The best Black Friday deals on Apple MacBook laptops, Mac desktops [Updated]

[Update: Apple once again zigs where others zag, giving out store gift cards as its Black Friday special rather than reducing prices. You will get a $150 Apple gift card with the purchase of most Macs, though the new MacBook Pro is a notable exception. Mac Mall has also released its Black Friday deals, which take various amounts off numerous Mac configurations such as $127 off the base MacBook if you choose rose gold. It also offers $270 off the base Mac Pro and $360 off the step-up config, both the lowest prices we’ve seen on those systems.]

Apple isn’t big on discounting, especially when it comes to its computers, which remain much higher priced than most Windows PCs. As hard as it’s getting to find iPad specials on Black Friday, it’s even harder to locate sales for MacBooks and iMacs. If you’re set on buying a Mac during this shopping holiday, however, there are a handful of deals we’ve tracked down below.

We’ll be updating this when and if new deals arise. Also note that some of these sales won’t be available online, or will be gone quickly, so you may have to endure all of the pain of Black Friday shopping to snatch one up.

Apple MacBook Air

Apple’s cheapest laptop, relatively speaking, is now limited to a 13.3-inch version, as the 11-inch model has been discontinued. Best Buy takes $200 off the base configuration, lowering the price to $799. It also knocks the same amount offer the $1,199 version with double the solid-state storage, as does regional retailer Fry’s. If you want to upgrade to a Core i7 processor, B&H Photo takes anywhere from $100 to $200 off, depending on the specific configuration.

Apple MacBook

The most design-conscious Apple laptop gets little discount love from Best Buy, which is selling it at the regular price. You’ll have to rely on Amazon and B&H, both of which take $100 off the two basic models (regular prices of $1,299 and $1,599, respectively) and B&H knocking $150 off the pricier configuration with a Core m7 processor update.

Apple MacBook Pro

Apple just updated its pro-level laptop, which means you aren’t likely to see deals on the controversial refresh that are more than a few dollars off. Again, the exceptions are Amazon and B&H Photo, both of which cut $100 from the base 13-inch version. B&H Photo also offers discounts ranging from $100 to $200 on additional 13-inch configurations, but does not offer any specials on the 15-inch MacBook Pro. On the other hand, there will be plenty of price cuts on the now-discontinued configurations, so if you don’t want the latest and greatest MacBook Pro, this is your chance to save on older hardware.

Apple Mac mini

The least expensive Mac of all, the diminuitive mini hasn’t been updated in a while, and doesn’t receive much in the way of discounts. Best Buy has deals that take a smidge off the price of the base $499 version ($37 off) and the step-up version ($29 off), but you’ll have better luck through Amazon, which takes $70 off either the base config or the most expensive model (normally $999). B&H matches Amazon’s savings, but slashes $100 from the middle $699 edition.

Apple iMac

Apple’s popular all-in-one has three distinct versions currently available (21.5-inch, 21.5-inch with Retina 4k display, 27-inch with Retina 5k display), all of which have deals available from the same sources as above. Best Buy has the best price on the cheapest version, the 21.5-inch system that normally runs $1,099 receives a $200 discount. In comparison, B&H only offers $100 off, but does take $120 away from the $1,299 configuration price. It also does a little better on the base Retina 4k iMac, chopping $150 off the $1,499 price whereas Best Buy offers $100 off.

Amazon joins the other two retailers in discounting the Retina 5k base model by $200, knocking the price down to $1,599. Best Buy also has sales on the other 5k configurations, taking $100 from the mid-range edition and $156 from the top-end one. You’ll have better luck at B&H, though, as it takes $170 and $250 off, respectively, from the same models.

Apple Mac Pro

You don’t buy a Mac Pro if you’re looking to save money, but just because you can spend at least $2,999 on a computer doesn’t mean you wouldn’t appreciate a discount if you can get it. Amazon and B&H take a hundred bucks off the base model’s price — Best Buy offered the same price cut, but is sold out online — while B&H slices $300 off the pricier edition that regularly costs $3,999.