Before placing an ad, you need to know the realistic value of your Mac on the current market. Several factors directly influence the resale price.
| Factor | Impact on price |
|---|---|
| Model and year | An Apple Silicon Mac (M1 and later) retains 50 to 70% of its value after 2-3 years. An Intel Mac loses value much more quickly, especially since macOS support was discontinued. |
| Configuration | RAM and storage increase value. A MacBook Pro with 16GB/512GB sells for significantly more than an 8GB/256GB model. |
| Cosmetic condition | Scratches, dents and signs of wear reduce the price from 10 to 25%. A Mac in near-new condition sells for top dollar. |
| Battery cycles | Fewer than 300 cycles is a selling point. Beyond 800 cycles, the buyer will negotiate the price of battery replacement. |
| Accessories included | The original charger, box and cable in good condition add a further €20 to €50 to the perceived value. |
To estimate your price, consult similar ads on 2ememain.be, Facebook Marketplace and Back Market. Compare only sold Macs (not current listings) to get a realistic price. As a general rule, position yourself 5 to 10% below the average price for a quick sale, or at the average price if you're patient.
To precisely identify your model, its configuration and its year, use our Mac identification tool - This is the first step towards a fair estimate.
Before you touch anything, make sure all your data is safe. You're going to wipe the drive completely - there's no going back.
Time Machine backup : This is the most complete method. Plug in an external hard drive and run a backup Time Machine environment. This backup will allow you to restore your entire environment on your new Mac via the’Migration assistant.
Check the cloud : Make sure your iCloud photos, iCloud Drive documents, notes and contacts are in sync. Open System Settings → your name → iCloud and check that each service displays a recent synchronisation date.
Data outside the cloud : Think about files that are only stored locally: downloads, creative projects, databases, configuration files for specific software. Copy them to an external drive or a cloud service of your choice.
This step is crucial. A Mac still linked to your iCloud account will be locked by Activation Lock, making the device unusable for the buyer. It's also the safest way to protect your personal data.
Go to System Settings → your name → iCloud → Locate my Mac and deactivate the function. macOS will ask you for your Apple ID password to confirm. This step removes Activation Lock.
In System Settings → your name, click on Disconnection. macOS lets you keep a copy of your iCloud data on the Mac - choose No for everything (you're going to wipe the disk anyway). This disconnection also removes the Mac from your list of trusted devices for two-factor authentication.
Open the application Messages, go to Messages → Settings → iMessage and click on Disconnection. If you don't, the buyer may receive your messages if they use the Messages application.
If you keep your Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard or AirPods, unpair them in System Settings → Bluetooth before deleting the Mac. Otherwise, they will automatically try to reconnect to the sold Mac.
Wiping the drive completely ensures that none of your data can be recovered by the buyer. Apple details the complete procedure in its official pre-sales guide. The procedure differs slightly depending on your Mac model.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Go to System Settings → General → Transfer or reset |
| 2 | Click on Delete content and settings |
| 3 | Confirm with your administrator password |
| 4 | The Mac erases everything and restarts with the «Hello» welcome screen» |
This method is the simplest and most secure. It deletes all data, unlinks any remaining accounts and automatically reinstalls the latest compatible version of macOS.
The «Delete content and settings» function is not available. You must use Recovery mode:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Restart by holding down Cmd + R |
| 2 | Open the’Disk utility |
| 3 | Select your main volume (Macintosh HD) and click on Delete |
| 4 | Choose the format APFS and confirm |
| 5 | Close Disk Utility, then select Reinstall macOS |
| 6 | Follow the instructions (Internet connection required) to the «Hello» screen» |
Consult our detailed guide to reset a Mac to factory settings if you are experiencing difficulties, or our guide to’Disk utility for advanced handling.
Appearance counts for a lot when it comes to resale. A clean Mac sells faster and for more money than a dusty Mac covered in stickers.
Exterior cleaning : Use a microfibre cloth slightly dampened with water or a mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol 70%. Clean the screen (without excessive pressure), keyboard (between the keys), trackpad, edges and cover. Dry thoroughly.
Removal of stickers : Remove all stickers. Glue residues can be removed with a little isopropyl alcohol on a soft cloth. Rub gently without scratching the aluminium.
Accessories : Gather the original MagSafe or USB-C charger, charging cable, box (if you still have it), extension cable and any adapters included with your purchase. A Mac sold with its original box and all its accessories always sells better.
