MacBooks hold their price better than almost any other laptop brand, which makes "cheap MacBook" feel like a contradiction. It isn't — but getting a genuine discount means understanding exactly what you're trading off. There are three real paths, each with a different balance of savings and risk.
Path 1: New, but an older or entry model
The cheapest way to buy a genuinely new MacBook is to buy the current entry-level MacBook Air rather than a Pro model, and to avoid upgrading RAM or storage at checkout — Apple's upgrade pricing is consistently poor value. Buy the base configuration and, if you need more storage, use an external SSD instead.
Where to find genuine discounts on new stock
JB Hi-Fi and Officeworks periodically discount current-generation MacBooks by $100-$200 during EOFY, Click Frenzy and Black Friday sales. Apple's own education pricing (available to students, staff and parents purchasing for a student) also knocks a meaningful amount off list price year-round.
Path 2: Apple Certified Refurbished
Apple's own refurbished store sells previous-generation MacBooks that have been inspected, tested and come in new packaging with a full standard warranty (same as buying new) — typically 10-15% below the equivalent new price. This is the lowest-risk way to save meaningfully on a MacBook, since you get Apple's own quality control and support.
The trade-off: stock is limited and rotates unpredictably, so you can't always get the exact configuration you want on any given day.
Path 3: Used MacBooks
The biggest savings — sometimes 30-50% off — come from buying used, whether through marketplace listings or a dedicated used-electronics retailer. This carries the most risk and requires real diligence.
Before buying a used MacBook, always check
- Battery cycle count and health, via System Settings → Battery — avoid anything above 80% degradation unless priced accordingly
- That it isn't linked to someone else's Apple ID (Activation Lock) — ask the seller to sign out of Find My before handover
- The exact model year and chip, since Apple's naming across generations is easy to confuse — cross-check the serial number on Apple's support site
- Screen and keyboard for signs of liquid damage or the "flexgate" screen issue on some older Intel models
Apple Silicon (M-series) vs older Intel MacBooks
If you're buying used or refurbished, strongly prefer an Apple Silicon (M1 or newer) MacBook over an older Intel model, even if the Intel option is cheaper. Apple Silicon models run cooler, get significantly better battery life, and receive many more years of macOS updates ahead of them — an ageing Intel MacBook may already be close to losing update support.
Is a cheap MacBook actually cheaper than a Windows laptop?
Rarely, in raw price — even a heavily discounted MacBook typically costs more than a comparably specced Windows laptop at the budget end. The case for stretching to a MacBook is about longevity and resale value: MacBooks tend to remain usable and hold resale value for longer than budget Windows laptops, which can make the total cost of ownership more competitive over 4-5 years, even if the upfront price is higher.
Final thoughts
For most budget-conscious buyers, Apple Certified Refurbished is the sweet spot — a real discount without giving up the warranty and quality assurance that makes buying a MacBook worthwhile in the first place. Reserve the used marketplace route for buyers comfortable doing their own diligence, and always prioritise Apple Silicon models over older Intel stock regardless of price.