Macs have become more affordable than when M1 launched

[davidg4781]

I was looking for my original receipt on my 13" 2020 M1 MBP w/TB (is that how we write this?) and saw I paid $1,609 for a refurbished with 16/1 in 2022. I remember spending some time considering this Mac, the newer 14" ones, or a MBA.

Today, for $90 more, I can get a base 14" MBP with a larger, nicer screen and better sound. I'd miss out on Touch Bar but I think I'd be OK. Or I can get a 16/1 MBA for $1,299.

Just something I thought about the other day.

 

[maflynn]

I was looking for my original receipt on my 13" 2020 M1 MBP w/TB (is that how we write this?) and saw I paid $1,609 for a refurbished with 16/1 in 2022. I remember spending some time considering this Mac, the newer 14" ones, or a MBA.

you seem to be comparing Apples and oranges. The MBA will always be more affordable then a MBP and AFAIK, MPB's can still run you a lot of money.

 

[KaliYoni]

$1,609 for a refurbished with 16/1 in 2022.

Just want to add that it's good to adjust historical prices for inflation when making comparisons to current prices (even for recent years, given the inflation rate over the last 7-8 years):

$1609, 2022 => $1770, 2025

Inflation Calculator | Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

What’s a dollar worth? How far does a past dollar stretch to equal the modern dollar? What would past prices be today?

www.minneapolisfed.org

 

[madisonpark]

Yeah, it’s kind of wild how much better the value feels now. Back when M1 launched, prices were higher and options were limited. Now you can spend similar money and get a better screen, newer chip, and overall better machine. Good time to buy compared to those early M1 days.

I was looking for my original receipt on my 13" 2020 M1 MBP w/TB (is that how we write this?) and saw I paid $1,609 for a refurbished with 16/1 in 2022. I remember spending some time considering this Mac, the newer 14" ones, or a MBA.

Today, for $90 more, I can get a base 14" MBP with a larger, nicer screen and better sound. I'd miss out on Touch Bar but I think I'd be OK. Or I can get a 16/1 MBA for $1,299.

Just something I thought about the other day.

 

[edubfromktown]

Just want to add that it's good to adjust historical prices for inflation when making comparisons to current prices (even for recent years, given the inflation rate over the last 7-8 years):

$1609, 2022 => $1770, 2025

Inflation Calculator | Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

What’s a dollar worth? How far does a past dollar stretch to equal the modern dollar? What would past prices be today?

www.minneapolisfed.org

Yes- even in a shorter timeframe (when M1 Studio was released and I purchased it day-one for example), U.S. consumer-price inflation from March 2022 → Mar 2026 ended up being a cumulative increase of 13–14%.

There are also massive component constraints and order delivery delays now. Other manufacturers are in the process of raising prices (Cisco stated that they will, across the board effective April 18th 2026). I won't be surprised if Apple and others follow suit soon after.

 

[davidg4781]

Yeah, it’s kind of wild how much better the value feels now. Back when M1 launched, prices were higher and options were limited. Now you can spend similar money and get a better screen, newer chip, and overall better machine. Good time to buy compared to those early M1 days.

I've got the itch but really, I don't do anything intensive on my MBP. I'd get an Air but even then, I wouldn't see any computational benefits. It would just look cooler and be a little lighter.

 

[lostPod]

I kind of agree. I picked up a used Mac Mini M2 at a VERY reasonable price, and its now my main powerhouse. This thing flies compared to my previously bought Mac Minis that were the same price at the time (intel).