What to Expect After You Trade-In Your MacBook Pro

Your Apple MacBook Pro served you well for several years but you finally decided to sell it. You might be wondering after everything is said and done and you actually trade in your MacBook Pro, what’s next?

Here at Mac Me an Offer, we have developed a streamlined system that makes trading in your old Apple devices as easy as possible. If you are used to relying on your MacBook, it’s important to plan for your trade-in and understand what your options are when going computerless.

Even if you plan on purchasing a new computer in the not-too-distant future, there may be a couple of weeks where you find yourself at a loss without a proper way of communicating with your friends or getting certain work tasks done. In some cases, you may think you don’t need a computer at all and then realize you may have made a mistake.

Whichever the case may be, this guide will help you plan accordingly so you aren’t blindsided once you are no longer in possession of your MacBook, how to be productive without a computer in your home, and how to go about replacing your MacBook if you feel the need.

If you rarely find yourself using your old MacBook and just want to sell it off without a second thought, there’s nothing wrong with that at all. In fact, we can handle your MacBook Pro trade-in right here at Mac Me an Offer. Simply navigate to our Mac Estimator Tool and in no time you will have a general idea of what your device is worth and can even initiate a trade right there. We’ve made sure that the process couldn’t be easier.

However, if you still use your MacBook every so often for various tasks but would rather sell it for some extra money or because you anticipate purchasing a new device sometime down the line, this guide is for you. While the prospect of no longer owning a computer for a short while may seem like a non-problem, the truth is that we come to rely on our devices more than you might think, and if you don’t take the necessary precautions, you may find yourself in an inconvenient situation.

It’s much better to be prepared and follow some of the handy tips below if you intend on selling your device. That way, you know what to expect and can feel more confident when selling your device.

Plan Ahead Before You Trade-in Your MacBook Pro

The first thing you want to do before actually selling your MacBook is to plan ahead. If you use your computer off and on to check your finances, watch movies, perform certain work tasks, or send emails, you may feel a bit lost if you rush into everything.

The truth is, we have become so used to having computers in our lives that we can take their functionality for granted. You may not even realize all of the little things that your MacBook allows you to do, and while you may assume that you can simply sell your device without missing a beat, you might want to double-check.

For instance, for the past several years, you may have used your MacBook once a month to pay off your credit card bill. In the moment, you may not even realize that the only place you ever logged into the account was on that computer and your browser’s autofill settings meant that you never had to remember your password. Without putting a plan together to account for no longer owning your computer, you may wake up one day and realize you have no idea how to pay your bill.

While this situation can be remedied and isn’t something to panic over, it will still cause a massive inconvenience. The same could be said for any number of other small tasks that you have grown used to handling every so often through your computer. Over the course of several years, you may become so used to relying on your device to perform certain actions, you may not even think to find an alternative in the moment.

This is why, before actually selling your device, you should come up with a game plan for how to replace the functionality of your Mac. Here are some of the points you want to consider before you trade in your MacBook Pro:

1.Can you pay all of your bills through your phone or by mail?

2.Do you have the password to all of your social media and other important accounts, such as work emails, college emails, tax preparation, investments, and utilities?

3.If you use your computer to manage your schedule, have you transferred this functionality over to your phone or another device?

4.Have you backed up all of your files and can you easily access these files from an alternate location, such as your phone?

5.If you use Zoom or Skype to communicate with coworkers, make sure you are logged onto these apps on your other devices so you aren’t rushing at the last minute to find your password or download the app.

6.If your MacBook was your primary entertainment device, can you still access your favorite movies from your TV or phone?

7.If you had any subscriptions to software that can only be used on your computer and if you don’t plan on purchasing another device, remember to cancel these subscriptions so you don’t eat a payment you don’t have to.

8.Depending on which hobbies you have, including art and gaming, make sure you have what you need to continue your hobby activities even after your MacBook has been sold. If you rely on apps such as the Adobe Suite, you may need to wait until you get a new device until you can enjoy these again.

If you take the time to think about how much you use your MacBook, the less likely you will be blindsided without it. This is especially important if you are going through any transition period where you won’t have access to a personal computer of your own. You may be fine with limited functionality or relying solely on your smartphone for a few weeks, but if you don’t anticipate this situation, you could find yourself scrambling for lost passwords and files you can no longer access.

