I bought my 10th-generation iPad in 2024, and it's still in excellent condition. I use it fairly often, but I've always wanted a MacBook and would really like to experience using one. Someone offered me a 2015 MacBook Pro with a Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and around 500 battery cycles, plus $200 in exchange for my iPad. I'm tempted because I don't use the iPad as much anymore, but I'm unsure whether this would be a smart trade. Would the older MacBook handle things like PowerPoint, Netflix, YouTube, web browsing, and possibly Roblox, or would I be giving up too much performance and longevity?
3 Answers
I’d be very cautious. That MacBook is more than ten years old, uses Intel hardware, and has limited software support going forward. It can still handle basic web browsing, videos, and older productivity apps, but it won’t feel like a modern MacBook and the battery or other components could fail at any point. Your iPad is newer, easier to resell, and likely more reliable, so keeping it would be the safer choice.
The $200 does make the offer more interesting, especially if you barely use the iPad and specifically want macOS. PowerPoint, Netflix, YouTube, and normal browsing should work, although Roblox performance and compatibility may vary. Just make sure you test the keyboard, display, ports, charger, battery health, and reset status before trading. Don’t treat it as a long-term Mac purchase—it’s an old computer that may need repairs.
The value seems questionable. Older 2015 MacBook Pros can often be found fairly cheaply, so I wouldn’t assume the machine is worth nearly as much as a newer iPad. If you want the MacBook experience, saving for an Apple-silicon MacBook Air would be a much better upgrade: faster, quieter, more efficient, and supported for many more years.
It should manage basic tasks, but make sure you’re comfortable with the possibility of short battery life, aging hardware, and software limitations. If you do take the deal, inspect it carefully and understand that the $200 may end up going toward repairs or another device.
I can find replacement iPads locally for around $200, and I’m already barely using mine. I mostly want to try macOS, so I’m wondering whether the older MacBook would at least be usable for basic tasks.