Due to the current RAM crisis, prices of older devices are increasing instead of decreasing. In June 2026, Apple announced a price increase for its MacBooks, with the MacBook Air going from $1,099 to $1,299 and the MacBook Pro going from $1,699 to $1,999 for base configurations. Even the MacBook Neo, launching in March 2026, saw its price increase from $599 to $699. As owning the latest MacBook becomes more and more expensive, Apple is facing something unexpected: a surge in refurbished MacBook sales as customers now look to value over the latest incremental features.
Value is what MacBook Pros deliver, as even the M1 MacBook Pro remains a powerhouse in 2026. It’s a great productivity machine for everyday work, like web browsing, document creation, communication, and media consumption. It can also comfortably handle moderate workflows for people who do a lot of video editing and coding. And the performance trajectory is up from there with the M2 and newer chips.
In an interview with Business Insider, Angie Cardona-Nelson, a seller of refurbished MacBooks on eBay, said that in the weeks following the announcement, the MacBooks she listed were selling out within hours, when they usually stayed for weeks. Lauren Benton, general manager of Back Market US, said Apple had just launched an unintentional advertising campaign for the refurbished technology platform, with sales of refurbished MacBooks increasing by 65%.
Refurbished Apple Silicon MacBooks will haunt Apple for a few more years
Chifundo Kasiay/BGR
I bought a refurbished MacBook from Back Market UK in March 2026 as I wanted to try macOS. It’s a 14-inch MacBook Pro M1 with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, and it’s become my primary computer. I have a tab-heavy workflow, so even after opening dozens of Google Chrome tabs, plus apps like Trello, Slack, WhatsApp, and VS Code, the MacBook doesn’t flinch or heat up.
The best part is that it comes with a battery capacity of 93%, which backs Back Market’s guarantee that it will have a battery health of at least 85%. As for accessories, it comes with a USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable and a Tranyoo 120W GaN fast charger. I see myself using this MacBook for a few more years, especially with the confirmation that it will be upgradable to macOS 27 Golden Gate. And given that MacBook Pros can last 10 years, that’s half of their expected lifespan, with software support expected to continue until 2027-2030.
So, those looking to buy a refurbished MacBook Pro M2 or higher still have years ahead of them. It’s easy to see why the M-series MacBook Pros are a problem for Apple. People simply need to buy from trusted third-party retailers like Amazon, Back Market, and Best Buy. If you buy from peer-to-peer sites like eBay, asking sellers the right questions ensures that they actually get the value they expect.
