{"title": "Major Black Friday Discounts on Apple Gear: Highlights for AirPods, Tablets, Laptops, Smartwatches, and Trackers", "body": ["Apple holds a commanding position in the technology sector, backed by strong performance in our evaluations that frequently rank its devices highest among tablets, smartwatches, smartphones, and laptops. However, these products come at a premium cost, making seasonal promotions like Black Friday an ideal opportunity for savings. While Apple's official website rarely offers direct price cuts, major outlets such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy provide substantial reductions on items including iPads, Apple Watches, MacBooks, and AirPods. Below, we've compiled the most compelling offers available."], ["For AirPods options, the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation are available for $100 at Amazon, a $79 reduction, ideal for users seeking basic sound isolation and an open-ear design without in-ear tips. They lack advanced health monitoring like heart rate detection or hearing aids found in Pro versions but deliver solid audio and include perks such as real-time language translation. The deal appears similarly at Walmart, while Best Buy lists it at $140."], ["The standard AirPods 4 without noise cancellation go for $80 at Amazon, saving $50, forgoing features like translation, cancellation, and heart rate but including spatial audio with head tracking akin to higher-end models. Our assessment scored these basic earbuds an 88, with the prior minimum price at $89. They're also offered at Walmart and Target."], ["AirPods Max over-ear headphones are priced at $430 at Walmart, down $120, featuring a recent USB-C update in 2024 but otherwise unchanged since their 2020 launch. They offer comfort, quality sound, and distinctive controls. Amazon carries them too."], ["Wired EarPods are on sale for $13 at Amazon, a $6 drop, serving as Apple's sole corded headphone choice, just $1 above the historical low. Walmart has them as well."], ["In the iPad category, the 11-inch iPad Air with M3 chip and 128GB storage is $449 at Amazon, a $151 discount, positioning it as the optimal middle-ground tablet for value and capability, topping our recommendations for overall iPad purchases. Its premium construction, enhanced screen over entry-level models, and efficient M3 processor handle daily tasks and multitasking effortlessly. This equals the lowest recorded price, also available at Target and Best Buy."], ["The 13-inch version of the iPad Air M3 with 128GB is $649 at Amazon, saving $150, providing more display space for media, gaming, or computer-like workflows. It shares the strong M3 performance, superior display, Pencil Pro compatibility, and Apple Intelligence features. Matching the lowest price, it's at Target and Best Buy, or $749 at B&H."], ["The 8-inch iPad mini with A17 Pro chip and 128GB sells for $399 at Amazon, $100 off, tailored for maximum portability in a compact form. The A17 enables Apple Intelligence, unlike the standard iPad, earning an 83 in our review for delivering a complete experience in a smaller size, excelling in communication, reading, video, and games like Balatro. It dipped to $379 last October and is at Best Buy too."], ["The 11-inch iPad Pro M5 with 256GB is $900 at Amazon, a $100 cut, representing high-end computing power that's excessive for typical users but boasts exceptional screen quality, the latest M5 processor matching base MacBook Pros, and an ultra-slim, lightweight design. We rated it 85 with minimal issues beyond the steep cost, and this discount sets a new record low, compared to $927 at Walmart."], ["Turning to Apple Watches, the third-generation SE in 40mm GPS configuration is $200 at Amazon, $49 less, following a recent refresh that earned a 90 in our evaluation. It features a compact display with larger bezels than Series 11, omits some premium health sensors, uses more basic materials, but captures core Apple Watch appeal at a reduced rate. This marks the best price since its September release, also at Walmart and Target."], ["For MacBooks and other Macs, the 15-inch MacBook Air M4 with 256GB is $949 at Amazon, $250 off, leveraging the potent M4 for productivity; the bigger screen enhances usability, a notable upgrade from earlier generations. Best Buy offers it, and B&H has a $100 discount."], ["The 14-inch MacBook Pro M5 with 512GB is $1,441 at Amazon, saving $157, debuting Apple's newest M5 chip exclusive to this model and iPad Pro. Our recent review scored it 92 for the graphics boost aiding light gaming, where Apple trails Windows machines, while retaining robust build, power, and up to 34 hours of battery in video tests. Available at Walmart, Best Buy, and B&H."], ["The 14-inch MacBook Pro M4 Pro with 512GB is $1,749 at Amazon, $250 reduction, as M5 Pro/Max variants await a possible spring 2025 launch following the M4 pattern. This M4 Pro edition suits power-hungry creative work and is on offer at Walmart, Best Buy, and B&H."], ["The 16-inch MacBook Pro M4 Pro with 256GB costs $2,189 at Amazon, down $310, trading some portability for added screen real estate at a slight weight increase of over a pound. Walmart and B&H stock it too."], ["The 2024 24-inch iMac with M4 is $1,149 at Amazon, $150 off, as Apple's single all-in-one desktop now starts with 16GB RAM, making it more budget-friendly for creation, work, and play thanks to the M4."], ["The M4 Mac mini is $479 at Amazon, a $120 savings, praised in our review as remarkably compact yet potent, with upgraded 16GB base memory, supporting modern gaming at decent settings and routine tasks."], ["Among accessories, the Apple Pencil Pro is $99 at Amazon, $30 less, navigating Apple's varied stylus lineup—verify compatibility for your iPad. The Pro offers advanced haptic feedback, rotation, squeeze gestures, and hover detection, pairing with recent Air, Pro, and mini models. Walmart and Best Buy have it."], ["The USB-C Apple Pencil is $69 at Amazon, $10 off, suitable for the A16-based standard iPad plus current and prior Air/Pro models."], ["A four-pack of AirTags is $65 at Amazon, saving $34, remaining the leading Bluetooth trackers despite no updates lately, with a refresh possibly imminent but unlikely at this price. Walmart offers it, and singles are discounted too."]]}