Second-hand MacBook: battery cycles, keyboard and what else
Laptop checks differ from phones. Here is the concrete list for a MacBook.
Battery cycles
Apple menu → System Information → Power. Up to 300 cycles is very good, 300–800 is normal, above 1000 usually means a replacement is due. Look for condition "Normal" too.
Keyboard
Test every key in a text editor. On butterfly-keyboard models (2016–2019), sticking or repeating keys are a known problem.
Display
White and black backgrounds full screen. Some models show the so-called "stage light" effect along the bottom edge, or flaking coating at the corners.
Ports and sound
Plug a charger into each USB-C port separately. Play audio at high volume — crackling means a worn speaker.
Locks and provenance
· Check that Find My Mac is off and there is no firmware password.
· Activation Lock also applies to Apple silicon Macs.
· The serial number must match the box and the invoice.
A price that does not add up
If the price is far below market for that model and year, ask why. The most common answer is a replaced logic board or a battery problem.
Have a question about a specific device?
Call us or drop by the showroom — we check the device together.