Macbooks: Types, Designs, and Specifications PDF

**MacBooks** There are 2 types of Macbooks that we buy. The Macbook Air and The Macbook Pro, the Macbook Air is the most basic and compact design when it comes to Macbooks while the Macbook Pro has more premium specifications than the Macbook Air. The MacBook Air is much thinner and lighter than t...

**MacBooks** There are 2 types of Macbooks that we buy. The Macbook Air and The Macbook Pro, the Macbook Air is the most basic and compact design when it comes to Macbooks while the Macbook Pro has more premium specifications than the Macbook Air. The MacBook Air is much thinner and lighter than the Macbook Pro as the Pro has more thickness because of its heavier hardware and powerful processors. Now, Macbooks has 3 Design versions. **[First Design]** We no longer buy the first version of the Macbook as they are old and cheap. In the first version, the touch bar is not yet available. It's very easy to identify the first version design of the Macbook because of the following: - - Here is what the first design looks like, you have to discard this kind of listing automatically as we do not purchase Macbooks' with the first design. - Here is the first version keyboard look like. This is a Macbook Pro 2015.  Here is what the second version looks like with the Touch Bar. This one is a Macbook Pro 2018 with a touch bar. As you can see, there is a big gap in the first version\'s keys. The Power Button logo from the first design was no longer to be found in the second version. Another noticeable changes when it comes to the keys were the arrow keys on version 1 as there is so much gap and space it has from the other keys. - This is what the hinge looks like for the first version of the Macbook. This hinge design is no longer available in designs 2 and 3. (Photo is a Macbook Pro 2015)  You can see that the version 2 design of the hinge here for Macbook Air 2019 is low-key and much more seamless than version 1. Any Macbook under the year 2016 is considered Version 1 or Design 1 as Design 2 was introduced in 2016 in Macbook Pro 13" and 15". **[Second Design]** In 2016, a 12" Macbook model was released. It has no speakers on the side of the keyboard and it comes in different colors as well but do note that we do not purchase this Macbook as it no longer holds any value, it's cheap and old. This is the only second design Macbook that we have not purchased. Here is what the 2016 12" Macbook looks like, this design and line were no longer reproduced throughout the Macbook generation: 12" Macbook (2016) - Do not purchase In the same year, the second design for Macbook Pro 13" and 15" were launched. Touch Bar was also introduced during the second design release. And there is no Macbook Air released in 2016. The **touch bar** is a retina display and control panel located at the top of the keyboard. Dynamic controls in the Touch Bar let people interact with content on the main screen and offer quick access to the system and app functionality. Touch Bar is only available in Macbook Pro Models.  Here is what a Touch Bar looks like. For some reason in 2017, Macbook Air 13' was released ignoring all the advancements in design done in 2016 and sticking with the first version design. And in 2018, Apple switched the Macbook Air design back to design 2 along with 13" & 15" Macbook Pro. The bezels in the design 2 is much thinner than the design 1. Here is a 2018 Macbook Air 13", Second Design. Specifications, during the second design period Macbook Air and Macbook Pro using Intel Core Processors from i3 - i9. There is no Macbook Pro released with an Intel Core i3 processor as the Macbook Pro uses more powerful processors such as i5, i7 (if requested to be configured), and i9 for Macbook Pro 15" and 16". Design 2 is the last design with i3 processors. Anything under design 2 has a limit when it comes to processor, as no Macbook under design 2 has M1 Processor. In 2019, for the first time, Apple released a Macbook Pro 16" along with Macbook Pro 13' & 15' and Macbook Air 13". Design 2 Macbook varies when it comes to price but usually, the Design 2 averages from \$400-500 depending on the specs. Macbook Pro/Air from 2017-2019 usually averages from \$200-\$300. Another noticeable change made to the design is the Apple Logo, as the logo at the back of the Macbook is no longer white, in Design 2 the logo has a more silver or dark silver color on it. The design of the Macbook in Version 2 is much thinner than the First design and 3rd design. The edge of the laptop is less curvy than Design 1 but curvier compared to Design 3 as Design 3 is no longer curved but flat in design.  Here is a quick design evolution from Design 1, Design 2, and Design 3 for Macbook Air 13' **2020** In 2020, new Macbooks were released with M1 Chip. M1 Chip is a processor designed by Apple that is faster than any processor in the market that time. It was released on Macbook Air 13" and Macbook Pro 13". **[Third Design]** The third design was introduced in late 2021, for Macbook Pro 14" and Macbook Pro 16" This is the most recent and current design, and this is the design that we encounter a lot when scanning. In this design, Apple abandoned the wedge-like design in their Macbook and continued with a slate-looking design. Another noticeable change in the design is the notch on the screen and the much thinner bezel compared to the old 2 designs. Also, on the third design they have abandoned the intel core processors and switched to M1, M2, M3, and M4 processors. The Third Design Macbooks are the most expensive design among the other designs. In 2021, M1 Pro and M1 Max processors were also introduced to this design, these processors are highly valued and expensive when it comes to M chip and are only available in Macbook Pro 14" & 16". And in 2022, the M2 chip was released for Macbook Air 13" and Macbook Pro 13". Then in 2023, they released the M2 Pro and M2 Max for Macbook Pro 14" and 16". On average Macbook Air and Pro with the basic M1 Processors range from \$400-\$450. 