'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
Get this powerful refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Air for under $300
The following content is brought to you by ZDNet partners. If you buy a product featured here, we may earn an affiliate commission or other compensation.
There's no reason you have to wait for a New Year to start making major changes in your life. If you've been reading wistfully about working professionals leaving their boring jobs to travel the world and work wherever they want, there's no reason you can't do the same. With the proper skills, you can land a remote position that allows you to become a digital nomad. Then, it's just a matter of deciding where to go and what gear to pack.
Before you get carried away looking at mobile and multi-functional travel accessories, you should make sure to have a powerful, ultralight laptop that doesn't cause you strain when traveling for hours at a time. However, loss, theft, and damage are extremely likely while traveling, so the latest, pricey models aren't necessarily the best options. This refurbished MacBook Air from 2013 could be a great alternative, especially at just $270.99.
This MacBook Air weighs only 3 lbs, yet it is an absolute powerhouse. The Intel i5 processor provides excellent performance, particularly when combined with 8GB of RAM. Plus, this unit features 256GB of fast SSD storage, so you won't lack room for work files or all the gorgeous photos and videos you'll capture on your journeys.
Of course, being able to work from anywhere means not being tethered to electrical outlets, so you may appreciate that the MacBook air provides up to nine hours of battery life off a single charge. And if you want to stream your favorite entertainment on the go, the notebook features a beautiful high-definition display outputting to 1,440 x 900. Plus, the Intel HD Graphics 5000 unit offers smooth, seamless content viewing.
This 2013 model has a Grade B refurbished rating, which means that while you might encounter light scratches or dents on the body, it'll function like new. So you get all of the outstanding specs of a new MacBook Air at a fraction of the price. A Magsafe Charger is included, as well.
Get a laptop that can do all you need, wherever you are. This 13.3-inch MacBook Air from 2013 is on sale for just $270.99, nearly 80% off the original $1,299 retail price.