As Apple continues to expand and transition its entire line of Macs to its own silicon processors, users are updating their older, but still usable, Macs with integrated Intel processors.
If you're looking to save some money on a new Mac, you have plenty of options for purchasing a used or refurbished Apple computer.
And regardless of whether you're looking to upgrade from an already slow Mac or PC, it doesn't have to be overly expensive.
Before we dive into your purchasing options, it's important to consider the difference between a used Mac and a refurbished Mac.
MacBook Pro or Air: Which Apple Device Is Right For You?
Join CNN Underscored's Telegram group in Spanish to receive special offers during Black Friday, Good End and Christmas season.
Used vs. Refurbished Macs
When purchasing any device from a thrift store, you will commonly see these two terms mentioned, often without much explanation of what each one means.
A used Mac, be it a Mac Mini or a MacBook Pro, already had an owner who sold it.
The device may or may not have a remaining warranty or an AppleCare package attached.
There is no guarantee outside of the seller's word that the device is working properly;
you have to trust what it says.
It is not uncommon for used devices to have scratches or stains, images that should be included on the site where the item is sold.
If an image is not clear, ask for better photos before completing the checkout process.
If the seller doesn't want to take any more photos, keep looking.
Apple Watch Series 7: is the bigger screen worth it?
A refurbished or refurbished Mac goes one step further.
Most of the time, a used Mac is traded or returned to a company like Apple or Amazon.
The company then goes through the Mac looking for problems or blemishes, replacing the screen or case to make the item look new.
And if there are any problems with the internal components, the computer is repaired and left as new.
Most companies offer some type of guarantee when you buy these equipment.
Know what you are buying
Apple's Mac lineup, especially in the last 12 months, has gotten very confusing.
Some Macs still use Intel processors, while other Macs use Apple's Apple M1 silicon processor, which offers better performance.
It is important to take note of what type of processor is inside the Mac that you are close to buying.
Intel-powered Macs can be quite old or fairly new.
We recommend looking up the model number or requesting a screenshot of the "About This Mac" screen to show you the model number and year the Mac was released.
31 iPhone Features You Aren't Using And You Should Be
For example, someone who sells a used Intel iMac might have the latest model available or an iMac that is more than 10 years old.
The easiest way to identify which year it was released, and by extension how long it's going to last for you, is to ask for the model number (which you can then Google to find its release date).
Other notable items to look for besides the processor are the amount of storage and memory the Mac has. When buying a MacBook of any type or an iMac, it is also important to know the size of the screen.
As we mentioned in the previous section, the best thing to do when shopping, especially for a used Mac, is to ask a lot of questions and ask for photos.
Now let's dive into where you can go shopping.
Amazon Renewed
Amazon sells many refurbished products, including older Macs, televisions, and many gadgets.
According to the company, all refurbished products have been tested and proven to work and look like new.
They may have occasional scratches on the products, but nothing that takes away from the core functionality of the device.
Regarding the warranty, Amazon offers 90 days for any renewed purchase.
During that time, you can return the product for a full refund or exchange.
The iPhone 12 mini has its lowest price since its launch
Most of the Macs on the Amazon site are older, with some more current models all of a sudden.
Amazon possibly offers the most options for the widest range of budgets.
List of Macs available in the Amazon Renewed program in the United States and Mexico:
13-inch MacBook Air ($ 745): 256GB of storage and Intel Core i3 processor.
11-inch MacBook Air ($ 269): 128GB of storage and Intel Core i5 processor.
13-inch MacBook Pro ($ 474): 256GB of storage and Intel Core i5 processor.
13-inch MacBook Air ($ 999): 512GB of storage and Intel Core i5 processor.
13-inch MacBook Air (MX $ 17,284): 128 GB of storage and Intel Core i5 processor.
MacBook Air 13-inch (MX $ 12,167): 128 GB of storage and Intel Core i5 processor.
13-inch MacBook Air (MX $ 8,749): 128 GB of storage and Intel Core i5 processor.
13-inch MacBook Pro (MX $ 12,536): 128 GB of storage and Intel Core i5 processor.
13-inch MacBook Pro (MX $ 19,948): 512 GB of storage and Intel Core i5 processor.
Apple's Refurbished Store
Apple has a refurbished online store that is filled with equipment that is as good as new throughout the year.
The point is, you never really know what's going to be available at a specific time, so if you're not in a rush to make a new purchase, check the store periodically.
Right now, Apple has a long list of Macs in store, like a Mac Mini with M1 for $ 759 ($ 140 off retail prices).
The best part about Apple's Certified Refurbished store is that every Mac is fully tested, repaired, and clean.
You also get Apple's full one-year warranty with any purchase from their refurbished store, adding peace of mind to your purchase.
What about exchanges?
You can always trade in your current Mac to help offset the cost of a new computer, if that's a route you'd rather go.
Apple accepts trades directly on its site or in stores, giving you an instant discount on the purchase price of your computer.
It will need to answer a few questions about the condition and what accessories you plan to ship with it as the charger.
Follow our social networks: Instagram, Twitter, Telegram and Facebook.
