A standout bargain has surfaced for budget-minded Apple fans: a reliable, refurbished 13-inch MacBook Air from the 2017 generation is on sale for $199.97, a steep drop from its original $999 MSRP. That’s a headline-grabbing 79% discount on a lightweight laptop still well-suited to everyday work and study.
What You Get for the Money in This $199 MacBook Air
This configuration pairs a 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 with 8GB of RAM and a 128GB solid-state drive. For email, documents, many browser tabs, streaming, and video calls, it’s more than adequate. The SSD keeps boot and app launches snappy, and the traditional scissor-switch keyboard—unlike Apple’s short-lived butterfly design—has a reputation for durability and familiar travel.
- What You Get for the Money in This $199 MacBook Air
- How It Stacks Up Against Other Budget Laptop Options
- Key Limitations to Know Before Buying This Refurbished MacBook Air
- Who This Sub-$200 MacBook Air Deal Will Suit Best
- What Refurbished Grade Means and How to Verify It
- Bottom Line on This $199 Refurbished 2017 MacBook Air Deal
The 13.3-inch display (1440×900) isn’t as sharp as Apple’s modern Retina panels, but it’s easy on the eyes for writing and spreadsheets. Apple rated this model for up to 12 hours of battery life, and while longevity varies with age and usage, many units still deliver a full workday of light-to-moderate tasks. Because it’s an Intel-based Mac, Boot Camp Assistant also lets you install Windows, useful if you rely on specific Windows-only software.
How It Stacks Up Against Other Budget Laptop Options
Under $200 typically buys a basic Chromebook or an entry-level Windows laptop with compromises in build quality, storage, or memory. The MacBook Air’s aluminum chassis, precision trackpad, and stable macOS environment set it apart. You also get practical connectivity that many thin-and-light machines have abandoned: two USB-A ports, MagSafe 2 charging, Thunderbolt 2, a headphone jack, and an SDXC card slot.
The price also reflects broader trends in the refurbished market. Back Market has reported average savings ranging from 30% to 70% on certified refurbs, making this 79% markdown a strong outlier. Beyond cost, refurbished hardware helps curb e-waste—United Nations e-waste research consistently highlights the environmental benefit of extending device lifecycles—so this deal checks both value and sustainability boxes.
Key Limitations to Know Before Buying This Refurbished MacBook Air
As a 2017 model, this MacBook Air tops out at macOS Monterey. While it runs smoothly, Apple’s newest features land on newer Macs, and long-term security update windows may be tighter than on current hardware. If you plan to install Windows via Boot Camp, note that Windows 10—still broadly compatible with this hardware—is nearing the latter stage of its lifecycle, which could affect future support plans.
Display purists should temper expectations: text isn’t as razor-sharp as on Retina screens, and color accuracy is more basic. The older Thunderbolt 2 standard and lack of USB-C mean you’ll use adapters for modern docks or displays. On the flip side, plenty of users will appreciate having native USB-A and SD card support without dongles.
Who This Sub-$200 MacBook Air Deal Will Suit Best
Students, writers, and frequent travelers will value the portability, dependable keyboard, and all-day battery claims. It also works well as a family machine for homework and streaming, a dedicated note-taking laptop, or a focused second computer for email and calendar tasks. Small businesses needing a dependable checkout or front-desk terminal could also find this appealing.
What Refurbished Grade Means and How to Verify It
This unit is sold as Grade A/B refurbished, which typically means fully functional with minor cosmetic wear (think small scuffs or faint keyboard marks). A 90-day warranty is included—shorter than a new purchase, but in line with many refurb programs. Consumer Reports recommends buying refurbished from sellers that provide clear grading standards, a return window, and documented tests for components like the battery, keyboard, and ports. If possible, ask for the battery cycle count; Apple designs MacBook Air batteries for up to 1,000 cycles, and a lower count generally indicates less wear.
Bottom Line on This $199 Refurbished 2017 MacBook Air Deal
For under $200, this refurbished MacBook Air delivers a rare combination of reliability, portability, and everyday performance. It won’t replace a modern creator’s machine or a high-resolution display, but as a daily driver for basics—or a travel-friendly backup—it’s a remarkably strong value while inventory lasts.