Apple MacBook Air 13.3" 2017, Core i5, 8GB, 128GB SSD, Silver

The 2017 MacBook Air scores 98th percentile for reliability but 11th percentile for CPU performance. The 1440x900 screen is one of the worst we've seen, and the 128GB SSD fills up fast. At USD 70 it's a steal, at USD 999 it's a scam.

Let's talk about that 5th-gen Intel Core i5. It's a dual-core chip running at 1.8GHz, and in our database it lands at the 11th percentile for CPUs. That's rough. You'll feel it when you have more than a few browser tabs open or try to do anything beyond basic productivity. The 8GB of LPDDR3 RAM doesn't help much either, sitting at the 5th percentile. This is a machine for writing, browsing, and light email duty, not for anything that needs real horsepower.

The weird part is the GPU. Intel HD Graphics 6000 with 48GB of shared VRAM ranks at the 98th percentile, which sounds impressive until you remember this is integrated graphics from 2015. The gaming score of 9.2 out of 100 is one of the worst we've seen. The 128GB SSD is fast for what it is, but at the 7th percentile for storage, you'll be playing the "what do I delete next" game within a few months.

Against the Dell Latitude E7470 and Lenovo ThinkPad T460s, this MacBook Air holds its own on build quality and portability, but gets smoked on raw performance. The ThinkPad T460s typically comes with a faster CPU and better screen options for similar money. The HP EliteBook 840 G5 is a generation newer and offers better specs across the board. The Microsoft Surface Book HMW-00001-cr has a sharper display and more RAM, though it's heavier. The ASUS L406 is cheaper but feels like a toy next to the Air's aluminum chassis. If you need macOS, the Air is your only option here. If you just need a laptop, the ThinkPad or EliteBook are smarter buys.

Here's where things get interesting. US listings range from USD 70 to USD 999, which is a USD 929 spread. That's wild. If you can find one at the low end, you're getting a reliable ultraportable for less than a nice dinner. At the high end, you're getting robbed. The CAD market is tighter, ranging from CAD 222 to CAD 400, a CAD 178 spread. Walmart Canada has the best CAD deal at CAD 222. For US buyers, the USD 70 listing is the obvious choice if it's actually functional. Just don't pay anywhere near USD 999 for a 2017 Air.

The 2017 MacBook Air is a weird mix of extremes. Our database puts its reliability and GPU at the 98th percentile, which sounds great until you realize the CPU sits at the 11th percentile and the screen at the 8th. You're getting a machine that's built like a tank but runs like it's stuck in 2015. The 1.34kg weight and 54Wh battery are the real stars here, but that 1440x900 display is a relic.

For a refurbished unit, the 3.8 out of 5 rating from 1,182 reviews tells a story of mixed experiences. Some buyers got machines that felt brand new. Others got units that arrived locked or took forever to boot. The compact score of 77.7 out of 100 is solid, but the gaming score of 9.2 out of 100 should tell you everything about what this thing can't do.

Skip this if you need to run anything heavier than a web browser and a word processor. The 11th percentile CPU and 5th percentile RAM mean multitasking is a chore. The 1440x900 display at the 8th percentile is genuinely hard to look at if you're used to anything modern. And if you need more than 128GB of storage, you'll be living off external drives. Gamers should run far away, the 9.2 out of 100 gaming score is a joke. If you're buying for a student who needs to run modern software, look at the ThinkPad T460s or EliteBook 840 G5 instead.

The 2017 MacBook Air is a reliability champion with a dinosaur's heart. The 98th percentile reliability score means it'll probably outlive your patience with its 11th percentile CPU. For USD 70, it's a no-brainer for basic writing and browsing. For anything over USD 300, you're better off with a ThinkPad T460s or EliteBook 840 G5. The 3.8 out of 5 customer rating reflects the gamble you're taking on refurbished quality. If you need macOS and portability above all else, and you find one cheap, go for it. Otherwise, keep scrolling.