Functional verification : Before the sale, check that everything works: screen (no dead pixels, no staingate), keyboard (all keys), trackpad (click, multitouch), ports (USB, Thunderbolt, audio), WiFi, Bluetooth, webcam, speakers and microphone.
| Platform | Benefits | Disadvantages | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2ememain.be | Large Belgian audience, integrated messaging system, familiar to local buyers | Aggressive negotiation, paid advertising for greater visibility | Hand-delivered local sales |
| Facebook Marketplace | Free, visibility in your geographical area, visible profiles (more trust) | Frequent unserious messages, no buyer/seller protection | Fast local sales |
| Back Market (buyback) | Guaranteed price, prepaid shipping, fast payment | Feed-in tariff 20-40% lower than retail prices | Stress-free sale, non-negotiable price |
| Vinted | Integrated buyer protection, secure payment, large audience | Commission on sale price, risk of disputes over condition | Sale with shipping and protection |
| Direct buyback (MAC repair) | On-the-spot valuation, immediate payment, no ad management or negotiation | Price lower than the private market | Immediate sale in Brussels |
If you are looking for a quick and hassle-free sale in Brussels, our Mac buyback offers you a free estimate and immediate payment. Ideal if you don't want to manage ads, messages and appointments.
A good ad makes the difference between a sale in 48 hours and a Mac that drags on for weeks. Here are the essentials.
Title : Include the exact model, year, main configuration and condition. Example: «MacBook Pro 15 inch mid-2015 - 16 GB RAM / 512 GB SSD - Excellent condition».
Photos : Take at least 6 quality photos: screen on, keyboard, trackpad, ports, underside, and an overall view. Also take photos of any defects (scratches, dents) - transparency inspires confidence and avoids disputes.
Description : Mention the exact model (model number Axxxx if possible), year, processor, RAM, storage, screen size, number of battery cycles, version of macOS installed, honest cosmetic condition, accessories included and reason for sale.
Selling between private individuals involves risks. Here's how to minimise them.
Hand-delivered: Choose a busy public place (station, shopping centre, café). Never give out your home address. If the buyer insists on coming to you, that's a red flag.
Payment : Prefer an instant bank transfer, checked against your account before handing over the Mac, or payment in cash (check the notes). Refuse cheques and «sent but not yet received» payments.
Deletion check : Show the buyer that the Mac starts up on the «Hello» screen (proof that your data has been erased and that Activation Lock is deactivated). Let them check that it's working properly before finalising.
Sales invoice : Draw up a simple document with the names, date, model, serial number and price. This is not compulsory between private individuals in Belgium, but it protects both parties in the event of a dispute.
Go to the menu Apple → About this Mac → More info → System report → Power. The number of cycles appears under «Battery information». You can also use the Terminal command system_profiler SPPowerDataType | grep "Cycle Count". Consult our MacBook battery guide to interpret this figure.
Absolutely. Deleting your files manually isn't enough - some data can still be recovered using specialist software. Complete deletion via «Erase content and settings» or Disk Utility overwrites the SSD's encryption keys, making all data permanently inaccessible.
The Mac will be locked by the Activation Lock. The buyer will not be able to use the device without your Apple ID password. You will then need to remotely remove the Mac from iCloud.com → Locate → Devices, then click on «Remove from Locate». If the buyer contacts you, this is the only solution without physically having the Mac.
Yes, faulty Macs are sold for spare parts or repair. A MacBook with a broken screen but otherwise functional retains significant value. Be transparent about the defect in the advert and adjust the price accordingly. Our buyback also accepts Macs that have broken down.
Ask the seller to start the Mac in front of you. If an Activation Lock appears (requesting an Apple ID), it's either a stolen Mac or an undisassociated Mac. Also check that the seller can provide the original proof of purchase. Never pay for a locked Mac, even at a knock-down price.
Install the latest version of macOS compatible with your Mac. If you sell an Intel Mac limited to Monterey, install Monterey. If it's an Apple Silicon Mac, install the latest version (Sequoia or later). An up-to-date Mac reassures the buyer and saves them a time-consuming update when they first use it.
No. If you have wiped the Mac correctly and it starts up on the «Hello» screen, the buyer will create their own account with their own password. You don't need to send any password. If the Mac starts up on a desktop with an existing account, the wiping was not done correctly - go back to step 3.
On Macs with SSDs and a T2 or Apple Silicon chip, yes. Erasing destroys the FileVault encryption keys, making all data mathematically unrecoverable. On older Intel Macs without T2, standard erasure is sufficient for private sale, but secure formatting (an option in Disk Utility) is available for the more cautious.
The occasional sale of second-hand personal property is generally not taxable in Belgium. However, if you regularly sell electronic equipment for profit, this may be requalified as a commercial activity. For a one-off sale of your personal Mac, no declaration is necessary.
The best times are September (back to school and university) and January-February (after the festive season, buyers are looking for bargains). Avoid selling just after an Apple keynote speech announcing new models - second-hand market prices temporarily fall by 10 to 15% in the weeks that follow.
Over 15 years of Apple expertise in Brussels. Free, no-obligation quote and 180-day guarantee on repairs.
