15-inch MacBook Air Demand Falls Short of Expectations, But It’s a Win for Savvy Shoppers
During the WWDC 2023 event held in mid-June, Apple made a significant announcement about the 15-inch MacBook Air. This cutting-edge laptop is now readily available for purchase, with the base model starting at a remarkably affordable price of only $1,299. For this price, buyers can get a powerful device equipped with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
The new MacBook Air is unquestionably an outstanding choice for those seeking a reliable laptop with a spacious display, impressive performance capabilities, and exceptional battery life. Its combination of sleek design and robust features make it a top contender in the market, catering to the needs of various users and providing an excellent computing experience.
Over a month has passed since the announcement, and recent reports from Asia suggest that the 15-inch MacBook Air isn’t meeting the expected sales targets. While this might be disappointing news for Apple, it presents an excellent opportunity for MacBook Air enthusiasts looking to upgrade to the 15-inch model. As demand appears to have declined, some retailers may soon begin offering attractive deals on Apple’s latest Air product.
According to a report from Digitimes, based on information via 9to5Mac, the supply chain’s July shipment volume for the 15-inch MacBook Air is significantly lower, around 50% less than originally estimated. There are even calls to hold back on shipments due to the decreased demand, with some customers requesting volume reductions to avoid inventory buildup.
Personally, I never anticipated the 15-inch MacBook Air to surpass the popularity of the 13-inch model, although I do appreciate the larger screen size. If the report is indeed accurate, this piece of information becomes crucial to consider.
Although Apple itself won’t offer direct discounts on the 15-inch MacBook Air through its website or stores, it’s worth exploring savings opportunities through Apple’s partners. Retailers like Amazon, B&H, and other authorized sellers of Mac products may provide genuine discounts, making it a promising option for potential buyers. Keep an eye out for attractive deals from these outlets if you’re looking to purchase the 15-inch MacBook Air.
As of now, Amazon is already offering a $50 discount on the base 15-inch MacBook Air model, making the 8GB/256GB version available for $1,249 instead of the original $1,299 price set by Apple. The same $50 discount applies to the 512GB storage option, which is now priced at $1,449 instead of Apple’s $1,499.
For those interested in deals on the 15-inch MacBook Air, keep an eye on the Configure To Order (CTO) variants offered by retailers. These custom configurations can include RAM up to 24GB and storage up to 2TB. However, note that ordering directly from Apple for CTO models will require paying the full price.
Among the available options, the best 15-inch MacBook Air currently available is the 24GB/2TB version, which costs $2,499. Unfortunately, neither Amazon nor B&H are currently offering discounts on this particular model. However, both retailers do stock various other 15-inch Air versions, so finding the combination of RAM and storage that suits your needs should not be difficult.
While 8GB of RAM is sufficient for most people and everyday online activities, upgrading to 16GB can help futureproof your 15-inch MacBook Air, ensuring smooth performance for years to come. Regarding storage, it is recommended to opt for at least 512GB due to the slight speed advantage over the base model’s SSDs. While the speed difference might not be noticeable in everyday use, it’s worth considering for long-term use.
The fact that US retailers have not yet reduced prices for CTO 15-inch MacBook Air models indicates that demand for these configurations remains high. However, this situation may change in the future, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for potential discounts.
For customers in Europe, local Amazon stores are offering even better discounts, with prices dropped between 12% and 14% for the 256GB and 512GB models. Unfortunately, CTO models are not currently available in Amazon Germany’s offer.
If you are eagerly awaiting the M3 MacBook Air, it’s essential to note that Apple is likely to release the M3 chip on the 13-inch model first, with the 15-inch model expected to receive the M3 upgrade sometime next year.
