Is it Time to Sell Your MacBook Pro? (Complete Trade-in Guide)

Well-made computers can certainly put up with plenty of wear and tear. You may have purchased your MacBook Pro at the onset of college and are still using it to tackle your work projects, for instance. It may be convenient to think that our computers will last us forever, but the reality is that if you are a professional that relies on power and efficiency to get your work done, it may be time to let go of your old computer if it’s slowing you down.

Knowing when to sell your MacBook Pro is helpful because even if you have relied on your computer for years up to this point without much trouble, the device might be holding you back without you even realizing it. Over time, we get used to all of the little quirks and “personality traits” of our devices, though over the course of several years these can add up. One of the downsides to keeping a computer for years is that you are so used to how the device behaves that you may not even be aware of the problems it has or how it may be affecting your workflow.

This guide will help you determine if it’s time for you to get rid of your old MacBook, and how upgrading to a newer device could potentially improve your productivity. Letting go of a computer that we love can be tough because we become so attached, but at the end of the day, if a computer isn’t properly meeting your needs, it’s time to get rid of it. The great part is that if you know-how, you can sell your computer and make a little money off of it in the process. We’ll show you how at the end.

How Do You Know When it’s Time to Sell Your MacBook Pro?

The first question that needs answering here is, how do you know when it’s really time to sell your MacBook Pro? There may be several variables at work here that you will want to be aware of, such as how long you have owned the device, what kind of work you need it for, as well as problems you may be experiencing with the computer in question.

Apple devices tend to be built to last, but that doesn’t mean they are infallible. Like any computer, extensive wear and general parts deterioration over time can have an impact on the performance of the device. If a computer is routinely pushed to its limits, the heat that is generated can accelerate this deterioration and even cause malfunctions, so the performance you get out of your computer is not only tied to its age but the way it was cared for over the years.

Accidents also happen and can account for the performance and usefulness of a device. Your laptop may be otherwise fully-functional but may sport a somewhat unresponsive keyboard or have trouble reading USB devices because the port is damaged. These are small issues that a professional Apple refurbishment company would be able to correct, so just because you experience these kinds of problems doesn’t mean you have to immediately write off your device. You can still sell your computer in such a condition, but it is something to take note of. The better condition that your MacBook is in, the higher likelihood that you will be able to sell it easily and get a great price for it.

Here are some points that you should take into consideration that will help you determine if it’s time to let your old MacBook go or not:

●Do you find yourself getting frustrated when you use your computer? Even though you may have grown accustomed to all of the issues with your device and simply “put up with” any problems it may have, the truth is that frustration is not a part of the package and is a sign you definitely need to get rid of your current device.

●Do you often run into issues that directly impact your ability to get your work done? This may include hanging screens, crashes, egregious periods of slow-down, long boot-up times, and similar problems.

●Does the device you own support the latest software in your industry? If you need certain programs and your computer has trouble running them, or simply can’t due to memory or processor limitations, it’s time to rethink things.

●Is there a certain hardware feature that newer devices have that you absolutely need as a work requirement, such as a webcam with higher fidelity for work-from-home purposes?

●You already have another device and you find yourself using it more and more instead of your MacBook Pro.

This is just a general list, but you get the idea. If your MacBook is giving you a hard time and you constantly wonder why it’s such a hassle to deal with, or if you wish it had additional features or more memory so that you could get your work done more efficiently, it may be time to seriously consider selling it.

The Link Between Performance and User Satisfaction

Why is the frustration factor important? Some of us who have been using computers for a long time may know how to navigate through a frustrating computer experience, but that doesn’t mean it should be accepted as the norm. Computers these days are optimized to provide a truly streamlined experience, so if you are encountering any slow-down, glitches, or other issues, this is certainly a sign that you need to replace your current device.

User satisfaction when it comes to computers relies on having zero pushback. The more pushback you encounter while using a computer, the less likely you are to have a satisfactory experience while using it. Ideally, you don’t want to have to think about your computer while using it. As a digital tool, your laptop should let you get connected and do your work, end of story. The moment you become aware of the limitations and issues of your computer is the moment it is failing in its ability to deliver a seamless experience.

