19 sweet Memorial Day Apple deals, including the new iPad at a record low

The newest iPad is an ultra-light, thin tablet that’s powerful enough to replace your laptop for most tasks but slips into your bag with room to spare. With a spacious 11-inch Liquid Retina display, you’re swiping and scrolling in vibrant color and sharpness that makes any screen that came before it feel like an old tube TV.

If you’ve got a habit of toggling among a dozen apps, streaming videos and replying to messages simultaneously, you’re in for a treat. This iPad is ready to keep up with whatever you throw its way. And if you’re into gaming, the graphics capabilities mean you can play even demanding games without dropping a frame.

Traditional iPads a bit too cumbersome for your daily routine? The smaller, more approachable Mini may be right up your alley. At only 8.3 inches, it’s compact enough to hold with just one hand.

“A powerhouse in a compact form, designed for busy professionals and families who need both portability and performance,” wrote one erudite enthusiast. “Whether you’re managing work tasks, staying connected with loved ones or entertaining the kids, this tablet handles it all effortlessly.”

This updated version features the latest generation M4 chip, so you’ll get a much more powerful computer with everything else you love about the Air, including its outstanding 18-hour battery life and gorgeous 13.6-inch screen.

Thanks to these little guys, I can track my bags from the drop-off to the plane to the luggage carousel. And even when the worst happens, and my stuff ends up in Orlando when I’m in Michigan (true story), I know where they are and how to find them.

“First, we bought one Apple AirTag for my husband’s wallet. Then we bought a second one for his car keys,” said this repeat buyer. “Now, we have a four-pack, which is cheaper, for our golf bags and checked roller bags.”

If you have a little more to spend on an Apple wearable, the Series 10 is worth the investment. It boasts an always-on Retina display and comes with useful features like ECG apps, a fitness tracker and more.

“I upgraded from a Series 5,” said this watch wearer. “The battery life is phenomenal, I can literally go two days without charging. When I do have to charge it, it’s full in about 30 minutes. Price is on par for the quality. The health sensors are nice. I know I have sleep apnea, and never got around to taking care of it. The watch notified me after about a month of use and provides data to bring in to the doctor’s office.”

If a sleek design is at the top of your tablet wishlist, the latest iPad Air is the perfect fit. Equipped with Apple’s powerful M3 chip, it offers all-day battery life, a stunning 12-megapixel camera and a liquid retina display that makes movies and TV shows pop. 

“The screen resolution is really beautiful,” wrote one impressed shopper. “It’s lighter in weight than my old one and a little thinner. The camera takes gorgeous pictures.”

Named the best headphones for Apple die-hards by our senior tech writer, Rick Broida, the Maxes combine style and performance in a unique package (literally) — they come with a special magnetic carrying cover as opposed to a case.

“Best headphones ever,” an in-love listener remarked. “Recently had a root canal done and didn’t hear a thing (my dentist said that was a first in his experience). They cancel the noise I don’t want to hear and provide superb sound for music I do want to hear.”

If you don’t like that feeling of having something wedged in your ear and don’t need active noise cancellation, these buds are the way to go. How are they different from the previous generation? The shorter stem gives them a cleaner look, and the new quick-press controls mean no more fumbling to pause your tunes or take a call. Plus, they fit better and stay put, so you won’t have to keep adjusting them while you’re at the gym or running to catch the train.

“I decided to upgrade from my AirPods 2 and I’m impressed!” a happy listener wrote. “Sound quality is great! Wow! They don’t feel like they’re going to fall out of my ears and [are] very comfortable.”

Unlike previous versions of the iconic buds, these AirPods feature active noise cancellation to block out nearly all ambient sound and background chatter. It’s a remarkable sensation. The first time I put them in my ears and turned on ANC, I was amazed at how well it worked. The AirPods Pro 2 also feature ANC, utilizing silicone tips to form a seal in your ears, which not everyone likes. If you don’t like that feeling of having something wedged in your ear but still want ANC, this is the way to go.

The 2023-released SE has everything you need, from trackers for your heart rate and steps to crash detection, and nothing you don’t, so if you’ve been waiting for an Apple Watch to go on sale, this deal is for you.

“The durability is outstanding. I was a bit careless and forgot the watch in my pants when I was doing laundry,” said a forgetful fan. “Luckily, after a 40-minute wash and a 50-minute dry on high heat, the watch worked perfectly fine.”

Looking for the best of the best? Speaking as someone who has used one every workday for the past 13 years, a MacBook Pro is likely exactly what you want. This one was released just a few months ago and comes with some of the tech brand’s latest features, like Apple Intelligence and the advanced M4 chip. It has a 14.2-inch liquid retina XDR display (one of the crispest of the entire MacBook lineup).

“This laptop will last a decade,” said this snake handler. “The battery lasts forever. I do mild development work for my job and this laptop is capable of handling all the Python code without issue. This is perfect for students, professionals and more.”

There’s something about editing photos on an iPad that feels closer to the darkroom than a desktop — the touchscreen turns it into a hands-on craft. If you plan on using your iPad for more than casual internet browsing, the iPad Pro may be worth the investment. This version has all-day battery life, a crystal-clear ultra Retina XDR display, and even Apple intelligence. If the 11-inch display is a bit too small for your needs, it also comes in a larger 13-inch display that’s $200 off.

“This has gotta be one of the best tablets ever made in this world,” one buyer proclaimed. “It feels so sleek and futuristic.”

Even at full price, I think the Mac Mini is the best Apple deal out there, especially if you already have a monitor. It’s everything that a comparable iMac is, but in a smaller, way less expensive package. Many of my friends who are sound, video and photo editors swear by them.

Luckily, this one is $40 to $50 cheaper than retail, depending on the RAM and storage you need. Not sure about those numbers? Remember this: You can always buy an external hard drive, but RAM is much harder, sometimes impossible, to upgrade.