Apple Certified Refurbished MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) review

Apple's own refurbished store listed the 13-inch MacBook Air with M5 in sky blue at $1,099 on November 14, 2026, against a was-price of $1,299, a saving of $200. The configuration matches the new base model: an M5 chip with a 10-core CPU and 8-core GPU, 16GB of unified memory, a 512GB SSD, a Backlit Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and two Thunderbolt 4 ports plus MagSafe 3. Apple says each refurbished unit goes through a refurbishment process before sale and is covered by its one-year limited warranty and 14-day returns policy, and AppleCare can be added. In the box you get the 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max and a 2 m USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable. The catch is availability: Apple notes that supplies are limited, so the color or configuration you want may not be listed on a given day. We compared documented features and published prices only.

Who it is for

buyers who want the M5 MacBook Air for $200 less

Price

$1,099 at Apple for 16GB and 512GB (was $1,299).

Sky Blue Now $1,099.00 Was $1,299.00 Save $200.00
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 14, 2026.

Key features

• Apple M5 chip with a 10-core CPU and 8-core GPU
• 16GB unified memory and a 512GB SSD
• 13-inch Liquid Retina display and Backlit Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
• Two Thunderbolt 4 ports, MagSafe 3 and a headphone jack
• Ships with a 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: $200 below the new price at check
• Strength: Covered by Apple's one-year limited warranty
• Strength: Covered by Apple's 14-day returns policy and eligible for AppleCare
• Weakness: Apple says supplies are limited, so colors come and go
• Weakness: No engraving or gift wrap on refurbished products
• Weakness: Same 500-nit display and two-port limit as the new model

Key facts

• Price checked: $1,099 (was $1,299)
• Chip: M5, 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU
• Memory and storage: 16GB, 512GB
• Originally released: March 2026
• Warranty: One year, Apple

Where it ranks

Apple Certified Refurbished MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) is No. 3 in our Best MacBooks verdict.