X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert deal-hunting staff showcases the best price drops and discounts from reputable sellers daily. If you make a purchase using our links, CNET may earn a commission.

Get Back to School Ready With This $599 Apple 13-Inch M1 MacBook Air

This laptop is great for students, writers and just about everyone else -- especially at this low, low price.

Headshot of Oliver Haslam
Headshot of Oliver Haslam
Oliver Haslam Writer
Oliver Haslam has been writing about phones, computers, games, and anything else that takes a battery or plugs in for more than he'd like to admit. With a focus on mobile and laptops, Oliver is never too far away from whatever social network is trending today and is never short of an opinion to share.
Expertise Apple, phones, laptops, smartwatches, mobile accessories, gaming, apps
Headshot of Palash Volvoikar
Headshot of Palash Volvoikar
Palash Volvoikar Writer
Palash has been writing about technology (and entertainment) for over a decade. His focus has been on the evolution of computing, ranging from smartphones to PC builds and everything in between. You can reach him at lepalash(at)gmail(dot)com, or on Twitter @Whipalash.
Expertise Personal computers, smartphones, and gadgets in general. Credentials
  • 10 years writing about technology professionally.
Oliver Haslam
Palash Volvoikar
2 min read
An open Apple laptop against a green CNET background.
Apple/CNET

You may be eyeing Apple's latest M4 MacBook Air, but, in reality, most people probably don't need quite so much performance. Instead, consider picking up the M1 MacBook Air, a model that ushered in the new era of Apple M-series chips in 2020. It has a gorgeous 13-inch display, a fast chip and a great keyboard.

The best part? You can now get the device for just $599 at Walmart. This deal is available to everyone who wants to take advantage of it, but we suggest ordering soon -- we don't know how long this $50 discount will last. The good news? You can choose from three different colors when ordering.

The M1 MacBook Air has an Apple M1 chip, which includes an eight-core CPU and a seven-core GPU. That chip is backed up by 8GB of RAM and a fast 256GB solid-state drive. And the 13.3-inch display promises sharp text and vibrant colors, with a resolution of 2,560x1,600 pixels.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

This MacBook Air is silent because it lacks a fan and sports a long-lasting battery that can run for up to 18 hours between charges. Factor in support for Apple's latest macOS software updates and tight integration with other Apple hardware, like the iPhone and iPad, and this extremely capable laptop is hard to beat at this price. It also makes a great option for teens or college students who want to be in the Apple ecosystem but don't want to spend the big bucks on the M4 models.

Don't worry if this deal isn't for you, though. Feel free to peruse our other top laptop deals and check back often since we'll be updating these pages throughout this sale event.

Why this deal matters

The M1 MacBook Air is the best MacBook you can get on a budget. It marked the beginning of a new era for Apple, delivering significant performance and efficiency gains over its Intel-powered MacBooks.

Although we've seen newer chips from Apple, the M1 is still powerful. It also has a thin, light and fanless design and offers solid battery life. At under $600, it's difficult to find a laptop that will tick as many of the right boxes as this one.