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MacBook Air "Core i7" 2.2 GHz 13" (2017)

J

Jason Manley

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 6, 2021
30
30
Hilliard, Ohio
Hello,

I'm curious to get some opinions on a recent purchase I made. Since I'm working from home permanently now I wanted a 2nd machine (a laptop) to set at my work desk that I could use for light internet browsing, podcasts, YouTube, music. I currently have an iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019), with a 3.2 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i7, 32 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD also with the Radeon Pro Vega 20. That's my main "rig" for after work and weekends. Still has AppleCare+ through 2023.

But, for during work ours, since I don't want to be using my work PC for the afore mentioned light browsing, and media consumption in the background, I wanted a machine that would work for my needs and use case. I toyed with the idea of getting an M1 Mac but decided against it. Namely because I bought both of my preteen daughters M1 MacBook Air's for their Christmas present. I wanted to keep costs well below $1000 (including AppleCare).

After weeks of looking I found an eBay listing for a a Brand New (Still Sealed) 2017 MacBook Air "Core i7" 2.2 13" with 8 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD. I'm pretty sure that's the BTO (built to order) variant, completely spec'd out. It also has AppleCare+ that was purchased at the manufacturing date (August, 2018) and doesn't expire until August 2021. I probably overpaid a little but I felt like $780 was a pretty decent deal – all things considered.

Taken with the totality of the purchase, does that seem like a good deal? Also, does anyone know if AppleCare+ can be extended on a MacBook at or around expiration?

Thanks.
 
Not sure about extending Applecare+. But you can get a brand new 2020 Intel MBA i3 for $800 at Costco still.
 
I agree with others. I just saw the 2020 i3 at Costco today. Much better deal in my opinion.
 
Probably should've offered the guy sub-$700. Oh well... I tend to always get the short end on deals because I let my emotions take over.

• Form factor I like
• Sealed + AppleCare still
• Exact configuration I wanted, spec'd out

Lesson learned.
 
Month to month Apple care for the Mac was not offered at that time. If it was and the original owner purchased it, he or she could continue paying month to month past the standard deadline. The problem with the month to month is it is not transferrable.

If you wanted to stay cheap, you could have gotten a much older MBP for $300 or so, and saved a lot more money for the light usage described.

In my opinion, the Air you purchased was not a good deal. The difference between the two is about $200, given what you paid for the older Air. At that price point, I would have gotten the M1, and later on, gotten AppleCare.
 
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Jason Manley said:
Probably should've offered the guy sub-$700. Oh well... I tend to always get the short end on deals because I let my emotions take over.

• Form factor I like
• Sealed + AppleCare still
• Exact configuration I wanted, spec'd out

Lesson learned.
Click to expand...
Once something is bought best not to worry about if it's a good deal, unless it is returnable.

There are a lot of good things about the 2017 including magsafe, ports/SD card reader, backlit Apple logo, and excellent battery life. So if you're not returning it, enjoy the machine.

Download coconut battery and check/monitor the battery health. If capacity drops below 80% get it replaced under AC+.
 
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Jason Manley said:
Hoping Apple supports this device at least another 3-4 years.
Click to expand...
Fingers crossed, but I think even 3 years additional os support at this point is optimistic. I'm expecting the next OS beyond Big Sur to drop either all Intel Macs or all Intel Macs without the T2 chip.
 
uller6 said:
Fingers crossed, but I think even 3 years additional os support at this point is optimistic. I'm expecting the next OS beyond Big Sur to drop either all Intel Macs or all Intel Macs without the T2 chip.
Click to expand...
That would leave an awful lot of Mac users stranded. I can't fathom Apple doing that.
 
Last edited:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201624

Vintage products are those that have not been sold for more than 5 and less than 7 years ago.
For products purchased in France, see Statutory Warranties of Seller and Spare Parts. Owners of new iPhone or Mac notebook products purchased after December 31, 2020 in France, may obtain service and parts from Apple or Apple service providers for 7 years from the date the product model was last supplied by Apple for distribution into France.

Obsolete products are those whose sales were discontinued more than 7 years ago. Monster-branded Beats products are considered obsolete regardless of when they were purchased. Apple discontinues all hardware service for obsolete products, with no exceptions. Service providers cannot order parts for obsolete products.

This particular MacBook Air was not discontinued until July 9, 2019 – according to EveryMac.

The iMac I'm typing this message on is the 2019 4K 21.5 inch. That same model is still available for sale on Apple's website in the exact configuration I have – right now.
 
uller6 said:
Fingers crossed, but I think even 3 years additional os support at this point is optimistic. I'm expecting the next OS beyond Big Sur to drop either all Intel Macs or all Intel Macs without the T2 chip.
Click to expand...
Apple is selling Intel Macs both with and without T2 chips today. There is no chance of your prediction happening.
 
Jason Manley said:
After weeks of looking I found an eBay listing for a a Brand New (Still Sealed) 2017 MacBook Air "Core i7" 2.2 13" with 8 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD. I'm pretty sure that's the BTO (built to order) variant, completely spec'd out. It also has AppleCare+ that was purchased at the manufacturing date (August, 2018) and doesn't expire until August 2021. I probably overpaid a little but I felt like $780 was a pretty decent deal – all things considered.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately I think you overpaid by quite a bit. The "2017" MacBook Air is really a 2015 model and refurbished 2020 Airs with a 256GB SSD are $809 from Apple with a full 1 year warranty.
 
ghanwani said:
Once something is bought best not to worry about if it's a good deal, unless it is returnable.

There are a lot of good things about the 2017 including magsafe, ports/SD card reader, backlit Apple logo, and excellent battery life. So if you're not returning it, enjoy the machine.

Download coconut battery and check/monitor the battery health. If capacity drops below 80% get it replaced under AC+.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your thoughtful response. Having this spec'd out Air is quite nice, for my needs. And I absolutely will potentially replace the battery before AC+ expires, if needed.
 
chrfr said:
Unfortunately I think you overpaid by quite a bit. The "2017" MacBook Air is really a 2015 model and refurbished 2020 Airs with a 256GB SSD are $809 from Apple with a full 1 year warranty.
Click to expand...
Live and learn... although, with me, I know I would not be satisfied with a machine that had a Core i3 because I do occasionally like to do tasks that might stress it. Having the spec'd out '17 will suit my needs.
 
Jason Manley said:
Live and learn... although, with me, I know I would not be satisfied with a machine that had a Core i3 because I do occasionally like to do tasks that might stress it. Having the spec'd out '17 will suit my needs.
Click to expand...
For what it’s worth at this point, Intel’s processor naming doesn’t mean much across the 5 generations of CPU between the 2015/2017 and 2020 Intel MacBook Airs. In spite of the i3 being rated at a base frequency of only 1.1GHz, it’s actually faster than the older i7. Still, the older model has proven itself to be a reliable performer.
 
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