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mdsniper7

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 25, 2009
25
0
Looking at getting the new air but wondering if like 2 years later will it be worth anything. I'm normally a PC guy but those things aren't worth anything.
 
Nov 28, 2010
22,670
30
located
They will depreciate less than non-Apple computers, thus if you pay 1,500 € for them now, in two years you probably still get 750 € for that Mac.

I bought a 2008 MacBook in 2008 for 1,100 € and sold it for 500 to 600 € three years later, with still some warranty left on it.
 

0983275

Suspended
Mar 15, 2013
472
56
They hold their value very well.

I had MacBook Pro 13" (2011 model) for £850, a year later I sold it for 700.

Bought a MacBook Air 11" (2012 model) for £800, 6 months later I sold it for the same amount.

The value becomes even better if you bought them brand new with education discount and decide to sell them later.
 

g35

macrumors 6502a
Dec 13, 2007
665
151
Looking at getting the new air but wondering if like 2 years later will it be worth anything. I'm normally a PC guy but those things aren't worth anything.

I just sold my PC laptop yesterday for this reason. My new laptop last year was $560. In 5 years, it will be worth nothing. 5-year cost = $560, which is $112/year. I feel I was a bit lucky to sell it for $400.

I bought a used 2011 13" Macbook Air w/ Applecare yesterday for $650. In 3 years it will be worth about $350 (conservative estimate based on current 2008 MBA prices on Craigslist). That's a cost of $100/year.

If I bought a new MBA today (what you are planning?), it would cost about $1120 at the current sale price of $999 for a 13" base model. In 5 years, let's say it's worth $350. That's about $154/year. Over 5 years, that's about $210 more than my PC example above (you can adjust the prices to your specific situation).
 

robvas

macrumors 68040
Mar 29, 2009
3,240
629
USA
Who buys laptops planning to sell them?

Unless you are going to get a new one every year (and are trying to minimize your loss), don't worry about it. And if you are, you're just wasting your $$!

Keep it for 3-4 years and save your money ;)
 

cedwhatev

macrumors 6502
Oct 22, 2011
316
38
Canada
Yes, they hold their value very well, better than any PC you'll ever buy. In my experience, I had:

- 2010 11" MBA (4/128), bought for 780.00, had for a year, sold for 750.00
- 2012 11" MBA (8/128), bought for 1100, had for a year, sold for 900.
 

mdsniper7

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 25, 2009
25
0
They hold their value very well.

I had MacBook Pro 13" (2011 model) for £850, a year later I sold it for 700.

Bought a MacBook Air 11" (2012 model) for £800, 6 months later I sold it for the same amount.

The value becomes even better if you bought them brand new with education discount and decide to sell them later.

What's this discount u speak off

----------

I just sold my PC laptop yesterday for this reason. My new laptop last year was $560. In 5 years, it will be worth nothing. 5-year cost = $560, which is $112/year. I feel I was a bit lucky to sell it for $400.

I bought a used 2011 13" Macbook Air w/ Applecare yesterday for $650. In 3 years it will be worth about $350 (conservative estimate based on current 2008 MBA prices on Craigslist). That's a cost of $100/year.

If I bought a new MBA today (what you are planning?), it would cost about $1120 at the current sale price of $999 for a 13" base model. In 5 years, let's say it's worth $350. That's about $154/year. Over 5 years, that's about $210 more than my PC example above (you can adjust the prices to your specific situation).

Where do u see this sale at

----------

I just sold my PC laptop yesterday for this reason. My new laptop last year was $560. In 5 years, it will be worth nothing. 5-year cost = $560, which is $112/year. I feel I was a bit lucky to sell it for $400.

I bought a used 2011 13" Macbook Air w/ Applecare yesterday for $650. In 3 years it will be worth about $350 (conservative estimate based on current 2008 MBA prices on Craigslist). That's a cost of $100/year.

If I bought a new MBA today (what you are planning?), it would cost about $1120 at the current sale price of $999 for a 13" base model. In 5 years, let's say it's worth $350. That's about $154/year. Over 5 years, that's about $210 more than my PC example above (you can adjust the prices to your specific situation).

Where do u see this sale at
 

eidrunner247

macrumors 6502
Jul 4, 2006
310
5
I bought a used 2011 13" Macbook Air w/ Applecare yesterday for $650. In 3 years it will be worth about $350 (conservative estimate based on current 2008 MBA prices on Craigslist). That's a cost of $100/year.

If I bought a new MBA today (what you are planning?), it would cost about $1120 at the current sale price of $999 for a 13" base model. In 5 years, let's say it's worth $350. That's about $154/year. Over 5 years, that's about $210 more than my PC example above (you can adjust the prices to your specific situation).

This is a good analysis and I think G35 has a good pulse of the market.

As a general rule, here is what I suggest for Macbook Airs (13" Base Models):
1 year old = $700-800
2 year old = 600-700
3 year old = 500-600
4 year old = 400-500
5 year old = 300-400

We know this to be true: the 2008 MBA go for around 350 give or take. There of course can also be market swings affecting the resale value of the computer, but in general, the above rule is valid. I think even with upgraded models there is price normalization too such that the 8GB of Ram might garner a little bit more but not $100 worth. Same with the hard drive, generally.

