or 512GB can still be perfectly adequate depending on your usage patterns.

If you primarily use cloud storage services, stream media rather than downloading it locally, and don’t work with large video or photo libraries on your device, the smaller storage configurations may serve you well. Conversely, if you prefer to keep your entire photo library locally accessible, work with large video projects, or simply want the peace of mind that comes with abundant storage, the higher-capacity models are worth the investment.

First and Geek Verdict

The current MacBook landscape offers genuinely compelling options at multiple price points. The deeply discounted M4 MacBook Air models represent outstanding value for most users, particularly the 15-inch configuration with 16GB RAM and 256GB storage at $949. This machine will handle the vast majority of everyday computing tasks with ease while costing hundreds less than the latest generation.

For those who want current-generation hardware, the M5 MacBook Pro with 512GB storage at $1,400 is worth serious consideration. It delivers Pro features at a price that undercuts Apple’s official entry-level M5 Pro by nearly $300, though availability may be limited as retailers clear remaining inventory.

These deals likely won’t last indefinitely, particularly on the M4 models as inventory depletes. If you’ve been considering a new MacBook, the current pricing environment presents one of the better opportunities we’ve seen in recent memory to secure a capable machine at a reasonable price.