Apple has recently increased prices for Mac products, and Prime Day presents your final opportunity to avoid the price increase.
Apple surprised the market with the launch of the MacBook Neo in March 2026 at an affordable price of $599 ($499 for students), especially as most PC manufacturers were increasing their prices. However, that period is already history.
On June 25, Apple raised the prices of the MacBook Neo, M5 MacBook Air, and various MacBook Pro models by as much as $300. If you're considering purchasing a MacBook, the ongoing Prime Day 2026 sale might be your final chance to buy one at the previous pricing.
**MacBook Neo**
*Pros*
- Feels responsive for daily tasks
- Premium build without a notch
- Silent, cool operation with repairable parts
- Excellent value for money
- Available in vibrant colors
*Cons*
- Limited to two USB-C ports and one USB 2.0
- Lacks keyboard backlighting
- Mechanical trackpad
- Maxes out at 8GB RAM
Since its debut, the MacBook Neo has experienced high demand. Nonetheless, the recent $100 price increase might impede its sales momentum. If you are already part of the Apple ecosystem and want to take advantage of Continuity features, or avoid spending over $1,000 on a MacBook Air, this is still your best option.
Amazon is currently selling the Neo (256GB) for $589.99, which is actually $10 less than Apple's current educational pricing.
**13-inch M5 MacBook Air**
*Pros*
- Exceptional CPU and GPU performance
- Impressive local AI capabilities
- Base model offers 16GB RAM
- 512GB storage in the base model
- Supports seamless multi-display setups
- Offers Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0
- Lasts about 15 to 17 hours on a single charge
*Cons*
- No active cooling
- Experiences thermal throttling under heavy usage
- Display limited to a 60Hz refresh rate
- Only two USB-C ports
- Colors are somewhat dull
- Midnight color shows fingerprints easily
Having used the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air for some time, I am thoroughly impressed by its performance and portability. I can keep over 50 Chrome tabs open simultaneously, export basic videos in Final Cut Pro in just minutes, and still have enough battery for a second light-use day.
If you're looking for a more powerful and future-proof machine that can last four to five years without major issues, consider the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air (16GB, 512GB) priced at $949.00 today.
**15-inch M5 MacBook Air**
*Pros*
- Larger aluminum chassis minimizes thermal throttling
- Comes with a 10-core GPU
- Bigger display enhances immersion
- Excellent six-speaker audio system
- Spacious multitasking workspace
- Great value for the price
*Cons*
- Doesn't fit well in cramped spaces
- Display limited to 60Hz
- Only two Thunderbolt 4 ports
The 15-inch M5 MacBook Air provides slightly enhanced GPU performance and a noticeably superior speaker system (six speakers instead of four). The larger screen is particularly suited for creative tasks, making it ideal for designers working on multiple projects, video editors who prefer a wider view of their Final Cut Pro timeline, or architects who wish to see the entire rendering at once.
Although the new price for the base model is set at $1,499, you can purchase the 15-inch M5 MacBook Air on Amazon for $1,149.
**14-inch M5 MacBook Pro**
*Pros*
- Excellent CPU and GPU performance
- Handles light local AI workflows effortlessly
- 120Hz screen that is brighter than the Air
- Three Thunderbolt 4 ports and one SDXC card slot
- 1TB storage in the base model
- Outstanding battery life
- Portable design
*Cons*
- Active cooling fan can be loud under heavy loads
- Connectivity may still pose challenges for intensive users
- Five-year-old design
Despite the price increase over the MacBook Air, the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro justifies its cost for several reasons. It features a brighter ProMotion display that is better suited for professional use. Additionally, the active cooling fan and extra GPU cores compared to the 13-inch MacBook Air significantly enhance sustained performance for tasks like video editing and code compilation.
With Apple raising its price from $1,699 to $1,999, the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro is still available on Amazon for $1,549.
**16-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro**
*Pros*
- Dual-fan cooling system for effective heat management
- M5 Pro offers excellent multi-thread performance
- Powerful GPU capable of running video games
- Stunning 120Hz Liquid Retina XDR display
- Future-proof specifications
- Exceptional speaker quality
- Multi-day battery life
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