Apple's Limited-Time Mac Trade-In Offer Has a Disappointing Catch

On February 9, Apple started offering "extra credit" for Mac trade-ins in the U.S. and select other countries, but the offer is quite misleading.

apple silicon mac lineup 2024 feature purple
Apple's website says the extra trade-in credit for Macs is available with the purchase of an eligible new Apple device through April 2, yet the values listed have already decreased before that date, which is something the average customer likely wouldn't realize.

As of February 9, the listed trade-in values had increased by between $10 and $50 in the U.S., but some of the values have already decreased since then.

Apple could choose to argue that the trade-in values would have dropped even lower had the "extra credit" boost not been in effect, but to us it still feels disappointing, if not disingenuous, for the company to have lowered some of the values prior to April 2.

The chart below provides an overview of the situation.

Model Values as of Today Values as of February 9 Values as of February 8
MacBook Pro
Up to $860
Up to $925
Up to $915
MacBook Air
Up to $410
Up to $435
Up to $425
MacBook
Up to $120
Up to $140
Up to $90
iMac
Up to $315
Up to $315
Up to $305
iMac Pro
Up to $435
Up to $455
Up to $405
Mac mini
Up to $325
Up to $375
Up to $365
Mac Studio
Up to $1,150
Up to $1,150
Up to $1,140
Mac Pro
Up to $710
Up to $720
Up to $670

So, if you are planning to trade in your Mac, know that the "extra" credit might actually mean even less credit than you would have received last month.

Trade-ins can be completed on Apple's website or at an Apple Store, and the credit can be applied towards the purchase of a new Apple product, or placed on an Apple gift card for later use. Visit the trade-in page on Apple's website for more details.

Popular Stories

apple store down feature

Here's Why the Apple Store is Going Down

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:01 pm PST by
Apple's online store is going down for a few hours on a rolling country-by-country basis right now, but do not get your hopes up for new products. Apple takes its online store down for a few hours ahead of Black Friday every year to tease/prepare for its annual gift card offer with the purchase of select products. The store already went down and came back online in Australia and New Zealand, ...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone to Debut These Three Breakthrough Features

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026, and it's shaping up to include three standout features that could set it apart from the competition. The book-style foldable will reportedly feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That...
streaming black friday 2025

Black Friday Streaming Deals Include Big Savings on Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV, and More

Monday November 24, 2025 8:03 am PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
streaming black friday 2025

Best Black Friday Streaming Deals - Save Big on Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, and More

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:14 pm PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
General Apps Messages Redux

Singapore Orders Changes to iMessage by December

Tuesday November 25, 2025 6:39 am PST by
Singapore has ordered Apple to block or filter messages on iMessage that impersonate government agencies, requiring the company to implement new anti-spoofing protections by December as part of efforts to curb rising online scams, the Straits Times reports. Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that it had issued an Implementation Directive to Apple under the Online Criminal Harms...
General Black Friday Deals 25 Red Green

The 30+ Best Black Friday Apple Deals on AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, and More

Thursday November 27, 2025 6:46 am PST by
Black Friday is finally here, and as always this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small...
General Black Friday Deals 25 Red

Apple Black Friday Deals Available Now on AirPods, iPads, Accessories, and More

Friday November 21, 2025 8:48 am PST by
We're only a few days away from Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...

Top Rated Comments

noanker Avatar
9 months ago
"but the offer is quite misleading."

Misleading? Apple would never do that! /S :rolleyes:
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vegetassj4 Avatar
9 months ago
What is everyone complaining about? Apple makes the most cost effective products in the world. Almost every single product Apple sells has the pocketbook of the consumer in mind. Just the other day, I said thank you Tim Apple for leaving some extra money in my pocket. I would have easily traded my right pinky toe for my MacBook Pro with the Kung Fu Grip.

Come to think of it, just look at how generous they are with their RAM pricing - their ram is easily worth 10x more than Crucial or Samsung.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Valen1 Avatar
9 months ago
The "offers" are insulting. Purchased a new Mac Studio in May of last year with a retail price of $1,800 (I paid less on sale). There offer less than a year later is $910.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ImAlwaysRight Avatar
9 months ago
It's just like Prime Days. They raise prices by 20% then give you a 20% discount!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Smartuser Avatar
9 months ago
For some reason, the values are always total BS. I recently traded in a MacBook Air to Apple for $920. The "up to" values have ALWAYS been wrong like that.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sixteengigabytes Avatar
9 months ago
Another day, more gaslighting. What will it be tomorrow?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)