If you’re holding onto your 2020 MacBook Pro and wondering whether it’s time to upgrade, you’re not alone. With Apple’s ever-evolving lineup and the rise of M3-powered laptops, many users are considering trading in their older models. But how much can you actually get for your 2020 MacBook Pro in 2025? Let’s break it down.
Trade-In Value: All Depends on Architecture
The 2020 MacBook Pro is not a singular entity in the resale market but rather represents two distinct technological epochs released within the same calendar year. This fundamental distinction between the earlier Intel-based models (such as the A2251) and the later M1-based models (A2338) is the most critical factor determining their current trade-in and resale value. The introduction of the Apple M1 chip was a paradigm shift, offering substantial leaps in performance and power efficiency that rendered its Intel-based predecessors immediately less desirable. As a result, M1-based models still yield higher resale prices. They remain in greater demand even today, while the Intel variants from the same year face accelerated depreciation as the last of a now phased-out architecture.
M1 vs. Intel
The introduction of the M1-based MacBook Pro configurations has created a unique “depreciation cliff” for the 2020 Intel counterparts. While any five-year-old laptop depreciates due to age and wear, the Intel MacBook Pro’s value is actively suppressed by the superior performance and future-proofing of its M1 sibling, which was released just months later. The market perceives the Intel model as being on the wrong side of a significant technological divide, penalizing its value twice: once for its age and a second time for its architecture.
Related: Apple M1 chip vs Intel Core i7: Is M1 Really Faster?
2020 MacBook Pro Trade-In Value: What to Expect
Consequently, owners looking to sell or trade in a 2020 MacBook Pro face a primary strategic choice between two paths: convenience or maximum value. The first path, through official trade-in programs at retailers like Apple and Best Buy, offers a streamlined, low-effort process that provides immediate store credit or a gift card. The second path, via private sales channels such as Facebook Marketplace or eBay, demands more personal effort but almost invariably yields a higher cash payout.
It is also important to note that some previously popular services are no longer viable. Gazelle, once a major player in the electronics trade-in space, no longer accepts computers, effective February 1, 2021.
Apple Trade In: The Path of Least Resistance
Apple’s trade-in program is designed for seamless integration into its retail ecosystem, prioritizing convenience above all else. Currently, the company offers up to $355 store credit for a 512GB M1-based MacBook Pro 13-inch model:
Apple provides two methods for trade-in:
- Online Mail-In: A user receives an online estimate, is sent a prepaid shipping kit, and mails the device to Apple’s third-party partner. The entire process generally takes two to three weeks, with the quote valid for 14 days after the new device is received. Payment is issued as a credit to the original purchase method or an Apple Gift Card.
- In-Store Trade-In: A user can take their device directly to an Apple Store. A Specialist inspects it on the spot and provides a definitive, final value that can be applied instantly as credit toward a new purchase.
The primary value of the in-store option is not its monetary offer but its elimination of risk. The mail-in process introduces a significant power imbalance, as the user relinquishes their device before a final value is determined by an unseen third party. Multiple user reports document a “bait and switch” scenario, where initial online quotes are drastically reduced for minor cosmetic flaws. The in-store process mitigates this risk entirely by providing a final, transparent offer before the user parts with their computer. The “product” being purchased with the potentially lower value is certainty.
Best Buy Trade-In: The High-Variance Wildcard
Best Buy’s trade-in program presents a more unpredictable but potentially lucrative alternative. It is conducted almost exclusively in-store; users get an online estimate but must bring the device in for a final valuation and to receive a Best Buy gift card. For the same M1-based 512GB model, Apple offered $355, Best Buy’s valuation is $400:
Unfortunately, upon spending some time on the platform, it was discovered that the site’s valuation system can be inconsistent and occasionally illogical. For example, there can be a significant price discrepancy based solely on color. Crucially, some users have discovered a loophole: initiating the trade-in process from a new product’s purchase page can generate a substantially higher quote than using the standalone trade-in portal.
This discovery suggests that Best Buy’s program functions less as a simple asset-recovery system and more as a dynamic and flexible sales promotion tool. The offers, which can approach or exceed a device’s private market value, are likely used as targeted loss leaders to incentivize the purchase of new, high-margin products and to compete directly with promotions from Apple and other retailers. For the consumer, this means checking the Best Buy trade-in value frequently and through multiple paths on its website, as it may be temporarily inflated for strategic reasons.
The Private Market: Platforms for Maximizing Cash Returns
The Auction House: eBay
As the world’s largest online marketplace, eBay provides access to the broadest possible audience of potential buyers, but also introduces greater complexity and risk. The platform is saturated with listings for the 2020 MacBook Pro, indicating a robust and active market. For the same 2020 MacBook Pro model ( M1 CPU, 512GB SSD) in good used condition, final sale prices typically fall within the $416-$450 range. Professionally refurbished models from established sellers can sell for up to $490.
Selling on eBay requires creating a detailed listing, managing bids or offers, and handling packaging and covering shipping costs. Sellers must also factor in eBay’s fees, which a user reported as being around 13%, as well as an increased exposure to scams, disputes, and inexperienced buyers returning the computer.
Instant Cash Offers: Gadget Salvation
Positioned as a middle ground between trade-ins and private sales, Gadget Salvation operates as a direct-buy service that offers cash for pre-owned electronics. With upfront valuations and free shipping, the online buyback platform provides a convenient resale option for those on a time crunch, looking to recoup some cash from their outdated gadgets.
For a 2020 M1 MacBook Pro model, we offer up to $251 cash as of 2025, and up to $226 for the Intel Core i7 one. These figures are comparably lower than what a Mac user can get in the form of a store credit on an Apple Trade-in site. However, we should also note that we purchase non-functional and less-than-perfect laptops, whereas Apple deems them as having zero value and offers to recycle instead.
In Conclusion
There is no single “best” way to sell a 2020 MacBook Pro; the optimal choice depends entirely on the seller’s individual priorities regarding convenience, speed, and monetary return. The following framework provides strategic guidance based on these priorities.
Based on the owner’s objectives, the 2020 MacBook Pro trade-in value can vary significantly. Thus, the seller can get up to $355 in store credit, up to $251 in fast cash via an online buyback, and up to $400 (before fees and shipping expenses) if they are not in a rush and willing to do the work themselves.
Olena is an operations manager at Gadget Salvation, wearing many hats and navigating the intersections of efficiency and innovation. With a deep passion for tech and sustainability, they thrive on exploring solutions that drive progress while protecting our planet.