💡Tip: Do know that Macbook Pro holds more value than the Macbook Air. If we are lucky enough we can get a Macbook Pro worth up to \$5000 depending on the specifications, only the Macbook Pro can have a specification of 8TB, 128GB RAM, and M4 Max. There is no Macbook Air with a \$2000 value as the Macbook Air has limited specifications, unlike the Macbook Pro which is heavily loaded when it comes to specifications. Here is a close-up image of a design 3: Macbook Air M2 13" 2022 Just this year 2024, Apple released the M4 chip for Macbook Pro 14", and Macbook Pro 16". Do note that the value of the older model decreases every time a new model is released by Apple and right now the M4 series is the most expensive in the Macbook Series. The back of the Macbook Pro also has noticeable changes for Design 1 and 2 compared to Design 3, as the back of Design 3 has the word "Macbook Pro" engraved at the center of the Macbook Pro's back which was not available in Design 1 and 2. Design 1 has the word Macbook Pro printed and not engraved. Design 2 has none of both. Here are some photos for comparison:  Macbook Pro 2019 ( Design 2 ) Macbook Pro 2023 (Design 3) - The third design has an engraved "Macbook Pro" word on the back of the Macbook Pro. **Macbook Boxes** Something that can help you identify what year a Macbook is, is the Box. The design for the boxes varies depending on the year the Macbook was created. Macbook Boxes will also help you identify whether the device is refurbished by Apple or not as it has a different box made just for Apple refurbished items. As mentioned in the previous module, the box of the Macbook will help you identify the specifications or specs of the device as it was printed on the back of the Macbook including the serial number of the device. Here is an example: This is what a Macbook Pro 2021 box looks like:  Here is an example of the Macbook Pro M2 Max or Pro box released in early 2023.  And here is a regular Macbook Pro M3 chip released the same year (2023)  Here's the box design for Apple refurbished devices. If you look you look closely at what is written on the lower front part of the box it says "Apple Certified Refurbished"  Note: Apple Certified Refurbished means that the device was repaired by Apple and parts has been replaced by original and Apple Parts. We do buy refurbished devices. Back of the Macbook Box  The back of the Macbook will show you the specs of the Macbook, the model, and the serial number **[Specifications (Specs)]** The basic spec or general spec a Macbook can have is 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and just like on phones the higher the specs the higher the value. It can double or triple the value depending on what specs the Macbook has. Macbook Air can only have 8GB-24GB of RAM and 256GB-2TB storage while Macbook Pro can have 8GB-128GB RAM and 256GB-8TB of storage. Macbook Pro is premium and loaded with high specs as it caters to individuals who need powerful and heavy-duty laptops. As mentioned earlier the M1 Pro, M1 Max, M2 Pro, M2 Max, M3 Pro, M3 Max, M4 Pro, and M4 Max have the highest value when it comes to Macbook processors. M4 Pro & M4 Max being the latest chipsets Apple released cost more and are the most expensive ones when it comes to Apple Chipsets. It is also the most powerful and fastest chipset Apple manufactured as of this year and this M Pro and Max Chipsets are only available on Macbook Pro models. **NO Macbook Air has M Pro and M Max chipset.** One thing that you should know is that when a Macbook Pro has the Max or Pro chipset it is likely that the Macbook has a higher RAM and Storage Capacity and vice versa. For example, In a listing priced at \$1200 you saw a box for a refurbished Apple Macbook Pro and at the back of the Macbook, it shows that it has 96GB RAM and 4TB of storage but it didn't show the year and chipset used. So you ran the Serial number to our IMEI checker just to find out that it is a 2023 Macbook Pro laptop but the IMEI result doesn't show the chipset used and when you check in eBay Macbook Pro 14" 96GB 4TB 2023 the result only matches for Macbook Pro with M2 Max series and has the rest of specifications matched with a market value of \$3200. Knowing all this you know that it is a really good deal so you must close it and mark it sold immediately. Isn't it a waste of money to have such specs and not maximize the chipset of the laptop? If you think logically the higher the chipset is the higher the specs should be as you won't maximize the MacBook's chipset potential if the rest of the specs won't be able to catch up on its speed or vice versa. The higher the value of the RAM and the Storage, the newer the chipset the more value the Macbooks have. You can check the specs by looking at the pictures of the setting, asking the seller, checking the serial number, or just looking at the box. You should know that Apple never released an i3 processor for Macbook Pros. As i3 processors are weak and cheap. **[Serial Number]** Instead of IMEI (like for iPhones), we use the Serial Number of the Macbook to check the specifications, verify the model, and determine if it's iCloud Lock. But where can we find the Serial Number for Macbooks? There are 4 ways to find the Serial Number of Macbook Models: 1. 80% of sellers who post their Macbooks add a picture of the settings with all the details you need and if they can access the settings they can likely reset the Macbook too. Like this photos:  Usually either or both of these pictures are available in their listings, almost every detail that you need is already in this picture - The model name, year, size, chip, storage, RAM, and Serial Number. But what if there's no picture of the settings available? 