What do you do with a broken MacBook? You can sell it for parts, trade it in when buying a new one, have it recycled, or repair it first and then sell it or keep it. What gives the best result depends on the model, what is broken and how old it is. This article lists the options, and above all: how to make sure your data does not end up in the wrong hands.
Blue Apple repairs MacBooks in Amsterdam. We regularly see MacBooks that were written off, but can last for years after an affordable repair. The other way round, we also say honestly when a repair is no longer worth it.
First: what exactly is broken?
A broken screen, a worn battery or a loose key is very different from a logic board that no longer works. Have it diagnosed first. That also tells you what your MacBook is worth if you sell it: a buyer pays more when they know what is wrong.
Option 1: have it repaired
Sensible if the MacBook is not too old and still gets recent macOS updates, and the repair costs a reasonable share of what a comparable working MacBook is worth. A MacBook Air or Pro with an Apple chip is often usable for years after a new battery or screen. Read repair your MacBook or buy a new one for a worked example.
Option 2: sell it for parts
On second-hand sites people look for broken MacBooks for parts or to repair themselves. State honestly what is broken, the model (printed on the underside and in About This Mac) and whether it still turns on. A MacBook locked to an Apple Account is worth much less for parts. So always remove it from Find My (see below).
Option 3: trade it in
When you buy a new Mac you can sometimes trade in the old one, even if it is broken. For a broken device you usually get little or nothing back, but it is recycled properly. Check the terms with the shop or Apple.
Option 4: recycle it
Electronics do not belong in ordinary waste. You can hand in a broken laptop for free at a municipal collection point or in shops that sell electronics. The battery contains substances that do not belong in the environment, and can cause a fire if damaged.
Protecting your data
- It still starts: make a backup, sign out of your Apple Account and reset it to factory settings. See resetting your MacBook to factory settings.
- It no longer starts: remove it from Find My on icloud.com, so Activation Lock comes off. On MacBooks with an Apple chip or T2 chip the data is encrypted; without your password it is practically unreadable. On older models with a separate drive you can have the drive removed before you give it away.
- You still want the files: do that before you sell or hand it in. See MacBook data recovery.
What is a broken MacBook worth?
That varies a lot. Newer models with an Apple chip keep their value better, even broken, because parts such as the screen and case are in demand. A ten-year-old MacBook fetches little when broken. A quick look at what comparable working models sell for helps you decide whether repair pays off.
What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam
We establish what is broken and what a repair costs, so you can compare it with selling or handing it in. If repair is not worth it, we say so. If files have to come off first, we look at what is possible. More on our page about MacBook repair in Amsterdam.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell a MacBook with Activation Lock?
Not advisable: the buyer cannot use it. Remove it from Find My via icloud.com first.
Do I have to remove the battery before handing it in?
No, hand in the laptop complete. If the battery is swollen, tell the collection point.
Is my data safe if the MacBook no longer starts?
On newer MacBooks the storage is encrypted and unreadable without the password. If in doubt, have the drive removed or destroyed.
