Steps
1. Physical Inspection
Cosmetic condition, visual model clues, and power-on checks — fills Physical Issues and Functional Issues.
Before Powering On
Record for the Physical Issues column:
- Cosmetic condition (dents, scratches, scuffs)
- Screen damage — cracks, delamination, stains
- Keyboard condition — missing, sticky, or worn keys
- Missing screws
- Signs of liquid damage
- Engraving/stickers
- Charger included?
- SSD removed?
Visual Identification Clues
These narrow the model before you can run a single command — useful when the device won't boot at all.
| Feature | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Notch in display | MacBook Pro 14"/16" (late 2021 or newer) or MacBook Air M2/M3 (2022+) |
| Touch Bar above keyboard | Intel MacBook Pro, 2016–2020 |
| MagSafe port + HDMI + SD card slot | MacBook Pro 14"/16", 2021+ (Apple Silicon Pro/Max) |
| USB-C ports only, no MagSafe | 2016–2020 MacBook Pro, or M1 MacBook Air/Pro 13" (2020–2022) |
| USB-A ports present | Pre-2016 MacBook Pro |
| Wedge-shaped chassis | MacBook Air (any generation through M2; M3 still wedge, M-series Pro is flat) |
| Function row keys (F1–F12) instead of Touch Bar | Pre-2016 Intel or 2021+ Apple Silicon Pro |
| White/silver Apple logo on lid (non-illuminated) | 2016 or newer |
| Glowing Apple logo on lid | 2015 or older |
The A-number is engraved on the bottom of the chassis — that's the Model column, readable without powering the unit on. See Model.
Power-On Checks
Record for the Functional Issues column:
- Does it power on?
- Does it chime? (Intel only — Apple Silicon Macs don't chime)
- Backlight?
- Trackpad click?
- Fan spin?
- Display uniform, no dead pixels or backlight bleed?
For anything you can't confirm by eye, run Apple Diagnostics — it needs no OS and no password:
Power on holding D.
Note the reference codes it returns; they go in Functional Issues.