Is a refurbished MacBook viable in 2025? I did the math, and here’s my expert advice

I keep in mind when folks used to scoff at refurbished tech. Shopping for a used telephone or laptop was like rolling the cube: you by no means knew precisely what you have been getting. 

Effectively, the instances actually have modified. And, on this economic system, the costs on refurbished tech are wanting an increasing number of tempting. Shoppers are difficult this concept that we’re all supposed to purchase model new telephones and laptops each few years, and within the course of, the marketplace for refurbished tech has blown up. 

Having by no means bought a refurbished product myself, I used to be very curious as to how the expertise would go together with a brand new (used) laptop computer. So, I linked with the parents at Again Market and bought a $950 MacBook Professional M1 from 2021 to check out as my fundamental driver for just a few weeks. 

I will say proper now: it wasn’t a wonderfully seamless expertise, however shopping for model new tech hardly ever is, both. Here is the way it went, and what I’ve discovered from the method. 

How Again Market works 

Very first thing it is best to know is that the retailer provides totally different tiers of merchandise: you should buy a MacBook in Honest, Good, Glorious, or Premium situation, with the costs scaling greater with higher situation. When you’re questioning what Honest situation seems to be like, it may embody some seen indicators of use, however in the end, the inner elements have been inspected and verified by Again Market to be in good working order. 

After selecting the extent of damage you are snug with, you then undergo and select the processor, reminiscence quantity, storage, and shade of your new MacBook — similar to you’ll a model new one. 

Lastly, you possibly can select to incorporate a trade-in with one other system as a part of the acquisition. This course of consists of a Again Market rep appraising your system and providing you with a suggestion in a greenback quantity. You then have 21 days to ship the merchandise to Again Market, and as soon as they get it, they will lower you a rebate test.

Are you able to belief a refurbished merchandise?

I do not blame you for being cautious of used tech. However remember the fact that Again Market solely takes in merchandise it is aware of it might probably resell, and even then, it has to move a 25-point inspection take a look at to make sure they’re in adequate situation. 

This testing, restore, and elements substitute course of is what units a refurbished MacBook aside from a used one you’d purchase straight from the palms of somebody on Fb Market, for instance. 

Moreover just a few indicators of damage and tear (which you’ll realistically count on from a tool within the Honest or Good classes), the first factor to think about is the system’s battery life. Fortunately, you possibly can see your MacBook’s battery capability within the settings, together with a number of different info, together with what number of cycles it is gone via. 

The rule of thumb is to interchange a battery that has dipped under 80% capability, so a tool bought via Again Market ought to be above that mark, with Premium tier units licensed to be above 90%. 

The MacBook Professional M1 I acquired from Again Market arrived within the Premium tier, so there was really not a scratch or dent on the system in any respect. The display screen regarded flawless. The battery capability was at 95%, and I had no points with the keyboard or trackpad. 

The one subject I skilled was {that a} day or two after I first set it up, it randomly booted up in restoration mode, prompting me to reinstall the most recent OS. I did so, and it hasn’t occurred once more since. 

How a lot do you save?

Here is the massive query. How a lot are you actually saving? Let’s break it down based mostly on three totally different comparable MacBook Execs from totally different generations: the M1 Professional I acquired from 2021, the M2 from 2023, and the most recent MacBook Professional in the marketplace, the M4 from 2024:

The refurbished M1 just isn’t out there new from most retailers, however you possibly can nonetheless get new M2s from Amazon. As you possibly can see, it is considerably cheaper — over $600 much less — than the following era up with comparable {hardware}. The distinction between the M2 and M4, nonetheless, is smaller; only a few hundred {dollars}. 

When you’re questioning how they evaluate, CPU benchmarking outcomes from Geekbench put the M1 and M2 10-core CPUs fairly shut collectively, with the M4 understandably a bit additional off. These numbers consult with the CPU’s efficiency limits below a heavy load, exhibiting that the newer MacBooks have extra energy below the hood on the highest finish. 

However the variations will not be earth-shattering, right here. Relating to on a regular basis duties like figuring out of a browser, working productiveness software program, and multitasking with totally different apps throughout the most recent MacOS, the distinction in efficiency just isn’t as simple to establish.

And sure, the M1 MacBook Professional will have the ability to improve to the all-new MacOS 26 Tahoe when it comes out this fall, that means it’s going to have the identical working system as newer MacBooks. 

The ultimate verdict

So, must you purchase a refurbished MacBook? If you wish to benefit from the newest options like iPhone mirroring, the brand new and improved highlight, and the liquid glass UI redesign in MacOS 26 and do not want the top-of-the-line processing energy, then completely, sure. 

You may get a refurbished MacBook Professional M1 with 16GB of unified reminiscence for $841 lower than a MacBook Professional M4 with a 10-core CPU. When you’re not enhancing 4K video, animation, or rendering massive picture information, a top-tier processor is likely to be overkill. 

That being mentioned, by selecting a refurbished laptop computer, you may wish to rigorously weigh the trade-offs. Be sure you’re choosing sufficient native storage to future-proof your system, resolve what sort of bodily situation you are snug with, and ensure the system you select has a wholesome battery. 

Lastly, remember the fact that Again Market just isn’t the one place to buy refurbished MacBooks, Apple has its personal official refurbished retailer the place you should purchase every little thing from MacBooks to iPads to Apple Watches.