How much can you realistically sell a $2000 iMac for 2 years down the road?

[Kendo]

I recently purchased the high-end 2011 iMac for $2000 with no changes in configuration. I plan on upgrading every two years. Since I bought AppleCare, I figure it would be easy to sell in it's third year since it will still be covered by a 1 year warranty.

After my corporate discount of 6%, tax, and AppleCare, I paid roughly $2200. Is it feasible to think that I can sell my iMac for at least $1400 two years from now? If I take a $800 loss, that amounts to $400 each year, or essentially having an iMac for a little over $1 per day which to me is outstanding.

I guess a good way to judge is to see how a 2.66GHz Core i5 mode from late 2009 would sell today. Would I get at least $1400 for a $2000 iMac two years from now?

 

[Hellhammer]

The 2.8GHz i7 from 2009 goes for 1369$ in the refurb store. I don't remember the price of 2.66GHz i5 in the refurb store but my guess would be around 1250$ (not available anymore). Refurbs come with full 1-year warranty which is expandable to 3 years with Apple core so IMHO, the 2.66GHz i5 from 2009 should not be worth much more than 1100$, max 1200$. Then again, eBay shows prices of 1300-1400$ but they are buy now deals so it's hard to say.

I would say 1400$ is possible but you would have to be very lucky. 1100$ would be a safe bet.

 

[GimmeSlack12]

I think selling it for $1400 would be reasonable. I mean, I guess it can be a little hard to say if some big breakthrough in hardware occurs over those 2 years so that the iMac depreciates dramatically.

 

[Kendo]

The 2.8GHz i7 from 2009 goes for 1369$ in the refurb store. I don't remember the price of 2.66GHz i5 in the refurb store but my guess would be around 1250$ (not available anymore). Refurbs come with full 1-year warranty which is expandable to 3 years with Apple core so IMHO, the 2.66GHz i5 from 2009 should not be worth much more than 1100$, max 1200$. Then again, eBay shows prices of 1300-1400$ but they are buy now deals so it's hard to say.

I would say 1400$ is possible but you would have to be very lucky. 1100$ would be a safe bet.

Still only amounts to roughly $1.50 per day. Can't believe the iMac holds such great value.

 

[DolemiteJackson]

As long as hardware evolutions remain relatively static, I'd think it would still bring $1200- $1400.

 

[crzdcolombian]

As long as hardware evolutions remain relatively static, I'd think it would still bring $1200- $1400.

Computers aren't really investments but Macs do have great value. I usually get a new macbook pro every 2 years since they switched to intel chips. I sold my 2006 Macbook in 2008 for $750 on craigslist. My 2008 macbook for 800 in 2010. I sold my 2010 Macbook pro 13 base model for $950 last week on craigslist.....

It really does well but then again its based on your location. I go to school in Boston but am in CT and craiglist in CT blows.

 

[trip1ex]

Go on Ebay and check out what the 2 yr old originally $2000 imacs have sold for in the past 2 weeks.

 

[pauljbax]

I just sold a MBP 17 inch from March of 2009 for 1250.00 in eBay so that is pretty good I think (had apple care).

However, I have read that if you would have bought a 2000 laptop from Apple in 2002 but instead of buying the laptop, had invested in Apple stock...

Well, you know the ending.

I read this a couple years back...at the time, you would have made 70 thousand...

 

[Hirakata]

$1400 is doable, but I wouldn't use the words "at least" though. I'm on the two year cycle and buy a new Mac every two years, selling my old one. I always get at least 50% of its original price. I may be able to squeeze out an extra $100 or so, but I'd rather just sell it quick and be done with it.