I flipped a few MBA on craigslist too. All these bought and sold last month. (I bought the 2008 Macbook as my personal computer brand new)

2011 MBA w/ Applecare -- Bought: $600 Sold: 720
2012 MBA -- Bought: $710 Sold: 780
2012 MBA Bought $650 Sold: 780
2008 Aluminum Macbook Bought: $1,249 Sold: 430
 

g35

macrumors 6502a
Dec 13, 2007
665
151
Where do u see this sale at

The sale is at Future Shop in Canada, it's $999+tax for a mid-2013 13" MBA. When they go on sale in the refurbished store (this month or next month), I suspect they'll be about $959+tax for the first several months (15% off full price)
 

0983275

Suspended
Mar 15, 2013
472
56
What's this discount u speak off

If you're in college/university, you get 10/15% off, you can get this by logging on Apple's site when on campus or pop in Apple store and show them your student ID card or acceptance letter.
 

theriddler

macrumors regular
Dec 6, 2011
109
42
UK
I'm thinking of trading up to the Haswell 13" MBPs if they appeal more to me.

What channels do you use to get such a high price? Craigslist/Gumtree? Especially eidrunner247! How do you resell at a higher price?! :confused:

How many generations old are the used Macs when you bought them?

Do you still pack everything into the box when you sell them? Does having the box get you a higher price?

My Windows laptops have such a high cost of ownership - $ 300 a year! They're basically worthless after 3 years once they die and the battery gives out.
 

magbarn

macrumors 68030
Oct 25, 2008
2,956
2,253
I'm thinking of trading up to the Haswell 13" MBPs if they appeal more to me.

What channels do you use to get such a high price? Craigslist/Gumtree? Especially eidrunner247! How do you resell at a higher price?! :confused:

How many generations old are the used Macs when you bought them?

Do you still pack everything into the box when you sell them? Does having the box get you a higher price?

My Windows laptops have such a high cost of ownership - $ 300 a year! They're basically worthless after 3 years once they die and the battery gives out.

I've never been lucky enough to re-sell at high prices like some of the posters here. They either live in a rich area and sell on Craig's list, have some sucker friends or family willing to pay higher than average ebay selling price. Me, I've been only able to get ebay average selling price. For example, I bought a 2012 MBA 11 128gb model for $1099 and sold it a year later for $715 on ebay. Once you factor the -$100 ebay + PayPal + shipping fees, I basically lost $500 in 1 year.
 

TheRealDamager

macrumors 65816
Jan 5, 2011
1,043
11
I've owned 2010, 2011 and 2012 Airs. I just sold a 2010 Air (3 years old) for $650. I believe I paid $1100 for it, so thats pretty good value remaining after 3 years.
 

Mrbobb

macrumors 603
Aug 27, 2012
5,009
209
Unless you are going to get a new one every year (and are trying to minimize your loss), don't worry about it. And if you are, you're just wasting your $$!

I don't think ppl who change every year are concerned about $$, the need to be the top dog of the block is stronger.
 

tom vilsack

macrumors 68000
Nov 20, 2010
1,880
63
ladner cdn
If cost is a main concern you should probably buy a Samsung Chromebook.

-cost $249 (amazon u.s.)...I'm guessing in 3 years you could probably get $100...thus cost of ownership would be about $50 a year.
 

clyde2801

macrumors 601
I don't think ppl who change every year are concerned about $$, the need to be the top dog of the block is stronger.

Or the new model has a feature they can't live without. I could see a student with a 2012 Air who has to fight and scrounge to find an outlet for charging when using his laptop the whole day upgrading. (Assuming he or his parents have the money.)

If you have any doubts about resale value of macbooks, check out your nearest craigslist on the computers section for a couple of days. In mine, you'll find macs being listed, and sold for more than their windows counterparts.

In the old power pc days, you COULD sell a year old well maintained and taken care of machine for 80-90% of the MSRP. The downside was extremely limited upgrades: "For this year, the g4 processor has been upgraded from 1.25 to 1.5 ghz!" There were also fewer macs for sale, as fewer people were using them.
 

newdeal

macrumors 68030
Oct 21, 2009
2,510
1,769
I buy used macbooks all the time, use them for a few months and then resell them and since I know what to pay I always make money. Sometimes $50, sometimes $100-200. Just bought a 15" retina (upgraded model with 512ssd and 16gb ram) for $1650 and sold it for $1850 (could have gotten more had I wanted to hold out for it). This example though shows that not ALL apple products hold their value well. The ones that hold their value best are the cheapest ones. Mac minis that are 3 years old are selling for over $400 still. Whereas a 3 month old retina macbook pro 15 that was $2800 new plus tax in a few months isn't worth anywhere near that. 13" macbook pros have great resale also, people will pay $700 for a 2010 model.

The same applies for iphones vs android phones. iphones hold their value super well, android phones in 12 months are worth very little
 

0983275

Suspended
Mar 15, 2013
472
56
The prices of 17" MBP are ridiculous, especially the 2011 model.

Everywhere I've looked, the price are around the same when the models were current.

Too bad because I wanted to own one but I can't really justify paying the 'full price' for it, considering that you can get a 27" Mac with the upgraded graphic card to GTX 680MX for around the same price.
 
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