Apple devices are expensive, and rarely sold – at the Apple store. Third-party sellers like Best Buy and Amazon to do offer discounts from time to time, including the current one. We’ve found a number of Apple devices on sale at discounted prices, including iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watches, and more. Most of these sales match or are better than what we saw on Cyber Monday, but most of them will end on Thursday.
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Apps for iPad
If you need help deciding which iPad is right for you, check out our Best iPad guide.
Apple recently updated its iPad (7/10, WIRED Review) with smaller bezels, Apple’s A14 chip, and a USB-C port. As on the iPad Air, the Touch ID sensor is integrated into the power button that sits on the edge of the slate. The rear camera has been changed to 12 megapixels, instead of 8 megapixels. But, perhaps most importantly, the 12-MP selfie camera has been moved to the center of the iPad (in color mode), so you won’t have to look away easily for video calls. The bad news is that Apple raised the price by $120 over previous models. This is better than what we saw on Cyber Monday and makes the slate more accessible.
The 10th generation iPad above is the most expensive iPad that Apple has ever made. That’s why we still think the ninth-generation model (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is the best iPad for most people. Not only is it cheap, especially with this discount, but it also packs a 12-MP rear camera with Center Stage support to keep you busy while you’re filming. There’s a Touch ID-enabled Home Button (for those who like it), a True Tone display that adjusts the temperature of the screen based on the lighting around you, and 64 GB of storage. It’s the only iPad in the company’s lineup with a headphone jack.
This isn’t a huge deal, but the iPad Air (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is our favorite upgrade over the original models. You get the same M1 processor as the 2020 Macbook Air, a 10.9-inch LCD screen, smaller bezels, a USB-C port, and Touch ID built into the top power button. It carries support for the second generation Apple Pencil and Smart and Magic Keyboard.
The iPad Mini (8/10, WIRED Recommends) makes a great travel companion. It’s small enough to fit in my purse or wallet, and the 8.3-inch display is great for reading ebooks or watching movies. Equipped with the A15 Bionic processor (the same one that powers last year’s iPhone 13), it’s fast enough to handle taxing apps and games. With support for the second-generation Apple Pencil, you can also use it as a pen or sketchpad. It dropped to this price on CyberMonday, but it is still strong.
This is the 2021 iPad Pro model with the company’s M1 processor. The sixth-generation iPad Pro (7/10, WIRED Review) that was announced last month is a major upgrade; save yourself some money and get this brand instead.
The Apple Pencil isn’t on sale, although it recently dropped to $89 on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Although it’s small, this is the next best discount we’ve seen. It works with every iPad in Apple’s current lineup except the 9th-gen iPad.
The best MacBooks
Read our Best MacBook guide to help you choose the right MacBook for your needs.
Apple introduced a new design with its latest MacBook Air (7/10, WIRED Recommends), which is also powered by the new M2 chipset. It has plenty of power for everyday tasks, solid battery life, and a 1080p webcam. You also get a MagSafe connector to keep the laptop from flying away if you’re walking on a cable. They are more expensive than their predecessors, but this discount helps offset that. Just remember that the chipset does not allow you to connect the system to more than one display.
Even though the M1-powered MacBook Air (9/10, WIRED Recommends) came out in 2020, it’s still one of the most powerful laptops you can buy at this price. It’s our favorite budget MacBook to recommend. It has great performance, battery life (it only lasts a full day of work), and a decent keyboard (that doesn’t wear out). It is compact and lightweight, which makes it ideal for travel.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) from 2021 was the first from Apple to bring back the idea that laptops should have more ports (including a MagSafe charging port) – what a concept. It also offers a 1080p webcam and a stunning 14.2-inch display with ProMotion (which has a 120 Hz refresh rate). The M1 Pro under the hood offers excellent performance and can handle any demanding project you throw at it. (It’s confusing, but M1 Prof is stronger than M2.)
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is similar to the 14-inch model, but with a larger screen. This thing is big and cumbersome to carry around, but the extra screen room can be nice, especially for apps that have a lot going on—great for video editors. This model was $100 cheaper on Cyber Monday, but if you missed it this one is still good.
Apple Watch, and Mobile Apps
Read our Best Apple Watch and Wireless Earbuds guide for more.
We recommend the second generation Apple Watch SE to most people, especially if you don’t want the complications of the Series 8 such as an ECG sensor, a temperature sensor, or the ability to see your blood pressure. But it’s more than just tracking your health and fitness and, with the latest S8 device, you’ll also get Crash Detection and a redesigned compass app. It’s compatible with WatchOS 9 too, which means you won’t miss out on some of the latest apps. The larger 44-mm model is also on sale for $269 ($20 off).
Apple Watch (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is our favorite Apple Watch on the list. It has a blood oxygen level sensor, ECG reader, and heart rate monitor. Apple also introduced a thermal sensor on the wrist that tracks the temperature of your skin. This can be very helpful in tracking your period and fertility. This was $30 better on Cyber Monday, but if you missed it, you can save a few bucks.
We saw the price drop $10 down on Cyber Monday, but it’s still a great price for Apple’s top smartwatch (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It has the best battery life you can find on an Apple Watch, especially since it is much larger than the Series 8. There is a siren to scream if you get lost in the woods, and a dedicated Action button to trigger real-time and customizable events. .
This was a cheap $29 on Cyber Monday. The second AirPods Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) comes with upgrades such as noise cancellation and better battery life – you’ll get six hours with leaves and 24 hours, which will make you last. work day. The charging case also comes with new features, such as the ability to sync with Apple’s Find My app (which plays audio to help you find them), and the ability to pay on the Apple Watch puck. Read our Best Wireless Earbuds guide for more information.
Additional Products
Our Best iPhone 14 Cases and Best MagSafe Accessories Reviews can help.
We’ve seen a few dollars drop, but that’s still a small discount on Apple’s official charger for iPhone models with MagSafe (iPhone 12 and newer). It charges quickly (15 watts) because it adapts exactly to the environment that allows the best energy transfer. But with a short three-foot cord, it’s difficult to use your phone while it’s washing unless you’re close to where it’s plugged in.
MagSafe Duo is a good choice if you have an iPhone and an Apple Watch, with both slots. It also folds in half, which makes it easy to travel with. It’s very expensive for what it does, but that makes the bag much easier.
This keyboard will fit the 11-inch iPad Pro (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Gen) and iPad Air (4th and 5th Gen). This small keyboard doesn’t provide any audible feedback on the keys, but many people like this keyboard because it is quiet.
