
Apple fans go wild for 'best ever' MacBook Air as price plummets to lowest ever
Sky has dropped the price of the latest MacBook Air, here are all the key features
People have been quick to snap up Sky's latest deal with Apple
(Image: dontree_m via Getty Images)
As the back-to-school season rolls around, students everywhere are eyeing upgrades to their trusty tech - especially when it comes to laptops. If you're heading to college or university this autumn, Sky might have just made that decision a little easier.
For a limited time, they're offering the latest MacBook Air at its lowest monthly price yet, just £20 a month, down from £22. That small drop adds up to a total saving of £94, making it one of the most affordable ways to get your hands on a top-tier laptop for university, school or work without having to fork out the usual £899 upfront.
However, bear in mind that this is a 48-month contract, so ensure this is considered in your decision-making process. The Apple MacBook Air is widely regarded as one of the best laptops on the market, both in terms of performance and aesthetics.
It comes equipped with the latest M4 chip, promising smooth operation for all users' needs. The device boasts up to 18 hours of battery life and incorporates built-in Apple Intelligence to help users complete tasks with ease, reports Birmingham Live.
Additionally, it features the stunning Liquid Retina display, perfect for working, editing or simply relaxing with a film during downtime, according to the Express. Available in four distinct colours - Sky Blue, Midnight and Silver - and with 256GB of storage, it may not offer a vast amount of space but is perfectly adequate for storing documents and working on the device.
For those seeking other options, there's plenty of choice available. Currys stocks the ACER Aspire Go 14 for £299, which is substantially less expensive than the MacBook but boasts excellent customer reviews.
There's also the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 available from Argos for £279, equally well-reviewed, and it includes a year's subscription to Microsoft 365 Personal. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here
The Apple MacBook Air has received glowing feedback from customers. One shared: "I was in no doubt that this product would live up to its name. I found the MacBook to be a great computer, light in weight and easy to walk around with. It adds a sense of wow factor, and it lived up to it. When I took it to my events, people were just drawn to it. A couple of my colleagues decided there and then to purchase, and I told them of Very. The price is very good, and the care is excellent."
Another buyer disclosed: "Would never choose a laptop other than an Apple MacBook as they are quality when you take them out of the box. From ease of set up to lasting for years it's worth every penny. I am a big Apple fan!".
Our colleagues at our sister publication the Daily Express were equally enthusiastic about the latest Apple MacBook Air. Technology editor David Snelling observed: "We were already huge fans of this highly portable PC, and now there are even more reasons to invest, thanks to the mighty M4 processor, improved external display compatibility, more RAM as standard and Centre Stage web camera.
"Battery life continues to impress, the screen is bright and colourful, and there are all the usual features you'd expect on a MacBook, such as a tactile keyboard, brilliant Force Touch trackpad and fast Touch ID fingerprint scanner. The new Sky Blue colour is surely going to be a huge hit and joins the Midnight, Starlight, and Silver shades."
Article continues below
Nevertheless, whilst conducting the review, he encountered some connectivity problems with the laptop. He continued: "Yes, it's a bit of a shame that you only get two USB-C ports on one side of the device, and although it starts from a cheaper £999, it can get expensive if you start adding extras."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26auto%3Dwebp%26quality%3D75%26crop%3D3%3A2%2Csmart%26trim%3D&w=3840&q=100)

Scotsman
28 minutes ago
- Scotsman
What does UK inflation rise mean for mortgages and spending?
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Households face pricier food, fuel and travel as experts warn the squeeze could drag into 2026 ✈️ Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... UK inflation rose to 3.8% in July, higher than expected and the highest since January Air fares, petrol and food prices were the biggest drivers of the rise Mortgage holders face little chance of lower repayments as interest rates stay high Borrowers will see continued expensive credit and loan costs Households are warned to brace for higher living costs into 2026 Inflation in the UK has risen faster than economists expected, putting more strain on households already battling higher borrowing costs and rising food prices. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation rose to 3.8% in July, up from 3.6% in June. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad That's higher than the 3.7% most experts had forecast, and keeps inflation stuck at its highest level since January. While far below the double-digit highs seen in 2022, the jump is an unwelcome reminder that the cost of living crisis isn't over, and it has direct implications for your money. (Photo: SUSANNAH IRELAND/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images What is inflation? Inflation is the rate at which the prices of goods and services rise over time. Put simply, it means your money doesn't stretch as far as it used to. For example, if inflation is 4%, something that cost £1 last year will cost about £1.04 this year. A little inflation is normal in a healthy economy, but when it's high, it makes shopping, bills and borrowing more expensive. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What's driving prices higher? The biggest culprit last month was travel. Families booking summer holidays pushed air fares up by more than 30% between June and July, the steepest July increase since records began in 2001. Petrol and diesel prices also climbed, with petrol up 2p a litre and diesel nearly 3p. Food inflation also continues to squeeze household budgets. Prices for everyday staples such as coffee, fresh juice, chocolate and meat rose, pushing annual food and drink inflation up to 4.9%, the highest level since February. Restaurants, hotels and overnight stays also became more expensive as demand spiked during the school holidays. