Hivelogic - How To Prepare a Mac For Sale

How To Prepare a Mac For Sale

Friday, 14 November 2008 • Short URL • 26 comments

It’s time to upgrade your Mac, and you’re thinking about selling your old one. Over the years, I’ve sold many Macs, and I’ve created a set of steps to follow (and learned a few tricks) along the way that I’d like to share.

Following these steps will let you sleep a bit better at night and has the added benefit of creating a great first-experience for the buyer.

Step One: Back It Up

Before you delete, reformat, or reinstall, back up your data. There’s little worse than realizing that the scan of the polaroid of you as a boy on the shoulders of a Philadelphia Eagles linebacker was lost during a destructive drive reformat.

Fortunately, there are lots of ways to backup your Mac. I detailed my setup in a an article I wrote in April of 2008 entitled Regarding Backups.

Whatever method you use, just make sure you backup, copy, or clone your data before you reformat and ship your Mac to its new home.

Step Two: Deauthorize It

Since publishing this article, I’ve been reminded by a number of people that it’s a good idea to deauthorize iTunes. To quote Apple:

Deauthorizing a computer allows you to manage which computers can play music, videos, audiobooks, or other content purchased from the iTunes Store. [You can only] use your digital rights management (DRM)-protected music purchases from the iTunes Store on up to five different computers […] when you play an item you’ve purchased, your computer is “authorized” to play content purchased using your Apple Account.

If you don’t deauthorize the system, it’s unlikely that the new owner will be able to play your tracks (they’d still need your iTunes sign-in information), but it could prevent you from playing your music on a future system, depending on how many computers you’ve authorized.

To deauthorize a computer, choose Store > Deauthorize Computer, and enter your iTunes account information.

Step Three: Reformat and Reinstall

Chances are, the recipient of your Mac will just start using it as their own. But once in a while, you get somebody who’s curious enough to try and peek around, to use a file recovery utility just to see what was left behind.

Deleting your user accounts, even a normal drive reformat and reinstall won’t be enough to prevent prying eyes from accessing a surprisingly large amount of the data you thought you’d removed from your system.

If you’re a regular reader of this website, you may recall my article on this topic, entitled How to Securely Erase Storage Media in Mac OS X. Therein, I describe the steps you can take to completely remove all of your old data with finality.

You can do this when you re-install Mac OS X as part of the installation process. Just go to the Installer menu and launch Disk Utility. You can then click the Security Options button, and pick one of the more secure options (pictured here), such as Zero Out Data, 7-Pass Erase, or 35-Pass Erase.

Although it takes a while, I recommend the 7-Pass Erase method, which meets with the US Department of Defense 5220-22 M standard for securely erasing magnetic media. Unless you’re shipping your Mac to a secret government agency, it’s likely nobody will be able to get at your precious, precious files.

Step Four: Recreate That “Factory Fresh” Feeling

Here’s a neat trick that can really simplify and enhance your buyer’s initial unboxing and first-use experience.

If you’ve installed Mac OS X before, you may recall that after the installation is complete and the Welcome video is finished playing, you’ll be prompted to create a new user account, and it seems that there’s no other choice but to continue the process and create a user. You’d then have to jot this information down for the recipient of the new system. That’s a bit of a tacky solution, and there’s a better way.

After installation, when you’re prompted to create a new user, just press Command-Q.

This will quit the installer, and allow you to cleanly shut down the computer. The next time the computer is turned on by the new owner, they’ll get to watch the Welcome video and go through the user-creation and registration steps on their own, just like they would if the computer had shipped to them right from the factory.

Step Five" Pack It

Some of the best advice I can offer is — and this is good for all electronics purchases, not just Macs — save the original packaging. If you’ve taken good care of your equipment and have the original packaging, you’ll be able to ask a bit more from your buyer because you’ve been focused on maintaining things in excellent condition. Keeping the original packaging demonstrates this to your potential buyers.

There’s another benefit to keeping the original packaging. Apple’s computer boxes are great because they’re aesthetically pleasing and offer an excellent unboxing experience. But they also serve as superior packaging for shipping your Mac. Apple’s boxes do double duty as both product promotion and shipping container. This will save you from having to hunt down — or worse buy — an appropriate box later on.

You saved your Mac’s original box and packing material, right?

If not, I’d recommend visiting your local UPS Store or FedEx/Kinkos and pay them to put together a good packaging solution for you. They have many more options than packing-peanuts and bubble wrap these days, things like shock-resistant suspension packing for notebook computers or heat-n-shape foam for bigger systems. Trust me, even the best shipping companies make mistakes, and you’d be surprised to see how your boxes are handled behind the scenes, in the warehouses and loading facilities.

