I bought my 10th-generation iPad in 2024, and it is still in excellent condition despite being used regularly. I have always wanted a MacBook, though, and someone offered me a 2015 MacBook Pro with a Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a battery cycle count of around 500, plus $200 in exchange for my iPad. I barely use the iPad and do not own an Apple Pencil or have any subscriptions, so I am seriously considering the trade. Would this be a worthwhile way to get the MacBook experience, or would I be giving up too much?
4 Answers
The extra $200 makes the trade more tempting, but the MacBook itself should not be valued very highly. Depending on your area, these models can sell for anywhere from roughly $50 to $150. If you mainly want to try macOS and the laptop is in genuinely good condition, it could be acceptable, but financially it is probably not an upgrade.
You could make the trade work if you barely use the iPad. The MacBook would be usable for schoolwork, presentations, streaming, browsing, and possibly light gaming, although Roblox performance may vary. Just remember that you would be swapping a modern tablet for an old laptop, and replacing the iPad later could cost more than expected.
That is what interests me most. I really want the MacBook experience, and I may be able to find another used iPad for around $200 later if I decide I need one.
I would be cautious. A 2015 Intel MacBook Pro can still handle basic web browsing, YouTube, Netflix, PowerPoint, and similar tasks, but it is more than a decade old and has limited software support left. It may also develop issues with the keyboard, battery, display, or other aging components. Your iPad is newer, easier to resell, and likely to remain useful for longer.
If you want a MacBook, try to save for an Apple-silicon model instead, such as one with an M1 chip. It will be much faster, quieter, more power efficient, and supported for far longer than a 2015 Intel model. Unless the seller lets you test everything and you specifically accept the risks of an old computer, I would keep the iPad and wait.
Where I live, the least expensive one I have found is around $150, so the cash is part of what makes the offer appealing.