Wondering how much is your used MacBook computer worth on the market today? Here is how to determine its resale value.

Whether you need a laptop for work, study, or entertainment, an Apple MacBook is an investment due to its high-quality components and sleek design. Thus, an Apple MacBook has a higher price tag than any other brand of a comparable configuration. Regardless, even Macs do depreciate, which means you will want to upgrade eventually. So the question is: what to do with your older model? Well, selling it is certainly one way to go about it. While it might not be worth much, a used Apple MacBook laptop generally holds pretty good resale value over time and can be resold on the second-hand marketplace. 

But you probably wonder: how much exactly is my older MacBook worth today? We will try to answer your question in this article and provide a few tips for picking the right buyer or a marketplace. 

Before Selling Your MacBook 

Determine its Model Number

Figure out what kind of Macbook you have, as the year and model dictate its reselling value. For that, power up your laptop and wait for it to load the desktop screen. Then go to the Apple icon in the top left corner of the screen and click on About this Mac. You’ll see information about the processor, RAM, storage, and also a Serial number. The latter will tell you the model and year make. Next, visit Apple’s warranty coverage page, type in your Serial number into a search bar, and hit Enter. It will give you the exact model and year make information. Alternatively, if your device does not boot up anymore, you can find its Serial number on the bottom.

Moreover, you will need to wipe your storage and reset the Macbook before selling it. Our post about How to wipe a MacBook Pro to sell it will walk you through the process, as the same procedure can be applied to other Mac models as well.

Assess MacBook’s Functional and Overall Cosmetic Condition

Along with the model number, the cosmetic and working state also determine the worth of your Macbook. Regardless of whom you choose to sell it to, you will be asked to describe your laptop in detail. Take time to inspect your MacBook beforehand. Look for wear marks, dents, scratches, and other cosmetic blemishes. Also, evaluate the functional condition by assessing battery life, display quality, etc. Make notes of any known issues. 

Lastly, be sure to clean your laptop well, as dirt and fingerprints may reduce its reselling value.

Shop Around and Compare Offers

It is always a good idea to get a few offers, compare prices from various sources. First, see what other sellers are asking for their laptops on marketplaces like eBay and Craiglist. Then, if possible, obtain a few estimates from online buy-back websites. Comparing quotes will help you figure out whether it is worth spending time and effort to list your Macbook on eBay or sell it instantly via a buy-back site. 

Where Do You Sell a Used MacBook?

When in doubt, ask Google. You’ll be able to find plenty of businesses that buy used Macs, and some might even be in your area. When picking a place, set a selling goal for yourself. For example, if you want to upgrade your Macbook to a newer model, an Apple store credit might be the best way to go. But if you are looking to sell your Mac for cash, local or online marketplaces can accommodate that. And when picking an online buy-back, research what kinds of payout options they offer. 

Trusted Buy-Back Service: Gadget Salvation

We are a buy-back platform designed to provide a seamless, fast and reliable online selling experience. Since 2008, thousands and thousands of Macbook owners chose to do business with us. But our purchasing database is not limited to Apple products: we also buy other laptop brands, as well as smartphones, gaming consoles, tablets, and more.

At Gadget Salvation, our mission is to provide all our customers with a safe, convenient one-stop virtual resale space. Thus, all our estimates are upfront and calculated in real-time. We will also pay for the shipping of your Macbook to us. Once it reaches our office, we will get you paid within one to two business days via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or check–whichever you prefer.

How Does the Selling Process Work?

To sell your Mac online with us, please follow the steps below:

1. Visit our site and type the last three digits of the unit’s Serial number in a search bar. You can also search by the model number. 
2. Answer a few quick questions about the laptop’s condition and click Calculate to get an instant dollar valuation. You can then complete the checkout form and receive a prepaid shipping label via email or by mail. All that is left to do is package your MacBook and drop it off at the carrier.
3. Once the laptop arrives to us, we’ll give it a quick check to make sure all is intact and matching the seller’s description. After that, the payment gets issued. And if it so happens that the condition of your MacBook is different than described, our team will email you a detailed test results report and a new offer, which you can either accept or decline.

So How Much is My MacBook Worth Right Now?

The resale price depends on several factors like model, release year, configuration, cosmetic and functional condition. So naturally, a well-kept and fully functional MacBook laptop will yield a higher offer. 

Here are a few pricing examples for you:

• Used Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch 2019 Touch Bar with Core i9 2.3 GHz Core i9 processor can go for as high as $969*. For comparison, Best Buy Trade-in offers up to $650 for the same model.
• An older 2012 MacBook Pro 13 with Core i5 2.5GHz processor still gets up to $127 offer.*. Not bad, considering the model is almost ten years old!
• Apple Macbook Air 13-inch Late 2018 i5 1.6 GHz with 256GB of storage could be resold for up to $389.*

Bottom Line

Pre-owned Apple MacBook’s reselling value depends on several key factors. The seller must know the exact model of their laptop to receive an accurate appraisal and a fair payout. And assessing its overall functional and cosmetic condition is just as important. Using online e-commerce tools like our site will help you figure out how much your MacBook is worth today in seconds! For those researching Apple laptops to purchase, please check out our budget-friendly Macbooks post.