2. You can find the serial number here:  Note: Model number always starts with an "A"+4 random numbers. You can use the model number to check the exact model on eBay, just type in the search bar "MacBook"+" Model number" and hit enter and eBay will generate the result for you. Okay, but what if the seller just added a stock photo or just one picture of the Macbook? 3. 4. (back of the Macbook box) Here is a closer look:  Note: We usually ask for the serial number, when the seller says it's locked because there are times when the Macbook is just password-locked and not iCloud-locked. Password-locked Macbooks are more valuable than iCloud-locked Macbooks but of course, we will negotiate with the seller as if it's iCloud-locked and that we want it for parts. Password-locked doesn't automatically mean it's iCloud-locked. **[LOCKS and DEFECTS]** There are several locks and defects that affect the value of MacBook laptops by a minimal percentage or significantly drop the price as it is severe that you can no longer use the Macbook and only good for parts. Let's start with a minimal defect, having scratches, scuffs, and dents can affect the value of the Macbook by 10-20%. 90% of the time Macbook screen has minor to deep scratches, sometimes the keyboard leaves imprints on the screen as it was kept for quite a while and was stored in their drawers or cabinets. Same with having stickers as it needs more time to be cleaned up and we will never know if those stickers are there to hide the defects of the Macbook. But if the Macbook screen is cracked that will significantly affect the value of the Macbook depending on the severity of the crack. The cracked screen has 2 parts too just like the phones, it's either the glass part is cracked or the LCD of the screen has been damaged. We all know as per our previous module that LCD damage severely affects the price. Here is a Macbook screen with keyboard marks on it.  These are images showing cracks on the glass part of the screen and bezel. Know that no matter how small the crack is it will be treated the same and will still affect the price of the cracked screen. But if the LCD of the screen is cracked, it will significantly lower the price. Although the Macbook can still be used using an extended monitor, the fact that the original screen is impacted will heavily drop the price by 40%-50%. The same percentage applies if the screen blacks out but still can be used with an extended monitor.  As discussed in the previous module, Macbooks are usually provided by companies to their employees because of Apple's good security, and with that in mind, we know that it only means that there is a fair chance that Macbooks can be MDM-locked. Be cautious with Macbooks with high specs as usually these are the ones issued by the companies. MDM devices retain a fair value as it can be unlocked however we will use this as an upper hand in negotiating the price as they are not the owner of the laptop and they just got it from the company for free. How do we verify if the Macbook is MDM-locked? MDM-locked Macbooks usually have a sticker on the back or the residue of the sticker at the back of the Macbook or you can see it printed at the back of the Macbook as property of \ It looks like this: Apple provides a different type of warranty for company-issued Apple laptops, When you see on the Macbooks settings or when you run the Serial Number in the IMEI checker you see that it has "AppleCare for Enterprise" and "AppleCare for Schools" it is highly likely that the laptop is MDM. Some sellers know that the Macbook is under MDM and will post pictures showing the Remote Management setting/message on them. Note: Most MDM laptops don't have an iCloud account signed in because of company restrictions and policies so it's very common to see unlocked MDM Macbooks.  When a Macbook is MDM locked, most of the time the Macbook is on the reset page. We can verify if the Macbook is MDM through our IMEI checker, only when the identifiers are insufficient but the description or pictures hint towards MDM. iCloud-locked is the worst type of lock the Macbook can have. It does not only depreciate the value a lot but this type of lock is something that we can't bypass. Macbook being iCloud-locked significantly lowers the price by 60-80% depending on the condition of the Macbook. It can also have multiple defects along with the iCloud being locked. If there is no sufficient identifier in the pictures that the Macbook is iCloud-locked we can proceed to ask or check the serial number as 20% of the time there is a chance the Macbook is just password-locked and not iCloud-locked, identifying and securing this kind of deal gives us a good amount of commission so it's something that we should keep in mind. This also applies to iPads that will be covered in a different module. There are 2 sections in which a Macbook is displayed when a Macbook is Locked. **First Section**: Activate My Mac, Option Screen, and Spinning Globe all 3 places have a thing in common the background is black/gray background. **Second Section:** The seller displays the Macbook on the password page which is very different from the first option whereas the background is colorful, and has a person or animal in the background**.**  Reminder‼️: Password-locked is not iCloud-locked. Check the serial number Lastly, if the Macbook does not turn on. Depending on the Macbook model we can still purchase it even if doesn't turn on only if there's a profit to be made. If the Macbook that doesn't turn is cheap not even \$150 in profit, we can discard the listing. But if the profit is \$150 or \$200 then it should be close to our pinned area, or within the 10-mile radius of the pinned area. We will discuss the relativity of price and distance in a separate module.