TechComputers & PCsLaptopsMy next Apple MacBook will be… on contract? Yes, really, hear me outSky is offering MacBook Air and Pro models for monthly rates that will actually make sense for many peopleWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechComputers & PCsLaptopsMy next Apple MacBook will be… on contract? Yes, really, hear me outSky is offering MacBook Air and Pro models for monthly rates that will actually make sense for many peopleWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Sky is offering MacBook Air and Pro models for monthly rates that will actually make sense for many people
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Apple)
(Image credit: Apple)
It wasn’t so long ago that I purchased a MacBook Air. To me it’s easily one ofthe best laptopsmoney can buy, so was a no-brainer when my old one gave up the ghost (graphics issue, seemingly). I ended up going for theM1-powered model from 2020though, as it was just so much more affordable at the time compared to the newerM2-powered (and better-looking model) from 2022.
Next time, however, I may not have to worry so much about that decision when seeking out mybest MacBookof the future. The news this week thatSky is to offer Apple MacBook on contractwas something I initially shrugged off: “Surely that’ll cost loads more?” was my initial assumption. But that’s actuallynotthe case.
Having looked into the figuresSky’s proposition will make sense for many people– myself included. I’ve assembled a quick-glance table below so you can see the up-front cost and monthly rates over three- and four-year terms for different products, plus the difference in total compared to outright purchase.
Swipe to scroll horizontallyRow 0 - Cell 0MacBook Air M1 (2020)MacBook Air M2 15in (2023)MacBook Pro 16in M2 (2023)Monthly (24m) + one-off = term total£31 + £24 = £768£41 + £24 = £1008£79 + £36 = £1932Monthly (36m) + one-off = term total£22 + £12 = £804£30 + £24 = £1104£58 + £36 = £2124Outright purchase from Apple£999£1399£2,699
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Row 0 - Cell 0MacBook Air M1 (2020)MacBook Air M2 15in (2023)MacBook Pro 16in M2 (2023)Monthly (24m) + one-off = term total£31 + £24 = £768£41 + £24 = £1008£79 + £36 = £1932Monthly (36m) + one-off = term total£22 + £12 = £804£30 + £24 = £1104£58 + £36 = £2124Outright purchase from Apple£999£1399£2,699
Now these contract deals are a bit like leasing a MacBook in a way: if you pick the 24-month contract then after two years you can switch your MacBook choice out for a newer model (at whatever the then pricing is, of course) later down the line. And given the typical annual hardware refresh –M3 is said to be around the corner, and staggeringly powerful– and how products degrade over time, I think a two-to-three-year refresh cycle is bang on.
When it comes to buying new cars, too, given the price of electric vehicles, choosingone of the best EVstypically means monthly cost on lease, knowing you’ll never fully own the vehicle. Buying a MacBook in a sort-of similar way also makes sense – but the crucial thing, as per my table above, is that you don’t get a massive sting on up-front cost or equivalent value compared to buying the product outright fromApple(assuming, of course, that you’d be upgrading device every two or three years or more only).
So what’s the catch – there’s got to be something, right? Well, Sky isn’t really a laptop dealer, y’know, it’s a broadcaster that offers packages for TV, broadband and fixed-line and mobile telephony services. So you can’t ‘get away’ with nabbing a MacBook without adding on an additional data service. But that’s not necessarily as outlandish as you may imagine.
There is, for example, a 100MB/month add-on that costs nothing for 12 months, likely to rise to £5/month thereafter. A little strange, perhaps, given that no Apple MacBook features a SIM slot for cellular connectivity on the go. So unless you already have a mobile phone package with Sky, this is where some additional costs could push your decision the other way – but I don’t think they’re so overbearing that the package deals become untenable.
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Indeed, if my MacBook Air was to go kaput outside of warranty then, without any reserve savings, paying a manageable sum per month would make sense for me. So my next MacBook will probably be on contract. Who’d have thought it, eh?
Today’s best Apple Macbook Air 2020, Apple MacBook Air M2 2022, Apple MacBook Pro 13 2022, Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 2023 and Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 2023 dealsApple Macbook Air (2020)$571.97ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Air M2 2022$999$849.95ViewSee all pricesApple Macbook Pro 13 (2022)$1,299$1,114.95ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Pro (2023)$2,499$1,799.95ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Pro (2023)$2,699$2,149.95ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Macbook Air 2020, Apple MacBook Air M2 2022, Apple MacBook Pro 13 2022, Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 2023 and Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 2023 dealsApple Macbook Air (2020)$571.97ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Air M2 2022$999$849.95ViewSee all pricesApple Macbook Pro 13 (2022)$1,299$1,114.95ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Pro (2023)$2,499$1,799.95ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Pro (2023)$2,699$2,149.95ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Macbook Air 2020, Apple MacBook Air M2 2022, Apple MacBook Pro 13 2022, Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 2023 and Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 2023 dealsApple Macbook Air (2020)$571.97ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Air M2 2022$999$849.95ViewSee all pricesApple Macbook Pro 13 (2022)$1,299$1,114.95ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Pro (2023)$2,499$1,799.95ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Pro (2023)$2,699$2,149.95ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Macbook Air 2020, Apple MacBook Air M2 2022, Apple MacBook Pro 13 2022, Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 2023 and Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 2023 deals
Apple Macbook Air (2020)$571.97ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Air M2 2022$999$849.95ViewSee all pricesApple Macbook Pro 13 (2022)$1,299$1,114.95ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Pro (2023)$2,499$1,799.95ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Pro (2023)$2,699$2,149.95ViewSee all prices
Apple Macbook Air (2020)$571.97ViewSee all prices
Apple Macbook Air (2020)$571.97ViewSee all prices
Apple Macbook Air (2020)
Apple Macbook Air (2020)
$571.97View
$571.97
$571.97
See all prices
Apple MacBook Air M2 2022$999$849.95ViewSee all prices
Apple MacBook Air M2 2022$999$849.95ViewSee all prices
Apple MacBook Air M2 2022
Apple MacBook Air M2 2022
$999$849.95View
$999$849.95
$849.95
See all prices
Apple Macbook Pro 13 (2022)$1,299$1,114.95ViewSee all prices
Apple Macbook Pro 13 (2022)$1,299$1,114.95ViewSee all prices
Apple Macbook Pro 13 (2022)
Apple Macbook Pro 13 (2022)
$1,299$1,114.95View
$1,299$1,114.95
$1,114.95
See all prices
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Pro (2023)$2,499$1,799.95ViewSee all prices
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Pro (2023)$2,499$1,799.95ViewSee all prices
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Pro (2023)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M2 Pro (2023)
$2,499$1,799.95View
$2,499$1,799.95
$1,799.95
See all prices
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Pro (2023)$2,699$2,149.95ViewSee all prices
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Pro (2023)$2,699$2,149.95ViewSee all prices
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Pro (2023)
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Pro (2023)
$2,699$2,149.95View
$2,699$2,149.95
$2,149.95
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
TOPICSapple
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