MacBook Air 2017 - too old?

Forums › Mac OS › MacBook Air 2017 - too old?

OnceBitten

545 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#293414 19-Jan-2022 15:37

We are looking at upgrading our MacBook Pro 2012 and I came across someone selling a 2017 MacBook Air on FB marketplace

they said they bought it new in 2017 and said there are no issues with it and they have just upgraded - wanting $500 but willing to negotiate as they want it gone

I know it is more modern that out 2012 MacBook, but would a 2017 model be too old?

We would buy new or newer but our budget doesn't allow sadly

wellygary

8810 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5287

#2853558 19-Jan-2022 15:42

It'll be Intel not Apple Silicon and while Universal binaries will be common for the next few years, If you are thinking on keeping it for 5+ years that's possibly something to consider against it..

RunningMan

9186 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4840

#2853568 19-Jan-2022 15:56

The 2017 model was sold new until 2019, so not that far out of date. Will likely still be supported for a number of years to come, but with the move to Apple silicon performance won't be as good as newer models. Check the battery condition as if it needs a new one that will eat in to your budget.

alasta

6889 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3363

Trusted

Subscriber

#2853580 19-Jan-2022 16:13

This page has all the tech specs for historic model releases so you can compare the 2017 unit with more recent offerings.

Others have rightly pointed out that Apple silicon is preferable to Intel, however you would be buying something less than 18 months old so it may not be a realistic option for you.

JaseNZ

2576 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1489

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2853627 19-Jan-2022 16:15

Depends on what you are using it for.

If its for just normal browsing and maybe some office type stuff the 2017 would be fine.

As other's have said check out the battery to make sure its ok.

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding : Ice cream man , Ice cream man

semigeek

1606 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 124

#2853714 19-Jan-2022 17:54

I have a 2015 MacBook Air and I am running Monterey on it and it is working fine, if that is any help, so a 2017 MacBook Air should be fine too, just check what the battery is like.

bendud

324 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 98

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2853723 19-Jan-2022 18:01

I have to say I'm quite wary of FB Marketplace...

Do you need a laptop rather than a desktop? You can get a refurb M1 Mini from Apple for $1000, and that should see you through another decade if you can stretch that far. You will probably get $2-300 for your 2012 one if it's in good nick. So that would mean stretching the budget about $250 further. I have to say older Intel Macs are going to be going the way of the PowerPC G4 and 5 machines from 2008 - will be of historical interest only in a couple of years time.

If you haven't already, pop an SSD in the old MacBook Pro and it will run much faster. The 2012 MBPs were easy to work on. Is it a MacBook Pro 13' unibody, or the old aluminium "unibody" MacBook? The latter was beautifully designed for repairs/upgrades - a far cry from today's soldered together black boxes!

From the Antarctic Riviera

Mighty Ape

Shop now at Mighty Ape (affiliate link).

OnceBitten

545 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#2853811 19-Jan-2022 21:30

bendud:
I have to say I'm quite wary of FB Marketplace...

Do you need a laptop rather than a desktop? You can get a refurb M1 Mini from Apple for $1000, and that should see you through another decade if you can stretch that far. You will probably get $2-300 for your 2012 one if it's in good nick. So that would mean stretching the budget about $250 further. I have to say older Intel Macs are going to be going the way of the PowerPC G4 and 5 machines from 2008 - will be of historical interest only in a couple of years time.

If you haven't already, pop an SSD in the old MacBook Pro and it will run much faster. The 2012 MBPs were easy to work on. Is it a MacBook Pro 13' unibody, or the old aluminium "unibody" MacBook? The latter was beautifully designed for repairs/upgrades - a far cry from today's soldered together black boxes!

b

Thanks for that.... my brother in law mentioned something about an SSD hard drive... he put one in his Dell desktop computer and said it really sped it up. I could look into that

I’m not sure if our MacBook is unibody or not sorry

Just out of interest how do you check the battery life on a MacBook??

I just use it for browsing, emails, google docs / spreadsheets and QuickTime recording now and then

Cheers

bendud

324 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 98

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2853816 19-Jan-2022 22:12

Have a look at everymac.com and try and work out which model you have. That plus ifixit.com will show you walkthroughs for replacing the SSD etc. If you are in Dunedin I’m happy to help.

Would be considerably cheaper than a replacement and will give it a new lease of life

B

From the Antarctic Riviera

bendud

324 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 98

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2853817 19-Jan-2022 22:13

Oh and re battery, try cocoabattery.

B

From the Antarctic Riviera

OnceBitten

545 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#2853841 19-Jan-2022 23:34

bendud: Have a look at everymac.com and try and work out which model you have. That plus ifixit.com will show you walkthroughs for replacing the SSD etc. If you are in Dunedin I’m happy to help.

Would be considerably cheaper than a replacement and will give it a new lease of life

B

Thanks for that..... If I replace with SSD I’ll get a professional to do it.. I don’t trust myself with electronics!

bendud

324 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 98

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2853961 20-Jan-2022 10:45

Fair enough! Some of the 2012 machines were very easy to work on, and some are absolute sods. But both my kids have old MacBook Pros of that vintage (approx) and they trundle along nicely with an SSD. Generally if someone is already in there to replace e.g. SSD then it's a good time to sort out battery and max out the RAM rather than doing these things one at a time; the question is how much would they charge?

From the Antarctic Riviera

Lego

Shop now for Lego sets and other gifts (affiliate link).

OnceBitten

545 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#2854051 20-Jan-2022 12:30

bendud:

Fair enough! Some of the 2012 machines were very easy to work on, and some are absolute sods. But both my kids have old MacBook Pros of that vintage (approx) and they trundle along nicely with an SSD. Generally if someone is already in there to replace e.g. SSD then it's a good time to sort out battery and max out the RAM rather than doing these things one at a time; the question is how much would they charge?

b

thanks - there is a registered repairer in my area who fixes all things computer / laptop / mobile phones...etc... and they do fix apple products

https://electronicsrepair.co.nz/

I did ask them last year about the MacBook and they said they'd need to look at it to see what needed doing.... but from memory I didn't mention anything specific about replacing the drive with SSD....

I can ask about the cost of replacing the drive with SSD and getting more RAM and see what they say

cheers