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.

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Top Rated Comments

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

Misleading? Apple would never do that! /S :rolleyes:
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vegetassj4 Avatar
7 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
7 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
7 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
7 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
7 months ago
Another day, more gaslighting. What will it be tomorrow?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)