Apple rarely offers discounts on its own devices, so you'll have to look elsewhere if you're hoping to find a MacBook on sale. Major retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart are good places to start, especially during major shopping events. However, it's also worth seeing what deals are available at smaller online retailers like Adorama, B&H Photo and Newegg, as they may offer some under the radar bargains that aren't being matched at larger competitors.

While Amazon, Best Buy and Adorama typically have the best prices, one benefit to paying full price and buying from Apple is that you can customize the machine, adding more RAM or a higher-capacity solid-state drive. The models sold by Amazon and other retailers have fixed configurations.It's also worth noting that you can find refurbished MacBooks on Apple's Certified Refurbished Mac page. Refurb inventory changes rapidly, so you might not always see the latest MacBook Air or Pro available. If you're on the hunt for a specific model, it's worth keeping an eye on this page because you can lock

One of the most important factors to consider is which configuration is on sale. A $500 discount might look enticing, but it may be exclusive to an upgraded version of the laptop with maxed-out specs, so you'll ultimately end up paying more for expensive hardware you may not need. Be sure to check the storage, memory, screen size and processor to make sure the configuration fits your needs and your budget.