- Microsoft is targeting MacBook owners with a Surface Laptop Ultra trade in offer worth up to $1,000.
- Older MacBooks can receive surprisingly low values, with some examples worth only $45.
- Newer and higher specification MacBook Pro models can receive much more, with one 2024 example valued at $755.
- Selling a MacBook privately could potentially bring more money, although Microsoft’s trade in programme is easier and more convenient.
Microsoft is making a very direct pitch to MacBook owners with its new Surface Laptop Ultra, but its trade in programme may not be as generous as the headline suggests.
The company is currently encouraging US customers to “break up with your MacBook and get up to $1,000” when buying the new Surface Laptop Ultra. The offer is clearly designed to attract Apple users who might be considering a move to Windows, particularly those looking for a more powerful laptop for creative work and demanding workloads.
At first glance, the $1,000 figure sounds tempting. However, the actual value depends heavily on the MacBook being traded in, its specifications and its condition. For some owners, the amount offered could be considerably less than expected.
Microsoft wants MacBook owners to switch
Microsoft has never been shy about competing with Apple, but the Surface Laptop Ultra campaign makes the target audience particularly obvious. The message is aimed squarely at MacBook owners, with the trade in offer providing an additional incentive to make the jump to Windows.
The Surface Laptop Ultra itself is positioned as a premium machine, so a substantial trade in discount could make the transition easier for people who already own an expensive MacBook Pro.
The problem is that the maximum $1,000 payment is not representative of what most MacBook owners are likely to receive.
For example, a 13 inch MacBook Pro from 2020 with 8GB of memory and 256GB of storage is listed at just $45 in the example highlighted by TechRadar. That is a long way from the headline figure and barely changes the cost of a new premium laptop.
A newer MacBook Pro can command a considerably higher trade in value. A 14 inch MacBook Pro from 2023 with an M3 processor, 8GB of memory and 512GB of storage is valued at $275. Even that amount, however, represents only a modest reduction against the price of a high end Surface Laptop Ultra.
Newer MacBooks get much better offers
The trade in values become more attractive when the MacBook is newer and has a stronger specification.
A 14 inch MacBook Pro from 2024 with an M4 processor, 16GB of memory and 1TB of storage is cited as being worth $755. That gets much closer to Microsoft’s advertised $1,000 maximum and could make the Surface Laptop Ultra significantly easier to justify for someone already considering a switch.
There is an important catch, though. The quoted value is based on the information supplied about the MacBook and its condition. Once the device reaches Microsoft’s trade in partner, it can be inspected and reassessed.
If the condition or specifications do not match what was originally declared, the final offer can be reduced. Customers can then decide whether to accept the lower amount or have their MacBook returned.
That makes the headline figure less straightforward than it initially appears. A customer should not assume that entering a MacBook’s details online guarantees the amount displayed during the first stage of the process.
Selling your MacBook could make more sense
The biggest question is whether MacBook owners should use Microsoft’s trade in programme at all.
Trade in services have an obvious advantage because they are convenient. There is no need to create a second hand listing, deal with potential buyers, arrange payment or worry about negotiating over the price.
Convenience comes at a cost, however. MacBooks tend to retain their value relatively well, particularly newer MacBook Pro models with higher specifications. Depending on the model and condition, selling privately could potentially bring in more money than accepting a trade in valuation.
That is especially relevant for owners of recent M series MacBook Pro machines. Someone with a relatively new MacBook may find that the difference between a trade in offer and a private sale is large enough to justify the extra effort.
Of course, selling privately is not guaranteed to be hassle free. Buyers may negotiate, listings can take time to generate interest and there is always the need to make sure the transaction is handled safely.
For someone who values convenience above maximising the resale price, Microsoft’s offer could still be attractive. For everyone else, checking second hand prices before accepting the trade in value would be sensible.
A bold pitch with a familiar problem
Microsoft’s decision to directly target MacBook owners is hardly surprising. The Surface Laptop Ultra is competing in a part of the laptop market where Apple has a strong following, and persuading existing MacBook users to change platforms is likely to be considerably harder than attracting someone who is already using Windows.
The playful “break up with your MacBook” message is clearly intended to make the campaign stand out. Whether it works is another matter.
The more significant issue is the gap between the $1,000 headline and the lower values available for older machines. Someone arriving at the Surface Laptop Ultra page with a five or six year old MacBook may find that the trade in offer does little to offset the price of the new computer.
The programme therefore looks most appealing to owners of relatively recent, well specified MacBook Pro models. For everyone else, it is worth treating the $1,000 figure as a maximum rather than an expectation.
Microsoft may have a compelling alternative for MacBook users who want to move to Windows, but the trade in offer alone is unlikely to convince every Apple customer to make the switch.
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