Are Intel based Macs going to hold special value?

[TallManNY]

I've got a 2018 Mac mini and I'm definitely going to consider selling it and getting the next Mac mini. I see some Intel based Macs out there in the used market selling at very robust prices, including the 2018 Mac mini. Is being an Intel processor giving it some additional value for things like running Windows or Linux? I've done that on my Mac at times in my life, but haven't had any need to do so for many years now. Not expecting to need to do so in the future either. But I'm curious if there is a reason that Intel based Macs have some niche value? And presumably Apple won't make another Intel based Mac, so what are out there now are pretty much all there ever will be.

 

[now i see it]

Intel Macs will be no more valuable than the previous CPU versions. All Macs eventually are destined for the land fill.

Mac CPU Architecture History:
* Motorola 68 K (1984-1995)
* PowerPC (1994-2005)
* Intel x86 (2006-Present
* Apple Silicon 2021-…

 

[Micky Do]

Is being an Intel processor giving it some additional value for things like running Windows or Linux?

Maybe for some, but you kind of answer the question for yourself, in that you have done so in the past, but have not had the need to do so for many years.

I'm curious if there is a reason that Intel based Macs have some niche value?

I doubt that they will have any more niche value than my first Mac Mini, the 2005 Power PC based original.

If you are moving on to a newer Mac Mini, better to quit the Intel based one while the price remains robust.

 

[ipsedixit]

As an antique, perhaps.

Otherwise, no.

 

[Fishrrman]

Some folks still need an Intel-based Mac.
Others still have legacy 32-bit software that they may want to keep running.

I bought my 2018 Mini specifically because it would be one of the last Mac desktops with the ability to run 32 bits and "Intel-native" into the future.
It still has -- and will ALWAYS have -- the Mojave OS on it.
It will become my "intentional link to the past", so to speak.

 

[Xand&Roby]

Linux was avalaible also on PPC Mac, so it's not a point of best value.
Windows is a feature only for pc users, Mac users (literally someone who bought a Mac for use macOS, not 'cause it's a best looking pc) doesn't want it.
Intel Macs are usually old and not really best value items: from first MacBook/Pro (policarbonate cases gate, Nvidia cards gate) to Unibody (screen gate), from Unibody to Touch Bar (where cpu heat was the matter), only 11" MBA and 12" MB had a collectionable value, every other Mac had a new upgrade who kills the value of older releases.
For what I can see an 12" PowerBook, an 14" iBook, an G3 or G4 iMac had more collectionable value than every Intel Mac, who seems only a cheap older Mac instead of buy a new one.

 

[InuNacho]

Some folks still need an Intel-based Mac.
Others still have legacy 32-bit software that they may want to keep running.

I bought my 2018 Mini specifically because it would be one of the last Mac desktops with the ability to run 32 bits and "Intel-native" into the future.
It still has -- and will ALWAYS have -- the Mojave OS on it.
It will become my "intentional link to the past", so to speak.

I can see this in the future. The 2018 Intel Mini has Thunderbolt 3 which means its somewhat future-compatible with USB C devices.
I recently picked up a Quicksilver G4 to run an old high-end Nikon LS-2000 scanner with the much coveted batch scan attachment. I can imagine that someone in the future may need to run some 32-bit based hardware or software but would like SOME modernity to it.

 

[ddhhddhh2]

While it's hard for me to imagine an intel mac device on sale "at a very robust price," the intel mac still has uses, and even now, as long as there are people who have a need for multiple systems and want only one computer and work primarily on macOS, the intel mac will survive until the last day of Apple support, plus the last day of community support.
But for the average person, the answer is: NO.

 

[MBAir2010]

i also say, yes
intel macs are more expanse and can run older software while still packing apunch in 2022

 

[StupidOpinion]

my take is that it will only go up in value if you leave the box sealed. it will have value because it would be the fastest intel mac mini which might have a use case for a small amount of people

however, for companies that want servers of them, i doubt they'd buy it from you. they would already have bought it by now. later companies may not see any interest in purchasing intel mac mini or maybe they'll just buy cheap used ones.

 

[McScooby]

I can see this in the future. The 2018 Intel Mini has Thunderbolt 3 which means its somewhat future-compatible with USB C devices.
I recently picked up a Quicksilver G4 to run an old high-end Nikon LS-2000 scanner with the much coveted batch scan attachment. I can imagine that someone in the future may need to run some 32-bit based hardware or software but would like SOME modernity to it.

Although, you can run that bad boy in Monterey courtesy of VueScan drivers.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

If there is a bit (or two or three) of software that runs on that one that matters to you but won't run on Silicon after Rosetta 2 is deprecated, that could make it retain some value to you. All it takes is ONE thing that won't survive the end of Rosetta 2 but really matters to you.

