If there's only one rule you follow this Black Friday, it should be . Not only is Apple's sale predictable (expect to pay full price and get again this year), but it's also disappointing, particularly when other retailers are discounting Apple gear at record speeds.
Best Black Friday Apple Deals
for $79 at Sam's Club
Whether you're purchasing for yourself or as a stocking stuffer, Sam's Club has the best iTunes gift card deal, taking roughly 21% off this multipack iTunes gift card set. Just need one card? a $50 card. Though keep in mind that our data shows December may ring in .
for $79 at Staples
This Apple TV Media Receiver is only a buck over our for this set-top box. However, last Black Friday, Apple's streamer dropped down to $72, so there's a chance this may get cheaper. However, if you need it today, is already live.
for $79 at Target
Target's Apple deals are very aggressive this year, and although the retailer doesn't have the best iPhone 6 deal, it takes the top spot for best iPhone 5s deal. It's worth noting that Costco has offered the iPhone 5s for as low as $58 in the past, but if you factor in Target's free $30 gift card, this deal is a price low by $9. It also beats Apple's direct pricing, which sells this phone for $99.
for $99 at Sam's Club
The good news is that this is the best iPhone 6 deal we've come across since the phone's launch. It surprisingly beats and , which traditionally have the best iPhone deals. Unfortunately, the bad news is that there will be just 15 units per store. So if you're not a Sam's Club member (or if you're not one of the lucky 15), your next best bet is Target, which will offer the for $180.
for $299 at Target
Although Target is selling the iPad mini 2 at full retail value, it's bundling a $100 Target gift card, which helps offset the cost of the tablet. Unless Apple changes its Black Friday sale for the better (highly unlikely), this Target deal will be hard to beat.
for $399 at Target
This tablet's $399 price point is nothing special (it's what Apple charges), but what makes this deal noteworthy is the inclusion of a $100 gift card, which is like getting $100 off the cost of this tablet.
for $499 at Target
Sensing a pattern here? Target is taking Black Friday seriously this year, and as with its other iPad deals, the current-generation iPad Air 2 is also selling at list price, but with a generous $140 Target gift card. This deal will most likely trump Apple's Black Friday sale, which last year bundled a $75 Apple gift card with iPad Air purchases.
for $780 at Best Buy
Not only is this the best MacBook Air deal of Black Friday, but it's also the best MacBook Air deal of all time. It's beats our by $19 and unlike most MacBook Air back-to-school sales we saw this summer, this deal doesn't require a valid .edu e-mail address.
for $1,050 at Best Buy
Best Buy has a stronghold on MacBook Air deals, and although we saw the flagship 13" MacBook Air bottom out at $750 this past summer, this specific configuration (with a 256GB SSD rather than the standard 128GB SSD) doesn't see as many discounts. So for the moment, this deal is $149 under Apple's price and the best offer we've seen on the 13.3" MacBook Air.
at Best Buy for $900
Outside of refurbs, it's extremely difficult to find a sub-$1,000 iMac. In fact, the 21.5" iMac hit $980 just once this entire year. So at $900, this iMac is a stellar deal.
