Is MacBook Air 2017 still worth it?

By SeasonKing, 15 August, 2021

Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories

I know that the new Macs with M1 chips are amazing. But, I am getting good deal on the 2017 model of MacBook air, the one with the Intel chip. As I do want to have Windows on my Mac as well, do you think MacBook Air 2017 is a good choice for next 5 to 6 years?
How long will it be getting MacOS updates? Will it be able to run Windows 11?
Most importantly, How is it's Keyboard? Will it break down easyly? Will it be expensive to fix if it breaks?

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Comments

By Tyler on Sunday, August 15, 2021 - 22:32

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

I'd imagine the 2017 MacBook Air still has several years of macOS update support based on Apple's typical patterns.

As it has a 5th-generation Intel chip, I don't believe it will be able to run Windows 11 without modifications, if at all. If I were you, I would try to find something like an early 2020 MacBook Air, which includes a 10th-generation Intel chip capable of natively running Windows 11, as well as Apple's Magic Keyboard, which is more reliable than the infamous Butterfly keyboard included on the 2018 and 2019 models.

HTH

By Joe on Monday, August 16, 2021 - 00:36

You left out the specifications of the machine like for example does it have 16 giga ram. In my opinion the Air never had great thermals until the newest M1. Voiceover would just say busy busy busy for no reason on my air but I think it was due to cooling on the Intel side. I honestly don’t know how windows would be on it but I would almost recommend getting a MacBook Pro Intel over the air just due to thermal design.

By Unregistered User (not verified) on Monday, August 16, 2021 - 04:31

I believe the 2017 MBA still uses scissor switches, but that old chip is definitely a problem. Microsoft won't let you run Windows 11 on anything older than an 8th-gen Intel chip. Plus, the dual-core chips in the old MBAs are going to have a rough time going forward compared to modern hardware.

Absolutely steer clear of anything with butterfly switches. Those things are ticking timebombs.

By SeasonKing on Monday, August 16, 2021 - 08:57

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.
I'll try to find Macbook Air 2020 version.
The 2017 version comes up in the searches when I search MQD32, Any such keyword for 2020 version?