Knowing where to buy a used MacBook can save you a lot of cash, even on our newer top picks like Apple’s MacBook Air M3. That’s especially true for early adopters who are trading in their older Intel-powered Macs but are still looking for a great deal.
The problem is that there are tons of used and refurbished marketplaces on the internet — and not all of them are safe or reliable. To make sure you don’t end up sending your hard-earned cash to a scammer, we’ll dive into five reputable marketplaces and explain the difference between used and refurbished electronics.
Used vs. refurbished Macs
When shopping for any gadget in a secondhand store, you’ll commonly see these two terms mentioned — and often without much explanation as to what each term means.
A used Mac, be it a Mac Mini or MacBook Pro, has had an owner who is most often selling it themselves. The device may or may not have a remaining warranty or AppleCare package attached to it. There’s no guarantee outside of the seller’s word that the device works properly; you have to trust what’s said in the listing. It’s not uncommon for used devices to have scratches or blemishes, pictures of which should always be included in an item’s listing. If a picture isn’t clear, ask for better photos before completing the checkout process. If the seller doesn’t want to take more photos, keep shopping. Used devices are typically sold on an as-is basis.
A refurbished Mac goes one step further. Most often a used Mac is traded in or returned to a company like Apple or Amazon. The company then goes through the Mac looking for any issues or blemishes and replaces the display or housing to make the item look brand-new. And if there are any issues with internal components, the computer is repaired to a like-new state. Most companies offer some form of warranty to guarantee their work.
Know what you’re getting
Apple’s Mac lineup has changed quite a bit over the past few years. Until Apple began to transition from Intel to Apple silicon in 2020, older Macs used Intel processors. Now the majority of newer models — including the newest MacBook Air M3 — use Apple’s M3, M3 Pro or M3 Max chips, which offer better performance.
It’s important to make note of what kind of processor is inside the Mac you’re looking to buy. Since new Intel MacBooks were phased out in 2021, we recommend opting for faster Apple silicon models. You can do this by looking for the model number or asking for a screenshot of the “About This Mac” screen to show you the model number and the year the Mac was released.
The easiest way to identify which year it was released, and by extension how long it’s going to last for you, is to ask for the model number, which you can then Google to find its release date.
Other notable items to look for in addition to the processor are the amount of storage and memory the Mac has. When buying a MacBook or iMac of any type, you’ll also want to make note of the display size. It’s also worth remembering that older, previously used devices may not have the same battery life as they did out of the box.
As we mentioned in the previous section, the best thing you can do when shopping — especially for a used Mac — is ask a lot of questions and look at photos.
With the gist of what you need to look for covered, let’s dive into where you can go shopping.
Apple’s Certified Refurbished store
Apple has an online refurbished store that fills up with like-new gear throughout the year, sells out and then eventually more devices trickle in. The point is, you never really know what’s going to be available at a specific time, so if you’re not in a hurry to make a new purchase, periodically check the store. Right now Apple has a long list of Macs in the store, including an M1-powered MacBook Air for $759 ($240 off), the latest M3-powered 14-inch MacBook Pro for $1,359 ($240 off) and the newest M3-powered MacBook Air for $929 ($170 off).
The best part of Apple’s Certified Refurbished store is that each Mac is fully tested, repaired and cleaned. You also get Apple’s full one-year warranty with any purchase from its refurbished store, adding peace of mind to your purchase.
Amazon Renewed
Amazon sells Renewed products, which include older Macs. According to Amazon, Renewed products have all been tested and proven to work and look like new. There can be occasional scratches on the products, but nothing that takes away from the core functionality of the device.
As for a warranty, Amazon offers a 90-day satisfaction guarantee for any Renewed purchases. During that time, you can return the product for a full refund or exchange.
Most of the Macs on Amazon’s site are older, with some more current models sprinkled in. For instance, there’s a renewed 2017 MacBook Air with an Intel Core i5 for $218. Or there’s a 2021 MacBook Pro with an M1 Pro for $1,114.
Amazon, arguably, offers the most options for the widest range of budgets. You just have to be comfortable with possibly getting a device that’s fairly old.
eBay
Offering new, used, refurbished and open-box MacBooks, eBay has something for everyone. The downside is that navigating the site can be overwhelming to newcomers who don’t have experience with online auctions and third-party sellers.
For the most straightforward and safest experience, we recommend buying from eBay Refurbished sellers. These vendors sell refurbished products that meet eBay’s performance and monitoring standards, while also offering one- to two-year warranties, free shipping and free 30-day returns. To know if a MacBook is eBay Refurbished, look for a blue checkmark and the words “eBay Refurbished” on the listing. Take a look at the seller’s rating too. As you’d expect, vendors with high ratings and thousands of sales are more likely to be reliable.
You can also sort products by condition on the marketplace. While all refurbished products are sold by eBay-vetted sellers, they vary in condition, ranging from “Certified” (like-new condition direct from the brand or authorized seller) to “Good” (moderate wear from quality-vetted sellers). At the time of this writing, we’re finding MacBook Pro M3s priced as low as $1,200 (normally starting $1,599).
If you shop for used products on eBay, you take on more risk. While vendors that sell used goods occasionally offer warranties, free returns and similar buyer protections, you’ll have to read the fine print yourself.
Back Market
Back Market stands out because all its refurbished products come with a one-year warranty and 30-day returns. The marketplace also vets all its sellers, ensuring that they test all products before listing them on Back Market. You can also buy a Protection Plan — prices vary depending on how expensive your device is — that covers drops, spills and cracks.
Although Back Market has over 100 MacBooks for sale at the moment, we couldn’t find the latest models on the marketplace. Instead, you’ll find releases from 2012 up until late 2023. Standouts include an M2-powered 15-inch MacBook Air for $929 (normally $1,299) and an M1-powered 13-inch MacBook Pro for $566 (normally $1,299).
Swappa
Swappa started off as a place for people to sell or buy used phones. It’s expanded in recent years to sell pretty much any gadget you can think of, including computers. There are several Mac products currently available to buy from fellow Swappa users.
When it comes to Swappa, remember you’re buying a used — not refurbished — product. Swappa policies require several pictures with the product listing number be posted for each listing, and Swappa staff are always close by if you run into any issues with a seller dodging questions or being rude.
It’s one of the few trade-in websites where we’ve spotted the new 2024 MacBook Air, with models starting as low as $959 (normally $1,099).
Lastly, don’t be afraid to make an offer in a listings comment. Most sellers are willing to negotiate and deal, especially if they’re motivated to get rid of a device to help fund the purchase of something new.
What about trade-ins?
You can always trade in your current Mac to help offset the cost of a new computer, if that’s a route you’d rather go. Apple accepts trade-ins directly on its site or in stores, giving you an instant discount on the purchase price of your computer. You’ll need to answer a few questions about the condition and which accessories you plan on turning in with it, such as a charger.
Though, for those who are buying one elsewhere or — let’s be real — if you just want cash, we’d recommend trading in through a site like Back Market. Essentially, you’ll describe your Mac, a vendor will send an offer and you’ll ship the device to them for free. Assuming the device is as described and everything goes well, you’ll receive a direct deposit within five days.