Best Buy Offers $300 Off Apple's 15-Inch MacBook Air: A Highly Recommended Deal
Are you on the lookout for a great laptop deal? Well, you're in luck! Best Buy is currently slashing $300 off the price of Apple's 15-inch MacBook Air, making it available for just $999. That's quite a steal for a top-quality laptop.
Why ZDNET Recommends This Deal
As someone often sought after for tech advice in my social circle, I frequently face the question, "Which laptop should I buy?" My answer has consistently been Apple's MacBook Air, thanks to its winning combination of portability, performance, and affordability. And it seems my friends, or "clients" as I affectionately call them, have been satisfied with this recommendation. However, lately, I've encountered some pushback.
"People complain that the display is too small," is a common refrain I hear. "A larger version of the same laptop would be perfect." And therein lies the issue.
For the longest time, Apple's MacBook lineup presented a bit of a conundrum. Choosing the right model often boiled down to budget and display size preferences. But if you wanted a larger screen, you had to shell out for a Pro model, even if the extra power and ports were unnecessary. For most users, this seemed like overkill.
However, the introduction of the new 15-inch MacBook Air changes the game entirely. This larger-screen MacBook offers the same portability as its smaller counterpart, caters to content consumers, and somehow manages to cost just $100 more than its predecessor.
While there are some features missing that make it not quite the laptop for me, it's easily my new top recommendation for everyone else.
What's in Store with the MacBook Air 15-Inch?
In essence, besides the larger size and a few upgrades, the new 15-inch MacBook Air is essentially the same system as last year's 13-inch model, which we hailed as ZDNET's Product of the Year for its competency, portability, and price.
Design-wise, it's sleek and modern, boasting flat edges, a camera notch, and MagSafe charging. However, it lacks the extra ports found on higher-end models, which may disappoint some users.
My review unit came in Starlight, which shimmers in gold and silver hues and doesn't retain fingerprints like the Midnight variant. Overall, it's one of the better-looking 15-inch laptops I've used, a testament to Apple's maturity in MacBook design.
While the 15-inch MacBook Air is relatively lightweight at 2.7 pounds compared to other big-screen laptops, it's not exactly unnoticeable when tucked into a backpack. Nevertheless, it strikes a nice balance and is less burdensome than the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
In terms of performance, the MacBook Air handles everyday tasks with ease, thanks to its M2 chip, 8-core CPU, and now 10-core GPU. It remains near-silent even under demanding tasks like video editing.
The laptop boasts a bright and crisp display, although some users may miss the smoother 120Hz refresh rate found on Pro models.
ZDNET's Buying Advice
While the 15-inch MacBook Air may not have all the bells and whistles of its Pro counterpart, it's still an excellent choice for most users, especially with a $300 discount. Whether you're a student, a remote worker, or simply someone who appreciates a larger screen, this is the MacBook for you.
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