The transition to Apple Silicon completely changed MacBook resale values. Intel Macs cratered. M-series Macs hold value better than any laptop on the market. But which generation is the sweet spot for selling?
The Depreciation Curve
Apple Silicon MacBooks follow a predictable pattern: roughly 20% depreciation in year one, 15% in year two, and 10-12% per year after that. Compare that to Intel MacBooks which dropped 25-30% per year — and fell off a cliff once M1 launched.
Current Buyback Values (Good Condition, 2026)
MacBook Pro M3 Pro/Max (2023): $700-1,300 — still close to retail. If you're thinking about upgrading to M4, now is the time to sell your M3. Waiting another year costs you $150-200 in depreciation.
MacBook Pro M2 Pro (2023): $550-850 — the value sweet spot. Still a powerful machine, and buyers know it. This is arguably the best bang-for-buck used MacBook right now.
MacBook Pro M1 Pro/Max (2021): $450-700 — holding up remarkably well for a 4-year-old laptop. The M1 Pro is still faster than most new Windows laptops, which keeps demand (and prices) high.
MacBook Pro M1 (2020, base): $350-450 — the original Apple Silicon MacBook. Still perfectly capable for everyday use, which is why it maintains solid resale.
MacBook Air M2 (2022): $380-480 — the redesigned Air holds value better than the M1 Air due to the updated form factor.
MacBook Air M1 (2020): $300-380 — the floor is rising for these because they're still the best-value used Mac on the market. Everyone wants one.
When to Sell
The optimal time to sell a MacBook is right before the next generation launches. Apple typically announces new MacBooks in October-November. If you're planning to upgrade, list your current machine 2-4 weeks before the expected announcement. Prices drop 10-15% immediately after a new model launches.
The worst time to sell is right after a new model launches — that's when everyone else is selling too, and supply floods the market.
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