Woman lends $1200 Macbook to friend, after months they claim they lost it and offer $100 as compensation: 'Friends think I'm being petty and putting money over friendship'

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
May 1, 2025 10:00 PM EDT

When you lend something to someone, part of you has to be okay with never seeing it again. When you let your friend wear that blouse on a night out, a piece of you knows you won't see it for weeks. When you offer a pencil to someone in class, it's pretty much their pencil now. When you give someone some of your Doritos, you would be crazy if you expected to see them again. 

But if the item you're giving out is super valuable, like a laptop, then both parties should expect to follow through on the agreement. If the item is over $100 in value, then you should make well sure that you get it back (and you should be careful about who you give it to). But sometimes you think you can trust someone and you find out you actually can't. Some of us don't show our true colors until it's too late.

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  • 01

    AITA for calling out my friend after they "borrowed" my MacBook and basically never gave it back

    A while ago, my friend asked if they could borrow my MacBook "for a few days" because their laptop stopped working and they had school stuff to do. They were a good friend so I trusted them and I agreed. Days passed, then Weeks. Every time I asked about it, they'd say they were still using
    via u/Jealous_Cat6947
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10500388352
    via Unsplash+ (Levi Meir Clancy)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • That's what happened to one pair of friends who found their friendship jeopardized over a borrowed laptop. When you're borrowing someone's laptop, then you should take care of it vigilantly. And if something bad happens, you should be willing to take full responsibility. Read on to see what happened in this story.

  • 03
    it or would "get it back soon." Eventually, they admitted they lost it while moving and casually handed me $100 as "compensation". My MacBook was over $1,200 new. I told them that wasn't even close to fair, and they acted like I was being
    via u/Jealous_Cat6947
  • 04
    greedy and should just let it go since it was "used anyway." Now some mutual friends think I'm being petty and putting money over friendship. AITA for being angry and not accepting the $100 as enough?
    via u/Jealous_Cat6947
  • 05

    Commenters reassured her that she was right to be upset.

    mavenmim 15h ago . NTA. You didn't gift them the macbook, you loaned it. You didn't sell it, and if you were asked to sell it you wouldn't have accepted $100 for it. You are not being unreasonable. I'd look up the value of the same model on eBay and what
    via u/mavenmim
  • 06
    you'd get for trade in and ask for that as the minimum, but I'd still be annoyed to lose my work and files and to be treated with such disrespect. This isn't a friend. You don't know what happened to your macbook either (they may still have it, or have sold it). And your emails show that it was a
    via u/mavenmim
  • 07
    loan if you ever needed to take legal action to get your money back, so they should be acting like a grown up, apologising and paying you a fair price for your loss.
    via u/mavenmim
  • 08
    Cheezburger Image 10500388608
    via Elise Bouet
  • 09
    Timely_Egg_6827 .15h ago NTA I don't think they lost it. I suspect they stole it. Also even if used, insurance tends to pay out the replacement value. Also the pettiness of putting money first rests with the person who "lost" your Macbook. They borrowed something from you and lost you - they owe you a replacement. Give them back the $100 and tell
    via u/Timely_Egg_6827
  • 10
    them to get you a replacement macbook as used ones are so cheap. I'd consider reporting to the police if you have a series of texts and emails asking for it back (and then admitting to still having it).
    via u/Timely_Egg_6827
  • 11
    Edit: do you know if they have an ebay seller account or checl the local pawn shops? I'd also block the macbook if you can as if they did sell it, the person they sold it to is likely to bring it back and complain.
    via u/Timely_Egg_6827
  • 12
    zealot_ratio • 14h ago 1. they didn't lose it. Can you brick a MacBook like you can a phone? If so, do so. 2. They're gaslighting you.
    via u/zealot_ratio
  • 13
    3. if they did this, made you pursue them, and then offered far less NTA than it's worth even used, they chose not to be a friend. You have no moral requirement to be a better friend than they are.
    via u/zealot_ratio
  • 14
    AdministrativeSu... • 14h ago Tell them they have xxx days to return say laptop to you or you will be reporting it to the cop/taking them to court for the full value of it. Once money and police are involved, people tone change.
    via u/AdministrativeSun364
  • 15
    devsfan1830 15h ago . Lost it? They stole that sh. NTA and call the cops.
    via u/devsfan1830
  • 16
    Ok-Video4323 • 15h ago NTA, They owe you a new macbook in the same condition, and could easily purchase one online. The mutual friends who think you are being petty are suspicious as well. Not a good friend group to associate with, I would
    via u/Ok-Video4323
  • 17
    notify him you plan on going to civil small claims court unless he schedules a payment plan to pay you back for what the laptop was worth. There's no reason to draw out drama when that doesn't get you paid, just nip it in the bud, that way the observers know what happens if they cross you.
    via u/Ok-Video4323
  • 18
    me123456777 • 14h ago Sue them in small claims court if you've texted them and they've replied you've got the proof right there. That's all you need replacement cost plus interest NTA.
    via u/me123456777
  • 19
    Medium Rare000 14h ago . Give them a firm deadline in writing (text/email) to return your MacBook and advise them if not returned in pristine working and physical condition you will be reporting to the Police as stolen with them as the perpetrator.
    via u/MediumRare000
  • 20
    Also, if you can contact their parents I would, and advise them of the same thing, ie your child borrowed for a few days and you have been super gracious but it ends. now, they have stolen your property, it is expensive and either they return it by x date or you are filing against
    via u/MediumRare000
  • 21
    them with the police. Do not engage further with any of them besides just copying and pasting your same message back to them if they try to guilt or BS you. You want to make sure it is all in writing or recorded audio (if you can in your state/1 party). Gather all
    via u/MediumRare000
  • 22
    your other evidence against them, texts, voice memos, anything you have about them borrowing and not returning to you in case you do have to file in small claims. Don't let people take advantage of you. This person and the others
    via u/MediumRare000
  • 23
    saying let it go are not your friends and don't be afraid to lose them and speak up about what is going on and your confusion on why they would support a blatant thief. Turn the tables and don't let them or anyone gaslight you.
    via u/MediumRare000
  • 24
    reflp • 11h ago NTA go to https://www.icloud.com/find and lock your device/mark it as lost. It essentially becomes a brick and you can also track where it is/leave a message in case they sold it
    via u/reflp
  • 25
    P... 14h ago Edited 14h ago • • NTA. I call rubbish on them losing it. Give them a firm deadline to return it, and if they don't return it, or reimburse for the full amount, report it as stolen.
    via u/Pure-Philosopher-175
  • 26
    bklynsnow • 11h ago Repeating what everyone else said. NTA. Your "friend" is. Track your laptop using iCloud. Bet it's in his house. Since he's not a friend, report his theft to cops.
    via u/bklynsnow

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