Apple

Apple MQD32LL/A 2017 Macbook Air 13.3" i5 8GB/128GB SSD Renewed

4.0 (1305 reviews)
1440 x 900128GB SSDBluetooth 4.0Thunderbolt 2USB 3.0

A lightweight, renewed 2017 MacBook Air that handles everyday productivity with all-day battery life and a familiar macOS experience.

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Overview

The 2017 Apple MacBook Air (MQD32LL/A) represents the final generation of the classic wedge-shaped Air design before Apple transitioned the line to Retina displays and ARM-based chips. Under the hood, a 1.8 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 paired with 8GB of 1600 MHz LPDDR3 RAM provides enough power for everyday workflows — document editing, web browsing with multiple tabs, email, and video streaming all run without issue. The 128GB SSD ensures the system boots in seconds and applications launch quickly, though the limited capacity means you will want to offload large files to external drives or cloud storage.

The 13.3-inch 1440 x 900 glossy display delivers acceptable image quality for general use, though it lacks the sharpness and color accuracy of Retina panels found in newer MacBooks. Connectivity includes two USB 3.0 ports, Thunderbolt 2, an SDXC card slot, and MagSafe 2 charging — a port selection that, while dated, covers most peripheral needs without dongles. At roughly 2.96 pounds, the Air remains one of the most portable laptops available, and its battery life comfortably lasts through a full day of light use. As a renewed unit, this MacBook Air offers a cost-effective entry point into the Apple ecosystem for students, casual users, or anyone who values reliability and portability over raw performance.

Key Features

1.8 GHz Intel Core i5 Dual-Core, 8GB of 1600 MHz LPDDR3 RAM | 128GB SSD

Integrated Intel HD Graphics 6000, 13.3" 1440 x 900 Glossy Display

802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, Thunderbolt 2, USB 3.0

720p FaceTime HD Camera, SDXC Card Slot, Stereo Speakers, Dual Built-In Mics

Slim, Lightweight Design, macOS Sierra

Specifications

Brand
Apple
Model
MQD32LL/A (2017)
Condition
Renewed
Processor
1.8 GHz Intel Core i5 Dual-Core
RAM
8GB 1600 MHz LPDDR3
Storage
128GB SSD
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 6000 (Integrated)
Display
13.3" 1440 x 900 Glossy
Wireless
802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0
Ports
Thunderbolt 2, 2x USB 3.0, SDXC, MagSafe 2, 3.5mm headphone
Camera
720p FaceTime HD
Operating System
macOS Sierra (upgradable)

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Extremely lightweight and slim design makes it highly portable for travel and commuting.
  • Dual-core i5 processor and 8GB RAM handle everyday tasks like browsing, documents, and streaming smoothly.
  • SSD storage delivers fast boot times and responsive app launches.
  • Renewed pricing offers significant savings over buying new Apple hardware.
  • Full-size keyboard with good key travel remains comfortable for extended typing sessions.

👎 Cons

  • 128GB SSD fills up quickly if you store large files, media libraries, or multiple applications locally.
  • 1440 x 900 non-Retina display looks noticeably less sharp than modern laptop screens.
  • Older dual-core i5 processor struggles with demanding tasks like video editing or heavy multitasking.
  • Cannot be upgraded to the latest macOS versions, limiting future software and security update support.
  • Lacks USB-C and Thunderbolt 3, making it incompatible with newer peripherals without adapters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Renewed means the laptop has been inspected, tested, and restored to working condition by a qualified refurbisher. It may show minor cosmetic imperfections but is functionally equivalent to new.
For web browsing, document editing, email, and light media consumption, 128GB is workable — but users with large photo libraries, video projects, or many applications may need to rely on external or cloud storage.
The 2017 MacBook Air supports macOS upgrades up to macOS Monterey (12), giving it access to several years of software updates beyond the originally shipped macOS Sierra.
No. The 2017 MacBook Air uses a 13.3-inch 1440 x 900 glossy display, which predates Apple's Retina display adoption in the Air line.
It includes two USB 3.0 ports, a Thunderbolt 2 port, an SDXC card slot, a MagSafe 2 charging port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.