If you want to trade-in your MacBook, the best thing you can do for yourself is to take all of the steps you can to go about your daily activities without it. This way, the transition will be hassle-free and you will not have to worry about missing bill payments or not being able to get your work done or make meetings on time.

Below you find a few additional tips on what to expect once you sell your MacBook and how you can easily get along without one if you have grown accustomed to yours.

Get More Out of Your Smartphone

Even if you are used to relying on your MacBook for several important tasks, you can still feel comfortable selling yours and going without a computer for a while if need be, so long as you know how to take advantage of your smartphone.

Although we’re used to using our phones for little more than viewing memes or chatting with our friends, the truth is that these devices are powerful mini-computers in their own right, and can help smooth that transition between computers or simply replace your computer altogether. This way you can easily sell your MacBook Pro without a second thought.

Whether you own the latest iPhone or another kind of device such as an Android, you might be surprised at what your phone is capable of. While the iPhones are packed with more features and have access to the iCloud, where you may have kept some of your MacBook’s files, you can still get a lot out of your phone if it is a different brand.

The first thing you want to be aware of is your app selection. It doesn’t matter what you may have used your MacBook for, there’s a good chance that you can get the same degree of functionality with your smartphone, if not more so.

These days, there is an app for just about every brand or service imaginable. Whether it’s specific apps for banking or doing taxes, workplace apps for project coordination, communication apps, graphic design apps, or entertainment apps such as Netflix, you really do have a full suite of functionality at your fingertips.

Here are some of the most important apps you want to have on your phone to help you replace the functionality of your MacBook:

DropBox

A reliable place to store all of your MacBook files that isn’t operating system specific, in case you need free and unfettered access to key files no matter what computer you have access to. Perfect if you don’t intend on getting a new computer any time soon but would still like to have the option to see your files from your friend’s computer or at a library.

Facebook

While this social media platform has come under fire in recent years for a number of reasons, it is actually one of the most multifaceted communication apps available for phones. Send instant messages, conduct polls, stay in contact with coworkers and relatives, video chat, send and receive money with ease, and even keep up with the news, watch plenty of video entertainment, or store and organize your personal photos. An underrated app that consolidates a lot of uses into one spot.

Lastpass

If you have trouble remembering passwords, this is the app you need. If you are transitioning away from using a computer and hate the idea of trying to remember the info for all of these accounts, this app can make your life a whole lot easier.

Microsoft Office

Miss the functionality of Microsoft Office and don’t want to rely on your smartphone’s native word processor app to type out an email or memo? The good news is that you can actually get a highly functional version of the core Microsoft Office suite right on your phone.

Apple Calendar and Planner Pro

There are more than a few apps available on the Apple Store that can help you keep to your schedule if you were used to your MacBook for this. While you may have to try out a few to see which combination works best for your needs, rest assured that this is something you don’t need to worry about if you will be without a computer.

H&R Block 1040EZ Tax App

Used to do your taxes on your MacBook? You might be surprised to know that many people have switched over to taking care of their taxes through their smartphones, and with apps like this, the process couldn’t be easier. If all you need is the 1040EZ, this is the way to go, otherwise TurboTax also has a great app you can use as well.

Peripherals For Your Phone

If you find that a smartphone just doesn’t have the right feel in order to accomplish certain work-related tasks, consider upgrading it with a few high-quality peripherals. Even if you don’t intend on using your phone for much and you already have a plan in mind for how to manage your taxes or compose emails without a MacBook, having these additions on hand could help ease the transition.

First of all, a smartphone stand is one item you may want to look into. These simple devices can make tasks such as video conferencing much more manageable. They are also useful if you simply want to watch a show on your phone without having to hold it the whole time.

Another great peripheral to look into getting is an expandable keyboard. One of the hurdles to going without a dedicated computer is not having a nice keyboard with which to type on. While iPhones make up for this with ergonomic designs and wide-screens, you can only fit so much onto the screen of a smartphone, and typing with your thumbs can get tiresome. There are various keyboard attachments on the market that can eliminate the need to write entire emails using your smartphone’s touchscreen.

It’s Time to Trade in Your MacBook Pro

Now that you have a better idea of what to expect once you trade in your MacBook, you will feel more prepared and comfortable to be without it. Once you are ready to make some money off your device, simply get in touch with us at 800-581-8987 or follow the on-screen instructions of our Mac Estimator Tool to get started.