How much we pay for a laptop: prices by model
Specific numbers are the first thing a seller wants to know. Below is the maximum we pay for top models in excellent condition with a full set. We'll give the exact amount from photos in 5–10 minutes.
Price table: how much we pay for top models
| Model | We pay up to |
|---|---|
| MacBook Pro 16″ M4 Pro | 1 650 000 ₸ |
| MacBook Pro 16″ M3 Pro | 1 265 000 ₸ |
| MacBook Pro 14″ M4 | 1 155 000 ₸ |
| MacBook Pro 14″ M3 | 935 000 ₸ |
| MacBook Air 15″ M3 | 792 000 ₸ |
| ASUS ROG Strix G16 | 715 000 ₸ |
| MacBook Air 13″ M3 | 682 000 ₸ |
| Dell XPS 15 | 671 000 ₸ |
| Lenovo Legion 5 Pro | 572 000 ₸ |
| MacBook Air 13″ M2 | 528 000 ₸ |
This is the ceiling for the category — for a MacBook Pro 16″ M4 Pro with a full set. The actual amount depends on the year of release, condition of the body and screen, the set (box, charger, documents), specs and demand — we check the market against Kaspi Magazin, OLX.kz and Technodom.
Gaming and business laptops: how much we give for ASUS ROG and Dell XPS
For a gaming ASUS ROG Strix G16 we pay up to 715 000 ₸, for a Lenovo Legion 5 Pro — up to 572 000 ₸, for a business laptop Dell XPS 15 — up to 671 000 ₸. In gaming lines the price holds on the discrete graphics card and cooling system: models with RTX 4060–4090 and working fans sell for more than equivalents without a GPU. In the Dell XPS business series and MacBook Pro 14″ M3 (up to 935 000 ₸), battery life and no liquid damage matter more — corporate buyers look at the charge cycle count and the condition of the display. In our experience, a laptop with a crack on the body loses 10–15% of the base price, while a full set with the box brings back part of the discount. Before selling, run a stress test on the graphics card — this confirms it works right on the spot and removes the appraiser's questions.
Faulty laptops: will they buy and how much we give
Yes, faulty laptops are bought for parts — cheaper than a working one, but you get the money just as fast. A broken display, swollen battery, burnt motherboard or spilled keyboard — each fault is appraised separately: a working board and processor are worth more than the body with the screen. Models from recent lines (MacBook Air 13″ M2, ASUS ROG Strix G16) keep their value even with a defect thanks to demand for components. Send photos and describe the fault on WhatsApp — by the nature of the fault the appraiser often names a range before your visit to the branch. If the laptop won't turn on, don't take it apart yourself: a board damaged during disassembly lowers the payout more than the original fault.
What the price depends on: condition, year, set
Two identical models can be worth different amounts. We break down what exactly moves the price up or down — so you understand the logic of the appraisal before visiting the branch.
What the price depends on: condition, bundle and year of release
- Model and year of release: recent lines cost more than previous generations.
- Condition of the body and screen: chips, liquid damage and scratches lower the price.
- Set: box, charger and documents add to the price.
- Specs: processor, memory and storage, discrete graphics card.
- Functionality: battery, keyboard, touchpad, ports and display.
- Demand: we check the market against Kaspi Magazin, OLX.kz and Technodom.
- Appraisal: free — we give the price by photo and model on WhatsApp in 5–10 minutes.
How to prepare a laptop for sale: checklist
- Back up your data and delete personal files.
- Unlink your iCloud and Google account, disable locks.
- Gather the set: box, charger, documents and receipts.
- Wipe the body and screen, remove dust from the keyboard.
- Charge the laptop so the check at the branch goes faster.
How the deal works: from a photo on WhatsApp to money
The deal has two steps: first a free appraisal by photo and model, then price confirmation at the branch. You get the money right after signing the contract.
Appraisal by photo on WhatsApp: 5–10 minutes free
The appraisal is free: send a photo and model on WhatsApp — we'll give the price in 5–10 minutes, before your visit. Send shots of the body, screen, keyboard and the sticker with the serial number — the appraiser will check the configuration against the market and name a range. Laptop buyout is built on this preliminary figure: it's approximate, but usually matches the final one. If the unit is rare — ASUS ROG Strix G16 or Dell XPS 15 — the appraiser will clarify the year of release and memory in a separate message. To make the appraisal accurate, photograph the device from four sides, the screen with the desktop on and the sticker with the serial number — from these shots the appraiser sees the condition without an inspection.
Check at the branch and money right away: cash or Kaspi Gold
At the branch we test the laptop in front of you in 10–20 minutes, confirm the price and pay out right away — in cash or by transfer to Kaspi Gold, Halyk or any card in Kazakhstan. A technician tests the battery, keyboard, touchpad, ports and screen right at the counter: you see exactly what is being appraised. We sign the sale and purchase contract on the spot — all you need is a national ID of the RK or a passport, and you can sell from age 18. Cash is paid out immediately after signing: no interest, no terms and no obligation to buy anything back. The check is done in front of the client — if something does not match the photos, we adjust the price on the spot, not after the fact.
