MacBooks used to have a reputation for being expensive, but not so much anymore. These days, they’re some of the most affordable laptops you can get for the price. Case in point: the 13-inch MacBook Air M1 with 8GB of memory is down to just $599 at Walmart, one of the lowest prices we’ve seen for any MacBook.
Also: Is a refurbished MacBook worth it? I did the math, and here’s my buying advice
The MacBook Air M1 was first released in 2020, but it’s still relevant today for a few reasons. First, it can upgrade to MacOS 26 “Tahoe” — the same operating system as the newest Macs.
Secondly, Apple’s hardware on board is still competitive with laptops being produced today. The MacBook Air set the standard for thin and light devices, and by the numbers, is one of the lightest laptops you can get at just 2.8 pounds. So should you spring for an M1 MacBook? Let’s break it down.
When MacOS 26 “Tahoe” is released in the fall of 2025, eligible MacBooks will be able to upgrade and take advantage of the new features, including an improved Spotlight feature, iPhone mirroring, and the new liquid glass interface design overhaul.
The MacBook Air M1 is eligible for the upgrade, which grants it access to these fresh features and puts it on par with the latest MacBooks. This alone makes the MacBook Air M1 competitive, even if it’s not the most powerful laptop on the market.
The MacBook Air M1 chip, paired with 8GB of unified memory, makes for a lightweight laptop designed for everyday tasks — perfect for hybrid workers who commute to the office and want something that can handle productivity workflows while multitasking across Apple’s suite of apps.
Also: Your MacBook is getting a significant upgrade for free – 5 MacOS 26 features I’m trying right now
Walmart is one of the few retailers that still has stock of brand-new MacBook Air M1 laptops, as Apple has since discontinued the device from its stores. The resulting price of $599 is particularly competitive, since other retailers such as Amazon are selling the same device, but refurbished — for a little more than $100 less.
A refurbished MacBook Air M1 from Back Market.
Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET
If you need a laptop for demanding workflows like 4K video editing, animation, the MacBook Air M1 can hold its own, but you’ll likely get better performance from the MacBook Pro M1 or later. In that sense, this Mac is designed to be a versatile everyday machine for work and play, efficiently handling most users’ needs.
Also: The MacOS 26 public beta is here – How to install (and which models support it)
I still think MacBooks offer one of the best video conferencing experiences of any laptop on the market, which applies to this device. The FaceTime HD webcam paired with the brilliant 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) retina display makes for a sharp and color-accurate picture, whether on a work call or FaceTime with friends and family.
Lastly, we have to mention the battery here, as the MacBook Air M1 runs cool and efficiently, lasting up to 18 hours on one charge. When you do connect to an outlet, you have three USB-C ports (two on one side, one on the other), with Thunderbolt support on two ports for rapid charging.
Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.
How I rated this deal
This is an excellent offer if you want to spend less than $600 on a laptop for everyday tasks, entertainment, and more. The MacBook Air M1 may not be the newest in the lineup. However, it’s still set to inherit the latest software and features from Apple’s upcoming release, making it a fairly competitive laptop option despite being five years old. And $50 savings are a nice touch, too. That’s why I gave this a 4/5 Editor’s deal rating.
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