Newly launched today, also included in the back to school program, old m2 model also had a price drop, both still have the back to school $240 gift card
Apple 13" MacBook Air: M3/8GB/256GB $1649, M2/8GB/256GB $1439 Delivered + Bonus $240 Apple Gift Card @ Apple Education Store
1700
Related Stores
closed Comments
If you can use the gift card, I’d say yes. Not much discount on new models.
I wonder when will Apple upgrade entry level to 512GB+16GB. LoL
Never
This is the correct answer.
It's the old bait and switch. The 8GB model is just there to entice you in, then you gotta drop $600 more to get the 16GB, which isn't that much these days anyway.Qualcomm's monopoly on ARM chips for Windows ends in a few months, then you'll see Windows computers with the equivalent of the M2 chip. However, then you'll need to live with Windows 11, so the Mac will probably be more polished, but you'll pay for it.
The 8GB model is just there to entice you in, then you gotta drop $600 more to get the 16GB
-1
M2 extra 8GB = $270 (M3 $300)
RISC architecture is gonna change everything.
Just install Linux. I switched from Windows to EndeavourOS after they dropped support for Windows 7 and have never looked back.
Anyone thinking of buying a MacBook Air. Before you buy the extra 8gb RAM, just close some damn tabs and save the money.
8gb for 1600 dollarydoos
Same. Those are the specs I got for my kid, because even on a Mac, I imagine 8GB will only get you so far, especially if it has to last a few years.
4gb and doing absolutely fine?
Sent from my 2012 MacBook Pro with only 8gb ram and it is now sometimes struggling when multiple tasks running like downloading files + unzipping files + watching youtube all at once! That colorful beach ball won't go away for a while !
@Elijha: yeah thought about that, still love that light up white apple logo on the lid which we will never get that again …
You "imagine"? Compelling argument.
Modded down for pointing out the obvious flaw in the logic. Welcome to OZB…
I’ve got the m1 with 8gb and use it for work. Nothing really struggles for most duties.
I have the 8gb intel macbook air, run office 365 and do a bit of video and photo editing as a hobby, haven’t hit 8 gb ram used. My windows 11 PC i run office 365 and visio haven’t hit 8gb yet though i have 32gb. need to look at use case for how much ram you need. things move on. my actually ram useage hasn’t increased, just how much i have.
I know little about MAC RAM usage. But with Windows machines, I used to get by on 8GB until about 2-3 years ago, when I'd constantly be hitting the limit. Browsers in particular are consuming massive amounts of memory nowadays. At the end of the day, if an application needs to store a certain amount of data in memory, it doesn't matter what the platform is - at best the platform can do some clever thing about how it swaps data in-and-out of RAM depending on which application you are using at the time.
@Make it so: Swap RAM is a massive win for Mac’s for the average user. Anyone who needs more than 8gb on a MacBook air should be looking at a Pro model.
Actually, you can perform that upgrade yourself, at time of purchase!
Damn! Genius move that! I wonder how many people would do that instead of whining online unable to move on?
For $600 more.
I’m an Apple/IOS fan, but that’s an insane level of price gouging…
$600 is for 16GB and 512GB Storage; you can order the 8GB model (with 256GB Storage) and add 8GB RAM for $300. Still a monumental gouge, but I digress
Only when 32GB becomes the new 16GB.
Sounds right to me
I mean particularly for the air I don't see why you would, I have a base M1 air that I am typing on right now with 26 tabs open(dont @ me lol I know), Steam, parsec and spotify running in the background with no stuttering whatsoever. So for the main target market for MBAs - being a facebook browsing or email/zoom machine - I think 256/8 is fine. These new chips are insanely efficient.
Woah woah woah, don't bring logic and empirical facts to an Apple hate train.
Depends on the website and software your running.
Also browser extensions can be ram eaters.
Facebook page also.
Depends on your usage habits and programs.
I can't use my 8GB M1 mini like I do with my 16GB M1.
No way would I buy another 8GB.@compound: I mean is that not just stating the obvious though? No one is here saying that 8GB/256GB works for every application. Proof is in the pudding I guess, that just means you don't fit the bill of facebook/email machine user. My comment does not apply to you.
This. I have bought a dozen or so M1/2 MacBook airs and Mac minis for family and staff most with 8GB of RAM and not a single one of them have any difficulty in normal everyday use (web, email, etc). I know because I am tech support for all of them.
My daily is a M3 MacBook Pro with 64gb of ram, I need this because I often use it for photo editing, graphic design and photoshop. Every time I am working on the little 8gb machines I am struck by how well they do everyday tasks (everything less than heavy work loads). They only slow down when they have WAY too much going on at once (or are asked to edit 8k video). Just close a few of the dozen or so apps that are running in the background or the 30+ browser tabs open at once and they fly.
But I am wrong according to all the PC nerds on every one of these bargains, 16gb is the MINIMUM that ANYONE needs for their computer, and 8GB is completely unusable.
