Deals: Apple's 15-Inch MacBook Air Hits New All-Time Low Price at $100 Off, Starting at $1,199

[Drewps5co0tt]

Oh no, I'm gonna have to return my shiny new MBA 15 that I just picked up today.

I've been running it through some typical photo/video editing workloads and it's just not enough power for what I want to do. I consider myself a beginner at photo/video editing, so nothing crazy. I don't even know how to use masks. I just like to apply some general corrections across collections of family photos and then stitch together some vacation videos with some transitions and mild effects. Admittedly I am doing more nowadays than in the past 2.5 years with my trusty M1 MBA, but I thought the M2 MBA 15 would be more than sufficient.

I just returned an M2 Max MBP 16 earlier in the week. That was definitely the right move though. I guess I'm going back to the Apple Store for a MBP 14, 32GB and either M2 Pro or M2 Max.

The MBA 15 batched processed 306 RAW photos from my Sony RX10m4 in about the same time as my previous M1 Max Mac Studio, but that's because DxO PhotoLab 6 supports the neural engine and both M2 and M1 Max have 16 NE cores. If Final Cut Pro is the only app open then I can get through a 1-minute 4K edit without dropping a frame, consisting of 4 clips and some text effect, transitions, and B-roll (background rendering on, but proxies off, at Better Quality)...but who only makes 1-minute home videos? If I have PhotoLab 6 batch processing photos in the background then I'll drop multiple frames during playback in Final Cut Pro with even the Better Performance setting. If performance is this choppy for my normal use on day 1 with 16GB/1TB then I don't have much faith in the MBA 15 getting me through the next 3-5 years.

I don't consider myself a particularly heavy power user. I'll do some app development, maybe play around with some VMs and Docker containers, but most of that stuff was actually fine with the 16/512 M1 MBA. I'm genuinely sad to take the MBA 15 back but I can't deny the truth that the M2 Air is not enough power for me.

How is that not enough power for you? People are editing 4K video with zero issues (with just the base model).

 

[Tim Cook's Pool Boy]

Yes.

Did they ever have one? I've been buying using the educational discount for years (live in the US). I always thought it was one of the worst kept secrets that one does not really have to do anything in relation to education (student or teacher) to get this?

 

[Drewps5co0tt]

Did they ever have one? I've been buying using the educational discount for years (live in the US). I always thought it was one of the worst kept secrets that one does not really have to do anything in relation to education (student or teacher) to get this?

Apple says you have to have documentation to prove your status.

 

[psxp]

damn! I wish amazon Canada had sales like this..
(or maybe its a good thing they don't - holding out from the 15" until later.. ie. big sales or M3 version)

 

[nfl46]

Did they ever have one? I've been buying using the educational discount for years (live in the US). I always thought it was one of the worst kept secrets that one does not really have to do anything in relation to education (student or teacher) to get this?

Most have been doing it for years just like you.

 

[BrightDarkSky]

Apple announced the new 15.3-inch MacBook Air last week, and since then we've been tracking a $50 discount at Amazon, which was the first deal ever seen on the computer. Today, Amazon is sweetening this sale with an even steeper markdown at $100 off select models.

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.

You can get the 256GB 15-inch MacBook Air for $1,199.00, down from $1,299.00. This one is available in three of the four colors, and all are in stock and ready to deliver between June 17 and June 21.

15-inch MacBook Air (256GB) for $1,199.00 ($100 OFF)​

There's also the 512GB 15-inch MacBook Air for $1,399.00, down from $1,499.00. This one is only available in Midnight, and stock is dwindling fairly fast on Amazon. Its delivery date is estimated for around June 21.

15-inch MacBook Air (512GB) for $1,399.00 ($100 OFF)​

Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.

Article Link: Deals: Apple's 15-Inch MacBook Air Hits New All-Time Low Price at $100 Off, Starting at $1,199

256 hard drive, aka the desperate sucker model. That module must cost them a whole dollar each, if that. You will regret it.

I got a 128gb model years ago for budget reasons, and have been plagued with managing space ever since. Thankfully, I can upgrade my hdd, as one of the last macs to allow that (thanks owc).

Otherwise, spend the most you can to not get stuck with a sucker model with pittance of ram and stingy space like this model. Yuck.

 

[Plymouthbreezer]

Is it just me, or do these constant sales of the low end macs devalue the Apple brand? Apple feels a bit like JC Penny these days…

I think you're in the minority with this logic. I don't see why a discount is a bad thing... My 13" M2 MBA is perfect for my portable needs. It's no less "valuable" or "low-end" because of discounts.

 

[NeonNights]

How is that not enough power for you? People are editing 4K video with zero issues (with just the base model).

And that's what I expected to be able to do too after watching Everyday Dad do it on YouTube. I am utterly shocked!

Working with 1080 clips, no problem and smooth as butter, even with background photo processing going on. Once I try my 4K vacation videos recorded on my previous iPhones, Z Fold 4, and Sony RX10 then it stutters on transitions and playback. It isn't so bad to be unworkable, but it's bad enough on a 1-minute project that I worry about longer projects. Like I said, I'm shocked and not what I expected. To be fair, the M1 Pro can also get tripped up as shown by Sara Deitschy's videos but that's on a lot more complex edits with multicam, color grading, etc. Just walked out with the last silver stock MBP 14 M2 Max at our local Apple Store. The M2 Pro probably would've been fine too but now I won't need to worry about performance. I did like the performance of the M2 Max MBP 16 I returned, I just didn't like the extra size and heft.