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There were some small bright spots: prices for clothing, footwear, butter, cheese and olive oil eased slightly. But the overall trend remains upwards. What it means for homeowners and mortgage holders For homeowners, the inflation figures matter because they shape Bank of England policy. The Bank's target is to keep inflation at 2%, and with the rate now almost double that, the prospect of interest rate cuts remains slim. Most analysts believe the Bank will hold rates at their current high level for the rest of 2025. That means mortgage borrowers are unlikely to see lower repayments any time soon. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Those on variable-rate deals will continue to feel the pinch, while people coming to the end of fixed-rate terms may face significantly higher monthly bills when they remortgage. Higher interest rates also keep pressure on renters, as landlords pass on their own increased costs. What it means for borrowers For anyone with loans, overdrafts or credit card balances, the persistence of inflation means borrowing stays expensive. The cost of unsecured debt is closely tied to the Bank of England's base rate, and with little sign of rates being cut in the near term, borrowers should expect interest charges to remain elevated. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad If you're carrying balances month to month, it's worth prioritising repayments where possible, especially on credit cards with double-digit interest rates. What it means for everyday spending The impact is most visible in the weekly shop and daily expenses. Households are facing higher prices not just on food, but also on travel, hotel stays and petrol. Even small rises add up: a couple of pence more per litre at the pump can mean an extra £1 or £2 per fill-up, while higher hotel and restaurant prices can push summer holidays and nights out further out of reach. Retail groups warn that inflation is still eating into family budgets. The British Retail Consortium said food inflation has jumped by almost two percentage points in just four months, describing it as a 'key driver' behind rising bills at the till. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What happens next? Chancellor Rachel Reeves has admitted there is 'more to do to ease the cost of living.' She pointed to measures such as raising the minimum wage, extending the £3 bus fare cap, expanding free school meals, and rolling out free breakfast clubs nationwide. But for many households, the immediate reality is that everyday essentials remain stubbornly expensive, while pay packets struggle to keep pace. The Bank of England expects inflation to edge up again to around 4% in September before it finally starts to ease. But economists warn that inflation will likely stay above 3% until at least spring 2026, keeping household finances under pressure for the foreseeable future. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad That means the squeeze isn't over yet. Homeowners, borrowers and shoppers alike should brace for a long haul and continue to budget carefully, shop around for better deals, and plan ahead for higher-than-usual living costs. Are you struggling to make ends meet as costs continue to rise? You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.


Daily Mirror
28 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Latest iPad Air M3 gets record low price in deal that beats Apple
The latest iPad Air M3, which was released in March, is now available for the cheapest price yet - but only for a limited time Apple's latest iPad Air has hit a record low price with a whopping £120 discount. In an exclusive limited-time offer, tech enthusiasts can bag the Apple iPad Air 13-inch with M3 chip for £679. This is a massive 15 per cent price slash from the usual £799 and is the cheapest it's ever been, according to price tracker camelcamelcamel. This deal trumps the likes of Apple (£799), Argos (£729) and Very (£729), while Amazon has also reduced the price of the iPad Air 11-inch from £599 to £529. The iPad Air M3 was launched in March, designed as a slimmer and sleeker version of the standard iPad. It boasts a slim 6.1mm depth and weighs 460 grams, but still delivers a powerful performance thanks to Apple's M3 chip which makes it twice as fast as the iPad Air with M1 chip. Road trips to Europe's most beautiful cities planned using free travel tool Apple iPhone users rush for £24.99 portable charger and brand it 'the best' This ensures it runs smoothly even when handling demanding tasks like streaming or gaming. The tablet features a high-resolution Liquid Retina display, an upgraded 12MP camera, and promises 'all-day' battery life with rapid charging capabilities. Among its other standout features is Apple Intelligence, the tech giant's own artificial intelligence (AI) system. With this, users can remove unwanted elements from photos, transform a rough sketch into an image, use a ChatGPT writing tool, and create original images based on descriptions, according to the Daily Record. The latest iPad Air M3 also supports accessories like the brand new Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, though these need to be bought separately. The gadget is available in four shades – blue, purple, space grey and starlight – with pricing differing across each option. Meanwhile, Sky Mobile allows punters to split the expense of their technology, with the identical model available for £21 when spreading payments without any initial cost. Sky also stocks various Samsung tablets for those who favour Android. This includes the Galaxy Tab S10+ 5G featuring Galaxy AI from £28 monthly on a 48-month agreement, with the choice to swap devices after 36 months. This package includes Buds Pro and an AI Keyboard valued at £448. However, for those remaining loyal to Apple, the iPad Air 13-inch featuring M3 chip has secured an outstanding 4.7-star score with more than 100 reviews – 96 per cent being four or five stars. One buyer said: "I love my new iPad Air. Apple has made it super easy to transfer your old device and the processing time is much quicker compared to my previous iPad Air. It's a considered purchase but well worth the money, I'd highly recommend this new iPad Air." Another said: "The Air's display is so much brighter than my old iPad and the whole operating system is faster and I can add many more layers in Procreate than my old iPad. I didn't think I'd enjoy the year as much as I am, and I'm so glad I upgraded." Despite their five-star review, this buyer also noted a downside, saying: "Serious piece of kit, can't fault the operating system. iPad itself with a case is rather heavy though." While another glowing review said: "As with every Apple product, the quality is amazing and it's ridiculously fast. Battery life is so much better than the iPad Air I had before."


