Is the 2017 MacBook Air still worth buying in 2026?

For basic web, email and writing at $146, yes. For video calls, photo editing or many open tabs, a newer machine is worth the extra money.

Can the RAM or storage be upgraded?

No. The 8GB of RAM is soldered to the board and is the maximum. The SSD is not a standard user-replaceable part either.

Does it run the latest macOS?

No. This model stopped at macOS Monterey, so it no longer gets new macOS versions or full security updates from Apple.

How long does the battery last?

Apple rated it at up to 12 hours. On a used unit, expect less, and check the battery cycle count before buying.

What ports does it have?

Two USB-A ports, a Thunderbolt 2 port, an SD card slot, a headphone jack and MagSafe 2 charging. There is no USB-C.

Prices for this model have fallen steadily as it aged. The $146 at Walmart as of November 7, 2026 is already near the low end, so waiting rarely saves much.

What do buyers say about the Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch Dual-Core i5 1.8GHz 8GB 128GB?

Rated 3.8 out of 5 from 34 ratings.

Where can I buy the Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch Dual-Core i5 1.8GHz 8GB 128GB?

2 stores we checked sell it, including Walmart, eBay.

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Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch Dual-Core i5 1.8GHz 8GB 128GB

Best price now

$146.00at WalmartObserved at 9:48 PM

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

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Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch Dual-Core i5 1.8GHz 8GB 128GB

Best price now

$146.00at WalmartObserved at 9:48 PM

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Walmart

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Our take on the Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch Dual-Core i5 1.8GHz 8GB 128GB

The 2017 MacBook Air is Apple's last 13.3-inch Air with the older design: a dual-core 1.8GHz Intel i5, 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. It weighs 3 lb, has a backlit keyboard and a 1440 x 900 screen, and Apple rated the battery at up to 12 hours. At $146 at Walmart as of November 7, 2026, it is far below what this model sold for new and near the bottom of its recent used-market range.

Best forStudents on a tight budgetBasic web, email and document workA cheap second or travel laptopBuyers who want a real Mac keyboard and MagSafe

Pros

Full macOS on a very low budget
Light at 3 lb with a backlit keyboard
Long battery life, rated up to 12 hours
MagSafe charging and USB-A ports, unlike newer Airs
128GB SSD boots and loads faster than an old hard drive

Cons

Dual-core i5 and 8GB RAM feel slow for heavy multitasking
128GB fills up quickly
Low-resolution, non-Retina 1440 x 900 display
RAM is soldered and capped at 8GB, so it can't be upgraded
Older design with thick bezels and no USB-C

Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch Dual-Core i5 1.8GHz 8GB 128GB prices at every store

WalmartNew
In stockSold by Reebelo
$146.00Observed at 9:48 PM
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Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch Dual-Core i5 1.8GHz 8GB 128GB price history

Lowest price we've seen: $146.00 on Nov 7 at Walmart. Tracked across 1 store since Nov 7.

What reviewers say

3.8 / 534 ratings

Ratings are middling at 3.8 out of 5 from 34 ratings. Owners value the light body, keyboard and battery life, but many find the screen and speed dated by current standards.

What people mention

PerformanceMixedFine for browsing and documents, but the dual-core i5 and 8GB of RAM struggle with heavier multitasking.
DisplayCriticisedThe 1440 x 900 panel is not Retina and looks less sharp than newer MacBooks.
BatteryPraisedOwners report long runtimes, in line with Apple's 12-hour rating when the battery is healthy.
StorageCriticised128GB is small and fills quickly once apps, photos and updates are installed.
BuildPraisedThe aluminum chassis feels solid and stays light at about 3 lb.
KeyboardPraisedThe backlit keyboard is comfortable and widely preferred to Apple's later butterfly keys.

Specifications

Resolution: 1440 x 900
Operating System: Mac OS
Processor Brand: Intel CPU
Graphics Processor: Intel GPU
Drive Type: Solid State Drive
Number Of Cores: Dual Core
Color: Silver

Questions and answers

Is the 2017 MacBook Air still worth buying in 2026?: For basic web, email and writing at $146, yes. For video calls, photo editing or many open tabs, a newer machine is worth the extra money.
Can the RAM or storage be upgraded?: No. The 8GB of RAM is soldered to the board and is the maximum. The SSD is not a standard user-replaceable part either.
Does it run the latest macOS?: No. This model stopped at macOS Monterey, so it no longer gets new macOS versions or full security updates from Apple.
How long does the battery last?: Apple rated it at up to 12 hours. On a used unit, expect less, and check the battery cycle count before buying.
What ports does it have?: Two USB-A ports, a Thunderbolt 2 port, an SD card slot, a headphone jack and MagSafe 2 charging. There is no USB-C.
When is it cheapest?: Prices for this model have fallen steadily as it aged. The $146 at Walmart as of November 7, 2026 is already near the low end, so waiting rarely saves much.
Where is the Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch Dual-Core i5 1.8GHz 8GB 128GB cheapest?: At Walmart, for $146.00, as of our latest check.
What do buyers say about the Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch Dual-Core i5 1.8GHz 8GB 128GB?: Rated 3.8 out of 5 from 34 ratings.
Where can I buy the Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch Dual-Core i5 1.8GHz 8GB 128GB?: 2 stores we checked sell it, including Walmart, eBay.