Deals: M5 MacBook Air, iPad, Apple Solo Loop, Beats Cable and More

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M5 MacBook Air price cuts hit all‑color low points

Apple’s 2026 M5 MacBook Air is finally at a price that makes sense for most developers. Amazon lists the 13‑inch base model (16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD) for $899.99 shipped, a $199 discount off the $1,099 list price. The same discount applies to all four color finishes.

B&H pushes the savings further on the 15‑inch variants, offering up to $270 off:

• 15‑inch, 16 GB/1 TB – $1,249 (regular $1,519)
• 15‑inch, 24 GB/512 GB – $1,249 (regular $1,519)
• 15‑inch, 24 GB/1 TB – $1,499 (regular $1,719)

A rare B&H deal also drops the 13‑inch, 32 GB/1 TB configuration to $1,499, a $200 reduction that Amazon does not carry. For developers who need extra RAM for Xcode builds or multi‑sim testing, that 32 GB model is now within reach.

Why the M5 matters for cross‑platform work

The M5 chip brings a 30 % uplift in single‑core performance over the previous M4, which translates to noticeably faster compile times in Xcode and Android Studio when running under macOS. With 16 GB of unified memory now standard, most Flutter, React Native, and Unity projects run comfortably without hitting memory pressure. The 512 GB SSD also provides enough room for multiple device simulators and Docker images, a common requirement when testing iOS and Android builds side‑by‑side.

iPad 11‑inch base model at $299

Amazon is offering the current‑generation 11‑inch iPad (A16 chip, 64 GB) for $299 shipped in blue, pink, and silver. While not a development machine, the iPad is a useful test device for SwiftUI previews, Safari web‑app debugging, and quick UI checks on a real iOS screen. The price point makes it feasible to buy a few units for a small testing fleet.

Clearance iPad Air options

If you need more horsepower, the previous‑gen M3 iPad Air (512 GB) is now $350 off, bringing the price close to the $599 range. This model still runs iPadOS 18 and supports the Apple Pencil 2, making it a solid choice for UI/UX designers who need a larger canvas.

Apple Solo Loop bands – as low as $9 each

Woot’s clearance on Solo Loop bands drops the price to $9 per band when you buy four or more. The silicone version is $14.99, the braided version $29.99, both originally $49–$99. For developers who wear an Apple Watch for health tracking or notification testing, these bands are a cheap way to keep a spare on hand.

Beats 240 W USB‑C cable – 30 % off

A 10‑foot braided USB‑C cable capable of 240 W power delivery is now 30 % off on Amazon. The high wattage is useful for developers who run power‑hungry external GPUs or charge multiple devices from a single hub during long coding sessions.

Other notable accessories

• Anker 45 W Smart Display Nano Charger – $28 (30 % off)
• Logitech MX Master 3S mouse – $80 (save $40)
• Silkland 240 W USB/Thunderbolt 4 cable – $13.50
• Edison smart bulbs (Matter‑certified) – under $8 each

How to lock in the deals

1. Use Amazon Prime for fast, free shipping on most of the Apple hardware.
2. Check B&H’s “Open Box” section for the 32 GB MacBook Air if you’re comfortable with a gently used unit.
3. Add Solo Loop bands to your cart in multiples to trigger the tiered discount.
4. Enable price‑drop alerts on CamelCamelCamel or Keepa for the iPad and cable listings; these items tend to bounce back up after a few days.

Migration considerations for developers

If you upgrade to an M5 MacBook Air, remember to:

• Update Xcode to the latest 15.x release to take full advantage of the new SDKs.
• Re‑install Homebrew and any Ruby gems or Node versions you rely on, as the unified memory architecture can expose lingering path issues.
• Verify that your Android SDK tools are compatible with macOS 14.5 or later, the minimum OS version supported by the M5 hardware.

By aligning your hardware upgrades with these discounts, you can keep both iOS and Android development pipelines humming without breaking the budget.

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All prices and availability are accurate as of May 29 2026 and may change without notice.