Where to donate or sell old Macbooks? They belonged to my parents, they work well, I’ve erased the drives and installed Snow Leopard, but now what do I do with them?
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I wouldn’t use them to access the Internet with MacOS, since there are bound to be tons of unpatched security flaws. However, it is possible to install an up-to-date version of Linux on them, so that’s one option for anyone who wants to use them.
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True, and also Firefox works as a Safari replacement if one is careful. However, it doesn’t answer the main question. I don’t need older machines, I have older machines already. These are coals to Newcastle, but there’s still life in them (though not in their batteries).
Apple takes them back and recycles them.
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Neat. I was hoping they’d have some semblance of a life rather than being dissassembled and turned into fresh whatever, but this’ll do considering the uselessness of laptops with dead batteries and Core Duo processors. (One “might” be a G4.)
If anyone here wants them, let me know ;) They do work! They’re just old…
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They can also run ChromeOS.
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Maybe. To run the current version of ChromeOS, you need 4 GB of RAM. The maximum RAM on a 2006 MacBook was 2 or 3 GB, depending on the model. As for the 2007 models, they are unlikely to work well, assuming that you can get the current ChromeOS onto them.
Even my venerable 2012 MacBook Pro has been “decertified” for ChromeOS by Google, though perhaps it still will work with it.
At this point, I think a traditional Linux distribution (or a BSD) is the only practical option for general use on a network. Be sure to look up your specific model before trying to install an alternative OS, though. If I recall correctly, the first 2006 model had some quirks that made third party OS support more complicated than one might expect.
That said, if you don’t plan to connect it to a network, running some old, contemporary games or other apps on Snow Leopard can be pretty refreshing. (Even if safety/security wasn’t an issue, Snow Leopard machines are hobbled due to vintage browser incompatibilities with many current websites, and dealing with expired SSL certificates can be a real hurdle.)
As a fan of vintage equipment, I don’t like saying it, but unless you are a committed hobbyist, the recycle bin probably is the best choice for these machines in 2026.
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Our local BestBuy will take old electronics and properly handle the recycling.
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You may be able to sell them on eBay. Since the batteries are shot, consider listing them for parts. The screen alone must be worth at least the cost of shipping to someone.
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Good idea. Independent repair shops have a very hard time sourcing parts compatible with Apple equipment. So, while they might not be able to pay much for them, they also won’t just get scrapped/recycled.
If you happen to know of an independent repair shop capable of doing board-level repairs, maybe just ask them if they’re interested. (And if you don’t know of any such shop, there’s still eBay.)
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I like that idea. Will give it a shot. ‘Course both machines work but that shows that the parts are OK…
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I’m in the same situation with some 2015 MacBook Airs still in excellent condition. While looking to post them on eBay, I made an interesting discovery that might help you.
It turns out that the set of cables used with an old Mac command a high price. There are people still in need of an occasional DisplayPort, FireWire, or odd Thunderbolt connector. Consider selling or donating the cables for use instead of recycling them.
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Ha… I have those cables. I think if you are putting yours up on ebay, I’ll just recycle mine… but I never toss the cables!
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Apple is in the midst of an Earth Day Promotion where recycling a 'core product (Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch) will give you a 10% discound on a variety of Apple Accessories.
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Hmm… so they would only be twice the price I’d normally expect? 
I’ll pop down there this week. Cables to ebay, computers to Apple.
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