Where to drop off: 6 branches in Almaty, 24/7
A laptop is a small device: bring it to any of the 6 branches in Almaty, all open 24/7. Laptop buyout in Almaty is available at every location, including Almaly, Bostandyk and Auezov districts — pick the one closest to home or work. If you are coming at night or on a weekend, first send photos via WhatsApp — the appraiser will confirm the price in advance, and at the branch only the check and the contract remain. You can sell a laptop in Almaty on holidays too: branch hours do not change. Before heading out, ask for the nearest location address via WhatsApp — this saves 15–20 minutes if you do not know the area.
Documents and seller requirements
A deal with a tech buyer is always formalized with a sale and purchase contract — it protects both parties. Here is what documents you will need and why the laptop serial number is checked.
What documents are needed and how the contract is drawn up
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Seller's document | national ID of Kazakhstan or passport |
| Age | from 18 years old |
| Form of transaction | purchase and sale contract |
| Where it is drawn up | at an Topcash branch |
| Payout | in cash or by transfer to Kaspi Gold, Halyk, any card in Kazakhstan |
| When payment is made | right after signing the contract |
The sale and purchase contract is not a formality: it records the transfer of the device to the new owner and clears you of issues if the device later shows up in someone else's history. Keep your copy for at least a year — it will help if you need to prove that you sold the laptop rather than lost it.
IMEI and serial number check: why it matters
Before the deal, Topcash checks the laptop serial number — this way we make sure the device is not wanted and the number is not tampered with. Among laptops, only models with an LTE modem have an IMEI, so the main identifier is the serial number on the bottom cover and in the system; it is checked against the database of stolen devices and the box data. If the number does not match the documents, is erased or tampered with — we refuse the purchase, because such a device can later be neither resold nor registered for warranty. The check also protects the seller: if the laptop was once bought second-hand and is listed in the database, you will find out before signing the contract, not after the deal.
What we don't buy and why
There are categories of laptops that tech buyout does not accept — not because of condition, but because of legal risks. Better to find out in advance than to come to a branch for nothing.
What we do not buy: locked iCloud, wanted devices, tampered numbers
- Locked iCloud or Google account: the device stays locked to the previous owner, and the new buyer will not be able to use it.
- Device reported wanted: we check the serial number against the database before the deal — if the laptop is listed as stolen, the contract cannot be drawn up.
- Tampered serial number: a sign of criminal origin, Topcash does not accept such devices even for parts.
- Seller under 18 or without a national ID: a passport of the RK is required to draw up the sale and purchase contract.
How to unlink iCloud and Google account before selling
- Sign out of iCloud: open Apple ID settings on the MacBook, select “Sign Out” and confirm turning off “Find My”.
- Remove the Google account: on a Windows laptop go to “Accounts” → “Email & accounts” and remove the linked profile.
- Turn off activation lock: check that the device boots without asking for the previous owner's password.
- Reset to factory settings: for Windows models via “Settings” → “Update & Security” → “Recovery”.
Why Topcash, not OLX or a private buyer
You can sell a laptop in different ways: a classifieds board, a private reseller or a direct buyer. Here is how laptop buyout in Almaty differs from the alternatives and what to look at before the deal.
Topcash vs OLX vs private buyer: comparison
| Criterion | Topcash | OLX.kz | Private buyer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who buys | direct buyer | individuals and resellers | private person |
| Purchase and sale contract | yes | no | usually no |
| Money | right away: cash, Kaspi Gold, Halyk, KZ card | after bargaining and a meeting | by arrangement |
| Appraisal by photo | free, WhatsApp, 5–10 min | no | rarely |
| Serial number check | yes | no | no |
| License | ARDFM No. 02.26.0041.L | no | no |
| Working hours | 6 branches, 24/7 | by arrangement | by arrangement |
| Rating | 4.9 from 769 reviews | varies | no |
License, rating and contract: why it matters
Topcash operates under ARDFM license No. 02.26.0041.L and holds a 4.9 rating from 769 reviews — these are verifiable signs of a legal buyout that are easy to check before the deal. The license and reviews can be found in open sources: Google, Yandex Maps, 2GIS. The purchase and sale contract is drawn up in two copies, one stays with the seller — signed and stamped. If the buyer has neither a license nor a contract, there will be nothing to prove the deal in a dispute: only messages and a screenshot of the listing remain. Before you sell laptops urgently, ask the buyer for their license number and check it in the ARDFM registry — it takes a couple of minutes but removes the main risk of the deal.
Conclusion
You can sell laptops for cash in a single visit if you know three things in advance: how much a specific model is worth, which documents to bring, and what can block the deal. Below is a short summary of the whole article.
Key takeaways
- The price depends on the model, year, condition and accessories — the maximum in the laptop category reaches 1 650 000 ₸ for a top configuration like the MacBook Pro 16″ M4 Pro.
- Appraisal by photo is free and takes 5–10 minutes, while confirming the price at the branch takes 10–20 minutes in person.
- Faulty laptops are accepted too — for parts, cheaper than a working one, but the money is paid just as fast after signing the contract.
- For the deal you only need a national ID of Kazakhstan or a passport and to be 18 or older; the purchase and sale contract is drawn up on site.
- An unlinked iCloud, a wanted status and a tampered serial number — three reasons for refusal; unlinking the account takes a couple of minutes and is done before the visit.