If you’re looking to grab a MacBook Pro, now is definitely the time to do it. Best Buy is offering a $200 savings on the 13.3-inch version of the MacBook Pro, dropping the low-end version (4GB RAM, 500GB storage) from $1,200 to $1,000. The higher-end 13.3-inch model (8GB RAM, 750GB HDD) can be grabbed for $1,300, down from its original price of $1,500. If you’re a student, you’ll find even more savings, as the retailer is offering an additional $100 off to anyone who registers with a legitimate educational (.edu) email address. According to PCMag, you’ll want to act quickly, as a spokeswoman from Best Buy said the sale will end on Saturday, July 27.
This recent price cut may not be the only story here. Of course, when any major product sees a drop in price, there are always rumors suggesting a possible refresh – especially since Apple’s latest hardware announcement didn’t include anything related to the MacBook Pro. Apple itself is also offering a deal on MacBook Pro purchases by extending an offer to students who purchase a Mac device (or iPhone/iPod) between July 2 and September 6. Those who cash in on the deal will receive a $100 iTunes gift card (or $50 for iPhone or iPod purchases). However, Apple offers educational discounts during this time each year, so it’s no surprise to see Apple offering incentives. It is, however, unusual to see stores like Best Buy offering discounts on an Apple laptop.
Apple normally releases new mobile products in the fall – last year it was the iPhone 5, which was announced on September 12. With Apple’s education discount ending on September 6, some outlets, like the Stabley Times, think that’s when we might expect to see a revamp for Apple’s MacBook Pro line. It is entirely possible that Apple is attempting to sell as many current MacBook Pro units as it can before it unveils it’s new product. Until then, we’ll have to keep dreaming and adding to our list of what we’d love to see in a new MacBook Pro.
