Editor’s note 12/13/22: This article was originally posted when the program was for the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. It has been updated with Best Buy’s announcement to include select iMac and Mac Studio models.
Best Buy in the U.S. on Tuesday announced that its Upgrade+ buying plan has been updated to include select iMac and Mac Studio models, in addition to the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. Upgrade+ lets users finance a Mac for 36 months and at the end of the term, customers have the choice of upgrading to a new Mac, paying off the current Mac, or returning it and ending the program.
When a customer enters the Upgrade+ program, the price of the Mac is spread over 36 months, with the final payment due at the end of the plan. For example, an M1 MacBook Air at $999.99 would have payments of $19.99 per month for 36 months. At 37 months, a final payment of $280.35 can be made to purchase the laptop outright. Another example: with a $1,299 iMac, the monthly payment would be $28.17 for 36 months and at 37 months, the final payment due is $286. Customers can also choose to return the Mac and walk away, or swap it for a new model with its own 36-month payment plan. The final payment will be made by Best Buy if the Mac is upgraded or returned.
Customers can also invest in AppleCare+ and “select Apple accessories,” with the price of those items spread out over the 36 monthly payments. If you do not buy AppleCare+ at the time of the Mac’s initial purchase and decide to buy it later, you’ll have to pay for AppleCare+ separately.
The Upgrade+ plan is available with any new MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, and select iMacs and Mac Studios from Best Buy in the U.S. Plan participants can pay off the balance before the term is up, but participants cannot upgrade to a new Mac before the 36 months term ends. Macs purchased through the plan can be returned as long as they are in accordance with Best Buy’s return policy.
It’s a bit like Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program, where the full cost of an iPhone with AppleCare+ is spread out over 24 months. After 12 payments, customers can choose to upgrade to a new iPhone or keep it and continue to make monthly payments for another year. However, there is no balloon payment with the iPhone Upgrade Program and AppleCare+ must be purchased as part of the plan.
Upgrade+ is now available as a purchase option at Best Buy. To learn more, visit the Best Buy Upgrade+ website.
Author: Roman Loyola, Senior Editor
Roman has covered technology since the early 1990s. His career started at MacUser, and he's worked for MacAddict, Mac|Life, and TechTV.