Apple’s new MacBook Air and Mac Mini are already discounted

Today's Dealmaster is headlined by a couple of early deals on the entry-level models of Apple's latest MacBook Air and Mac Mini. The former is down to $950 at Amazon, a $50 discount, while the latter is down to $699 at B&H, a $100 discount. These offers are fairly modest, but they're still noteworthy considering Apple only launched the new computers a couple weeks ago.

We gave the new MacBook Air a favorable review earlier this month, calling it "a really good laptop, and easy to recommend." Have a look there for the full rundown, but the new Air is still very well-built, now comes with more base storage at 256GB, and most importantly, comes with a new "Magic Keyboard" that should be much more agreeable and durable than the ultra-low-travel "butterfly" keyboards of recent models.

The new Mac Mini, meanwhile, is essentially identical to the refreshed model Apple released in 2018, but with the base storage bumped from 128GB to 256GB. Otherwise, it remains the lowest-cost and most compact way to bring macOS into a desktop environment for more casual tasks. This offer is $200 cheaper than the previous-gen 256GB Mac Mini's current going rate.

It's important to put these deals in context, though. Both of the entry-level Macs here run on Core i3 chips and 8GB of RAM, so their performance levels won't give spectacular value compared to what you can get from similarly priced Windows Ultrabooks and mini PCs. We recommend jumping up to at least the Core i5 models of each if you can afford it, and even then the MacBook Air can run hot and loud if you stress it over time. You may also have to pick up a USB-C dongle either way—the Mac Mini comes with two USB-A ports and four Thunderbolt 3 ports, while the new MacBook Air has just two Thunderbolt 3 ports.

That said, we realize that it's macOS or bust for a big swath of the computer-buying population, so if you're in the market for a new Mac today and can't stretch your budget too far, it's worth knowing that you can save some cash here instead of buying directly from Apple.

If you don't need a new PC, though, we also have great deals on refurbished Bose noise-cancelling headphones, several discounts on Nintendo Switch accessories, and a buy-two, get-one-free sale at Amazon that includes a number of board games and video games we've previously approved of. Have a look at the full rundown below.

Note: Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs.

Top 10 deals of the day

• Apple MacBook Air (early 2020) laptop - Intel Core i3-1000NG4, 13.3-inch 2560x1600, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Magic Keyboard for $949.99 at Amazon (normally $999).
• Apple Mac Mini (early 2020) mini desktop - Intel Core i3-8100B, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $699 at B&H (normally $799).
• Buy two, get one free with various board games and video games at Amazon.
• Certified refurb: Bose QuietComfort 35 II Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones for $199.95 at Bose via eBay (normally $349).
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch) for $49.49 at Google Shopping and Target (normally $59.99).
• PowerA Joy-Con Charging Dock for Nintendo Switch for $14.98 at Amazon (normally $19.99).
• HORI Split Pad Pro (Daemon X Machina Edition) handheld controllers for Nintendo Switch for $40.31 at Amazon (normally $49.99).
• Spend $20 on Kindle eBooks, get $5 in Kindle eBook credit at Amazon (normally $25).
• Anker PowerWave Pad 10W Max Qi wireless charger - 10W Galaxy/7.5W iPhone, no AC adapter for $8.99 at Amazon (normally $10.99).
• Razer Viper wired gaming mouse for $59.99 at Amazon (normally $79.99).

Laptop and desktop PC deals

• Apple MacBook Air (early 2020) laptop - Intel Core i3-1000NG4, 13.3-inch 2560x1600, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Magic Keyboard for $949.99 at Amazon (normally $999).
• Apple Mac Mini (early 2020) mini desktop - Intel Core i3-8100B, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $699 at B&H (normally $799).
• 27-inch Asus VG278Q gaming monitor - 1080p, 144Hz, TN, FreeSync, G-Sync Compatible for $199.99 at Newegg (normally $239).
• WD My Book (12TB) external desktop hard drive for $184.99 at B&H (discount seen in cart - normally $259.99).

