Walmart begins selling the Mac for the first time: M1 MacBook Air for $699

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Apple’s decision to sell the M1 MacBook Air through Walmart for $699 is seen as a notable shift in Mac pricing and channel strategy, potentially aimed at clearing older inventory while reaching more price-sensitive buyers. Commenters weigh the trade-offs between this three‑year‑old, 8GB/256GB Mac’s build quality, battery life, and ecosystem integration versus similarly priced Windows laptops that offer more RAM and storage but weaker user experience or durability. Many view the deal as excellent value for typical users, while others question the long-term viability of 8GB RAM, Apple’s macOS support window, and the lack of hardware upgradability.

Price, positioning, and retail strategy

  • $699 for an M1 MacBook Air is widely seen as a strong deal; some call it a “steal,” others say it’s still not cheap compared to past discounts.
  • Several think Apple uses Walmart (and similar channels) to hit a sub‑$999 price point without lowering prices on its own site.
  • Debate on whether this is a one‑off liquidation of aging M1 stock vs. a durable “entry tier” strategy to bring lower‑income or first‑time buyers into the Apple ecosystem.
  • Some speculate Walmart may have a specific configuration or negotiated pricing leverage, but details are unclear.

Value versus Windows and other laptops

  • Comparisons to similarly priced Lenovo ThinkPad P14s and ASUS VivoBook: those often have more RAM and storage but worse battery life, plastic chassis, and weaker displays.
  • Many argue that for non‑gaming use, overall experience (screen, keyboard, trackpad, battery, build quality) matters more than raw specs.
  • Others counter that if you can get double the RAM and more SSD for the same price, that’s compelling for many users.

Hardware specs: RAM, storage, and performance

  • 8GB RAM is heavily debated:
    • Some say it’s already insufficient, especially for heavy browser + creative workflows.
    • Others report 8GB M1 machines feeling fast with minimal swap for typical office/browsing work.
  • Apple’s RAM/SSD upgrade pricing is widely criticized as excessive.

Longevity, OS support, and repairability

  • M1 support is expected into the late 2020s; some are satisfied with ~6–8 years of updates, others want 10–15+ years and dislike forced obsolescence.
  • Apple’s refusal to allow official installation of newer macOS on older hardware is a sticking point.
  • Soldered storage is criticized for limiting repairability; batteries are seen as easier and cheaper to replace.

Battery life, build quality, and UX

  • M1 Air’s fanless design, long battery life, and aluminum unibody are repeatedly praised.
  • Several report poor durability and battery life on recent ThinkPads and other Windows laptops.
  • Apple’s trackpad and overall polish are often cited as major advantages; ThinkPad keyboards are defended as superior by some.

Ecosystem and alternative OSes

  • Integration with iPhone/App Store and Airdrop is seen as a plus for many buyers.
  • Others plan to avoid Apple due to OS support policies and favor Framework, Tuxedo, Linux, or BSD.
  • Asahi Linux and OpenBSD support on M1 are mentioned as future paths for extending device life.

Availability and regional pricing

  • Costco has offered similar M1 Air deals (sometimes lower), though stock and pricing are inconsistent.
  • European commenters note significantly higher prices due to VAT and regional pricing, making the Walmart deal look especially attractive from abroad.