Buying a Refurbished Mac? What to Know Before You Upgrade
Updated: Oct 13
When your Mac starts slowing down, it's tempting to start shopping for a new one.
But before spending a few thousand dollars, I usually recommend two things: see if your current Mac can be improved, and take a look at Apple's refurbished Macs.
A refurbished Mac can be a great way to get the performance you need without paying full price for a brand-new computer. The important part is choosing the right specifications for how you work.
First, Does Your Mac Actually Need Replacing?
If you're frequently seeing the spinning wheel, running out of storage or waiting for applications to respond, your computer might just need some cleanup.
Before shopping, try my 10 Things to Clean Up Your Mac to Speed It Up.
If those steps don't help, it might be time for an upgrade.
Why I Recommend Buying a Refurbished Mac From Apple
Apple sells previous-generation and returned Macs through its Certified Refurbished store.
Unlike buying a used computer from an individual seller, Apple's refurbished Macs go through testing, inspection and cleaning. They also come with a one-year limited warranty, and you can purchase AppleCare coverage.
That's a big reason I recommend buying directly from Apple. You can save money while getting a computer backed by Apple's warranty and support.
The one catch? Selection changes frequently, and you can't always find the exact configuration you want. I recommend knowing which specifications you need before shopping and checking back if the right Mac isn't available.
Also, compare the refurbished price against a new Mac. Sometimes the savings are worth it, and sometimes a newer model is a better purchase.
Get the Memory Right - You Can't Upgrade It Later
Memory (RAM) helps your computer handle multiple applications, browser tabs, large files and other tasks at the same time.
This is especially important on a Mac.
Unlike some Windows PCs, where you can add more RAM later, modern Mac laptops have unified memory integrated with Apple's chips. You cannot upgrade that memory after buying the computer.
That means the memory you choose today is what you'll have for the life of your Mac.
My Memory Recommendations
16GB: A good starting point for everyday business work - email, browsers, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Canva and video meetings.
32GB: My preference for heavier work, including large graphics, video editing, software development or running several demanding applications.
Some refurbished Macs come with 24GB, which can also be an excellent middle option.
I'd rather see someone buy a slightly older refurbished Mac with enough memory than a newer computer that doesn't have enough for their work.
Don't Forget About Storage - I Recommend 1TB to 2TB
Memory and storage are different.
Memory helps run your applications. Storage is where your documents, photos, videos and other files live.
My recommendations:
1TB: A great starting point for most business owners who want room for applications, documents and everyday files.
2TB: Better for large photo libraries, video projects, graphics and people who keep substantial files on their computer.
Like memory, the internal storage in modern Mac laptops generally cannot be upgraded later.
Neat Freak Tech Tip: Check how much storage you're currently using before shopping. On your Mac, go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage.
MacBook Air or MacBook Pro?
I've helped companies choose Macs for different types of employees, and we didn't give everyone the same computer.
Our engineers generally received MacBook Pros because they programmed locally, ran development servers and used more demanding tools. Our creative teams also used Pros for applications like Photoshop and video editing.
Our executive teams? They usually received MacBook Airs.
They traveled more, worked primarily in browsers, email and presentations, and appreciated having a lighter computer.
I still approach Mac recommendations this way.
MacBook Air: Great for everyday business applications, browser-based work, video meetings and people who travel frequently.
MacBook Pro: Better suited for demanding creative work, software development, heavy multitasking and users who need additional processing power or ports.
Today's MacBook Airs are quite powerful, so you may not need a Pro even if you've owned one in the past.
How to Shop for a Refurbished Mac
Here's my approach:
Decide between an Air and Pro based on how you actually use your computer.
Choose your memory and storage. I'd generally start with 16GB and 1TB, or consider 32GB and 2TB for more demanding work.
Visit Apple's Refurbished Mac Store and look for a configuration that fits.
Check the model and chip generation. I prefer reasonably recent Apple silicon Macs that will continue receiving software updates.
Compare the price with a new Mac. Make sure the refurbished savings justify the purchase.
If the right configuration isn't available, check back. Apple's refurbished inventory changes regularly.
What Should You Do With Your Old Mac?
You might trade it in, sell it, recycle it or pass it along to another employee.
A Mac that's no longer powerful enough for graphic design might still be perfectly useful for someone working primarily in email and documents.
Before handing it over, though, make sure your files are backed up, business accounts are handled properly and your personal information is securely removed.
This is also something I help small business clients with.
If someone on your team is getting a new Mac or an employee is leaving, I can help with the one-time process of preparing their old computer for its next user.
Buy the Right Mac, Not Necessarily the Newest One
You don't need the most expensive MacBook Pro, and you don't necessarily need to buy brand new.
A well-chosen refurbished Mac with enough memory and storage can be an excellent business computer for years.
If you're not sure which Mac makes sense for how you work, I can help you compare your options and choose the right configuration for your business.
Use my 1-1 Founder Meetings to meet with me and let's figure out what you actually need.
