MacBook Air beats the Pro on resale percentage.

Yes, over three years the MacBook Air actually retains a higher percentage of its original price than the MacBook Pro. Not dramatically higher, but enough to notice.

Here’s why: The Air starts cheaper and the demand for a capable, light laptop stays strong in the used market. After three years, you’re typically looking at 55-65% of the original value for an Air, versus 45-55% for a Pro. The Pro loses more in absolute dollars (because you paid more), but the Air is the smarter financial move if resale matters to you.

The caveat is that the higher-end Pro models (especially with extra RAM or storage) hold value better than base Pros. But those also cost more upfront. For most people, the Air is the better resale bet.

The real question is whether you need the Pro’s performance. If you don’t, you’re leaving money on the table—both at purchase and at resale.