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For most people the best used MacBook in 2026 is an Apple Silicon model: a MacBook Air M1 or M2 for everyday use, a 14 inch MacBook Pro for heavier work. Skip Intel MacBooks unless they are very cheap. Before paying, check Activation Lock, company management, battery cycles and the keyboard layout.
Since late 2020 MacBooks use Apple's own chips (M1, M2, M3, M4 and later). They are faster, cooler, quieter and have much better battery life than the Intel models before them. Apple has said that macOS 26 is the last version for Intel Macs, so an Intel MacBook will stop getting new macOS versions.
Intel MacBook Pros from 2016 to 2019 also had the butterfly keyboard, which is known for sticking keys, and a Touch Bar that some people find annoying. If you see one at a low price, treat it as a basic machine with limited life.
MacBook Air M1: still a very good machine for browsing, writing, study and photo editing, and the cheapest way into Apple Silicon. MacBook Air M2 and later: thinner design, larger screen, MagSafe charging. 14 inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro or newer: better screen, more ports, sustained performance for video, code and music.
Memory cannot be upgraded later. 8 GB works for light use, but 16 GB makes the machine last longer. Storage also cannot be upgraded; 256 GB is tight if you keep photos locally.
Like an iPhone, a Mac with Find My on is locked to the owner's Apple account. Ask the seller to sign out of their Apple account and erase the Mac in front of you (System Settings, General, Transfer or Reset, Erase All Content and Settings). It should restart to the setup screen without asking for another person's Apple ID.
Company laptops are a second risk. If during setup you see a Remote Management screen naming an organisation, the Mac is enrolled in device management and the company can control or lock it. Do not buy it unless the seller can show it has been released.
Bring a USB stick or phone with a few files and some headphones.
Most MacBooks sold in the Netherlands have a US English style layout, which is what most Dutch users want. Imported machines can have German QWERTZ, Belgian or French AZERTY, or UK layouts. Check the photos or ask, especially when the price is low.
If you know exactly what you want, such as a MacBook Air M2 with 16 GB, under 150 battery cycles and a US layout within 30 km, vindje.com can filter on those details in the description rather than only the model name.
| Item | Typical asking price |
|---|---|
| Intel MacBook Pro 13, 2018-2020 | EUR 200-400 |
| MacBook Air M1, 8 GB, 256 GB | EUR 350-480 |
| MacBook Air M2, 8 or 16 GB | EUR 500-750 |
| MacBook Air M3, 16 GB | EUR 700-900 |
| MacBook Pro 14, M1 Pro | EUR 800-1100 |
| MacBook Pro 14, M3 Pro | EUR 1200-1600 |
Rough Marktplaats asking prices in the Netherlands. Condition, age and season move them a lot.
Describe what you want in your own words and vindje.com searches Marktplaats in Dutch, then reads every listing and keeps only the real matches. For example:
MacBook Air M2 or M3 with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB, battery under 200 cycles, US keyboard, no company management, under 800 euro, within 30 kmSearch Marktplaats like this
Yes, for everyday use it is still fast and well supported. Aim for good battery condition and pay less for 8 GB models.
Apple rates recent MacBook batteries for around 1000 cycles. Above about 700, or with a Service Recommended status, budget for a replacement.
Have the seller sign out of their Apple account and erase the Mac. If setup starts without asking for someone else's Apple ID or showing Remote Management, it is clear.
No. On Apple Silicon MacBooks the memory and storage are part of the main board, so buy the configuration you need from the start. External SSDs are a cheap way to add storage for files.
Only if it is cheap and for light use. Intel Macs no longer get new macOS versions after macOS 26 and are slower and hotter than Apple Silicon models.