For example, I've got a 2012 Mac Mini still running Snow Leopard that runs TWO things I can't run on newer Intel or Silicon Macs. It's also a bridge via Rosetta 1 back to a few classic games that run great on it too when I need a nostalgia run at a little early 2000s fun. As such, I value THAT Mac more than newer ones because it's old enough to "just work" for those purposes.

As to some kind of monetary valuation attached to legacy, there's probably nothing to that. Apple made TONS of those and the lack of scarcity or something that makes it "special" to the masses means that its monetary value will probably decay away towards zero... like just about all other mass-produced tech.

Windows (10) will likely run on it until 10 is deprecated which I think is 2028. So if you might need something that runs only on Windows and don't have a PC somewhere else in the house, that could be a Windows option for you even 5+ years from now.

 

[Nicole1980]

Some folks still need an Intel-based Mac.
Others still have legacy 32-bit software that they may want to keep running.

I bought my 2018 Mini specifically because it would be one of the last Mac desktops with the ability to run 32 bits and "Intel-native" into the future.
It still has -- and will ALWAYS have -- the Mojave OS on it.
It will become my "intentional link to the past", so to speak.

Same reason I got the 2019 iMac. Will always have Mojave on it, and plenty fast (8 cores, vega 48).

 

[MacsRgr8]

I keep a bunch of old Macs (I never sell them...) and once in a while I start them up for nostalgic reasons.

But, sometimes, I am able to help someone: a few months back, a family friend found an old VHS tape. He asked if anyone was able to get the film digitized.
So, next to having a Power Mac G4 (MDD) with TV card I also still have a VHS recorder... Turned out the film was very valuable to him!

And, as above, I also like to keep an Intel Mac capable of running 32 bits apps. it's a Mac Pro 2010 6 x 3.33 with Radeon 7950 Mac edition. Also running Mojave.

 

[InuNacho]

Although, you can run that bad boy in Monterey courtesy of VueScan drivers.

Nope, SCSI doesn't play nice with anything modern on Macs.
I did a ton of research on this matter and it seems like alot of "maybes" but that is it. I didn't want to spend $400+ on cards, enclosures, and adapters to find out it wouldn't work.

 

[TallManNY]

Maybe for some, but you kind of answer the question for yourself, in that you have done so in the past, but have not had the need to do so for many years.

I doubt that they will have any more niche value than my first Mac Mini, the 2005 Power PC based original.

If you are moving on to a newer Mac Mini, better to quit the Intel based one while the price remains robust.

I will definitely consider it. Right now on eBay the buy it now price is $549 by one dealer, which is kind of crazy when I think that new in 2018 it was something like $699. I can buy a M1 Mac mini for $699 and that is a significantly more powerful computer. And there might be a new Mac mini in a couple of weeks. So if I can sell and get $450 after four years of ownership, that seem like a lot.

I feel like something is propping up the value of these intel based computers. Maybe it is expandable memory slots. Or maybe it is the intel CPU compatibility.

 

[TallManNY]

If there is a bit (or two or three) of software that runs on that one that matters to you but won't run on Silicon after Rosetta 2 is deprecated, that could make it retain some value to you. All it takes is ONE thing that won't survive the end of Rosetta 2 but really matters to you.

For example, I've got a 2012 Mac Mini still running Snow Leopard that runs TWO things I can't run on newer Intel or Silicon Macs. It's also a bridge via Rosetta 1 back to a few classic games that run great on it too when I need a nostalgia run at a little early 2000s fun. As such, I value THAT Mac more than newer ones because it's old enough to "just work" for those purposes.

As to some kind of monetary valuation attached to legacy, there's probably nothing to that. Apple made TONS of those and the lack of scarcity or something that makes it "special" to the masses means that its monetary value will probably decay away towards zero... like just about all other mass-produced tech.

Windows (10) will likely run on it until 10 is deprecated which I think is 2028. So if you might need something that runs only on Windows and don't have a PC somewhere else in the house, that could be a Windows option for you even 5+ years from now.

I was thinking more about the software compatibility angle than as a collector item. It is just a generic, low level Mac mini. I probably have the box (because I do re-sell my Apple stuff), but it is definitely a device that has gotten near daily use for four years. The prices on eBay seem very robust, so I feel like something is propping up that value.

 

[TallManNY]

i also say, yes
intel macs are more expanse and can run older software while still packing apunch in 2022

eBay prices seem to indicate there is a market for these 2018 minis.

 

[Kaida]

Yes for me as well, i use a 2014 at home and a 2018 at work. Both have bootcamp into Windows that I can use when I needed. The M1 mac mini with VM and parallels still need some work done on it to be stable.