My 2017 MacBook Air 2017 i5 1.8GHz has been sitting idle for the past 4 years after internal condensation caused the montherboard to malfunction which needs to be replaced as per Apple Genius Bar and other local Apple technicians. Cost ~ Australian $ 400.
My kid is starting high school next year and thinking if this would be fit for purpose device.
Need suggestions please.
This is entirely your decision.
Going price for a working MacBook Air 2017 with a seller’s warranty is around USD$150 to USD$250.
I see some MacBook Air M1 (Apple silicon) models for around USD$350.
For yours, I’d expect to need a replacement battery given the length of time idle, and potentially other parts that may also have now corroded.
Barring nostalgia or some sort of a deep personal connection, I wouldn’t spend* money on a working eight year old computer, much less spending money on a non-working and long-idle one.
*Not past maybe a battery replacement.
This is entirely your decision.
Going price for a working MacBook Air 2017 with a seller’s warranty is around USD$150 to USD$250.
I see some MacBook Air M1 (Apple silicon) models for around USD$350.
For yours, I’d expect to need a replacement battery given the length of time idle, and potentially other parts that may also have now corroded.
Barring nostalgia or some sort of a deep personal connection, I wouldn’t spend* money on a working eight year old computer, much less spending money on a non-working and long-idle one.
*Not past maybe a battery replacement.
I also agree it is time to replace. Moisture can affect far more than logic board and you could be looking at US$500-1000 in repairs for a computer that cannot run the latest macOS version.
If saving money is an issue, be sure to regularly visit Apple's refurbished device store is available in your country of region:
Buying a discounted Mac from any other source is fraught with peril.
FWIW, I would not spend any money on an obsolete/vintage computer.
Thanks for your inputs especially around the battery and other parts. Really valuable.
Is it worth replacing the motherboard of a MacBook Air 2017 i5 1.8GHz?
