Used baseline M1 Pro's offer incredible value

The depreciation on these devices is pretty crazy. The same 16" MBP that was $2500 just 2 1/2 years ago is now less than half its price at $1200. 14" variants can be found for under $1000.

I completely understand wanting to buy new, especially if you plan on owning it for 5+ years. However, the value on used is just phenomenal. Yes, thinking could hit the fan, but these devices are built incredibly well. I would really recommend Swappa or eBay, avoiding the obvious businesses, and seeing proof of the battery count. The external condition, charger condition (i.e something was spilled on it), and the battery count can give you a very nice idea of how the laptop was used. The nice thing about Swappa or eBay are the buyer protections. You can own it, examine it, and if it does not match the description then you can return it. I highly recommend taking it to the Apple Store, having them clean it for you (it's free), and have them just check everything is in order while you can still return it.

Marketplace is also another option and will almost always provide the best deal, but it comes with increased risk because you cannot return it. Don't buy from people with profiles newer than the M1 Pro itself.

Another option is that some people are selling M1 Pro's that still have AppleCare +, included M1 Pro's that were Apple refurbished. It's a great option if you want that extra peace of mind, and they pop up on Swappa. Another very nice thing about AppleCare + on these models is that if the battery goes below 80%, Apple will replace the battery for free.

Maybe the best part is that most of the depreciation has already occurred. You could own this device for plenty of years and still would likely be able to sell it for above $600 on the 16".

That's my TED talk. I think these are great devices to buy used. They're extremely powerful, not much different than the newer devices, and will be supported for years to come.