Why buy new when it works?
Which refurbished MacBook Air should you buy? M1 vs M2 vs M3 vs M4
Every MacBook Air side by side with today's real refurbished prices, what each chip still gets from Apple, and our picks. Why buy new when it works?
By The SimSift team · Published · Updated
Short answer (prices checked 9 Nov 2026, 12:13 GMT): for most people a refurbished M2 MacBook Air is the smart buy, from £608 today. The cheapest MacBook Air that still runs Apple's latest macOS 27 is the M1 (2020) from £405, and the M4 (2025) with 16GB as standard starts at £928. Every Apple-chip MacBook Air supports Apple Intelligence; Intel models don't, and they can't run macOS 27.
A MacBook Air is one of the best things to buy refurbished: the Apple-chip models are light and still fully supported by Apple, and refurbished prices sit far below launch prices. Across the 62 Apple-chip MacBook Air listings in today's feed, the typical (median) price is 42% below the RRP listed in the feed. Here's how the chips compare, with today's real prices.
Our picks
Cheapest that runs macOS 27: MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
The oldest MacBook Air on Apple's macOS 27 list, with Apple Intelligence. Apple's specs list a 720p camera and support for one external display. Great for students, browsing, writing and video calls. Today it starts at £405 refurbished (8GB memory, 256GB SSD), 59% below the £999 RRP in Back Market's feed.
See MacBook Air (M1, 2020) dealsAdThe sweet spot for most people: MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
The redesigned Air: a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, MagSafe 3 charging and a 1080p camera, according to Apple's tech specs. Still on macOS 27 with Apple Intelligence. Today it starts at £608 refurbished (8GB memory, 256GB SSD), 51% below the £1,249 RRP in Back Market's feed.
See MacBook Air (M2, 2022) dealsAdMost future-proof for less than new: MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025)
Apple's specs list 16GB of memory as standard, a 12MP Center Stage camera and support for up to two external displays. Today it starts at £928 refurbished (16GB memory, 256GB SSD), 7% below the £999 RRP in Back Market's feed.
See MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025) dealsAdBigger screen: MacBook Air (15-inch, M2, 2023)
The 15-inch MacBook Air gives you more room for side-by-side windows without the weight of a MacBook Pro. Today it starts at £761 refurbished (8GB memory, 256GB SSD), 52% below the £1,599 RRP in Back Market's feed.
See MacBook Air (15-inch, M2, 2023) dealsAdLinks marked Ad are affiliate links: SimSift may earn commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend. How we make money.
Every refurbished MacBook Air compared
| Model | Chip | Newest macOS | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook Air (13-inch, M5) 3 listings | Apple M5 Apple Intelligence | macOS 27 | £1,030 16GB memory, 512GB SSD · 21% below RRP See dealAdLowest we've seen since 4 Nov |
| MacBook Air (15-inch, M5) 2 listings | Apple M5 Apple Intelligence | macOS 27 | £1,469.88 16GB memory, 512GB SSD · 2% below RRP See dealAd |
| MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025) 5 listings | Apple M4 Apple Intelligence | macOS 27 | £928 16GB memory, 256GB SSD · 7% below RRP See dealAd |
| MacBook Air (15-inch, M4, 2025) 4 listings | Apple M4 Apple Intelligence | macOS 27 | £975 16GB memory, 256GB SSD · 19% below RRP See dealAd |
| MacBook Air (13-inch, M3, 2024) 11 listings | Apple M3 Apple Intelligence | macOS 27 | £750 8GB memory, 256GB SSD · 32% below RRP See dealAd |
| MacBook Air (15-inch, M3, 2024) 8 listings | Apple M3 Apple Intelligence | macOS 27 | £829 8GB memory, 256GB SSD · 36% below RRP See dealAd |
| MacBook Air (15-inch, M2, 2023) 10 listings | Apple M2 Apple Intelligence | macOS 27 | £761 8GB memory, 256GB SSD · 52% below RRP See dealAd |
| MacBook Air (M2, 2022) 10 listings | Apple M2 Apple Intelligence | macOS 27 | £608 8GB memory, 256GB SSD · 51% below RRP See dealAdLowest we've seen since 2 Nov |
| MacBook Air (M1, 2020) 9 listings | Apple M1 Apple Intelligence | macOS 27 | £405 8GB memory, 256GB SSD · 59% below RRP See dealAdLowest we've seen since 2 Nov |
| MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020) 19 listings | Core i5 No Apple Intelligence | macOS Sequoia | £330 8GB memory, 256GB SSD · 75% below RRP See dealAd |
| MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019) 6 listings | Core i5 No Apple Intelligence | macOS Sonoma | £270 8GB memory, 128GB SSD · 75% below RRP See dealAd |
| MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018) 6 listings | Core i5 No Apple Intelligence | macOS Sonoma | £275 8GB memory, 128GB SSD · 77% below RRP See dealAd |
| MacBook Air (13-inch, 2017) 6 listings | Core i7 No Apple Intelligence | macOS Monterey | £375 8GB memory, 1TB SSD · 74% below RRP See dealAd |
| MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015) 2 listings | Core i5 No Apple Intelligence | macOS Monterey | £155 8GB memory, 128GB SSD · 84% below RRP See dealAd |
M1 vs M2 vs M3 vs M4: what actually changes
Software support
According to Apple, every MacBook Air with an Apple chip (M1 from 2020 onwards) runs macOS 27 Golden Gate, and Apple Intelligence needs a Mac with M1 or later. That makes any Apple-chip Air a safe buy for software today. As a rule, the newer the chip, the longer it is likely to keep getting new macOS versions, but Apple doesn't publish an end date.