Edit: My wife has helped me realize that maybe what I really need is a base Mac Studio. There will be no question about performance and it would be cheaper. When I had the M1 Mac Studio before, my M1 MBA sat unused and felt like a waste. I've always used laptops for the past 30 years but things completely changed in the last two years and it's been hard for me to shake the laptop mentality. I really don't need portability nor a personal laptop anymore. No wonder I've been all over the place with laptop purchases lately. I finally have some clarity now (with help from the wife). I'm going to return the MBP 14 too and just get a base M2 Max Mac Studio for $1799 (edu). For the rare portability need, I have my seldom-used M1 12.9 iPad Pro (keep forgetting I have that, lol).

Edit 2: Gotta say, this M2 Max MBP 14 is impressive. I played with it for a bit and loaded up the same FCP library and clips, effects, transitions, etc and it didn't break a sweat. It played back the 4K timeline with superb ease, no pre-render required. Bottom of laptop barely felt warm and fans didn't even turn on. Man, this is a difficult decision. I really really like this MBP 14 lol, and is easily my favorite after experiencing the MBA 15 an MBP 16. It is the goldilocks of MacBooks, just right!

 

[svish]

Good to see $100 off within a week of launch

 

[Drewps5co0tt]

And that's what I expected to be able to do too after watching Everyday Dad do it on YouTube. I am utterly shocked!

Working with 1080 clips, no problem and smooth as butter, even with background photo processing going on. Once I try my 4K vacation videos recorded on my previous iPhones, Z Fold 4, and Sony RX10 then it stutters on transitions and playback. It isn't so bad to be unworkable, but it's bad enough on a 1-minute project that I worry about longer projects. Like I said, I'm shocked and not what I expected. To be fair, the M1 Pro can also get tripped up as shown by Sara Deitschy's videos but that's on a lot more complex edits with multicam, color grading, etc. Just walked out with the last silver stock MBP 14 M2 Max at our local Apple Store. The M2 Pro probably would've been fine too but now I won't need to worry about performance. I did like the performance of the M2 Max MBP 16 I returned, I just didn't like the extra size and heft.

Edit: My wife has helped me realize that maybe what I really need is a base Mac Studio. There will be no question about performance and it would be cheaper. When I had the M1 Mac Studio before, my M1 MBA sat unused and felt like a waste. I've always used laptops for the past 30 years but things completely changed in the last two years and it's been hard for me to shake the laptop mentality. I really don't need portability nor a personal laptop anymore. No wonder I've been all over the place with laptop purchases lately. I finally have some clarity now (with help from the wife). I'm going to return the MBP 14 too and just get a base M2 Max Mac Studio for $1799 (edu). For the rare portability need, I have my seldom-used M1 12.9 iPad Pro (keep forgetting I have that, lol).

I subscribe to him! Hit him up on YT, he always replies and maybe can give you some pointers. I'm not all that familiar with what you were doing but I'm sure he will be.

 

[NeonNights]

I subscribe to him! Hit him up on YT, he always replies and maybe can give you some pointers. I'm not all that familiar with what you were doing but I'm sure he will be.

Good idea. I might just do that out of curiosity but I still think the MBA 15 is underpowered for my needs. I only had FCP open and Safari with 3 tabs. I expected more from my 16GB/1TB config and shouldn't have to dial all settings down for smooth playback. Running proxies and "better performance" makes 4K look so pixellated in the main viewer on the MBA 15. Disappointing to say the least.

On the flipside, the M2 Max MBP 14 blew me away and is clearly my favorite of the MacBook lineup. Now I'm back on the fence about keeping it. It played back the 4K timeline, effects, transitions, etc with aplomb. Made it all look oh so easy. Zero fan noise and barely warm to the touch. I think I'm in love.

 

[Drewps5co0tt]

Good idea. I might just do that out of curiosity but I still think the MBA 15 is underpowered for my needs. I only had FCP open and Safari with 3 tabs. I expected more from my 16GB/1TB config and shouldn't have to dial all settings down for smooth playback. Running proxies and "better performance" makes 4K look so pixellated in the main viewer on the MBA 15. Disappointing to say the least.

On the flipside, the M2 Max MBP 14 blew me away and is clearly my favorite of the MacBook lineup. Now I'm back on the fence about keeping it. It played back the 4K timeline, effects, transitions, etc with aplomb. Made it all look oh so easy. Zero fan noise and barely warm to the touch. I think I'm in love.

Yea I understand your point, your ssd and ram and pretty far up there. However, I don't use these pro apps like you (and others do), I'm just a regular, everyday user who does basic stuff (I might crop a photo here and there), nothing major. So I'm thinking the base model might work fine for me. "Dad" said to just get the base model, he refused to upgrade anything on it and says it works just fine. I don't think he considers himself a "pro" user though. I dunno, the entire thing is so confusing. In 2023, I really don't think Apple should still be putting 8GB/256GB in their base laptops though, but that's just my opinion but it can still work well though for the average user (but you seem to be way above being an average user). Maybe you should have gotten the pro as you suggested. I would get the M1 Pro (14") but I like the bigger screen on the Air. If I had money to burn, I would spec the entire 15" Air to the max 😂🤣, just because I love how thin and sleek the Air is.

 

[User 6502]

And once M3 comes out, M4 will also be coming soon. So if you need it just get it now. Most of the time the waiting game is futile unless it’s a major change (e.g. Gen 5 iPad Pro was worth the wait because it switched over to M1, which you need for Logic Pro on iPadOS).

Except M2 was a lacklustre update, whereas M3 should be more significant according to rumours. Not all the upgrades are the same, and waiting for M3 makes a lot of sense since M2 is on the way out anyway.