2017 12 inch MacBook Air i7 16GB/256GB

[Beyonder88]

Was wondering if the above is a good buy at USD$590.00.

 

[Beyonder88]

 

[MBAir2010]

Yes
the i7 chip can do wonders and the osx is upgradable
but
just the keyboard, battery and other problems users had with these macbooks
might cause headaches down the road.
can you find out if that macbook was replaced keyboard-wise or ever fixed?

 

[mj_]

Was wondering if the above is a good buy at USD$590.00.

As much as I loved the 12" MacBook back in its day I have to say no, absolutely not. It's too old, too slow, has a faulty keyboard, is most likely no longer covered by Apple's keyboard replacement program, and you can get a brand-new M1 MacBook Air for $899 on Amazon which will run circles around it.

 

[Biscotti]

I have an M1 MBA which I love. I also just picked up a i7 16GB, 512 on eBay for $570. There is another one in excellent condition for $550 (DM me if you want the link). I wanted a VERY portable computer for when I travel (traveling again more now), and you can't beat the 12" MB. I also don't want to worry about losing the computer or it breaking/ getting stolen, so to me, this was a great travel work computer situation.

For a daily, I wouldn't get it. I daily used one and ended up selling for the M1 MBA. Returning to the 12" again for travel and working out of office.

 

[DenisK]

As much as I loved the 12" MacBook back in its day I have to say no, absolutely not. It's too old, too slow, has a faulty keyboard, is most likely no longer covered by Apple's keyboard replacement program, and you can get a brand-new M1 MacBook Air for $899 on Amazon which will run circles around it.

Depends entirely on the intended use. Some people prefer smaller footprint. I7 is truly a beast and it is the smallest and lightest fully fledged Apple portable, and its adorable for that very basic fact. MBA is much larger/heavier in comparison. This very version, i7/16 has been in use in my family ever since it came out and we had zero issues with it, ours has larger HD though, and because of that I say that $590 may be a touch steep.

 

[mj_]

Yes, if you prefer or insist on a smaller footprint then the 12” MacBook is really the only choice. It is, however, anything but a beast. It may have been adequate 4 years ago but these days it is a 4-year old low-power CPU based on a 6-year old design that is slow as molasses. The M1 is 6x as fast in multi-core and around 2.5x as fast in single-core. I wouldn’t call that a beast 😉

 

[DenisK]

Yes, if you prefer or insist on a smaller footprint then the 12” MacBook is really the only choice. It is, however, anything but a beast. It may have been adequate 4 years ago but these days it is a 4-year old low-power CPU based on a 6-year old design that is slow as molasses. The M1 is 6x as fast in multi-core and around 2.5x as fast in single-core. I wouldn’t call that a beast 😉

The i7with 16 gigs of RAM feels more than adequate in everyday office work and even light photo / video (4K) editing while on the go. Its not their latest and greatest, but never showed its limits of any kind. It drives 27 4K monitor with no issues either.

 

[Biscotti]

The i7with 16 gigs of RAM feels more than adequate in everyday office work and even light photo / video (4K) editing while on the go. Its not their latest and greatest, but never showed its limits of any kind. It drives 27 4K monitor with no issues either.

I agree that the M1 is a beast and the i7 MB is adequate. I picked up and set up an i7 MB on Wednesday and it's still processing iPhoto pictures and set-up tasks. CPU running 100% for days now. Haha

I still love this thing. Enter key is a little funky registering, but I can't wait to travel with this thing again. Ultimate portable and I really hope they bring it back with new keyboard and M1. That would be my daily for sure.