Design and charging
The M1 model keeps the older wedge design and charges over USB-C. From the M2 (2022), the Air has a flatter design, a 13.6-inch display and MagSafe 3 charging, according to Apple's tech specs. A 15-inch size arrived in 2023.
Memory
Memory (RAM) can't be upgraded later. The M1 and M2 base models started at 8GB according to Apple; the M4 lists 16GB as standard. If you keep lots of tabs and apps open, look for 16GB in the listing.
Screens and camera
Apple's specs say the M1 and M2 Airs support one external display and the M4 supports up to two. The camera goes from 720p (M1) to 1080p (M2) to a 12MP Center Stage camera (M4).
What about the cheap Intel models?
You'll see Intel MacBook Airs from £155, and they still work well for basic jobs. But according to Apple, macOS 27 runs only on Apple-chip Macs, so these stay on older versions (newest: macOS Sequoia, macOS Sonoma, macOS Monterey), and they don't get Apple Intelligence. Older macOS versions eventually stop getting security updates, so for most people an M1 is the better buy.
Before you buy: four quick checks
- Chip: M1 or later for macOS 27 and Apple Intelligence.
- Memory and storage: neither can be upgraded later, so pick 256GB+ storage if you keep files on the laptop.
- Keyboard: every listing in our table is listed in the feed with an English QWERTY keyboard.
- Battery and warranty: check the listing's battery promise and warranty (12 months on the Back Market listings here). Our buying guide covers grades and your rights.
More refurbished laptops
See every refurbished MacBook (Air and Pro) with today's prices, refurbished Windows laptops, and pair a new-to-you laptop with a SIM-only plan for your phone. Why buy new when it works? Our refurbished and the planet guide has the sourced research.
Sources
- Apple: identify your MacBook Air model (newest compatible macOS for each model)
- Apple: macOS 27 Golden Gate compatible computers
- Apple: how to get Apple Intelligence
- Apple: MacBook Air (M1, 2020) tech specs
- Apple: MacBook Air (M2, 2022) tech specs
- Apple: MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025) tech specs
- Prices: Back Market UK product feed via Awin, checked 9 Nov 2026, 12:13 GMT.
Questions
Which refurbished MacBook Air is best value?
For most people, an M2 MacBook Air is the sweet spot: it runs macOS 27, supports Apple Intelligence and has the newer design with MagSafe charging and a 1080p camera, according to Apple's tech specs. Today it starts at £608 refurbished at Back Market. If you want the lowest price that still runs macOS 27, the M1 model is the one (from £405 today).
Is a refurbished M1 MacBook Air still worth it in 2026?
It can be. According to Apple, the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) runs macOS 27 Golden Gate and supports Apple Intelligence. It has a 720p camera, supports one external display and its base model came with 8GB of memory, per Apple's tech specs, so check the memory on the listing if you multitask a lot.
Should I buy an Intel MacBook Air?
Only if the price is very low and you accept the limits. According to Apple, macOS 27 only runs on Macs with Apple silicon, so Intel MacBook Airs stay on older macOS versions (Sequoia for the 2020 Retina model, Sonoma for 2018 and 2019, Monterey for 2017 and earlier) and don't get Apple Intelligence.
Do refurbished MacBook Airs get Apple Intelligence?
Yes, if they have an Apple chip. Apple says Apple Intelligence needs a Mac with M1 or later, which covers every MacBook Air from the M1 (2020) model onwards. Intel models don't support it.
What should I check before buying a refurbished MacBook Air?
Check the chip (M1 or later for macOS 27), the memory and storage (neither can be upgraded later), the keyboard layout, the battery promise and the warranty. Back Market listings in our table come with a 12-month warranty. Our refurbished buying guide explains grades, batteries and your rights.