Apple not sells the M1 MacBook Air as of earlier this month, discontinuing it and providing the M2 model of the Air as its entry-level mannequin as a substitute. However it appears just like the M1 Air might stay on, at the very least for some time—US retailer Walmart made some extent of asserting immediately that it might carry and promote the M1 Air in its on-line retailer and at “choose” retail areas for a much-lowered value of $699.
That is decrease than the $999 that Apple was asking for the laptop computer just some weeks in the past, and it is decrease than the $759 that the M1 Air goes for in Apple’s refurbished retailer. These costs are all for the bottom configuration of the M1 Air, with 8GB of reminiscence and 256GB of storage. Walmart affords all three shade finishes for the M1 Air—silver, gold, and house grey—however doesn’t instantly promote any variations with extra RAM or storage.
This isn’t the Air config we’d advocate to most lovers—for them, an M3 Air or a refurbished M2 mannequin with extra RAM and storage include sufficient advantages to be value the additional price. However it’s a surprisingly low value for what stays a stable entry-level laptop computer, particularly on condition that Walmart doesn’t supply every other Macs in its shops (different Macs on Walmart’s web site can be found from third-party sellers).
The strongest argument towards shopping for an M1 Air in 2024 is software program help. Traditionally, Apple has supplied new macOS variations and safety updates based mostly on the date that new Macs had been launched, which for the M1 Air is November of 2020. Apple might change its method to software program updates within the Apple Silicon period, nevertheless it has been pretty constant on this level all through the PowerPC and Intel eras.
Which means an M1 MacBook Air bought immediately might find yourself receiving two or three fewer years of software program replace help than an M3 Air bought on the identical day.
Nonetheless, that is unlikely to be an issue within the close to future. Apple continues to be supporting the final couple of mannequin years of Intel Macs, so we’re virtually actually at the very least a number of years out from any Apple Silicon fashions dropping help. However it’s one thing to bear in mind as you take into account long-term use, handing the laptop computer right down to different relations or pals, or future resale and trade-in worth.