Geeky Gadgets
2 hours ago
- Geeky Gadgets
iPadOS 26 Beta 7: Everything New Revealed
Apple's iPadOS 26 beta updates—developer beta 7 and public beta 4—bring a combination of performance improvements, new features, and ongoing challenges. These updates aim to enhance the iPad experience, particularly for users of the M1 iPad Pro, by using its powerful hardware. While the updates showcase Apple's commitment to refining its software, certain unresolved issues highlight areas that still require attention. Below is a detailed exploration of the latest beta's strengths and shortcomings in a new video from SlatePad. Watch this video on YouTube. Performance: Enhanced Fluidity and Heat Management The iPadOS 26 beta introduces noticeable performance enhancements, particularly in terms of smoother animations and improved heat management. On devices like the M1 iPad Pro, the hardware's capabilities are more fully used, resulting in a more fluid and responsive user experience. Prolonged usage no longer leads to the overheating issues that plagued earlier beta versions, making the device more comfortable for extended use. However, minor performance inconsistencies persist. For instance, apps such as Music occasionally experience brief stutters, which can momentarily disrupt the otherwise seamless experience. These issues, while not critical, serve as reminders that the software is still in its beta phase and requires further optimization. User Interface: Subtle Enhancements with Practical Benefits Apple has introduced several user interface refinements in iPadOS 26 that enhance both functionality and aesthetics. One standout feature is the new interactive magnifying loop in the Preview app, which allows for precise zooming on content. This addition not only improves usability but also adds a layer of visual sophistication, making the iPad feel more polished. Another improvement is the ability to resize sidebars in apps like Safari, Files, and Messages. This feature provides greater control over workspace organization, allowing more intuitive multitasking and navigation. These subtle yet impactful changes demonstrate Apple's focus on improving the user experience without overhauling familiar workflows. External Display Support: Progress Tempered by Glitches External display support has seen incremental improvements in iPadOS 26, but it remains a work in progress. The addition of resizable sidebars is a welcome enhancement for users who rely on external monitors for multitasking. However, several issues continue to hinder the reliability of this feature, including: Flashing windows that disrupt the visual experience Inconsistent drop shadows that affect the interface's polish Apps occasionally disappear from view, interrupting workflows These glitches can be particularly frustrating for professionals who depend on external displays for productivity. While the improvements are promising, further refinements are necessary to make this feature dependable for everyday use. Multitasking: Functional but Constrained Multitasking remains a central focus of iPadOS, and the latest beta introduces incremental improvements to features like Slide Over and Split View. These tools are functional and provide a degree of flexibility for managing multiple tasks simultaneously. However, a significant limitation persists: multitasking features cannot be enabled in full-screen apps. This restriction can hinder productivity, especially for users who rely on multitasking to streamline their workflows. While these limitations are likely to be addressed in future updates, they highlight the iterative nature of beta software development. For now, users will need to adapt their workflows to accommodate these constraints. File Management: Persistent Issues with External Drives The Files app, a critical tool for managing documents on the iPad, continues to face significant challenges in iPadOS 26 beta. One of the most pressing issues is the non-functional eject option for external drives. This limitation raises concerns about potential data corruption, particularly for users who frequently rely on external storage for professional or academic tasks. Addressing this issue should be a priority for Apple in upcoming updates. Reliable file management is essential for making sure the iPad's viability as a productivity tool, and the current shortcomings in this area detract from the overall user experience. Stability and Future Prospects Despite its shortcomings, iPadOS 26 beta demonstrates Apple's ongoing commitment to improving the iPad experience. Stability has improved compared to earlier versions, and the update lays a solid foundation for future refinements. As Apple continues to iterate on its software, users can expect additional features and fixes in subsequent releases, such as iPadOS 26.0.1 or 26.0.2. The beta also provides a glimpse into Apple's broader vision for the iPad, with features that aim to bridge the gap between tablets and traditional computers. While the current iteration is not without its flaws, it represents a step forward in the evolution of the iPad as a versatile and powerful device. A Balanced Update with Clear Areas for Improvement The iPadOS 26 beta updates strike a balance between progress and challenges, offering a mix of enhancements and limitations. From smoother animations to interactive user interface improvements, the update makes strides in usability and functionality. However, unresolved issues—such as glitches in external display support and file management limitations—underscore the need for further refinement. As Apple continues to refine its software, these updates serve as a stepping stone toward a more polished and versatile iPad experience. For now, the beta provides a promising preview of what's to come, with the expectation of continued improvements in future iterations. Here is a selection of other guides from our extensive library of content you may find of interest on iPadOS 26 Beta Updates. Source & Image Credit: SlatePad Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPad, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.