the wire · #gadgets · 2026-08-22
Weekend Apple deals: $500 off MacBook Pro, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Max 2 $120 off, AirTag 2, more
Cech Tech Reviews

Apple has quietly opened the floodgates on its certified refurbished inventory, and the discounts are nothing short of aggressive. According to recent reports, the M5 Pro MacBook Pro is now available with a massive five hundred dollar price cut. This is not a minor clearance event but a significant reduction that brings high-end silicon within reach of a much broader audience. For professionals who rely on local processing power, this changes the economic equation entirely.
The deal extends beyond just the powerhouse laptops. The AirPods Max 2 are seeing a one hundred twenty dollar discount, while the AirTag 2 has returned to all-time low pricing. These peripheral drops suggest Apple is clearing out older inventory to make room for the next wave of releases. It is a classic supply chain maneuver that benefits consumers who do not need the absolute latest features but still want premium build quality.
What is more interesting is the availability of the MacBook Neo and the standard M5 MacBook Air at their lowest prices ever. This indicates a strategic push to dominate the mid-range market segment. By undercutting competitors on price while maintaining the Apple ecosystem lock-in, they are securing the next generation of users. This is particularly relevant for students and freelancers who need reliable tools for daily tasks without the enterprise price tag.
The Apple Watch Series 11 is also down by one hundred dollars. This health-focused hardware is becoming increasingly integrated with AI-driven wellness insights. Getting it at a discount makes the subscription services and health tracking features more accessible. It is a smart move for anyone looking to build a comprehensive health monitoring setup without breaking the bank.
Ongoing deals on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air further round out the ecosystem. These devices are the primary interfaces for many AI assistants and mobile productivity tools. Securing a discount on these units means you can upgrade your mobile workflow without the usual premium cost. It is a rare opportunity to get flagship performance at a mid-range price point.
For AI enthusiasts, the M5 Pro MacBook Pro deal is the standout. Local AI models require significant RAM and fast storage. The M5 Pro chip is optimized for neural engine tasks, making it an ideal machine for running large language models locally. This discount reduces the barrier to entry for developers and researchers who need to test models without relying on cloud APIs. It is a rare chance to own a workstation that can handle heavy computational loads at a fraction of the cost.
What this means for you
If you are looking to build a local AI development environment, this is the moment to act. The M5 Pro MacBook Pro offers the best price-to-performance ratio for running models like Llama or Mistral locally. Try this workflow to test your new machine. Ask your AI assistant to generate a Python script that uses the Core ML framework to load a small language model and run inference on a sample text. This will help you verify the neural engine performance before you commit to larger projects.
Reporting basis: original story
← back to The Wire







