Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →To decide whether to sell your old Mac or trade it in, compare current offers for its exact model, configuration, condition, and region. A private sale may suit you if you want to arrange a buyer and receive payment; Apple Trade In offers credit toward a purchase or an Apple Gift Card, with less direct selling work but a value that may change after inspection. There is no universal price or guaranteed winner.
Compare the offers before choosing
Get a current estimate for your specific Mac from Apple Trade In and compare it with what you could realistically receive through a private sale. Match the model, configuration, and condition as closely as possible. An estimate is not the same as a completed sale or a final inspected trade-in offer.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| What to compare | Private sale | Apple Trade In |
|---|---|---|
| What you receive | Payment from the buyer; the amount depends on the offer you accept. | Value applied toward a purchase or an Apple Gift Card, according to Apple’s program. |
| Costs and effort | Allow for any platform or payment fees that apply, plus the work of creating a listing and arranging the transaction. Fees depend on the service; no single fee applies to all private sales. | Choose mail-in or an Apple Store handoff where available. Apple’s estimate can be revised after inspection. |
| Offer certainty | The final amount depends on finding and completing a transaction with a buyer. | Apple says the inspected condition can lead to a revised offer. If the revised value is lower, you can accept or reject it. |
Apple’s program information does not establish that trade-in or private sale pays more in every case. Compare live offers in your region rather than relying on a general resale estimate or a typical-value claim.
Choose the route that fits your priorities
Sell privately if you prefer a buyer-paid transaction
A private sale means you handle the listing and the handoff yourself. Decide whether the likely amount is worth the time and any applicable fees. Confirm the payment and transaction arrangements before handing over the Mac, and account for the possibility that a listing may not produce a buyer at your expected price.
#1 Best Overall
- AN AMAZING MAC AT A SURPRISING PRICE — With an incredibly portable and durable aluminum design, up to 16 hours of battery life,* and the A18 Pro chip, MacBook Neo is ready to go wherever school takes you.
- FOUR STUNNING COLORS. ONE DURABLE DESIGN — Choose from four beautiful colors — Silver, Blush, Citrus, or Indigo — each with a color-coordinated keyboard. And MacBook Neo is made with a durable recycled aluminum enclosure that helps it reach 60 percent recycled content by weight — the most ever in any Apple product.*
- FLY THROUGH EVERYDAY ASSIGNMENTS — Whether you’re cramming for finals, using Apple Intelligence* to summarize class notes, creating presentations, or even playing the latest Apple Arcade game,* MacBook Neo delivers the performance and AI capabilities you need to get things done.
- UP TO 16 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Neo delivers all day battery life, so you can power through from early morning classes to late night study sessions without worrying about plugging in.
- A VIBRANT 13-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Neo supports 1 billion colors, so photos and videos pop and text is crisp for easy reading.
Use Apple Trade In if Apple credit suits your next purchase
Apple Trade In can be completed online or at an Apple Store. Apple says you can apply the value toward a purchase or receive an Apple Gift Card. Check the current offer and regional terms before committing; the value depends on the device and may be revised after inspection.
Recycle an ineligible Mac
If Apple determines that the device is not eligible for trade-in value, Apple says it can still be recycled for free. Recycling is a way to dispose of the Mac, not a source of money or purchase credit.
Rank #2
- AN AMAZING MAC AT A SURPRISING PRICE — With an incredibly portable and durable aluminum design, up to 16 hours of battery life,* and the A18 Pro chip, MacBook Neo is ready to go wherever school takes you.
- FOUR STUNNING COLORS. ONE DURABLE DESIGN — Choose from four beautiful colors — Silver, Blush, Citrus, or Indigo — each with a color-coordinated keyboard. And MacBook Neo is made with a durable recycled aluminum enclosure that helps it reach 60 percent recycled content by weight — the most ever in any Apple product.*
- FLY THROUGH EVERYDAY ASSIGNMENTS — Whether you’re cramming for finals, using Apple Intelligence* to summarize class notes, creating presentations, or even playing the latest Apple Arcade game,* MacBook Neo delivers the performance and AI capabilities you need to get things done.
- UP TO 16 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Neo delivers all day battery life, so you can power through from early morning classes to late night study sessions without worrying about plugging in.
- A VIBRANT 13-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Neo supports 1 billion colors, so photos and videos pop and text is crisp for easy reading.
Back up your Mac before erasing it
Back up any files you want to keep before starting the erase process. Apple warns that its preparation steps erase the Mac’s data and recommends making a backup first. A backup can help you restore files on your replacement Mac or transfer them; an external drive is one possible destination, not a requirement.
Recommended Free Tools
Apple’s Erase Assistant signs you out of Apple services, turns off Find My and Activation Lock, and removes content, settings, installed apps, and user accounts. Do not begin erasing until you have checked that the backup contains what you need.
Rank #3
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
Use the erase procedure for your Mac
The right method depends on the Mac’s hardware and macOS version. Check Apple’s current instructions for your specific device before proceeding; the steps differ between Macs that support Erase All Content and Settings and those that do not.
- Identify the Mac and macOS version. Confirm whether it uses Apple silicon or an Apple T2 Security Chip and which macOS version it runs.
- Use Erase All Content and Settings when supported. Apple says this option is available on Apple silicon or T2 Macs running macOS Monterey 12 or later. Follow Apple’s on-screen erase instructions for that Mac.
- Follow Apple’s separate process if the erase option is unavailable. Depending on the Mac, Apple’s instructions include signing out of accounts where applicable, erasing the Mac in macOS Recovery, and reinstalling macOS. For the applicable Intel Mac process, Apple also describes an NVRAM step.
- Stop at the setup screen. After reinstalling macOS, leave the Mac at setup rather than completing setup for its next owner.
Apple says an AppleCare plan may be cancelled or transferred to a new owner. Check the terms of your particular plan and decide what to do with it as part of the handoff.
Rank #4
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
Pack an Apple mail-in trade-in correctly
Apple’s Mac laptop trade-in kit includes a box and a return postage label or commercial invoice. Send the Mac itself, not its accessories: Apple says that a case, power adapter, cables, or other items placed in the box will not be returned.
- Use one device per kit if you are sending multiple devices.
- Match the Quote ID on the return label to the confirmation for that Mac.
- Keep the confirmation and check the current instructions supplied with the kit before shipping.
What happens if Apple changes the offer?
Apple says it may revise the value if inspection finds that the Mac’s condition differs from the description used for the estimate. If the revised offer is lower, Apple says you can accept or reject it. Rejecting cancels the trade-in, and Apple’s program page describes returning the old device under its stated process. Review the live terms for the payment and return details that apply to your transaction.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 15.3-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
