Cheap Macbook air - good idea or bad idea?

omar.m wrote:

• I need a laptop for when I'm out and about.

I've got an old Macbook Pro - that serves me fine! The battery won't last 60-90 minutes - for everything I need it's perfect - it's plugged into the mains whenever I am working on it.

along with the solid advice you've already received, if the old Mac still "serves you fine" and budget is dictating your decision, why not just have the battery replaced in the old Mac?

Generally speaking, no you should not buy any Mac based on price alone. You — usually — get what you pay for.

You are also considering a 2014 model, one that is very near if not at the end of its economic life. Its battery may already be depleted to the point it that it needs to be replaced. The Mac's specifications are important; for example if it has the minimum amount of storage upgrading macOS may leave very little of it remaining for the work you need it to do.

Buying a used Mac is generally a task for very experienced Mac users. For example, if the seller were to indicate it's running Big Sur (for example) then you should run away from the deal, because he or she has not properly prepared it for sale. If that task is not correctly accomplished the problems associated with such neglect may not become evident for months. Same advice holds if the seller advertises the Mac with a full suite of Adobe or Microsoft programs (for example) already installed. A Mac may not be sold in that condition.

These are just a few concerns. Having said all that I have a personal acquaintance who (against my advice) bought a similar age MacBook Air for about that same price. I told him the price was too good to be true. As it turns out, those Macs were trade-ins from a primary school that were very professionally resold at a very attractive price. They all sold very quickly. A few hundred in all.

He is very happy with it. So there are some happy endings, but they are rare.

FWIW, personally, I would not purchase any used laptop that I could not see and test in person before buying. When buying something used sight unseen, the seller can leave out lots of issues and you may just be buying someone else's problems.

I am sure in your country, there are many reputable dealers of used computers that will at least give you some sort of short warranty and a one or two week return policy if not satisfied. If looking for a used computer sight unseen, I would check those possibilities out first.

you're welcome. and if you are considering an aftermarket battery, I would recommend going to OWC’s website to research the battery. and since you are using £ as your currency, look into OWC resellers international. they are known for quality products, as well as compatibility with apple products.

as well, I've seen that in the US, I believe that a battery replacement at an Apple Store only costs $199 USD, so you may want to look locally for that service.

best of luck. 😀