If you are waiting for MacBook prices to drop, 2026 has been a frustrating year: Apple raised new Mac prices instead of cutting them. The drops are happening on the used market, where every generation keeps getting cheaper. This guide shows how far each MacBook has fallen, what they cost on Swappa right now, and whether to buy now or wait.
Quick Answer
New MacBook prices are not dropping in 2026. Apple raised them by $100 to $300 on June 25, 2026, and it rarely cuts prices on current models. Used MacBook prices are what fall, gradually over time and in steps when newer models ship. As of September 25, 2026, an M1 MacBook Air sells for about $369 on Swappa, roughly 63% below its launch price, and an M2 MacBook Air for about $626. If you need a MacBook, buying used now beats waiting. Shop used MacBooks on Swappa.
Why New MacBook Prices Went Up in 2026
On June 25, 2026, Apple raised MacBook and iPad prices, citing a global memory shortage driven by AI data center demand. The increases landed hardest on memory- and storage-heavy configurations.
| New Model | Before June 25, 2026 | After | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook Neo | $599 | $699 | +$100 |
| MacBook Air (512GB) | $1,099 | $1,299 | +$200 |
| MacBook Pro (1TB) | $1,699 | $1,999 | +$300 |
Apple followed with a $100 increase on the iPhone lineup in September. For the full story, see Apple Hiked Mac Prices. Buy a Used Mac Instead.. The takeaway for buyers: waiting for Apple to discount new Macs is unlikely to pay off this year.
How Much Used MacBook Prices Have Dropped
Used prices tell a different story. Here is how far each MacBook has fallen from its launch price, based on Swappa average sale prices as of September 25, 2026.
| MacBook | Launch Price | Average Sale Price on Swappa | Below Launch Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020), 256GB | $1,299 | $421 | About 68% |
| MacBook Pro 14-inch (M1 Pro 8-core, 2021), 512GB | $1,999 | $699 | About 65% |
| MacBook Air (M1, 2020), 256GB | $999 | $369 | About 63% |
| MacBook Air 13-inch (M2, 2022), 256GB | $1,199 | $626 | About 48% |
| MacBook Air 13-inch (M3, 2024), 256GB | $1,099 | $726 | About 34% |
| MacBook Air 13-inch (M4, 2025), 256GB | $999 | $870 | About 13% |
| MacBook Neo (2026), 256GB | $599 | $569 | About 5% (19% below today’s $699) |
The pattern is consistent: the longer a MacBook has been out, the further its price has fallen, and the oldest Apple silicon models are now close to their floor. The newest models have held their value well so far, which also leaves them the most room to fall. Each sale price links to that model’s Swappa price history, which updates as new sales come in, so check it before you buy. For how this compares with other devices, see Tech Depreciation: How Fast Electronics Lose Value.
When Used MacBook Prices Tend to Drop
Three events move used MacBook prices more than anything else:
- A new generation ships. When Apple releases new MacBooks, more owners upgrade and list their old ones, and prices for the previous generations step down. The effect builds as the new models reach customers and more used listings appear.
- Apple ends software support. macOS 27 Golden Gate, released September 14, 2026, runs only on Apple silicon. Intel MacBooks lost major-update support, and their prices will keep sliding as a result.
- Age. Every year a model gets older, its price drifts lower even without a launch. The drop is steepest for the newest models.
Retail sales events like Black Friday mostly discount current models at big-box stores. Compare any deal against the used price for the same generation before you buy.
Should You Buy Now or Wait?
Buy now if you need a MacBook in the next few months, or you are shopping for an M1 or M2 model. Those prices are already near their floor, and waiting saves little.
Wait if you specifically want a recent model, such as the M4 MacBook Air, the M5 MacBook Air or the M5 14-inch MacBook Pro, and can hold off. Newer generations have the most room to fall, and each new Apple release pushes them down.
Do not wait for a rumor. Reports of upcoming MacBooks, including an M6 MacBook Pro, are rumors until Apple announces them. Planning a purchase around one can leave you waiting months for a drop that is smaller than expected.
Where the Value Is Right Now
- Lowest price: the M1 MacBook Air, about $369 with 256GB. It runs macOS 27 and handles everyday work easily.
- Best balance: the M2 MacBook Air, about $626, with a modern design and MagSafe.
- Best pro value: the 14-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro, about $699 with 512GB, with a mini-LED display and a full set of ports.
- Newest budget option: the MacBook Neo, starting around $509 used.
To compare every generation side by side, browse used MacBook Air listings or used MacBook Pro listings on Swappa.
For detailed picks by budget, see Best Cheap MacBook in 2026: Used Air, Pro and MacBook Neo, and for every generation compared, see Used MacBook Buyer’s Guide: Air vs. Pro, M1 to M5 (2026).
Skip Intel MacBooks no matter how low they go. macOS 26 Tahoe was their final major update.
Buying a Used MacBook Safely
Every Swappa listing is reviewed by staff before it goes live, and MacBooks must be fully functional and signed out of the previous owner’s Apple Account. Payments run through PayPal with buyer protection, the 3% buyer fee is already included in the listing price, and if a MacBook is not as described you are entitled to a return and refund. Before you buy, confirm the chip, memory, storage, and battery cycle count in the listing. See How to Inspect a Used Laptop Before You Buy.
Selling a MacBook? Sell Before the Next Step Down
The same pattern works against sellers. Your MacBook is worth the most today, and its price will step down when Apple’s next generation ships. Apple also raised Mac trade-in values on September 15, 2026, so compare Apple’s quote with Swappa sale prices for your model. See How to Sell Your MacBook in 2026: Wipe, Prepare, Get Paid, or start a listing.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do MacBook prices drop?
New MacBook prices rarely drop at Apple, and in June 2026 they went up. Used MacBook prices drop steadily with age and step down when Apple ships a new generation, because more owners upgrade and list their old models. The oldest Apple silicon MacBooks are already near their lowest prices.
Will MacBook prices go down in 2026?
New MacBook prices are unlikely to go down in 2026 after Apple raised them by $100 to $300 on June 25, 2026, because of higher memory costs. Used MacBook prices continue to fall. As of September 25, 2026, an M1 MacBook Air sold for about $369 on Swappa.
Should I wait for the M6 MacBook?
Only if you specifically want the newest model and can wait with no firm date. An M6 MacBook has not been announced, so any timing is a rumor. If you need a laptop now, a used M1 MacBook Air or M2 MacBook Air is already close to its lowest price.
How much value does a MacBook lose per year?
It varies by model. Based on Swappa sale prices in September 2026, the M4 MacBook Air sells for about 13% below its launch price after roughly a year and a half, the M3 about 34% below after two and a half years, the M2 about 48% below after four years, and the M1 about 63% below after almost six years.
Are MacBooks cheaper on Black Friday?
Retailers sometimes discount current MacBook models around Black Friday, but Apple itself rarely does. Used MacBooks from previous generations are usually cheaper than any Black Friday price on a new model, and used prices do not depend on a single sale day.
The Bottom Line
MacBook prices are dropping in 2026, just not at the Apple Store. New prices went up in June, while used MacBooks keep falling with age and with every new generation. If you need a MacBook now, the M1 and M2 MacBook Air are already near their floor on Swappa, and waiting for a rumored launch is unlikely to save much.
