Best live offers on the MacBook Neo: How to save $120 without a student discount

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While Apple's MacBook Neo remains a fantastic value even after its $100 price hike this summer, it never hurts to check if you can get it on sale for even cheaper.

Major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy have yet to offer significant discounts on the Neo, with Amazon offering a measly $10 discount. The best MacBook Neo deal has always been the Apple Store's education discount for college students, their parents, and school faculty. It takes $100 off the Neo, effectively erasing its price increase.

For a while, you could take advantage of Apple's education pricing even if you didn't have a student ID, but that's no longer the case. Fortunately, there's another way to get the Neo on sale for up to $120 off regardless of your student status, and that's by buying refurbished.

Here's a rundown of all the best live MacBook Neo offers around the web as of mid-August, just in time for back-to-school season. For what it's worth, I consider the Neo to be the best MacBook for K-12 students and cash-strapped undergrads.

The Apple Store

The Apple Store sells Certified Refurbished MacBook Neos for up to $120 off — the best option for shoppers who aren't eligible for its student discount. Base Neo models with 256GB of storage are priced at $599 (normally $699 new), while upgraded models with 512GB of storage and Touch ID go for $679 (typically $799 new).

At the time of writing, the Apple Store had all four colors of both configurations in stock. Choose from citrus, silver, indigo, or blush.

Apple's Certified Refurbished devices are pre-owned but tested to make sure they're fully functional, and they come with one-year warranties.

Amazon

The retail giant is selling the Neo for a whopping $10 off. It's your best option if you aren't a student, don't want a refurbished unit, and don't want your savings in the form of a gift card.

Best Buy

Best Buy also has a Geek Squad Certified Refurbished MacBook Neo on sale for $100 off, but you only have one configuration option: the 256GB base model in indigo. It's been fixed up to like-new condition and includes a 90-day parts and labor warranty.

Mashable Deals

If you'd prefer a brand-new model, Best Buy throws in a free $25 Starbucks gift card when you buy any new Neo model during its 60th Anniversary Sale (live through Sunday, Aug. 23). As part of the event, Best Buy stores will also be offering an exclusive Neo deal this Saturday, Aug. 22.

Costco

Meanwhile, Costco has the base Neo marked down to $689.99 — a $9.01 savings. At least the deal isn't limited to Costco members.

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