Instead of upgrading to a Windows 11 PC, some folks have opted to buy an Apple Mac. That’s according to Counterpoint Research (via Tom’s Hardware), which says Mac shipments rose by 14.9% YoY. Overall, global PC shipments rose by 8.1% in Q3 2025 compared to the same quarter last year due to the end of Windows 10 support.
As of October 14, 2025, Microsoft has ended support for its Windows 10 operating system, meaning all Windows 10 PCs have reached their end of life. Microsoft will no longer offer free software updates, security patches and technical assistance from Windows Update for the older OS and is encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 11. However, it seems some are getting Macs instead.
I review the best MacBooks, such as the new MacBook Pro M5, so I can’t say this news is surprising. While macOS is different from Windows 11, it can be an easier operating system to manage. There’s a bit of a learning curve, but anyone jumping from Windows to macOS won’t face an insurmountable task. And as I’ll cover shortly, you can almost always find a new MacBook at a discount, which has no doubt made Apple’s PCs more enticing.
Before spotlighting some MacBook deals I like, I want to make it clear that not everyone is ditching Windows 11 now that Windows 10 is no more. For instance, Lenovo did better than Apple in Q3 year-on-year, with shipments rising by an impressive 17%. Asus and HP also did well with their 14% and 10% boosts (respectively). However, Dell shipments fell by 0.9%.
The best MacBooks to buy now
Black Friday is a month away, but we’re already seeing some great MacBook deals. I haven’t seen the M5 MacBook Pro on sale yet, but we could see it receive a discount during the annual sales event. However, you can find MacBooks packing the still powerful and energy-efficient M4 chip for reduced prices.
If you’re a Windows 10 user who would rather try a MacBook than a Windows 11 laptop, here are some options I recommend based on my own testing.
Quick links
- MacBook Air 13" (M4/256GB): was $999 now $799 @ Amazon
- MacBoook Air 15" (M4/256GB): was $1,199 now $999 @ Amazon
- MacBook Pro 14" (M4/512GB): was $1,599, now $1,349 @ Amazon
- MacBook Pro 16" (M4 Pro/512GB): was $2,898, now $2,588 @ Amazon
- MacBook Pro 16" (M4 Max/1 TB): was $3,499, now $3,119 @ Amazon
