Headed off to college? Here's why buying a pre-loved MacBook Air at BackMarket is a great idea

Headed off to college later this year? You'll already know that a good laptop is essential for stress-free studying while you're away. And, no doubt, you've already got your eye on one of the latest MacBooks.

Annoyingly, Apple has just raised prices on a number of models, but it's not all bad news. Alternative options exist, like the Apple MacBook Air 13 M4 for $879 (was $999) at BackMarket.

For those who don't know, BackMarket is an amazing resource that specializes in pre-loved tech - including some of our favorite models here at TechRadar. It's particularly good for Apple products like this MacBook Air 13, since the savings can be considerable versus simply buying new.

And, unlike some second-hand auction sites, everything on BackMarket has been checked and refurbished by professionals. That means a thorough check of things like the display, keyboard, battery health, and any chargers. You're guaranteed to get a decent laptop here, but everything is covered by a 30-day return policy and a full one-year warranty, just in case.

BackMarket has great prices on older MacBooks

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4): was $999 now $879 at Back Market (US)

Regardless of whether you're headed out to college or just want a great laptop, the MacBook Air 13 M4 is still an amazing choice this week. Outwardly, this model is functionally identical to the latest iteration, and the M4 chipset still holds up great for everything from the basics to more intensive applications. Right now, BackMarket has a fantastic deal on this model, making it significantly cheaper than the latest model, and there's also the option to trade-in your old laptop for an even bigger discount.

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• See more: check out all of today's MacBook deals at BackMarket

Is the MacBook Air M4 still a good buy in 2026?

The MacBook Air M4 is an older model, but it's by no means 'old' - it's a laptop that came out last year and has only just been replaced by a new iteration.

Both the M4 and M5 share the same design, keyboard, and display, with the main differences being internal. The M5 version has a new processor and a bigger storage drive, with the latter being particularly handy for most people.

With that said, the M4 is still exceptional by nearly any metric and a fantastic choice for 2026. Our MacBook Air 13 M4 review awarded it an impressive four and a half stars out of five and we'd have no issues recommending it to anyone looking to save a little bit of cash.

For example, the M4 chipset still provides incredible battery life and more than enough power for design apps, video editing, and even some games. Outside of high-end gaming, there isn't much the MacBook Air M4 can't do - especially if you just want something that will handle the basics well with decent battery life.