MacBooks retain value better than virtually any other laptop brand. Understanding depreciation patterns helps inform your decision.
Typical Depreciation Pattern
- After 1 year: Worth approximately 50-60% of original price
- After 2 years: Approximately 35-45%
- After 3 years: Approximately 25-35%
The largest drop occurs in the first year. Then depreciation flattens considerably.
Current M4 Values
- Apple Trade-In: $500-600 (varies by condition)
- Private Sale (excellent condition): $700-850
Private sales through eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Swappa return 15-25% more than Apple's trade-in, but require more effort and time.
Will the M5 Have Better Resale?
The M5 MacBook Air's $100 higher starting price doesn't guarantee $100 more at resale. Both models will depreciate at similar rates as percentages of their original price.
One potential advantage: the M5's 512GB base storage could help resale value. Storage-limited machines become less appealing over time.
Maximizing Long-Term Value
- Buy the configuration you'll actually use (don't overpay for unneeded specs)
- Keep the laptop 3-4 years (depreciation slows after year one)
- Maintain it well (scratches and dents hurt resale)
- Sell privately (20-25% better return than trade-in)
- Time your sale strategically (sell 2-3 weeks before Apple announces new models)
When to Sell
MacBook values drop most immediately after new model announcements. If you're planning to upgrade, list your current machine before Apple's expected announcement for better returns.
The Bottom Line
Don't choose M5 over M4 expecting significantly better resale value. They'll depreciate at similar rates. Both hold value well compared to other laptops. Make your decision based on current needs: storage, performance, price.
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How we researched this
Where this comes from: this answer draws on the product's published specifications and the reviews ShopSavvy collected for it, alongside prices from ShopSavvy's price data.
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