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Apple Macbook Air 13" $1186 @ JB Hi-Fi

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I think this is a reasonable price for a this model, see specifications below:

  • Dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
  • Intel HD Graphics 6000
  • 128GB SSD storage
  • 8GB of memory
  • Two USB 3 ports
  • Thunderbolt 2 port
  • SDXC port
  • Up to 12 hours of battery life*
  • 802.11ac Wi-Fi
  • Multi-Touch trackpad

Some will say that the storage is too small, and it is on-board (soldered to motherboard) so it cannot be upgraded, although it can be expanded via the SDXC port (i.e. one of these).

Please note: this is the older model Air which appears to be no longer sold by Apple.

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JB Hi-Fi
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closed Comments

  • +9

    For anyone wondering, this is the 2017 Model of the Macbook Air.

  • If only it had a bigger hard drive….

    • Still dual core

      • Now losers neg even simple facts.

  • +4

    I'm all for deals but this CPU is like 5 generations behind? The i5-5350U inside this laptop and the display is a TFT-LCD…

  • +10

    spend a bit more and get the newer MacBook Air,

    the old Air screen solution is so ancient

    • +5

      This.

      The 2017 version of a laptop which dates back to 2010 in design (albeit with internal upgrades) isn't a great buy even at that price point. And if I'm not mistaken, wasn't the 13" somewhere in that price range originally anyway?

      Don't get me wrong, I really loved my 11" Macbook Air (and even bought one for my then-girlfriend/now-wife). They were great laptops at a decent price point ($1200ish from memory) but in 2019, it's hard to recommend.

      • Not everyone needs the latest and greatest, this model is perfectly fine for students etc. and don't break the bank!

        Please feel free to recommend a substitute (by Apple) at the same price point.

        • overpriced no matter how nice it looks and feels, this model is too old and doesn't even have fullhd display, which is really a must, even a cheap crap acer nowaday has one with 1/3 of the price. Without fullhd web-browsing experience is crap for screen that size, let alone watching video and youtube, even an ipad air can do better.

          • +3

            @lgacb08: Regardless of what you would personally pay for a laptop, some people still like and want MacBooks by Apple.

            This is currently the cheapest option, an offering by Acer cannot be compared, as their overall build quality is rubbish.

        • +1

          If you must get Mac OS X in a portable computer then this is probably the best option currently given Apple stopped selling laptops at this price point.

          My remark still stands though that I don’t think this is good value in 2019 vs spending a bit more to get a more recent MacBook model whether that be the recently discontinued 12” MacBook or even the new Air. The newer models will last much longer in terms of usability and updated given the better specs, and you also get the benefits of Retina display and USB C for charging (gone are the days when MacBook had the advantage in uni because everyone had a compatible MagSafe charger). There’s also the risk this MacBook will reach end of support status much sooner since Apple stopped selling it (different time warranty).

          If it were me in 2019 with only $1200 to spend today and looking for something for uni, I’d probably be looking at either Surface line or a more recent second hand MacBook/Pro. There’s also bound to be decent deals over Black Friday cyber Monday too. Just to be clear though I don’t disagree that most other brands can’t match Apple in the build quality and support.

    • I'm currently using one for my internet browsing/take away with me/etc laptop.
      For anything super intensive, i have a ryzen desktop PC.

      The screen is actually pretty good for 720p. Honestly, looks better than a lot of cheap higher res screens.

      For browsing/emails/light photoshopping of memes/prons/downloading stuff/travel it is great. Datbatterylife.exe

  • Also available at OW

    • Nice find, it's not even on sale in OW.
      Kind of rip off from JB

  • 1- to me, if don’t want pretty, in terms of value and practicality beats the new Air by far. (In market for a used 11” myself to replace my old 11”)
    2- can get this refurbished from Apple for $1129
    3- storage can be upgraded easily with a new drive in size of your choice (or get 256GB refurbished from Apple for $1389)
    4- I wouldn’t get the new Air on the basis of “new CPU” or performance upgrade, there is none compare to old Air.

    • You could add an external GPU to the new air since it has thunderbolt 3 and turn it in to a capable machine provided you have the $$$

      • I guess everyone has different idea what is good. A glossy screen, only 2 USB-C ports, still the same weight with no upgrade and a bad keyboard.
        As I said the CPU is not any better than the 2015 model. Not sure if an external gpu worth it on this machine.

        Anyway, I’m sticking With my four years old 11 inch and upgrading the storage (granted I have acces to a work issues ThinkPad P52s)

      • In theory yes but I'm pretty sure the weak CPU would be a bottleneck very quickly. You'd also be limited to AMD cards given the lack of NVidia support nowadays.

        IMO once you factor in the price of a decent TB3 enclosure and AMD graphics card, and accepting the performance reduction from the weak CPU and the overheads from TB3, you may as well have just bought a better laptop to begin with unless you really love the classic 13" Macbook Air look.

    • you'll be looking at hideously expensive option to upgrade storage for this macbook, it just won't make any economical sense to do that

      • $20 for an adaptor and you can use any NVMe drive.

        • Not the same as having an inbuilt drive.

          • @jace88: I’m not sure what difference does that make, but if one doesn’t want to use an adaptor then plenty of originals are available or you can get a 2x faster brand new drive for about $170 for 240GB
            That’s what I’ll be doing anyway

            • @Danielj: As in, it’s a hassle to have to carry a dongle around to use as an external drive.

              I have seen those upgrade kits for MacBook Air SSDs (I considered it back when I owned one) but it seemed a bit fiddly. Good on you for DIY though.

              • +1

                @jace88: The adapter is internal. I'm using one right now to type this. I have a Samsung 970 Evo 1tb on an adapter in the OEM drive slot. Works great.

                • @Pr0x1mity: My mistake. Thought you meant an adaptor as in an external adaptor.

                  • @jace88: ah yes, I meant to replace the internal drive with a larger ssd (actually found out it costs about $100 for 256gb).

  • +1

    Super outdated but has the best battery life in any laptop (except ARM I guess)

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