Once you’ve seen how these places handle your cargo, you’ll realize that good packing is key.

Step Six: Sleep Better at Night

You’ve backed-up your data, securely reformatted your drive, safely boxed your Mac, and shipped with a major carrier.

All that’s left is to sit back, relax … and pick up one of those fancy new MacBooks.

Filed in Tips and Tricks, Technology, Tutorials.

Jesse Read

14 November 2008 at 11:16 am

Hey Dan,

I was wondering - with getting the new MacBook - how do you plan to handle the lack of FireWire for your podcast recordings?

Just a random musing.

Dan Benjamin

14 November 2008 at 11:26 am

@Jesse - I’m not planning on getting a new MacBook actually, I have a MacBook Air which I really like, and I record using my Mac Pro.

There are some decent USB pre-amps, but they have more latency than FireWire in my experience.

Mark

14 November 2008 at 1:04 pm

Can you say a bit about pricing? How much do people get, how can you get a good price (sell for more) for your used Mac?

tof

14 November 2008 at 4:53 pm

@Mark. A good friend just got a little over $500 for a 12in PowerBook from August 2005. He sold it with 10.4 and a new battery but slighly frayed AC adapter.

todd

14 November 2008 at 5:01 pm

Note that you can deauthorize ALL computers should you forget which machines you’ve authorized. I’ve done this after forgetting to deauthorize machines which I’ve subsequently wiped. Then I just re-authorize the machines that I actually want.

Andrew Fishkin

14 November 2008 at 6:22 pm

Actually, you can only deauthorize “All” computers once per year. Just something to keep in mind.

alps

14 November 2008 at 7:55 pm

Doing a secure erase of the HD is a very good idea, but it will not really protect you if the new buyer really wants your data. I’d recommend getting a new drive. If it is an iMac or laptop, that is not really an option without spending money for the replace… This is why really paranoid people do not allow one of their used HDs out of their possession without it being physically destroyed first.

Christian Lindemer

15 November 2008 at 12:45 am

It depends on what you mean by “really wants your data.” A seven-pass erase will ensure that nobody with anything approaching normal economic means can get at it. I’m confident that none of my data is a million-dollar secret. Perhaps you are not.

MacHobbes

15 November 2008 at 3:08 am

Hi,

it’s good to know that you can avoid creating a new user account. But is it still possible to install all the recent Apple upgrades, to make for an even better “factory fresh” feeling?

15 November 2008 at 7:13 am

Ryan

15 November 2008 at 10:46 am

And clean the screen! Fingerprints all over that glossy screen are annoying. And if it’s a white macbook, you’ll probably need to clean the palm rests and the keyboard…. Glad they dumped that white plastic….

Adam

15 November 2008 at 12:06 pm

MacHobbes,

You can create a user account, run all software updates, install almost any software you want, then some simple terminal commands can remove that user, and reset the Mac back to the setup assistant for your new buyer. It’ll feel like a brand new machine to them, but still have your software and updates installed.

For 10.5: http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=2007110800450816
For 10.4 and lower: http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20010827120222505

argv

15 November 2008 at 12:19 pm

If you are paranoid, it is better to overwrite the hard drive with random data, for this purpose you could use TrueCrypt (this takes some time, depending on how fast your computer is).

Myself, I would just use the secure wipe feature of Disk Utility (overwrites the disc with zeroes) and use only one pass.

If you wanted to recover the data, you would need a sophisticated lab - and of what use is a writing pattern which is known?

For the ultra paranoid, you have to write random data on the disc before
and after usage of the hard drive.

This is a really nice article, especially the part about the first use experience for the buyer

dggraphics

15 November 2008 at 12:24 pm

Yes. Definately clean the rig, make it look like new.

Vacuum out that keyboard, remove the crap from the fans, etc.

Try to imagine yourself as the prospective buyer.

Also, since you have the original packaging, which always has a picture of what is inside the box.

Cover the box in brown packing paper and use LOTS of tape. So many Apple products disappear during shipment, whether it be UPS, FedEx or whatever. There are a lot of unscrupulous delivery drivers out there. It’s fine if its coming from the manufacturer, you are covered. If you are selling on ebay, take the extra steps it’s worth it to you and your customer.

MacHobbes

15 November 2008 at 3:40 pm

Adam,

thanks a lot!

James Bailey

15 November 2008 at 7:50 pm

@Adam

I agree with Adam. I just sold my 2006 MacBook Pro and I setup Leopard and BootCamp Windows XP with all the updates before packing it up. It really is no big deal to remove the old accounts and leave the machine ready to run the Welcome video and the new owner will definitely appreciate it. Once everything is set up, then boot it to the welcome installer to test and use the cmd-Q to leave it ready for the real registration.

