Upgraded – The MacBook Upgrade Program REVIEW ...Middle East

Upgraded gives customers a smarter way to upgrade their MacBook

To say that I am an Apple fanboy is an understatement. I do appreciate all forms of technology, but Apple products are without a doubt my favorite. I have waited overnight for iPhone releases and I’ve always tried to plan ahead for product upgrades. Unfortunately, as the technology has gotten better, it’s also gotten more expensive. That makes frequent upgrade problematic.

I was grateful when Apple started their iPhone Upgrade Program in 2015 because it meant I could get the latest iPhone models each year. Cellular providers followed suit quickly and now it’s a standard practice to do a phone upgrade every year or two for most people.

While that is an essential piece of daily tech for me, I found myself really wanting to upgrade my MacBook Pro when the M4 chips were released. The thing I struggled with was that my current MBP was only two years old. Therefore, I couldn’t justify the upgrade expense, until I found Upgraded, a MacBook Pro upgrade program that is similar to the Apple iPhone Upgrade Program.

About Upgraded

Upgraded is a program that allows consumers to finance their MacBook Pro through a similar process that Apple uses for iPhones. After wanting such an option for years, the founders built Upgraded, and after just six months, they’ve engaged with hundreds of customers, realizing the potential to evolve into a new type of electronics retailer.

How It Works

The program operates through four key partners:

Customers pay for their MacBook and AppleCare+ over 36 months, with the option to upgrade after 24 payments or keep paying until they fully own the device. No prepayment penalties exist, making it flexible.

Currently, the program covers MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, with Mac Studio and iPad Pro coming soon. A small but dedicated team ensures strong customer service, frequently praised on TrustPilot. However, returns are strict—Upgraded can’t afford to take back used or opened devices. Shipping issues are handled via UPS claims, ensuring customers receive a replacement if necessary.

User Experience

I came across Upgraded at just the right time. When Apple announced the M4 MacBook Pros in late October, I was ready to upgrade, but I wasn’t sure how I wanted to go about doing it. That’s when I came across Upgraded. The site (getupgraded.com) looked too good to be true. So, I reached out to the company through the Chatbot on the site and ended up talking directly to one of the company’s founders.

I asked a variety of questions about how the process worked and where the stock came from. As it turned out, Upgraded has worked tirelessly to work directly with Apple so that they are getting stock directly from the same distributors that Apple uses. In addition to that, Upgraded is using the same finance institution (Citizens) that Apple uses for their upgrade program for iPhone.

One thing that I was particularly curious about was their trade-in program because that is something I take advantage of through Apple as well as other retailers that offer it. While Upgraded has a trade-in program, they aren’t convinced its the best option for customers. Even though customers may not get the best possible return, the process to use the trade-in is similar to what you would get from Apple.

I was very interested in why they partnered with Gatortec as their retailer rather than sell directly on getupgraded.com. This was the response I got.

We needed to partner with someone. Our understanding is that there are less than 15 companies in the US with the authorization from Apple to sell new MacBooks online to consumers, and Apple isn’t giving out new authorizations. We spoke to several small retailers like GatorTec, and liked CEO & founder, Jim, best. It’s been a great choice. When orders go through GatorTec, they go directly to Apple’s distribution hubs/partners around the country. Or, if the device is a custom build, then the device gets shipped directly from an Apple factory in China.

As good as this program is, Upgraded does have a fairly strict return/cancellation policy. Orders can be canceled before they ship if they are a ‘base model,’ but custom builds have to be canceled before 11 AM Central Time the day after the order is placed. Upgraded can accept returns if the device is unopened in its original packaging and not a custom build. At this point in time, Upgraded is not a large enough organization to sustain a lot of returns on used/open items. In my opinion, their policy makes perfect sense — as long as you read it before you purchase.

I can’t say enough good things about their customer service. There is always someone available through their customers support chat and they can also be reached by email. To date, I’ve never not been able to get ahold of a person.

Since Upgraded is a ‘repeat business’ organization, I asked if they plan to run any promotions or offer loyalty discounts to repeat customers. They told me that it’s not likely they will ever do something like that since their margins are already very low.

They also told me that customers can opt out of the upgrade program.

If you have already sent your device to us, but you want it back instead, no problem. To be clear, no one in our program is required or forced to upgrade. We spread the cost of the MacBook and AppleCare+ over 36 months. You can upgrade after making 24 payments. Or, you can upgrade late or keep paying for 36 months and be done. There’s also no penalty for prepayment, if you decide for some reason that you just want to pay it all off.

After the discussion I had with the founder, I decided to place an order with them. It was a very smooth process. From getupgraded.com, you will click on a ‘shop now’ button beneath the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro image. This will take you to their partner Gatortec. You select the configuration you want, payment option, and then check out. If you don’t want to use the payment financing, you can still make a one-time payment at checkout.

My order processed and I was surprised at how quickly it shipped and was received. It was an official Apple MacBook Pro and I even looked up the serial number on Apple’s website. I was able to verify that it was a legimate machine from Apple. I’ve been using it ever since and it’s been amazing.

I was particularly impressed by their dedication to continuously improving the program. From wanting better terms for trade-ins to keeping its policies as user-friendly as possible, Upgraded is doing a great job of looking out for its customers.

Conclusion

Upgraded offers a practical solution for Apple users who want to stay up-to-date with the latest MacBooks without the upfront financial burden. The program mirrors Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program, providing financing through Citizens Bank, seamless ordering through GatorTec, and official Apple stock. While Upgraded’s strict return policy and currently underwhelming trade-in values may not work for everyone, its transparent approach and exceptional customer service make it a compelling option for those looking for a structured upgrade path.

For more information, visit getupgraded.com.

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