Apple Computer Sales - Mac Deals

The Apple Store dropped prices on a trio of factory-refurbished MacBook Pro laptops, as listed below. With free shipping, that's at least a $40 cut and puts each model at the lowest total price we've seen. All come with a 1-year Apple warranty, the same as new models. The models:

• Refurb MacBook Pro MD103LL/A i7 Quad 15.4" w/ 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD for $1,449 ($40 drop)
• refurb MacBook Pro MD322LL/A i7 Quad 15.4" w/ 4GB RAM, 750GB HDD for $1,499 ($90 drop)
• refurb MacBook Pro MC975LL/A i7 Quad 15.4" Retina w/ 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $1,599 ($80 drop)

MegaMacs offers the refurbished Apple iMac Intel Core i3 3.2GHz 27" Desktop, model no. MC510LL/A, for $1,549.99 plus around $36 for shipping. That's the lowest total price we could find for a refurbished unit with this configuration. Features include an Intel Core i3 3.2GHz dual-core processor, 27" 2560x1440 widescreen LCD, 8GB RAM, 2TB hard drive, Radeon HD 5670 512MB graphics, SuperDrive, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, AirPort Extreme, iSight, and Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. Deal ends May 29.

No warranty information is provided.

MegaMacs offers the refurbished Apple Mac Pro Xeon Quad-Core 2.8GHz Workstation, model no. MA970LL/A, for $949.99 plus around $32 for shipping. That's $2 under our mention of a refurb from last month and $71 under the lowest total price we could find for a used unit with two quad-core processors (this unit only has one). It features an Intel Xeon 5300 Series 2.8GHz quad-core processor, 6GB RAM, 500GB hard drive, NVIDIA 8800 GT 512MB graphics, dual-layer DVD burner, Bluetooth, and more. Deal ends May 29.

Of note, an OS is installed on this system, but it's unclear which version. A 30-day MegaMacs warranty applies.

Expercom offers the Apple Mac Pro Intel Xeon 8-Core 2.4GHz Workstation, model no. MC561LL/A, for $2,099 plus $27.50 for shipping. That's $522 under the lowest total price we could find for a refurb direct from Apple (this one's new). It features two Intel Xeon 5100 2.4GHz quad-core processors (8 cores total), 6GB RAM, 1TB 7200 rpm hard drive, SuperDrive, ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB video card, and Mac OS X 10.7 Lion.

Of note, scroll down and add three years of AppleCare for an additional $100. That's tied with last week's mention.

The Apple Store continues to offer a selection of factory-refurbished Apple Mac Pro workstations, as listed below. Plus, all systems receive free shipping. At up to $850 off, each system is tied with our March mention as the lowest total price we could find. Plus, all are lower than the best price we could find for a new unit, typically by wide margins. A 1-year warranty applies, the same as new systems. Items are removed from Apple's site when they sell out. The deals:

• Refurbished Apple MC560LL/A Mac Pro Quad-Core Xeon 2.8GHz Workstation for $1,819
• refurbished Apple MD770LL/A Mac Pro Quad-Core Xeon 3.2GHz Workstation for $2,139
• refurbished Apple MC561LL/A Mac Pro 8-Core Xeon 2.4GHz Workstation for $2,649
• refurbished Apple MD771LL/A Mac Pro 12-Core Xeon 2.4GHz Workstation for $3,239
• shop for more refurbished Apple Mac Pro Workstations at The Apple Store

The Apple Store continues to discount a selection of factory-refurbished MacBook Air laptops, as listed below. Plus, each qualifies for free shipping. At up to $300 off, that's tied last week's mention and the lowest total price we could find for these systems. Each carries a 1-year Apple warranty, the same as new units. Items are removed from The Apple Store when sold out. Note that these systems are eligible for the OS X Mountain Lion Up-to-Date Program. Notables, each at least $90 under the lowest total price we could find for a new unit:

• Refurb MacBook Air MD223LL/A Intel Core i5 1.7GHz 11.6" 64GB SSD (pictured) for $849
• refurb MacBook Air MD224LL/A Intel Core i5 1.7GHz 11.6" 128GB SSD for $909
• refurb MacBook Air MD231LL/A Intel Core i5 1.8GHz 13.3" 128GB SSD for $999
• browse for more discounted refurbished MacBook Air laptops at the Apple Store

Other World Computing offers the OWC Data Doubler Optical to SATA Drive Converter Bracket for MacBook and MacBook Pro (pictured), model no. DDAMBS0GB, for $44.99 with free shipping. (Newer Galaxy Distribution Company via Amazon charges the same.) That's tied with our mention from last week as the lowest total price we could find by $22. This bracket allows you to add up to 1TB of internal storage to your MacBook or MacBook Pro in place of the optical drive. It comes with a 5-piece toolkit, screws, and installation guide.

Also available from Other World Computing is the OWC Data Doubler SSD/2.5" Hard Drive Installation Kit for Mac mini, model no. DIYIMM11D2, for $34.99 with free shipping. (Newer Galaxy Distribution Company via Amazon charges the same.) That's $10 off and tied with last week's mention for the lowest total price we could find. This kit allows you to add a 9.5mm or smaller 2.5" SATA Hard Drive or SSD to your 2011, 2012, or later Mac mini. It also comes with a toolkit and installation guide.