ReginaldW

15 November 2008 at 10:44 pm

I run a Mail & Parcel Centre (MPC) in Canada but from the MPC group I belong to in the US, most FedEx Office (formerly Kinko’s) locations do NOT do packaging or not more packaging than having one of their general boxes and tossing whatever into it. Taking anything into them has to be as you are prepared to ship it, so check the location BEFORE you haul it down there to see if they will be able to package it properly for you.
. You can check this place out for finding a shipping location near you:
http://www.neighborhoodpostal.com/
. There are a number of independent MPC locations around and they will usually be able to box up a system that you don’t have the original box(es) for. Remember that you need an amount of space between the contents and the box to ensure no damage occurs in shipping. The carriers recommend at least two (2) inches. If you ship something that is not properly packaged and damage occurs, the carriers can claim insufficient packaging and deny any claims for damage.
. I’ve seen people bring in expensive equipment just loose in the box to be shipped somewhere. They don’t want to pay for packaging but expect the carrier to hand carry it like fragile eggs to the final location. It does NOT work that way. Packages go onto conveyor belts and while YOUR package might be fine, someone else’s package with string tied around it gets caught on something, causing it to act like a road block, making your package bounce off and land on the floor below. If your package is not done properly, it will likely be damaged.
. Shipping also requires that you declare a value for the shipment. Declared Value is like insurance but only insurance companies can issue insurance so it is NOT insurance. You declare that the package is valued at however many dollars and if there is damage, you may need to provide proof of that value for the carrier to provide DV coverage/payment if the shipment was damaged.
. Hope that helps a bit on getting things boxed up properly so they arrive safely.

Noah

17 November 2008 at 10:02 am

Perfect timing. I’m currently in the process of selling a MacBook Pro. I do want to know how complicated it is to include Applecare in the sale. Would the new owner have to change the name attached to the Applecare account or is it simply attached to the computer’s serial number? Any info would be appreciated.

macpug

01 December 2008 at 1:58 am

@Noah
Re: AppleCare, including it will usually add extra $$ onto the sale and make the buyer feel more comfortable knowing that even if something is wrong with it, Apple will repair it (as long as it is not physical damage or “accidental” damage).
The seller or the new buyer can call AppleCare and ask that ownership be transferred. The new buyer can also fax proof of the sale to AppleCare to get it transferred. They will want to know the original purchaser’s name, date of purchase, and receipt number if you have it. The more info, the better…mainly to prove it isn’t a stolen unit. Even if you don’t have that info, if the new buyer takes the computer in to an Apple Store (or Apple Authorized provider), they can change the record of ownership and request that the AppleCare be transferred. Generally, as long as you have *some* proof of sale, you’ll be ok.
That’s a long answer to your question, but there are several ways the AppleCare can be transferred. Good luck!

Brian Dusablon

05 December 2008 at 2:38 pm

Good stuff, Dan. I keep almost all my hardware boxes. Especially Macs and printer boxes.

Ash Bennett

29 December 2008 at 2:22 pm

does anybody know a way to de-authorize software installs? (not sure if that is the right wording of the question)

basically, i’ve got logic express installed on my macbook, which i’m planning on selling. i talked to a apple rep via the online chat feature and they told me you get two installs. so, just incase i decide to sell the new one in a year, or buy an imac aswell, is there a way to ‘get that install back’ or de-authorize that computer?

Lee Sayers

05 January 2009 at 8:21 am

Great article Dan. Question - how do you get the Mac OS X disc to eject out of the computer? When I shut down using Command-Q the disc stays inside & the computer is now shut down? Thank you…Lee

Chris

05 January 2009 at 8:09 pm

Lee,

You should be able to boot it up and press and hold down the eject button till the disc is ejected. Then just shut it down again.

Lee Sayers

05 January 2009 at 9:10 pm

Dan

Thanks for the answer to my question. One additional problem I have is that although I have now restored my Macbook Pro to factory settings so that the welcome screen will come up with Mac OS X 10.5 when the new owner switches on for the first time, there will be no iLife 08 when setup is completed (the Macbook Pro is an 06 model so came with Tiger & ILife 06, after which I purchased Leopard & iLife 08 discs separately to upgrade). Can I install/ restore iLife 08 for the new owner so that it will appear after setup is complete? I hope this makes sense?? Thanks! Lee

AStrid Clark

19 January 2009 at 1:55 am

Hi:

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. I have a work macbookpro that I have to return and I do not have the original disks. How can I securely clean it of all my personal files? Should i use a software that will clean it or write over my files?

I also have emptied my trash but not securely is there anyway to secure that too?

Thanks!

Astrid