@dtpearson: In that case, I wanted to ask - I have an M2 Air, 16/512 with the 10-core graphics I believe, yet somehow my lingering RAM usage is around 11GB (no swap used). This is purely with around 10 Chrome tabs open, Apple Music, WhatsApp and Messenger running (the desktop versions). The only Chrome extensions I have are Urban VPN (usually not running) and uBlock Origin (always on). Do you know why this would be the case? I don't notice any relative slowdown. The overall point being that even on this machine, I'm using 11GB of RAM not doing much, so I don't know how M1 models with 8GB of RAM can run so efficiently, using the same load as mine? I'm also under the impression, additionally, that because I have the 512GB SSD, when swap is used, it's much faster than if I'd gotten the 256GB? Thanks so much for any insight.
I have a base 8GB M1 and I get the “out of memory” error all the time just with browser (Safari), discord, and another app like Excel or a game like Roblox.
I suggest there is an issue with your computer, or you have other things open you may not be aware of. Excel can be quite heavy on hardware too if its a big spreadsheet. Thats one thing I don't touch, didn't even think to mention discord.
@doobey1231: I think it's important to call out that the system memory is shared with the GPU, so anything using GPU rendering will have a significant impact. Also with the fast SSDs in M series Macs they can push stuff to swap without you really knowing in a lot of cases, until you suddenly need a big chunk of stuff in RAM proper and then it's a problem.
Right now I am using 7.5GB of 8GB AND 5.5GB of swap. I have:
- 12 tabs open in Safari which totals about 4.5GB (1 YouTube tab, 1 reddit, a few Ikea tabs and some others)
- I have Discord open which is about 700MB
- Finder is using 700MB
- Various other small stuff, e.g. Creative Cloud background process and system things.And then I usually have an app open like Excel or VS Code (I'm a dev) or Photoshop or maybe a game like Roblox. I don't do anything intense in any of those, it's just light, hobby level stuff, but they can all use a decent amount of RAM.
E.g. right now I'm coding so VS Code & Terminal with a small project open and it is using a total of 2GB@notme53: Something seems off though, I dunno until you can post all the information in screenshots I think it will be a mystery, not saying you are lying of course. I just don't see how I can have dozens of chrome tabs open - chrome not safari - steam, parsec etc, mind you I also have open vpn and creative cloud running in the background too. Like we have roughly the same stuff going on except you have less tabs on an apple made browser, yet you are getting out of memory notifications..
I know for sure it would shit the bed as soon as I start processing a video edit or something, but if thats the intent of the purchase then ram upgrade is an absolute must.
I promise you that is abnormal and you need to get it checked out
Because Safari, Firefox, Chrome - they unload tabs from memory when you haven't used them for a while.
The "1TB of RAM to run Chrome" meme isn't a thing anymore.
Not until the base MacBook Pro 14 gets this privilege first.
As a current MBA M1 owner, that is precisely the default specs I’m waiting for before upgrading.
Does my current laptop stall or stutter? Very rarely. But if they want me to update, they can allocate the extra $30-$40 on upgraded specs for storage and RAM. I’m sure Apple will price it accordingly…
@Yin8: Macbook 512GB+16GB base model "Must Be Dreaming-Barbara Noel"
"Pay close attention
Don't listen to me from now
Apple'II be releasing 512GB +16GB RAM Base Model
And it's anyone's guess how Apple does
Is this the right turn, wrong Apple universe?
Mmm, taking me in full bloom
Fireball, careful with that there
See what you made me do"I must be dreaming or
We're onto something
I must be dreaming, for
I don't fall in love with Apple lawlessly
I must be dreaming, oh
Pinch me to waking
So undeniably yours
As long as I'm losing it so completely"
Is this AI shite or your own?
@Daabido : I wish it was AI Shite, but there is an actual singer called Barbara Noel who sang the song “Must be dreaming”
Of course I changed few words so it becomes my shite so we can have a bit of fun at Apple’s expense😊😊😊😊😊
Love it!
Though whenever i hear barbara and song in the same sentence, i think https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYkBf0dbs5I
Don't worry, Apple's 8GB unified memory is far superior than 16GB RAM in normal laptops that we peasants are using /s
Aww. Here's a tissue for that persecution complex.
In 10 years probably
The same time Microsoft, Lenovo, Acer, Asus, HP, etc, will also upgrade entry level to 512/16.
It's almost like manufacturers understand that not everyone needs 512/16…
Only Apple can't do
The MacBook Pro came standard with 8 12 years ago
I wonder when will Apple upgrade entry level to 512GB+16GB
Why?
Not everyone needs that so why pay for something you don't need? 'Entry level' is entry level for a reason. If you need more then pay for the upgrade
What’s the price drop in exact $?
From memory 13" was 1,899 on launch. Dropped to 1,799 when the 15" was launched. $1,439 was similar to the price of the old design M1 air when the M2 was released.
Imo this a great price for the product. Even better if a sale drops the price further.
