Apple has never been known for low prices. Most people assume you need a huge budget to buy into the brand. That got me thinking. Could I build a complete budget Apple ecosystem for under £1000, covering every major category: phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, watch, headphones, and even an Apple TV?
A few weeks ago, I put that idea to the test. I bought nearly every Apple product, but I did it the cheap way. Refurbished stores. Older models. Marketplace listings. Bargains where possible. And yes, a few mistakes along the way.
Here’s the full breakdown of what I bought, why I chose it, and how well each piece works in today’s world. If you’re trying to build an affordable Apple setup without spending a fortune, this might help you decide what’s actually worth it.
iPhone 11 Pro: The Heart of a Low-Cost Apple Ecosystem
The first piece had to be a phone. I picked up an iPhone 11 Pro for £265. It’s six years old now, but somehow still supports the latest iOS. That alone makes it one of the best refurbished iPhone deals you can buy.
My model came with 512 GB of storage and a third-party battery. Not ideal, but the listing mentioned that some parts may have been replaced during refurbishment. For this price range, it’s part of the deal.
Once I turned it on, the experience surprised me. The A13 Bionic chip still holds up for browsing, social apps, banking, messaging, and even light video editing. The 5.8-inch OLED display looks clean and bright. The cameras? Still decent for everyday photos and 4K video.
If you’re building a low-cost Apple ecosystem, the iPhone 11 Pro is a strong start. Not new, not perfect, but fully capable.
iPad 7th Generation: Cheap, But Still Useful
Next on the list was the iPad 7th Gen, also from 2019. It cost £94.99, came with 32 GB of storage, and included 4G support. It cannot run the newest iPadOS, which I miscalculated when ordering, but the device still handles basic tasks.
Watching videos, reading, checking emails, or browsing the web works fine. It’s not a powerhouse, but paired with Paperlike’s new screen protector, writing and drawing actually felt surprisingly good. My kids love using iPads to draw or write stories, so this one will get plenty of use.
Specifications are simple: a 10.2-inch Retina display, an A10 Fusion chip, an 8 MP rear camera, a 1.2 MP front camera, and Lightning instead of USB-C. Nothing exciting, but perfectly usable.
For anyone needing a basic tablet in their budget Apple ecosystem, this is one of the best value options.
Apple Pencil (1st Gen): Still Awkward, Still Charming
To go with the iPad, I added a first-generation Apple Pencil. It works well for writing or sketching, but the charging system still makes me laugh. The cap pops off, the Lightning connector sticks out the top, and you plug it directly into the iPad like a tech kebab.
It works. It just isn’t elegant. But for the price, it gets the job done.
AirPods 4… or So I Thought
One category I wanted to include in my cheap Apple products experiment was headphones. So I hunted down a pair of AirPods 4 with Noise Cancellation for £60.
Huge discount. Too huge.
They were fakes.
The sound was slightly off, the build was too light, and the pairing animation looked wrong. Moments like these remind you that chasing the lowest possible price comes with risks. I’ll be filing a refund, and next time I’ll stick to certified refurbished listings for accessories.
If you’re trying to build an Apple ecosystem under £1000, avoid deals that look too good to be true.
M1 MacBook Air: Still One of Apple’s Best Deals
This one I already own, but it fits the challenge because you can buy a used M1 MacBook Air for around £289.
This laptop was the turning point for Apple Silicon. Even today, it handles email, browsing, documents, light editing, and productivity apps without breaking a sweat. Battery life remains excellent, and it still receives the newest macOS updates.
If someone asked me for the single best device to start an affordable Apple setup, I’d point them to the M1 Air. It’s one of Apple’s biggest wins of the last decade.
Mac Pro (2013): The Wildcard Desktop Purchase
This one was purely for fun.
For a fraction of the price, I picked up the classic Mac Pro “trashcan”. At launch, a fully specced model like this sold for close to $10,000.
Mine includes a 12-core CPU, dual FirePro D700 GPUs, 64 GB RAM, and a divided 512 GB SSD. It has Thunderbolt 2, USB 3, HDMI 1.4, dual Ethernet, WiFi, and Bluetooth.
Does it still work? Yes. Is it practical in 2025? Not really. But as part of the experiment, it was fascinating to see how well this once-premium machine performs today.
If you want a real desktop for your budget Apple ecosystem, skip this. A refurbished Mac mini offers far better value.
Apple Watch Series 6: A Solid Budget Option
For £89, I grabbed an Apple Watch Series 6. It falls perfectly into the Apple Watch Series 6 budget option category and still works surprisingly well.
Compared to newer models, you lose some brightness, battery life, sensors, and gesture features. But it still tracks workouts, shows notifications, handles Apple Pay, and pairs smoothly with the rest of the ecosystem.
Battery health will vary, but for the price, this is one of the best refurbished Apple devices you can add to a low-cost setup.
Apple TV 4K (1st Gen): Still Fast, Still Worth It
The final piece was an Apple TV 4K (1st Gen) for £54.60.
Even the earliest 4K model is quick and responsive. tvOS runs smoothly, streaming apps open fast, and the interface feels more polished than most smart TV software.
If you want full Apple integration on your TV without spending much, this is the one.
Watch the Full Video
Want to see how all these devices actually performed side by side? Watch my full breakdown on YouTube where I test each product, compare them, and share the surprises that came with buying older Apple gear.
My Thoughts After Building a Budget Apple Ecosystem
This experiment taught me something interesting. An Apple ecosystem under £1000 is possible, but you need to set expectations. Older hardware still works, and Apple’s long-term software support helps keep things alive longer than you’d expect.
The iPhone 11 Pro and M1 MacBook Air were the standouts for me. The Apple Watch Series 6 also held up well, and the Apple TV 4K still feels modern. The iPad was fine for basic tasks, although the OS limitation will matter for some people. And the AirPods situation speaks for itself.
If you pick the right cheap Apple products, you can build a useful setup without spending more than a grand. You get iMessage, FaceTime, AirDrop, Handoff, and the familiar Apple experience.
Is it perfect? No. But it works. And for a lot of people, that’s enough.
More From Pete Matheson
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