15-inch MacBook Air Sales and Discounts in 2023
Apple unveiled the 15-inch MacBook Air during the WWDC 2023 event in mid-June, and the laptop is now available for purchase, starting at an affordable price of $1,299 for the 8GB RAM / 256GB storage configuration. This remarkable offer presents an excellent choice for buyers seeking a reliable laptop with a spacious display, powerful performance, and impressive battery life.
However, after more than a month, reports from Asia indicate that the 15-inch Air model is not meeting the expected sales figures. While this might be disappointing news for Apple, it brings good tidings for MacBook Air enthusiasts looking to upgrade to the 15-inch model. The underwhelming sales performance could lead to retailers offering attractive deals on Apple’s latest Air laptops soon.
According to a report from Digitimes (via 9to5Mac), sources from the supply chain revealed that the 15-inch MacBook Air fell short of meeting customer demand expectations. This has led to calls for shipments to be put on hold. The supply chain’s July shipment volume is now 50% less than the original estimate, signifying a decline in demand for the 15-inch MacBook Air. Some customers are even requesting a reduction in shipment volume to prevent inventory build-up.
I must admit that I did not anticipate the 15-inch MacBook Air surpassing the popularity of the 13-inch model, even though I prefer the larger screen. Nevertheless, if the report holds, this information becomes a significant aspect to consider.
While Apple will not directly offer discounts on the 15-inch MacBook Air through its website or stores, it’s worth noting that genuine savings can be found through Apple’s partner retailers like Amazon and B&H, both of which stock Macs.
Amazon is presently offering a $50 discount on the base 15-inch MacBook Air model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, bringing its price down to $1,249. The same discount applies to the 512GB storage option, reducing its price to $1,449 instead of Apple’s original price of $1,499.
For those anticipating 15-inch MacBook Air deals, the Configure To Order (CTO) variants offered by retailers might be of interest. These custom-order laptops can have up to 24GB of RAM and a storage capacity of up to 2TB. While you can order these directly from Apple, keep in mind that you will have to pay the full price for them.
The best 15-inch MacBook Air option available currently comes with 24GB of RAM and a 2TB storage capacity, priced at $2,499. Unfortunately, neither Amazon nor B&H is now offering discounts on this particular model. Nevertheless, both retailers stock other versions of the 15-inch Air, ensuring you can find the desired combination of RAM and storage.
While 8GB of RAM is suitable for most people and standard online activities, upgrading to 16GB can future-proof your 15-inch MacBook Air, ensuring smooth performance for years to come. Regarding storage, I would recommend opting for at least 512GB due to the speed advantage. The base model’s SSDs are slightly slower due to hardware limitations, although the speed decrease is unlikely to be noticeable in everyday use.
The fact that US retailers have not yet lowered the prices for CTO 15-inch MacBook Air models suggests that demand is still substantial. However, this situation may change in the future.
For European customers, a quick check on local Amazon stores reveals even better discounts for the 15-inch MacBook Air, with price drops ranging between 12% and 14% for the 256GB and 512GB models. Regrettably, CTO models are not currently available in Amazon Germany’s offer.
For those eagerly awaiting the M3 MacBook Air, it’s essential to remember that Apple is likely to upgrade the 13-inch model first, with the 15-inch model expected to receive the M3 chip sometime next year.
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