MacMall cuts up to $1,099 off select Apple laptops, monitors, RAM, SSDs, iPhones, iPads, hard drives, and more as part of its Memorial Day Sale. That's tied with our mention from last week as the best general sale we've seen from this merchant recently. (It beats our March mention of a similar sale, with up to $849 off.) Shipping starts at $3.99, but orders over $25 qualify for free shipping. Sale ends May 31.

The Apple Store discounts select factory-refurbished non-Retina unibody MacBook Pro laptops. With free shipping, that's tied with our mention from a week ago with many models at the lowest total price we've seen. All come with a 1-year Apple warranty, the same as new Macs. Items are removed from Apple's site when they sell out. Notables:

• refurb MacBook Pro MD102LL/A Core i7 Dual 2.9GHz 13.3" Laptop for $1,269
• refurb MacBook Pro MD103LL/A Core i7 Quad 2.3GHz 15.4" Laptop for $1,489
• refurb MacBook Pro G0NM5LL/A Core i7 Quad 2.5GHz 15.4" Laptop for $1,699
• refurb MacBook Pro MD104LL/A Core i7 Quad 2.6GHz 15.4" Laptop for $1,819
• see all refurbished MacBook Pro laptops at The Apple Store

The Apple Store continues to offer its factory-refurbished Apple Mac mini Intel Core i7 2GHz Server (pictured), model no. MC936LL/A, for $759 with free shipping. That's tied with our mention from two weeks ago and $101 under the lowest total price we could find for a new unit. This Mac mini features an Intel Core i7 2GHz Sandy Bridge quad-core processor, 4GB RAM, dual 500GB 7200 rpm hard drives, 802.11n wireless, Gigabit Ethernet, and OS X 10.7 Lion Server.

Of note, The Apple Store also offers the factory-refurbished Apple Mac mini Intel Core i7 2GHz Server, model no. G0MH6LL/A, upgraded with 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD for $1,099 with free shipping. That's tied with our mention from two weeks ago and the lowest total price we could find. A 1-year Apple warranty applies to both, the same as new systems.

ExperCom continues to offer the 3-lb., current-generation Apple MacBook Air Intel Ivy Bridge Core i5 1.8GHz 13.3" Laptop, model no. MD231LL/A, with three years of AppleCare for $1,435.57 plus $12.50 for shipping. That's tied with last week's mention as $2 under the lowest total price we could find for this laptop and AppleCare purchased separately elsewhere. (It's also $100 under what Apple charges directly.) It features an Intel Core i5-3427U 1.8GHz Ivy Bridge dual-core processor, 13.3" 1440x900 LED-backlit LCD, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, AirPort Extreme (802.11n wireless), Bluetooth 4.0, Facetime camera, Thunderbolt and USB 3.0, and Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion.

MacMall cuts up to $1,099 off select Apple laptops, monitors, RAM, SSDs, iPhones, iPads, hard drives, and more as part of its Multi-Million Dollar Mac Blowout Sale. That's better than March's mention of a similar sale (with up to $849 off) and the best general sale we've seen from this merchant recently. Shipping starts at $3.99, but orders over $25 qualify for free shipping. Sale ends May 31.

Best Buy offers the 3.6-lb. Apple MacBook Pro Intel Ivy Bridge Core i5 2.5GHz 13.3" LED-Backlit Retina Display Laptop, model no. MD212LL/A, for $1,349.99 with free shipping. (Amazon sells it for the same price.) That's the lowest total price we could find by $66, although we saw it for $51 less in March. Features include an Intel Core i5-3210M 2.5GHz Ivy Bridge dual-core processor, 13.3" 2560x1600 LED-backlit IPS Retina Display, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, Bluetooth 4.0, FaceTime HD camera, ThunderBolt and USB 3.0 connectivity, HDMI output, and Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion.

Other World Computing continues to offer the NewerTech NuStand Alloy Display Stand for Apple Mac mini in White, model no. NUSTALYMINI, for $18.79 plus $1.75 for shipping. That's tied with last week's mention and the lowest total price we could find by $4. It's compatible with Apple Mac Mini 2010 and 2012. It features an aluminum alloy body, silicone center, rubberized finish, and rubber feet.

The Apple Store still offers its factory-refurbished Apple iMac Intel Ivy Bridge Core i5 2.9GHz 27" Desktop, model no. MD095LL/A, for $1,529 with free shipping. That's tied with our mention from two weeks ago and $184 under the lowest total price we could find for a new one. Features include an Intel Core i5-3470s 2.9GHz Ivy Bridge quad-core processor, 27" 2560x1440 widescreen LED-backlit glass display, 8GB RAM, 1TB 7200 rpm hard drive, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M 512MB graphics card, AirPort Extreme (802.11n), two Thunderbolt ports, FaceTime HD camera, Bluetooth 4.0, Gigabit Ethernet, Magic Mouse, wireless keyboard, and OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion. A 1-year Apple warranty applies.

LA Computer Company offers the AppleCare Protection Plan for Apple MacBook Pro 15" or 17" or MacBook Pro Retina 15", model no. MD012LL/A, for $230 plus $7.34 for shipping. That's the lowest total price we could find for this protection plan by $7. It adds two years of warranty coverage and phone support to your MacBook Pro. Note that it must be purchased before the original 1-year warranty expires.