Video game deals

• Buy two, get one free with various board games and video games at Amazon.
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch) for $49.49 at Google Shopping and Target (normally $59.99).
• Super Mario Odyssey (Switch) for $49.99 at Google Shopping and Target (normally $59.99).
• Humble Conquer COVID-19 bundle: various PC games and e-books for $30 at Humble.
• Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (XB1, digital) for $5.99 at Amazon (normally $19.99).
• Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition (XB1, digital) for $4.50 at Amazon (normally $14.99).
• Control (PS4, digital) for $23.99 at PlayStation Store (normally $40).
• Death Stranding (PS4) for $29.99 at Walmart and Amazon (normally $45).
• Days Gone (PS4) for $19.99 at Walmart (normally $27).
• Bloodborne (PS4) for $14.99 at Walmart (normally $19.99).
• Journey to the Savage Planet (PS4) for $19.99 at Walmart and Amazon (normally $29.99).
• Octopath Traveler (Switch, digital) for $29.99 at Nintendo eShop (normally $49.99).
• Resident Evil 2 (XB1, digital) for $19.99 at Microsoft (normally $29.99).
• Kingdom Hearts III (PS4) for $20 at Walmart (normally $24.99).
• Deadly Premonition Origins (Switch) for $30.95 at Amazon (normally $39.99).
• Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night (XB1) for $19.99 at Amazon (normally $29.99).
• Dark Souls Remastered (PS4) for $16.03 at Amazon (normally $19.99).
• Shenmue III (PS4) for $27.49 at Amazon (normally $37).
• Pre-order: Cyberpunk 2077 (PS4, XB1) for $49.94 at Walmart and Amazon (normally $59.99).

Gaming deals

• PowerA Joy-Con Charging Dock for Nintendo Switch for $14.98 at Amazon (normally $19.99).
• HORI Split Pad Pro (Daemon X Machina Edition) handheld controllers for Nintendo Switch for $40.31 at Amazon (normally $49.99).
• Nintendo Switch Pro Controller for $59 at Walmart and Amazon (normally $69).
• HORI Multiport USB Playstand for Nintendo Switch - 4x USB 2.0 for $29.97 at Amazon (normally $34).
• Microsoft Xbox One S All-Digital Edition (1TB) - no disc drive for $169.99 at Amazon (normally $199.99).
• Razer BlackWidow TE Chroma V2 mechanical gaming keyboard - Razer Orange switches for $69.99 at Amazon (normally $119.99).
• Razer Viper wired gaming mouse for $59.99 at Amazon (normally $79.99).

TV and home entertainment deals

• 65-inch Sony X900F (2018 model) 4K HDR LED TV for $998 at Walmart and Amazon (normally $1,098).
• Certified refurb: Sonos Playbar wireless soundbar for $499 at eBay (normally $699).
• Select Prime users: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K HDR media streamer for $24.99 at Amazon (discount seen at checkout - normally $49.99).

Electronics deals

• Certified refurb: Bose QuietComfort 35 II Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones for $199.95 at Bose via eBay (normally $349).
• Certified refurb: Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones for $279.95 at Bose via eBay (normally $399).
• Eufy RoboVac 11S robot vacuum for $159.99 at Amazon (normally $219.99).
• Amazon Echo Show 8 (2-pack) smart display for $199.99 at Amazon (add two to cart and use code: SHOW82PK - normally $230).
• Apple Watch Series 5 (40mm, Gold + Pink) for $349.99 at Amazon (discount seen at checkout - normally $384).
• OnePlus 7T (8GB RAM, 128GB) unlocked smartphone for $499 at OnePlus (normally $599).
• Klipsch The One II home Bluetooth speaker for $187 at Amazon (normally $250).
• Sony WF-1000XM3 wireless noise-cancelling earphones for $198 at Walmart and Amazon (normally $228).
• Anker Soundcore Flare portable Bluetooth speaker for $39.99 at Amazon (clip $10 coupon - normally $55).

Accessories and miscellaneous deals

• Spend $20 on Kindle eBooks, get $5 in Kindle eBook credit at Amazon (normally $25).
• Anker PowerLine (6ft) USB-A to Lightning cable for $8.49 at Amazon (normally $9.99).
• Anker PowerWave Stand 10W Max Qi wireless charger - 10W Galaxy/7.5W iPhone, no AC adapter for $13.99 at Amazon (normally $19.99).
• Anker PowerWave Pad 10W Max Qi wireless charger - 10W Galaxy/7.5W iPhone, no AC adapter for $8.99 at Amazon (normally $10.99).
• $100 Hulu e-gift card + $15 Best Buy e-gift card for $100 at Best Buy (normally $115).
• Amazon FreeTime Unlimited 1-year Family Plan membership for $19.99 at Amazon (select from drop-down menu - normally $69).
• Logitech Crayon stylus for iPad for $34.99 at Verizon (normally $55).
• Anker PowerPort I USB desktop wall charger - 60W total, 30W USB-C PD, 4x USB-A for $32.99 at Amazon (clip $17 coupon - normally $49.99).
• RAVPower FileHub Plus wireless travel router + portable battery - 2.4GHz, 6000mAh, SD for $24.99 at Amazon (clip $5 coupon and use code: WD030E3U - normally $41.99).