MacBooks are many things — beautifully designed, reliable, sturdy, fast, and powerful among them. Inexpensive, however, is not a word you hear applied to MacBooks often, if ever. Apple is very much a get-what-you-pay-for company, and you pay for quality. Thankfully, there are shortcuts to be found, like the deals StackSocial frequently runs on Grade-A refurbished MacBooks for a fraction of their usual cost.
Here’s one that’s on the extreme side even for StackSocial: A 13.3-inch 2017 MacBook Air for just $230. Even for an older model MacBook Air, that’s a sensational price — 76% off of the retail $999 price tag. And before you slam on the brakes because it’s a 2017 model MacBook Air, read on. It’s well worth the price.
Shockingly Fast
The 2017 MacBook Air is armed with the Intel Core i5 processor, which can hit speeds of up to 1.8GHz, with Turbo Boost speeds of up to 2.9GHz. That’s enough speed to perform all of the tasks you need from a solid laptop, and the Intel HD Graphics 6000 video card gives you smooth, clear performance for streaming and gaming.
There’s also 128GB of flash storage on this 2017 MacBook Air, ample space for important files. And if you want to expand that, the two USB 3.0 ports move data at up to 5Gbps if you want to attach a portable hard drive. There’s also a Thunderbolt 2 port that transfers data at up to 20Gbps and an SDXC card slot for additional storage and transfer options.
Wi-Fi 7 hadn’t been invented yet in 2017, so modulate your expectations on internet speed. But the 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 of this MacBook Air aren’t going to leave you with a spinning beach ball while you’re surfing. With the 720p FaceTime HD camera, you’ll be able to connect to video calls or conferences and come through loud and clear.
Endurance Test
This Grade-A refurbished 2017 MacBook Air isn’t one of those laptops that causes you to keep a constant lookout for AC outlets. The battery delivers up to 12 hours of productive use on a single charge from the included MagSafe wall charger, and the machine earns its Grade A refurbished rating after rigorous testing that determines the battery is at 80% or greater health. It also means the screen is free of scratches or screen burn, and the keyboard and trackpad are clean and fully operational.
A $230 MacBook Pro is a terrific buy as a backup laptop, a work laptop for frequent travelers, or as a first everyday laptop for a student. Add in the free shipping that comes with this StackSocial deal, and it’s even harder to say no to.
