A broken MacBook is worth real money — even one with a cracked screen, bad battery, water damage, or no power. SellMacBook.com buys broken MacBooks in any condition with free UPS shipping and same-day cash payment. How much you get depends on the model, the chip generation, and exactly what is wrong with it.
What Makes a MacBook "Broken" and Still Worth Selling
Most damage to a MacBook does not destroy the value of its components. A cracked screen has nothing to do with the logic board, SSD, RAM, or chip — all of which still work and still have value. A MacBook with a bad battery but a working M3 chip is worth most of its base price. Even a MacBook that will not power on at all has a working SSD (in most cases) and extractable storage, plus repairable motherboard components. The only condition where a MacBook is worth very little is iCloud Activation Lock — if the Apple ID is still attached and you cannot remove it, the device cannot be resold. Remove your Apple ID before shipping.
Broken MacBook Prices by Damage Type (2026)
These are real prices from SellMacBook.com based on our current defect pricing, applied to a MacBook Pro 14" M3 (18GB/512GB, base price $602 in flawless condition).
| Damage type | Price reduction | Payout on MBP M3 14" 512GB | Still worth selling? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bad battery (under 80% capacity) | −18% | ~$494 | Yes — battery is a routine buyer repair |
| Defective trackpad | −15% | ~$511 | Yes |
| Cracked or broken screen | −55% | ~$271 | Yes — screen replacement is common |
| Overheating | −55% | ~$271 | Yes — usually fan or thermal paste |
| No power / bad logic board | −65% | ~$211 | Yes — SSD and other parts retain value |
| Liquid damage (powers on) | −90% | ~$60 | Depends on extent of damage |
| iCloud / Activation Locked | −100% | $0 | No — remove Apple ID before shipping |
Broken MacBook Prices by Model (2026)
Real current payouts for broken MacBooks with a cracked screen (55% deduction from base price). These are live prices as of June 2026 — select your exact model on the quote page for the precise number.
| Model | Base price (flawless) | Cracked screen | No power | Bad battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook Pro 14" M3 18GB/512GB (2023) | $602 | ~$271 | ~$211 | ~$494 |
| MacBook Air 13" M3 8GB/256GB (2024) | $388 | ~$175 | ~$136 | ~$318 |
| MacBook Air 13" M2 512GB (2022) | $398 | ~$179 | ~$139 | ~$326 |
| MacBook Air 13" M1 128GB (2020) | $290 | ~$130 | ~$102 | ~$238 |
| MacBook Pro 15" 2.2GHz i7 256GB (2015) | $81 | ~$36 | ~$28 | ~$66 |
Select your exact model on the quote page — these are representative examples. Prices vary by exact storage, RAM, and battery cycle count.
Does It Make More Sense to Repair First?
For most Intel MacBooks (2019 and older), no. A screen replacement on a 2015 MacBook Pro costs $200–$350 at most repair shops but adds only $40–50 to the sale price based on our pricing. You lose money repairing it first.
For M-series MacBooks, the math is closer but usually still favors selling broken. A cracked screen on a MacBook Air M2 costs $400–$600 to repair through Apple and typically adds $200–$220 to the buyback price. You still come out behind. The exception: if the damage is only a bad battery, a $100–$150 third-party battery replacement can add $70–$80 to the payout. Run the numbers on your specific model before deciding — get a broken quote first, then calculate whether the repair cost nets you more.
What Apple Trade-In Pays for Broken MacBooks
Apple Trade-In pays $0 for MacBooks with cracked screens, liquid damage, or logic board failures. Their program is designed for devices in good or excellent condition only. SellMacBook.com prices broken MacBooks based on what the working components are worth — a different approach that results in real payouts instead of zero.
Multiple Defects: How It Works
If your MacBook has more than one problem — a cracked screen and a bad battery, for example — defect percentages are applied together. The combined reduction is not simply added together; the second defect reduces what remains after the first. Select all applicable defects on the quote page and the system calculates the correct combined offer automatically.
How to Sell Your Broken MacBook
- Find your model on SellMacBook.com. Use the search or browse by category.
- Select your condition and check every defect that applies. Be accurate — we inspect on arrival and revise if condition is misstated.
- Lock in your quote (valid 14 days). Print the free prepaid UPS label.
- Pack your MacBook safely and drop off at any UPS location.
- We inspect same business day. Payment goes to PayPal, Zelle, or CashApp the same day inspection is complete.
Even if your MacBook will not turn on, submit a quote. We will inspect the components and pay for everything that still works.