Should You Buy An Old MacBook? PROS & CONS…


How & Why You Should Buy Old MacBooksPin

Old MacBooks are cheaper than new ones – especially if you buy refurbished ones. But is it worthwhile? Or are you better off taking the hit for a new one?


Marketing is a cruel beast, especially when it is done as well as Apple’s. You see the new, shiny MacBooks. You read about the new ultra-powerful M1 chip and you want one.

Even if you cannot afford it.

RELATED: Check ALL The New Colors For Apple’s M1 iMac…

If you’re hellbent on getting a MacBook, and do not want to use a Windows or Chromebook, the only way to get yourself a “cheap” MacBook is to buy an old MacBook.

Are Old MacBooks Worth Buying?

And by “old” I mean a couple of years old; and you’ll also want to make sure you buy “refurbished” and not from some random from Craig’s List or Facebook Marketplace.

Why?

Consumer rights, put simply. If you buy something from a random on the internet, you have zero comeback if something is wrong with the product. With a company, you have things like warranties and a returns policy.

How & Why You Should Buy Old MacBooksPin

And if you’re going to be dropping north of $500 on something, this is the kind of protection you want in place.

Plus, a refurbished MacBook means it has been tested and serviced and will work as good as new.

You have to keep in mind that computers like Apple’s MacBooks are not like phones; they have a much longer lifecycle – and this goes doubly for Macs.

My iMac is now almost 8 years old, and it still works great.

I had to update the RAM, granted, but that only cost like $50 and it made the machine run as good as new.

With MacBooks, it is much the same deal and this means, if you’re on a tight budget, you can still get a Mac – you just have to buy a slightly older model.

How Much Do Older Macs Cost?

As always, it depends – it depends on the specs, the release year, the CPU it uses. But as a general rule of thumb: the newer the MacBook is the more it will cost upfront to buy.

Similarly, the higher the spec, the more it will cost: MacBook Pro models will ALWAYS cost more than MacBook Air models. My advice, decide on the model you want and then work out how much you want to spend.

Here’s a breakdown of how much you can expect to pay for an older, refurbished MacBook.

MacBook ModelRelease YearLaunch PricePrice Now
MacBook Pro 15″2016$2799$1533
MacBook 12″2016$1299$658
MacBook Pro 13″2016$958$1799
MacBook Pro 12″2017$710$1299
MacBook Pro 13″2017$1053$1799
MacBook Pro 15″2017£2799$1598
MacBook Pro 13″2018$1799$1145
MacBook Pro 15″2018£3099$2034
A Quick Overview of How Much You Save By Going With An Older MacBook – View ALL Models Here.

Do Old MacBooks Still Perform?

If you’re concerned that your older MacBook won’t perform as well as a new model, this is perfectly reasonable.

A 2018 MacBook Pro is always going to lose ground to a 2020 model – that’s just the way things work.

Newer is better and faster and more powerful. But newer is also more expensive.

What do you want to do with your MacBook? Maybe you want to use it for work, college, or you just want it as a household computer?

Either way, it will run absolutely fine in these contexts – especially the Pro models.

For instance, if all you need a MacBook for is working, using cloud applications and software like Office 365 and some web browsing, any of Apple’s last several generations of MacBooks will be fine.

How Long Do MacBooks Last?

MacBooks, regardless of age, are specced-out for performance and longevity; this is the #1 reason why they cost more than Windows machines.

MacBooks and iMacs last longer than Windows-powered PCs – quite a bit longer.

Case in point: I have a three year old Huawei UltraBook that is basically dying and my MacBook Pro, now almost six years old, is running just as good as it did a couple of years ago, which is to say it runs great.

Back when I was at college, many moons ago now, I used Windows PCs and laptops. I ended up going through a couple every year or two. After getting annoyed by the constant updates from Microsoft and the issues, plus the fact they always seemed to break, I decided to switch to a MacBook.

I got my first MacBook in 2002 and I used that until 2010. Then I got a MacBook Air which I ran until 2014. Then I updated to a MacBook Pro and, later that year, bought an iMac once I started working from home.

The MacBook Pro and iMac are still going strong.

I’m not a normal user though; when the world isn’t locked down in some kind of Orwellian nightmare, I travel a lot. This means I need a laptop. And for work at home, a good desktop.

But most people will be fine with just one machine. And if that machine is a laptop, or a MacBook, then you’re looking at perhaps 7-8 years of near-perfect performance and usability.

Can you say that about ANY Windows laptop? I think not.

You can, of course, also run any MacBook as a desktop too – you just need to buy an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse. And probably one of these amazing things.

Downsides of Buying An Old MacBook?

The way I see it, put simply: there aren’t any. You’ll get a brilliant machine with excellent performance for a price you can manage.

This is the only way I ever buy MacBooks (and iMacs). I’d rather buy a refurbished one that is a couple of years old, buy it outright on a credit card or using my savings, instead of financing a couple of thousand dollars for a new one.

If the majority of the stuff you’ll be doing with your MacBook is cloud-based, meaning you do most of your “stuff” online, a MacBook that is a few years old will be perfectly fine from a performance perspective.

buy refurbished macbookPin

You won’t get Apple’s new M1 chip, however, but you will get full access to x86 applications if and when you need them.

And given how young Apple’s new M1 platform is, I don’t actually see this as a downside.

