Search for an “Apple clearance sale” and you’ll notice something strange: Apple itself never runs one. There is no clearance rack at an Apple Store, no outlet mall location, no end-of-season blowout. But real Apple clearance pricing does exist — you just have to know which channels actually discount Apple hardware and which ones only look like they do. This guide covers where the genuine discounts are in 2026, what a realistic price cut looks like, and how our own Apple clearance collection is priced.
Does Apple have a clearance section?
No. Apple protects its pricing more aggressively than almost any other electronics brand. What Apple does offer:
- Apple Certified Refurbished — Apple’s own refurb store, typically 10–15% below new. Stock is thin and current-generation models sell out fast.
- Education pricing — usually about $100 off a MacBook Air for students and teachers.
- Trade-in credit — lowers your out-of-pocket, but the sticker price never moves.
That’s it. Apple never marks products “clearance,” even when a model is discontinued — discontinued Macs simply vanish from apple.com. If you want a deeper comparison of Apple’s refurb program versus independent refurbishers, we broke it down in Refurbished Mac vs Apple Certified Refurbished.
What a realistic Apple discount looks like in 2026
| Channel | Typical discount vs new | Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Certified Refurbished | 10–15% | 1 year (Apple) |
| Big-box open-box (Best Buy, etc.) | 10–25% | Often reduced or as-is |
| Luxurious Computers clearance | Priced about 25% under the going used-market rate | 1 year, included |
Anything advertising “70% off a new MacBook” is either a scam, a listing error, or a machine with a serious problem. Real Apple discounts cluster between 10% and 40% depending on age and condition — treat anything outside that band with suspicion.
Current Apple clearance prices at Luxurious Computers
These are live prices from our clearance collection today — every unit tested, cleaned, and covered by a 1-year warranty, with free shipping on every order:
| Model | Clearance price |
|---|---|
| MacBook Air M1 (2020, 13-inch) | $569.99 |
| MacBook Air M2 (2022, 13-inch) | $974.99 |
| Mac Mini M2 (2023) | $897.99 |
| iMac 24-inch M1 (2021) | $749 |
| MacBook Air M3 (2024, 13-inch) | $849 |
| MacBook Pro M1 Pro (2021, 14-inch) | $879 |
| Apple Watch Series 9 | $299 |
| AirPods Pro (newer version) | $179 |
For reference, that MacBook Air M1 at $569.99 is less than half of what a new base MacBook Air costs — and for email, browsing, documents, and streaming, most people can’t tell the difference in daily use.
How to judge any Apple clearance deal
- Battery health — on a used Mac laptop, ask for the battery cycle count or health percentage before you pay.
- Warranty — a discount with no warranty isn’t a discount, it’s a gamble. Look for at least 90 days; ours is 1 year.
- Activation Lock — the machine must be signed out of the previous owner’s iCloud account. If a seller can’t demonstrate this, walk away.
- Return window — you want time to test the machine yourself. Check the return policy before checkout, not after.
- Price-check the used market — search sold listings for the exact model and spec. A fair clearance price sits clearly below that number.
Frequently asked questions
Does Apple ever have sales?
Almost never on its own site. Apple’s only standing discounts are Certified Refurbished and education pricing. Black Friday “Apple deals” are run by retailers — and usually take the form of gift cards rather than price cuts.
Is clearance the same as refurbished?
Not exactly. Clearance means the price has been cut to move inventory — the item can be new, open-box, or refurbished. Everything in our clearance collection is tested and refurbished hardware, which is why it ships with a full 1-year warranty.
What’s the best time of year to buy?
Right after Apple announces new models — typically March, June, September, and October. Prices on the previous generation drop across the whole used market within weeks of each announcement.
Where is Luxurious Computers located?
Marion, Ohio — and we ship everywhere in the US for free. Questions about a specific clearance unit? Call us at (740) 223-5530.