What to Know Before Buying a MacBook in Kenya: Air vs Pro, Memory and Storage, Screen Size, Software You Need, and What to Check Before Buying a Used MacBook

“What to know before buying a MacBook” and “what to check before buying a used MacBook Pro” are searched by students and professionals about to spend a lot of money. Here is the short version of our counter advice.

1. Air or Pro

The MacBook Air is silent, light and enough for study, office work, coding and light editing — the MacBook Air 13-inch M4 starts at KES 148,000. The MacBook Pro has a fan for sustained performance, a brighter screen and more ports, for video editing, music production and heavy development — the MacBook Pro 14-inch M5 starts at KES 285,000.

2. Memory and storage can't be upgraded

Memory (RAM) and storage are fixed when you buy. 16GB of memory is the sensible minimum today; 24GB or more for heavy editing. 256GB of storage works if you use cloud storage; 512GB or more if you keep photos, video or big projects on the laptop.

3. 13 or 15 inches

13-inch is easier to carry to class and on matatus; 15-inch gives more room for spreadsheets and editing. Try both in the shop.

4. Check your software runs on Mac

Microsoft Office, Chrome, Zoom, Adobe apps and most coding tools run on Mac. Some Windows-only engineering, accounting or school software doesn't — check with your school or employer first.

5. Checks for a used or Ex-UK MacBook

Make sure Activation Lock is off (the previous owner signed out of Find My), check battery cycle count and condition in System Settings › Battery, test the keyboard, trackpad, ports, speakers and camera, and confirm the serial on Apple's Check Coverage site. Ex-UK MacBooks at Gadget Hub state the condition on the invoice — the MacBook Air M1 Ex-UK starts at KES 68,000.

Which one to buy

See the best MacBook to buy in Kenya, and once you've bought it, what you need to set up a new MacBook.

Get help at Gadget Hub, Norwich Union House, 4th Floor

Gadget Hub is at Norwich Union House, opposite the Hilton Hotel, 4th Floor, Suite 15, Nairobi CBD (Mon–Sat 8am–8pm, Sun 10am–8pm). Compare MacBook Air and Pro side by side in the shop, and we'll check software compatibility for your course or job. The set-up fee, where one applies, is confirmed before we start. WhatsApp or call 0729 585 471.