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Buy used 2017 MacBook Air vs Apple refurbished M2 Macbook Air

M

Ms.Tessie

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 10, 2018
11
5
Background: I currently own a 2017 MacBook air 2.2 Ghz 7,2 with 500 GB SSD, 8 MB RAM running Catalina. Battery needs replaced so I'm always plugged in, one USB port doesn't work, and I need to increase storage to 1 TB, which is why I haven't upgraded OS to Monterey. Most intensive thing I do is edit some videos (auditions and demo reels). With an SSD upgrade, I could install Monterey. I know I need to spend some money but am on a limited budget and in a bit of a time crunch with eldercare responsibilities. I could replace battery and SSD on my own, though I've never done that so would study videos, or offload some files.

If I'm going to spend any money and I'm in a time crunch, it seems I could either:
1) Get a used 2017 2.2 GHz MacBook air with 1 TB SSD for about $325, more money than DIY upgrading but would save time and give me a current laptop with two working USB ports and battery, plus other ports that I use.
OR
2) Buy Apple refurbished M2 or M3 MacBook Air with 1 TB SSD and 16 MB of RAM for about ~$1150-$1300 and invest in new technology along with some dangles to accommodate peripherals.

I'm starting to lean toward spending more money on a new machine but wondered how long others think their 2017 Monterey OS MacBook Airs will let them work, use tax software, Microsoft Office, etc.

Thanks for weighing in if you've time and best wishes for the New Year!
 
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I’d feel hard pressed to recommend buying any Intel Mac in 2025… Yeah it’s three weeks away.

If you’re on a really tight budget you have to do what you have to do but even $325 seems like a lot for anything with Intel. The cheapest 8GB/ 256GB M1 Air would crush it with the exception of storage.

If you buy Apple Silicon make sure whatever apps you use are compatible.
 
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M2 or greater the way to go for a little bit of future-proofing (though I have my 2017 Air 256/8 - running Monterey - sitting in my travel bag - most software still fine, including some stuff that didn't make leap to current OSs. Trade-in / sale value not worth giving it up for).

Would also look in Apple's own online Refurb site (buried in tiny print at the bottom of their Store page) for deals there. Individually checked (so arguably better than Factory), eligible for AppleCare and free delivery.
 
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Thanks to all for weighing in. I just wasn't staying up on things in the Apple world given family stuff, and everyone's advice is spot on! I've gone with a refurbished M3, maybe overkill, but I don't want to have to think about getting another laptop until 2031---fingers crossed (and note sense of optimism that world will still exist and I will still be in it, ha.) I also needed the reminder that 2025 is just around the corner. As the year winds down, let me say how grateful I am for this community.
 
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For future reference, this $10 adapter let's you fit ordinary NVMe drives to your old MBA 2013-2017 (or other Mac's, check the listing:


I paired it with this drive to give my old MBA a 1 TB drive:


At this point, you probably will need to upgrade to ... something. With the new M4 Mac Mini out, I've decided to go that route, instead of paying Apple $1500 or $2000 every 5 years or so, since I rarely need the portability of a laptop.

Instead, I've put Ubuntu on the old MBA now, and I'm having a blast using that. I can probably get another 5-10 years out of that laptop.
 
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