How to prepare and when ideally to sell your MacBook

Commercial message: You are about to sell your current one Apple MacBook and are you looking for important information on how to properly prepare it for the new owner? This article contains some user tips that you should definitely follow. You will also learn how to get a better price when selling and when is the ideal time to go to market with an offer. The software part of recovery is especially crucial, where you need to rid your computer of all your private data, installed applications and personal information. But it doesn't end there, you mustn't forget to log out of iCloud and the Find my Device service, which is one of the common problems when selling. Let's look at it together.

Backup personal data and files

The first thing to consider is whether I need to transfer the data stored in the MacBook. In this case, it is important to make a backup. You have two ways to choose from. The first is to back up with Time Machine, which is a built-in tool for Mac. This allows you to create a backup on USB or external storage. The second option is to use iCloud virtual storage. If you have enough space in your prepaid account, full synchronization with iCloud Drive can be performed. You can upload photos, email correspondence, calendars, notes and a lot of other data.

Sign out of iTunes, iCloud, iMessage and Find my Device

If you have successfully completed the backup, see previous paragraph, if you don't want to back up the data, you need to log out of all the accounts you used on your MacBook. These are specifically Apple's default apps, and if you don't do that, they can cause annoying problems for the future owner.

Sign out of iTunes

1. Launch iTunes on your Mac
2. In the top menu bar, click Account
3. Then select the tab Authorization > Remove computer authorization
4. Then enter your Apple ID and password > Deauthorize

Sign out of iMessage and iCloud

1. Launch the Messages app on your Mac, then choose Messages > Preferences from the menu bar. Click on iMessage, then click Sign Out.
2. To log out of iCloud, you need to select a menu Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), (logo in upper left corner)  > System Preferences and click Apple ID. Then select the Overview tab and click Log Out. If you are using an older version of the system than macOS Catalina, select the Apple menu  > System Preferences, click iCloud, then click Sign Out. Information regarding data backup will appear. Confirm this card and the account will be disconnected from your computer.

Also, don't forget about the Find my Device service

If you have activated a service to track the location of your computer, it must be turned off before the sale and deletion of personal data. It is tied to yours Apple ID, which allows you to monitor any of your connected devices from another Mac, iPhone, or via iCloud on the web. Click the Apple icon in the upper left corner of the menu bar and select the System Preferences tab. Next, click Apple ID > Scroll down in Apps on this Mac using the iCloud pane until you find the Find My box and on the right click “Options” Where it says Find My Mac: On, click Turn Off. Enter your Apple ID password and click Continue.

Clear data from Mac and install macOS

1. The next important step is reinstallation the macOS operating system on your computer. This is done using a simple utility that is pre-installed on the Mac.
2. Turn on your computer and immediately press Command (⌘) and R until the Apple logo or other icon appears
3. You may then be prompted to log in to an active user whose password you know and enter the administrator password.
4. A new window will appear with the option “Disk Utility” > Click Continue
5. The name “Macintosh HD” > Click on it
6. Click the Erase button on the toolbar, then enter the required information: Name: Macintosh HD Format: APFS or Mac OS extended (journaled) as recommended by Disk Utility
7. Then click the “Delete” button
8. If prompted to sign in with an Apple ID, enter the information
9. After deletion, select any other internal volume in the sidebar and delete it by clicking the Delete Volume (–) button in the sidebar.
10. Then exit Disk Utility and return to the Utility window.

Installing a clean installation of the macOS operating system

1. Select “New installing macOS” and follow the instructions
2. Let the installation finish without putting your Mac to sleep or closing the lid. The Mac may restart several times and display a progress bar, and the screen may remain blank for extended periods of time.
3. If you're selling, trading in, or donating your Mac, press Command-Q to exit the wizard without completing setup. Then click Turn Off. When the new Mac owner starts up, they can complete the setup by entering their own information.

The software part is behind us. Now you need to get into the computer itself. How to properly prepare it to find its buyer? And as an added bonus, how do you get a better selling price without investing any more money?

1. If you have snap-on cases or stickers on the device, remove them
2. If you have the original packaging, such as the original box, use it. In the new owner it increases the trust of origin and overall the offer looks better, if it is complete you will probably get paid more
3. Don't forget to pack power cable including mains adapter
4. Do you have Macbook accessories? Put it as part of the sale, the new owner will surely be happy that they don't have to buy it, and you can easily sell your computer

Preparing your MacBook it shouldn't just end up in a box. You must not forget the exit inspection and thorough cleaning. The inspection will help you assess the overall condition of your computer, which can help you make an offer and determine your asking price. Tell the buyer if you find anything that could cause problems in the future. It's always important to be as accurate as possible when listing your MacBook for sale.

How right clean MacBook from impurities? Always use a damp, soft, lint-free cloth. You could rather damage the computer with other material. You can use a cloth to gently wipe hard non-porous surfaces such as display, keyboard, or other external surfaces. Do not use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Prevent moisture from entering any opening and do not immerse your Apple product in any cleaning agents.Also, do not spray any cleaning agent directly on the MacBook. Attention, never apply the cleaning agent directly to the body of the Macbook, but only to the cloth with which to wipe the device afterwards.

The best places to sell your MacBook

If you have completely cleaned MacBook and is ready for sale, then you'll be wondering where best to send your offer. There are various internet portals where you can place your ad. But if you are looking for a verified partner in the purchase of used Apple products, it is definitely worth contacting directly MacBookarna.cz. You'll have it worry-free, and you'll also get the maximum amount of finance corresponding to the value of your computer. They will price it for you in advance, pick it up for free and send the money to your account. It certainly has its advantages over responding to questions from interested parties who, in the end, don't even care about your MacBook. In addition, if you are interested in a different model, you can take advantage of the counter account offer, where you just pay the remaining difference.

Correct model identification and other details

Even before you offer your computer for sale, you need to check the exact configuration and familiarize the future owner with the memory size, storage, model series, or other extras that were part of this MacBook. More information about your computer can be found by clicking on the Apple menu (top left) and selecting “About this Mac” where details regarding the chip, RAM and model series will appear. We also recommend that you provide the serial number, through which the new owner can find out other necessary information. Don't forget to mention how many charge cycles does yours have MacBook – Apple menu (top left) and select “About This Mac” – System Profile – Power – Cycle Count. Finally, the new owner might be interested in how big is the disk inside. Again, you can find this information via the "About this Mac" tab - Storage - Flash memory.

When is the best time to sell a MacBook?

Are you going to buy a newer piece? Or are you getting rid of your MacBook and don't want to buy another one? There are several different scenarios that affect the overall sales situation, even on the specific model you own. Here, too, the rule of consumer electronics applies, that with the arrival of new products, the previous ones lose their original value. If you are impatiently waiting for a newly introduced piece, then you need to think ahead at least 1-2 months.

Offer your computer during this period. It is quite likely that you will get more money than after the conference when Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC),introduced a new model series. Especially if you have the latest released version of your computer. If you are selling an older piece, the sale price will be affected only minimally, and it is up to you when you sell the computer. Even so, it is better to announce the offer as soon as possible, since even such hardware gradually decreases in value. Furthermore, it generally sells more between August and February, so it is ideal to sell during this period.

"This publication and all the mentioned information regarding the correct preparation and the ideal time to sell a MacBook have been prepared for you by Michal Dvořák from MacBookarna.cz, which, by the way, has been on the market for ten years and has processed thousands of successful deals during this time."