Apple excels at providing users with a superior experience, because their computers tend to be packed with powerful processors and plenty of memory. This translates into more than enough resources to handle just about any task you might have in mind. With enough memory and power, it doesn’t matter how many tabs or apps you have open at one time, or how long you keep certain programs open for. The computer will still deliver a great experience.

For efficiency on the job, speeding up rendering times or increasing your ability to multitask is important. If your device is hindering you from being able to perform your job correctly or as fast as you would like, then it is certainly cause for selling it and getting a new one.

How Performance Degrades Over Time

Even if you care for your MacBook properly, don’t assume that it will remain as fast as it once was or deliver the same amount of performance if you need to stay at the cutting edge of professional software. By resetting your device to factory settings and wiping its hard drive, you may be able to get back some of its speed, but the truth is that performance does degrade over time because of how software scales.

An app that was only 1GB in size a few years ago may now be 5GB and require twice as much memory. Nothing essentially has changed with your computer, it’s still the same workhorse it always was. However, the increase in necessary resources for many apps and even the MacOS itself means that over time, no matter what you do, you will experience at least marginal slow-down. If you need maximum performance, you need a computer with the specs that can handle today’s top-of-the-line apps such as Photoshop and After Effects.

Follow These Steps Before Selling Your MacBook Pro

Once you know for sure that it’s time to sell your MacBook Pro, the next step is to make sure your device is properly prepped for sale. While some of these steps could be considered optional, they are more or less a smart precaution and safety measure so you can be sure your device is not only functional and presentable, but also that your data is secure and that there is zero risk of anything happening to your important information that may still be on your device.

Backup All of Your Data

The most important step here is to backup all of your data so that you are 100% sure you can access anything important after you are no longer in possession of your device. No matter what you ultimately intend on doing with your computer, you want to make sure that all of your data is available either in the cloud or on a tumb drive. Apple makes it simple to backup your data using iCloud however, so this is something you want to take advantage of.

Log Out of All Services

The next step you will want to take is to make sure you are logged out of all apps and services. If you sell your device to a reputable company you don’t need to worry about anyone accessing your accounts, but as a basic safety measure, this is standard practice when selling or giving away any electronic devices. Always go through all of your web browsers and make sure you are logged out of all services, and delete your cookies as well.

Unpair Necessary Devices

If you have any Bluetooth devices or similar peripherals that are synced with your computer, this would be the ideal time to untether them. See each device’s individual instructions if you have trouble disconnecting them.

Delete Any Sensitive Information

Once you have everything backed up, you are free to delete all of the information on your hard drive. This should include any sensitive information such as bank records or anything else you wouldn’t want falling into the wrong hands. Any projects you have performed for your job would also fall into this category. Again, while the chances of anyone finding this data and using it are highly unlikely, these kinds of precautions are simply best practices when selling any kind of electronic device such as a phone or computer.

Clean up Your Device

Lastly, you will want to give your MacBook a good cleaning, especially if it’s been a while since you last did so. Make sure that your computer has all of its peripherals, that any decals or stickers are removed, wipe down the screen and use the appropriate cleaning supplies to get in between the keys and clean out all of the dust and crud that has accumulated. This will simply make your device more attractive and presentable during the selling process.

Optional: Wipe Hard Drive and Reinstall Clean Operating System

One other step you can take in order to be comprehensive when it comes to preparing your device for resale, is to completely wipe the hard drive and reinstall the entire operating system. If you are adept with your computer, this is one last safety precaution you can take to not only protect your information but also “reset” the device appropriately.

The Best MacBook Pro Trade-In Method

Now that your MacBook is prepped and ready to go, and you are sure that you have backed up all of your data, it’s time to jump into the selling process.

The good news is that here at Mac Me an Offer, we have developed an easy-to-use method for selling Apple devices online. All you have to do is take a look at our Mac Estimator Tool, choose the model of your device from the convenient dropdown, and in no time we will provide you with a ballpark estimate of your device. Our rates are competitive, so if your device is in good condition you aren’t likely to find a better deal anywhere else.

The actual trade-in process couldn’t be easier. We provide all of the instructions that you need to follow, and you can expect to get paid for your device in only a few business days. If you are ready to sell your MacBook Pro online, you’re in the right place. If you are unsure how to proceed, just give us a call and we will be glad to assist you.