How Much Can I Earn from Selling My MacBook?

Thinking about selling your MacBook? Good timing matters more than ever. In the past few months Apple raised prices on new Macs, launched its first touchscreen MacBook Pro, and released a version of macOS that leaves every Intel Mac behind. All three shift what your used laptop is worth.

Below you'll find current resale numbers from third-party marketplace data, the factors that move your price up or down, and how to choose between a private sale, a trade-in, and a buyback service.

What used MacBooks are selling for right now

The most useful benchmark is what buyers actually pay. Swappa, a US peer-to-peer marketplace, tracks average sale prices for base-configuration MacBooks against their original launch prices:

Source: Swappa, “Which Device Categories Hold Value”. Figures are peer-to-peer marketplace sale averages, not buyback or trade-in quotes. Higher-storage, higher-memory, and damaged units will sell for more or less.

Two patterns stand out. First, Apple silicon MacBooks depreciate gradually rather than falling off a cliff. Swappa's data shows MacBooks keeping 69% to 76% of their value around the two-year mark, and it credits long macOS support and Apple's own price increases for that steady curve. Second, age still matters. The four-year-old M2 Air keeps roughly half its launch price, while the newer M4 Air keeps well over three-quarters.

Keep in mind these are private-sale prices between individuals. A trade-in or buyback quote will be lower, because the buyer takes on inspection, data wiping, refurbishing, and resale risk for you.

Older and Intel MacBooks: what to expect

If your MacBook is from 2020 or earlier, the chip inside matters as much as the year on the box. Here's what older models average on the same marketplace:

Source: Swappa MacBook sell page. Averages blend every configuration and condition listed for each model and shift daily. Only models with 10 or more listings are shown.

The gap between the 2021 Apple silicon MacBook Pros and the 2019 Intel models is the clearest signal in the table, and software support is a big reason. macOS 27 Golden Gate, released September 14, 2026, runs only on Apple silicon Macs. Apple has said Intel Macs will continue to get security updates for three years, but no more major macOS upgrades. According to MacRumors, the last Intel MacBooks that could run macOS Tahoe 26, the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro and the 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro with four Thunderbolt 3 ports, are among the Macs that stop there.

If you own an Intel MacBook in good working order, there's still a market for it. But each month closer to the end of security updates gives buyers one less reason to choose it, so selling sooner rather than later usually makes sense.

What determines how much you'll get

Whoever buys your MacBook, the price comes down to the same handful of variables:

• Chip generation. Apple silicon (M1 and newer) versus Intel is now the biggest dividing line. Within Apple silicon, newer chips and Pro or Max variants command more.
• Model and size. MacBook Pros generally sell for more than MacBook Airs, and 16-inch models for more than 14-inch ones, because they started at higher prices.
• Memory and storage. More unified memory and a larger SSD raise resale value. With 8GB now the floor on the budget MacBook Neo, buyers increasingly look for 16GB or more on a used Air or Pro.
• Condition. Screen damage, dents, keyboard issues, and liquid exposure all lower the price. Battery health matters too, so check it in System Settings before you request a quote.
• Completeness. Include the original charger. Missing accessories lower offers almost everywhere.
• Activation Lock. A MacBook still tied to an Apple Account can't be reset by the next owner. Sign out of iCloud and turn off Find My before you sell.

Not sure which MacBook you have? Choose About This Mac from the Apple menu, or match your model identifier on Apple's Identify your MacBook Pro model page.

Timing your sale in late 2026

Two recent events pull resale values in opposite directions.

New models put downward pressure on used prices. Apple announced a 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M6 chip on October 27, 2026, and the next day unveiled its first touchscreen MacBook Pro with a tandem OLED display. According to The Mac Observer, the M6 model starts at $1,999, the OLED models start at $2,899, and both began arriving November 6. When newer models land, owners of the previous generation tend to list theirs at the same time, and used prices typically soften.

Higher new-Mac prices support used values. In June 2026 Apple raised prices across its Mac lineup, citing a memory chip shortage. TechCrunch reported that the base MacBook Air went from $1,099 to $1,299 and the entry MacBook Pro from $1,699 to $1,999, while MacRumors noted the MacBook Neo rose from $599 to $699. When new MacBooks cost more, a clean used one becomes a more attractive alternative.

The practical takeaway: if you've already decided to upgrade, don't hold your old MacBook in a drawer waiting for a better moment. Every additional month adds age and, for Intel models, brings the end of security updates closer.

Where to sell: private sale, trade-in, or buyback

You have three realistic options, and each trades money for effort differently.

Private sale on a marketplace like Swappa, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace usually brings the highest price. You also handle photos, buyer questions, shipping, and the risk of scams or disputes.

Manufacturer trade-in is convenient if you're buying a new Mac anyway. Apple Trade In applies credit toward a purchase, and Apple notes that values vary by condition, year, and configuration. If your device has no trade-in value, Apple will recycle it for free.

Resale value through a buyback service sits in the middle. Selling your MacBook to Gadget Salvation gets you a quote calculated based on live market data for your exact model, condition, and configuration. Your offer is locked for 30 days, postage is prepaid, every device gets a BitRaser data wipe, and payment goes out within two business days of your MacBook arriving, by PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, or check. Gadget Salvation also buys MacBooks with cracked screens, battery problems, or no power at a reduced quote. You can go straight to the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro catalog to price yours.

For a deeper side-by-side comparison of these routes, see our guide to trading in, reselling, or donating your old laptop, and our explainer on how a laptop trade-in works and what sets the payout.

Get your MacBook ready before you sell

• Back up your files with Time Machine or iCloud.
• Sign out of iCloud and turn off Find My to remove Activation Lock.
• Erase the Mac. On Apple silicon and T2 Macs, use Erase All Content and Settings; on older Intel Macs, erase the drive from Recovery.
• Wipe the case, screen, and keyboard with a microfiber cloth.
• Gather the original charger and cable.

Selling an Air specifically? Our MacBook Air selling guide walks through each step in more detail, and these tips for getting the best MacBook offer cover listing and presentation for private sales.

Why selling beats storing (or tossing) your old MacBook

A MacBook that's sitting unused loses value every month, and one that goes in the trash wastes the aluminum, rare metals, and energy that went into making it. The EPA notes that reusing and refurbishing electronics extends product lifespans and reduces the raw materials needed for new devices. Passing your MacBook on to its next owner puts cash in your pocket and keeps a perfectly capable computer in use.