Late 2016 15" MBP Trade in Value?

[mdwsta4]

Hey everyone, I'm sure this has been asked, but I cannot find an answer in the search.

I've been an Apple laptop owner since 2003, and used to need the portability for school or travel, but nowadays the need for portability just doesn't make sense. I've owned a late 2016 15" MBP (first with Touch Bar) since they were released and have used it in a clamshell mounted to an external monitor almost the entire time. Like many of you, I've been working from home since March and this is a likely permanent move for me. Now I'm thinking about swapping out the MBP and replacing it with a Mac Mini since I don't have to worry about bringing the laptop with me anywhere and it has a smaller footprint. I am not interested in an iMac.

Checking out Apple's trade in, they're valuing the laptop at about $800. I know that is a lowball, but I'm curious as to what a realistic market is for the machine at the moment?

2016 15" MBP
2.7GHz i7
16GB RAM, 1TB SSD
Radeon Pro 455, Intel Graphics 530

Since it's been used in clamshell mode the keyboard has no wear. Since it's lived it's life on a desk, the case has no dings/scratches. Apple did replace the battery and the bottom case in May so those are brand new. Original box, cables, etc.

Appreciate the help!


Cheers,
M

 

[ght56]

Have you priced up Mac Me an Offer? They often offer a better price and I've personally had a good experience with them. Obviously you do not get as much cash as selling private party, but you also avoid incurring selling risks, so that is something to factor in as well. I am guessing you are well aware of this, but you would take a pretty big hit in graphics performance by moving to a Mac Mini.

 

[cardfan]

Take the trade in and feel lucky anyone would give you 800 for an old laptop with kb issues. There’s no way I’d pay 800 for it.

 

[Alex W.]

People will pay but those are the few customers that dont know any better tbh.

 

[mdwsta4]

Have you priced up Mac Me an Offer? They often offer a better price and I've personally had a good experience with them. Obviously you do not get as much cash as selling private party, but you also avoid incurring selling risks, so that is something to factor in as well. I am guessing you are well aware of this, but you would take a pretty big hit in graphics performance by moving to a Mac Mini.

I had not, but thank you for directing me toward them. Their initial offer was just under $1k so about a $200 difference.

Regarding the graphics performance, the only tasking thing I use this machine for is photo editing. I thought the two machines would be pretty comparable for that task?

Take the trade in and feel lucky anyone would give you 800 for an old laptop with kb issues. There’s no way I’d pay 800 for it.

What are you talking about?

 

[pshufd]

There is one for sale in New England for $1,300. Laptops are in huge demand because of WFH and SFH and there's a big shortage of them. I'd guess that I could get $1K for my 2015 MacBook Pro 15 2.5/AMD

 

[ght56]

I had not, but thank you for directing me toward them. Their initial offer was just under $1k so about a $200 difference.

Regarding the graphics performance, the only tasking thing I use this machine for is photo editing. I thought the two machines would be pretty comparable for that task?

The offer of $1,000 is IMHO very fair. Additionally, the company Apple uses for trade ins doesn't always have the best reviews. Mac Me An Offer is a very legit company IMHO and it's a very seamless process without surprises.

I think you are probably right that the difference itself won't be massive. If the photo editing is CPU-heavy and you purchase one of the 6-core Mac Minis, it might be faster. If the photo editing is GPU-heavy, the Mac Mini might be slower. Provided you purchase the Mac Mini before selling your MacBook Pro, you should be able to get a good idea of the real-world differences (if there are any) over the two week return period.

 

[mdwsta4]

I did plan to max out the Mac mini and that's a good idea to compare the two machines side by side before selling the MBP. thanks!