MacBook Airs are generally less expensive than MacBook Pros. But that does not mean buying a new MacBook Air comes with no cost. On the contrary, Apple products are known for being particularly expensive.
That’s why many people prefer to buy a refurbished or used MacBook Air instead. This blog post will teach you everything you need to know before buying a used Air. Nothing will be left out from the money you save to choosing the best marketplace for your purchase.
Are you ready to buy a top-of-the-line MacBook Air and save a considerable amount of money in the process? If so, read on!
Buying a Refurbished or Used MacBook Air: Everything you Should Know
Before we get started, it is important to mention all the important things you should know when buying a refurbished or used MacBook Air:
- The difference between refurbished and used MacBook Airs: Refurbished MacBook Airs are the laptops that official Apple or certified technicians have checked. Any MacBook that doesn’t meet this requirement should be classified as a used laptop instead.
- Condition grading: When buying a used MacBook Air from an online marketplace, you should pay attention to its cosmetic condition grading. Usually, this includes 3-4 grade categories (Excellent, Good, Fair, and Heavy Wear). Or is rated on a scale from 1 to 10; the ten would be a used Mac in mint condition.
- A used MacBook Air is much more affordable: As a rule, a used MacBook Air is more than two times cheaper than a new (or even refurbished by Apple!) MacBook.
- There are multiple ways to buy a second-hand MacBook Air: from the Apple Refurbished portal to trustworthy marketplaces like Gadget Salvation, you have many options.
Now that you know exactly what a used/refurbished MacBook is, it is time to answer a key question: Should you buy a used MacBook Air?
Should you Opt for a Used MacBook Air?
In most cases, the latest MacBook Pros and Mac Studios have an extremely high price tag. So should you buy a used device instead?
To answer this question, we first need to establish some ground rules. For example, it is never a good idea to buy a used MacBook Air from an obscure website or a stranger from Craigslist without testing the product first. But you can definitely opt for a refurbished/used MacBook tested by a reliable team of technicians.
Keep in mind that a Mac trade-in value is always higher than a PC equivalent. So, even if you buy a refurbished MacBook Air from Apple, it will hold its resale value as you keep using it. Besides, Apple’s refurbished products come with a 1-year warranty, which is a plus. That said, the price difference between new and refurbished Macs is marginal, and, as a result, most people opt for a used MacBook Air instead.
Where to Buy a Used MacBook Air?
The reason is simple: you can buy a used (but tested) Air at a very affordable price on a top-notch online marketplace. More specifically, our web platform, GadgetSalvation.com, contains an analytical description of the cosmetic and functional condition of every used Macbook we carry.
This way, you’ll know exactly what condition the MacBook you want to buy is in, and you’ll be able to filter your search according to your needs and preferences. Of course, your options are not always the same and depend on the availability of the platform. But Gadget Salvation always has several used MacBooks for sale. We also often have a few non-functional Macs in stock at a very competitive price for those who are looking to get a cheap project to fix.
This way, you can find the device that suits your needs. Nothing is left out from the latest Air models that are perfect for professionals to older options for casual users.
At the same time, if you need to save some extra money towards your purchase, you can always sell your old electronics (not only Apple but other brands as well) for cash using the same platform. This will could potentially decrease the cost of your upgrade even more.
What’s the Oldest MacBook Air Model you Should Opt for?
Even though most MacBook Air models will cover the needs of a casual user, not all can support the latest macOS versions. As of early 2023, the macOS Ventura is fully compatible with all MacBook Air models from 2018 and later.
Remember that this doesn’t mean that previous Airs aren’t fully operational. On the contrary, even the first MacBook Air, released in 2008, can still function properly. Again, it comes down to your personal needs. Still, we would not recommend getting anything older than 2014 simply because you won’t be able to resell the laptop when it’s time to upgrade again.
For example, the needs of a casual user (web browsing, movie streaming, etc.) can easily be covered by an earlier MacBook Air (2014 or later). Of course, MacBooks released after 2018 are by far the best choice for creative professionals that use demanding creative software for photo editing, video editing, or animation.
3 Best Used MacBook Air Models you Should Opt for in 2023
Before we conclude this guide, let’s look at the best MacBook used models you should look for in 2023. Bear in mind that these are only a few of the options you have. For example, a used MacBook Pro 2019 can easily handle the most demanding users’ needs and comes at a very reasonable price. But if you need a used or refurbished Air, these are the best options for 2023:
1. Apple MacBook Air 2022: Best High-End Choice
The 2022 used MacBook Air M1 has everything a professional user needs and more. It has a premium Apple M-Series CPU, 8 or 16 GB RAM, a 13.6″ Retina display, and a lightning-fast SSD. Although this is the most expensive used MacBook Air you can find, it is also the most powerful.
In other words, the 2022 model is the best choice for those who need a modern, high-quality Air but do not want to spend a fortune on a new device. The same is true for a used MacBook Air 2020 or 2021.
2. MacBook Air 2018: The All-Rounder
2018 was a turning point for MacBooks. All Apple laptops got a highly-anticipated makeover and upgraded hardware. As such, the MacBook Air 2018 is still a smart choice for those looking to buy a used computer. Even today, five years later, we can still say that the 2018 Air has a decent hardware kit and a top-notch Retina display. So, if you’re looking for a powerful yet affordable MacBook Air, this is definitely the best way to go.
3. MacBook Air 2014: The Most Affordable Choice for Casual Users
Any MacBook Air model released between 2014 and 2017 is still a good choice for casual users. Even if you cannot install the latest macOS version, these models can easily handle all desktop tasks like movie streaming, managing your inboxes and cloud storage, etc. Therefore, the MacBook Air 2014 is the perfect choice for students and casual users looking for a portable, powerful, and very affordable Apple laptop.
Wrap Up
It becomes clear that choosing a used or refurbished MacBook Air is actually easier than most people think. You must choose a reliable marketplace and filter your search based on your hardware and cosmetic condition preferences. After doing so, you can choose the best model and save a significant amount of money in the process.