You’re not comparing apples with apples, ‘scuse the pun. $1439 is education pricing, other prices you quote are normal retail. Normal retail now for entry MacBook Air is $1599.
normally see 10% at JB sometimes for mac computers, guess it’s an extra 2.7%.
that’s 10% off normal not education price?
and it’s the end-cost that matters, not the discount
Stack 10-15% off tcn/ultimate gift cards and you are better off.
This deal here relies on your consumption of the apple gift credit
Do they have iPhones for sale on education store? I will stop buying iPhones if so
Macs, iPads and some accessories, its available for anyone to browse and although I legitimately am eligible for it, I order click and collect and have never had to prove I am a student. - https://www.apple.com/au-hed/store
Ok thanks
Did you get a gift card?
So you'd stop buying iPhones not because they are overpriced junk but because they are for sale on the education store?
Yes
Keen to know why. Is it because phones shouldn't have discounts exclusive to students?
@Guybrush57: Any partner gov education program is discrimination. At least they charge iPhones the same for all. I bought through GCs not full price
@Guybrush57: some schools use mac’s and the associated software, don’t know of a school that specifies iphones as a device must have.
"overpriced junk"
Apple haters impotent rage is always a laugh
Source: Owned several Macs and iPhones
I’m waiting for the M3 iPad Pro.
unfortunately doesn't look like they will refresh before the edu discount and gift card promo ends :/
Announcement should come through by morning, fingers crossed we might get lucky.. probably only a couple days between preorders and promo ending though so will need to be quick.
Hey so are you going to get the current iPad or wait for new one to release eventually and wait for a sale?
@v7dal: I will probably wait for the new one to release, a slid 60% of my iPad usage is media consumption so an OLED display is a significant performance bump worth paying extra for. But we shall see, apparently the price is going up too so could stop that happening lmfao.
im waiting for M4
I've got one on all of you. I'm waiting for the M8, m8
Didn’t HTC already release one of those?
Better than waiting on M4
Why? It will be slightly thinner and have a slightly better screen but will only be able to the same things as a cheap model iPad due to iOS software being limitations. I have an iPad pro M1 12.9 and it is borderline useless for any serious use apart from reading and browsing. The iPads have not been limited by hardware since about 2018, the software is the problem.
I think it depends how deep you are in the ecosystem, being able to shoot with my iPhone then transition to editing on (my soon to be) ipad pro and being able to upload direct from there is really nice. But if its your only apple product I can imagine it being absolute crap to deal with.
I use a Mac and the ipad and beyond using the Ipad as an external screen the eco system use cases for me are pretty minimal. What you described sounds mostly based on cloud storage. You could probably replace this just was well with just some cloud data service
@qvinto: You can definitely replace it, but it will never work as seamlessly as apples version of it, thats sorta the whole selling point. I use apple for my personal content editing and windows/adobe/google drive for work stuff and the difference is chalk and cheese, its significant for those that get paid to do it.
@doobey1231: Thanks, can you give some specific use cases for how you use your ipad? maybe I'm missing some of the potential capability. Cheers.
@qvinto: I mean basically content creation, video editing, taking etc. I like the iPhone and iOS because it just works, plus wanting the biggest screen possible for content consumption means I already have a pro max, the cameras are more than capable for recording with a cheap gimbal and microphone combo. Everything passively uploads to icloud which means my Macbook air and (incoming ipad) will already have the content ready to go for editing and subsequent upload to whatever necessary platform. If you produce media content of any sort then Apple is best in the biz. of course windows works, but just not quite as well as apple. Oh and I cannot understate the battery life of the M chips, my M1 MBA is a full week device(averaging about 2-3 hours a day), the fact I could open it up, use it for an hour or two one day, leave it for a week and open it back up and carry on, it was like a party trick for the first 6 months lmfao.
@doobey1231: Thanks. I get these benefits but not sure the ipad will be that useful if you are already using your mac to do the editing. The friction on the ipad doing basic stuff like moving files around or importing between different apps becomes a real pain point if you are used to easy with which you can do it on a laptop. Plus the ipad apps are not fully featured like mac counterparts e.g. final cut etc. I find half the time I'm trying to fight iPadOS just to do basic things. I do some lightroom photo editing on the ipad which can be good but then its missing features from the full version, plus the edit full res files you have to use adobe cloud which is just another cost since i am already paying for google drive to store my photos. I think the ideal device would be something like a surface pro tablet which runs a full OS but actually has good hardware and optimised software. Currently the surface devices are not a pleasant experience due to the crap CPUs and the buggy touch interface. iPads on the other hand have great hardware but really crippled software.
@qvinto: I’ve done research and come to that decision based on my use case. Everyone is different and the sheer lightness of the iPad vs a full fledged notebook is weight I can shave on my travels, I don’t need the full programs either, it’s relatively simple edits that I’m doing, i wouldn’t even have the M1A if I knew they were gonna throw the same chip in an iPad.
Any Giftcards to pair with this deal ?
I regret not stocking up
Is this a worthwhile price, i am in the market for a new macbook as a present.