If you want to sell your old MacBook and are wondering the best time to sell it, you are not alone. The biggest factor in resale value is timing, given that Apple releases new MacBooks almost annually. The difference in resale value could be from the top of the trade-in program to the bottom of the resale marketplace, depending on whether you sell at that particular moment.
At Sell iPhone Newark, we buy old, new, and broken MacBooks for cash, and make upgrading simple and easy – you will get cash and not get hurt by depreciation. In this blog, we will explore the best time of year to sell your MacBook in 2025 so you can maximize your cash value.
1. Sell Before a New MacBook Release
A golden rule of resale is to always sell before the new generation hits the market. You can usually expect Apple to announce the new MacBook model between September and November at their annual fall events.
Once a new MacBook is officially announced, the resale values of the older generations of MacBook immediately drop considerably do nearly nothing. If you are planning to upgrade, selling your old MacBook a few weeks before the new model’s launch date is your best bet to securing maximum cash value.
Pro Tip: If you own a MacBook from 2020–2022, 2025 is a great year to consider upgrading. Resale values remain strong but will undoubtedly decline with the impending release of the new model.
2. Tax Season (February – April)
Another surprisingly good time of year to sell your MacBook is tax refund season. Everyone and their brother gets money from their tax refunds, and many buyers leverage their refunds to upgrade their gadgets, which increases demand for second-hand devices. Higher demand can lead to higher resale prices on your older MacBook.
If you can sell somewhere between February and April 2025, you may cash out when the demand is hot.
3. Back-to-School Season (July – September)
Of course, there’s the back-to-school season. Technically, students and their parents are looking for affordable MacBooks for the start of school, which means those weeks before the new school year starts make from July through early September one of the prime months for you to sell and go second-hand.
So selling during that time would also benefit your sales since students and professionals alike are looking for budget-friendly laptops.
4. Right After the Holidays (January)
Don’t sleep on the post-holiday window! There are a lot of people who get Apple gift cards and partial trade-in deals during December and will look to purchase a second-hand MacBook in January.
If you sell your MacBook early in the year, you will also generally see higher trade-in values as Apple gears up for its spring events, where it announces new products or upgrades.
5. Avoid Waiting Too Long
By the time MacBooks reach 5 years of age, they are often already considered dated. Buyers of this aged MacBook are right to be concerned about the outdated processor, software, and battery life.
If your MacBook is already 4-5 years old, then you are taking chances if you do not sell soon. You will receive better resale value now when you sell than when you have held onto it to have time.
6. Understand Depreciation Rates
A MacBook will lose about a 20-30% value in the first year from the time of purchase, and depreciation will continue every year. However, definitely, with other laptops, Apple holds value much longer.
How you can maximize what you get:
- Sell your MacBook within 2-3 years of purchasing it.
- Keep your MacBook in good physical condition.
- Include original accessories if possible.
7. Where to Sell Your Old MacBook for Cash in Newark
Are you looking for a trustworthy place to sell your MacBook in Newark? We at Sell iPhone Newark will buy you:
- Old and – new and – broken MacBook.
- iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and AirPods.
At Sell iPhone Newark, you will not have to deal with the uncertainties of online listings or the waiting period for the trade-in programs, as you will receive cash payment on the spot when you walk into our store.
Final Thoughts
So what’s the best time of year to sell your old MacBook in 2025?
- Before the new MacBooks launch, so that you can make the most money (September–November).
- During back-to-school season (July–September), there are still buyers, and the demand is strong.
- Or during tax refund season (February–April), when buyers have some extra cash in their wallets.
When you time your sale properly, you can maximize resale value, minimize depreciation, and quickly cash out before you put money towards your next upgrade.
Here at Sell iPhone Newark, selling your Apple device is simple, safe, and fast. If you’re ready to sell your old MacBook, now’s the time to sell it.