Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET
MacBooks used to have a reputation for being expensive, but not so much anymore. These days, they're some of the most affordable laptops you can get for the price. Case in point: the 13-inch MacBook Air M1 with 8GB of memory is down to just $599 at Walmart, one of the lowest prices we've seen for any MacBook.
Also: Is a refurbished MacBook worth it? I did the math, and here's my buying advice
The MacBook Air M1 was first released in 2020, but it's still relevant today for a few reasons. First, it can upgrade to MacOS 26 "Tahoe" -- the same operating system as the newest Macs.
Secondly, Apple's hardware on board is still competitive with laptops being produced today. The MacBook Air set the standard for thin and light devices, and by the numbers, is one of the lightest laptops you can get at just 2.8 pounds. So should you spring for an M1 MacBook? Let's break it down.
When MacOS 26 "Tahoe" is released in the fall of 2025, eligible MacBooks will be able to upgrade and take advantage of the new features, including an improved Spotlight feature, iPhone mirroring, and the new liquid glass interface design overhaul.
The MacBook Air M1 is eligible for the upgrade, which grants it access to these fresh features and puts it on par with the latest MacBooks. This alone makes the MacBook Air M1 competitive, even if it's not the most powerful laptop on the market.
The MacBook Air M1 chip, paired with 8GB of unified memory, makes for a lightweight laptop designed for everyday tasks -- perfect for hybrid workers who commute to the office and want something that can handle productivity workflows while multitasking across Apple's suite of apps.
Also: Your MacBook is getting a significant upgrade for free - 5 MacOS 26 features I'm trying right now
Walmart is one of the few retailers that still has stock of brand-new MacBook Air M1 laptops, as Apple has since discontinued the device from its stores. The resulting price of $599 is particularly competitive, since other retailers such as Amazon are selling the same device, but refurbished -- for a little more than $100 less.
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