Bottomline? Even if you’re on a super-tight budget, there is a MacBook out there that you can probably afford – it’s just not a brand new one.

I get my refurbished MacBooks via Gazelle – you can check out all of its current options here.

As you’ll see, prices vary by model and the year the MacBook was released. The Pro models are most expensive, while the standard models are the cheapest.

My advice? If you want to use the MacBook for a good long while, get yourself a Pro model – they have better spec and will run better for longer.

You’ll pay more but over the long run they’re most cost efficient.

Remember: when you buy cheap, you buy twice (unless it is a refurbished MacBook Pro; then you’re just getting a sweet deal).

Also, check out Can I Hide The MacBook Notch? And have a look at Is Apple’s Polishing Cloth Worth It? And check out How To Turn Your Old Mac Into A Chromebook!

Latest Smartphone Releases


  • Xiaomi 15S Pro

    The Xiaomi 15S Pro didn’t come with a flashy launch, but it brings some seriously heavy hardware to the table. A custom 10-core chip, Leica-engineered cameras, and one of the brightest displays on the market

  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

    At just 5.8mm thick, it’s one of the thinnest Android phones ever made—but don’t let the slim profile fool you. This phone is all flagship under the hood.

  • Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

    It’s got the same slick design and OLED display, but adds a periscope zoom camera and a 50MP front-facing shooter.

  • Nothing Phone (3a)

    The Nothing Phone (3a) nails the formula: give people what they actually want, keep the price low, and make it look cooler than anything else in its class.

  • Motorola EDGE 60 Pro

    With a bold design, flagship-like display, and surprisingly refined camera system, it’s one of the most interesting mid-range phones of 2025.

  • Google Pixel 9

    I’ve been using the Pixel 9 for a few weeks now, and honestly? It nails all the basics—and a bit more. Killer stuff all round!

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro

    I’ve used the Pixel 9 Pro as my daily device, and it’s hands-down the best balance of power, practicality, and photography you’ll find on Android right now.

  • OnePlus 13

    I’ve been using the OnePlus 13 as my daily driver for a few months now—and I’ve got to say, it’s easily one of the best Android phones I’ve tested this year.

  • Xiaomi 15 Ultra

    After using the Xiaomi 15 Ultra for over a week, I can confidently say: this phone is an absolute beast. It’s made for camera nerds, power users, and creators.

  • iPhone 16 Pro Max

    If you’ve been holding out for a truly complete iPhone, the 16 Pro Max delivers—hard. After using it daily, I won't be going back…

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

    Big screen, big battery, and even bigger brains—this is the Pixel to get if you want Google’s best hardware and longest support.

  • Google Pixel 9a

    The Pixel 9a brings Google’s flagship-level smarts to a budget-friendly package, and it’s easily one of the best-value Android phones of 2025.

Best SIM-Only Plans & Deals


  • Boost Mobile Unlimited Premium Plan

    Boost’s top-tier option brings the heat: 50GB of premium data, hotspot, North America roaming, global talk & text, and $430 off select devices. All-in at $60/month with no contract.

    +

    Data: Unlimited (50GB premium speed)

  • Boost Mobile Unlimited+ Plan

    Level up with 40GB of premium data, hotspot access, global calling, and up to $300 in device savings. All for just $50/month. No contracts and flexible phone options included.

    +

    Data: Unlimited; Speed Caps After 40GB

  • Boost Mobile Unlimited Plan

    Start strong with 30GB of premium data, unlimited everything, and a killer intro offer: just $15/month for the first 3 months, then $25/month forever. No contracts. No fluff. Big value.

    +

    Data: Unlimited (Speed Caps Over 30GB)

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    Another high-data, low-cost option with no contract. 108GB for just £9, full 5G access, and the same goodies you get with 12-month deals.

    +

    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 20GB

    The lowest price option. 20GB for £6 with all the same perks as pricier plans. Great if you don’t use much data and want to save every penny.

    +

    Data: 20GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 110GB

    This plan gives you big data and zero commitment. 110GB for just £10 with all perks intact. If you need more data but want the freedom to cancel, this is the one.

    +

    Data: 110GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    More data, same price. For just £8/month, you get 60GB on a no-strings 1-month rolling plan. Ideal for users who stream often but don’t want long commitments.

    +

    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 40GB

    Perfect if you want full flexibility. You get 40GB and all of iD Mobile's perks with no lock-in, annual increases, or setup fees. Great for short-term users.

    +

    Data: 40GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    One of the best pound-per-GB plans around. You get 60GB for £8 with £25 cashback, which means you’re effectively paying closer to £6/month. Includes roaming and data rollover.

    +

    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    This deal gets you a healthy 108GB of 5G data for less than a tenner, with no upfront costs and £24 cashback. All the perks are included too: data rollover, roaming, and loyalty rewards.

    +

    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: Unlimited Data

    This iD Mobile plan doesn’t just compete on price, it’s up there with the best of them. Unlimited everything, a year-long lock-in with no price rises, and £42 cashback straight to your pocket. It’s like getting nearly 3 months free.

    +

    Data: Unlimited, No Speed Caps

  • Mint Mobile 20GB Plan

    If you're looking to save some cash on your bills, this plan is an awesome option. You'll get 20GB of data per month and 20GB hotspot data allowance. For moderate to heavy users, that should be more than enough. I seldom use more than 10GB of data a month, and I'm always using my phone

    +

    Data: 20GB