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The Apple Support Community will permanently close on November 20, 2026. Starting today, the site will no longer accept new posts and is available in a read-only state.
You can continue to find trusted guidance and support on the official Apple Support site.
We want to thank the community members who have contributed their time and expertise to help others with their Apple products.
Hi, I brought a refurbished 2017 MacBook air but the bottom base says 2013, however about this mac says 2017 - has it been tricked to thinking its 2017? The serial number on about this mac verifies it as been a 2017 13.3 Macbook Air but what has happened?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: MacBook Air 2017 13.3"
It's very possible that the bottom case is from a 2013 MBA. I doubt the part had changed much between releases. It is, after all, just a case cover.
I don't know if the s/n can be spoofed.
If you want to research the OS response, plug either or both serial numbers into Apple's coverage lookup web page to see what it returns.
View Coverage - AppleCare & Warranty
I wouldn't bother opening the computer.
The 2013 MBA cannot run Monterey. It tops out with Big Sur.
I think you can be sure the guts are 2017.
Hi, thanks. I think you are correct with the bottom cases being switched as it is refurbished, it runs macOS Monterey with no issue which the 2017 MBA models support. Should I open it up and check the part numbers to verify it is 2017? I have checked the serial numbers, both come up as mid 2013 and 2017.
Why exactly do you believe the base of this MacBook Air is 2013?
D you buy this "refurbished" MBA from a reputable source?
I'm inclined to believe what the OS reports.
I ordered it from Amazon, a couple of weeks ago and just noticed this. Can a MacBook's firmware or something like that be tricked to make it think it's a newer model?
Macbook Air 2017 13.3 says 2013 Apple Inc on bottom base - is it really a 2017 Macbook Air?
