Sealed iBook G4 value?

[eyoungren]

I totally agree. Any electrical device that uses or has batteries in them has the potential for that battery to corrode overtime and cause a lot of internal damage. Has the cmos battery in that NIB machine corroded. What about the main battery, has it 'bloated' (cells damage causing the cells to swell). All of this is unknown because the box is sealed and because of that it's way way to much of a risk.

There are collectors out there who specifically target NIB machines who never have the intention breaking the seal but they are rare and it is more of a case of you finding them rather than them finding you.

Whilst 'sealed NIB' meant something many many years ago, in todays society it does not mean much because it is so easy to fake stuff. Look at what happened to Logan Paul recently with the supposedly autheticated limited edition pokemon boxed set he purchase, sealed NIB and it turned out to be a fake. There was also the reported incidents of newly released iphones being bought, the iphone removed and replaced with rubbish, resealed and being sold as 'sealed NIB'. The risks are too great.

This to me is worse with older devices. Back in the 90s Apple wasn't overly concerned with the longevity of their products. So now a lot of old Macs and Apple devices have brittle plastic. What's a device like that worth now when it's NIB?

No, like you, I see it as too much of a risk. I'd rather put down $50 for X item knowing that I am getting a working device. Anything that's still working now is likely to keep working. You can't know for sure if it's NIB. And who do you speak to if it doesn't work? Apple? The seller? The warranty is long expired and you have little recourse.

I know, it's a doom and gloom scenario. Most times things just work. But I just want proof is all.

 

[Adarna]

A question some potential buyers will ask is does the box contain everything that it is supposed to contain. The OP will probably says any potential buyer will have to trust his word that the box contains all the original items.

The reason I am asking is to assertain the purpose of purchase of OP.

When I first read the post I got flashbacks of sayings of men having to consult their GF or wives before purchase as at a glance it sounds like a cool purchase but upon further evaluation... it may come as a purchase of a hoarder.

 

[Adarna]

This to me is worse with older devices. Back in the 90s Apple wasn't overly concerned with the longevity of their products. So now a lot of old Macs and Apple devices have brittle plastic. What's a device like that worth now when it's NIB?

No, like you, I see it as too much of a risk. I'd rather put down $50 for X item knowing that I am getting a working device. Anything that's still working now is likely to keep working. You can't know for sure if it's NIB. And who do you speak to if it doesn't work? Apple? The seller? The warranty is long expired and you have little recourse.

I know, it's a doom and gloom scenario. Most times things just work. But I just want proof is all.

To be fair to Apple they had to create a product that was affordable.

 

[eyoungren]

To be fair to Apple they had to create a product that was affordable.

Totally get that. I'm just wondering how much that applies to NIB. If the product is NIB but can break easily because of that plastic, does that affect the NIB price? Is the NIB price based on a look but never touch aspect?

IDK. I just try to avoid disappointing NIB experiences. I've had more than my share when products were actually on the shelves being sold.

 

[Adarna]

Totally get that. I'm just wondering how much that applies to NIB. If the product is NIB but can break easily because of that plastic, does that affect the NIB price? Is the NIB price based on a look but never touch aspect?

IDK. I just try to avoid disappointing NIB experiences. I've had more than my share when products were actually on the shelves being sold.

Odds are the purpose buying a sealed product will trade it up as sealed in box.

And lets be honest. Its nearly 2 decades old. It's a given to expect it to be a surprise

 

[laptech]

It could be like some of those time boxes you see that people bury, they are sealed with stuff inside them and then buried left to be found decades later only to be unsealed and found everything inside damaged. It could happen with this sealed machine, it gets sold as sealed from one person to the next until decades later an owner decides to open it and finds it the batteries have exploded, the plastics have become extremly brittle and the LCD screen completely discolured and all the manuals and documents damaged. So much for being 'sealed NIB' lol

 

[laptech]

Odds are the purpose buying a sealed product will trade it up as sealed in box.

And lets be honest. Its nearly 2 decades old. It's a given to expect it to be a surprise

whats the betting if someone did buy it and opened it, the first time they lift the lid, the plastics around the hindges break because it's become brittle due to not be used? lol

 

[eyoungren]

Odds are the purpose buying a sealed product will trade it up as sealed in box.

And lets be honest. Its nearly 2 decades old. It's a given to expect it to be a surprise

Again, I don't have a problem with that.

But, and this is just me, when I'm buying a device I want it to work. Because I have a purpose for it.

So, as has been stated, NIB isn't for me. I'm not interested in buying NIB just to display it on a shelf and look at it.

 

[Adarna]

whats the betting if someone did buy it and opened it, the first time they lift the lid, the plastics around the hindges break because it's become brittle due to not be used? lol

Reminds me of penny stock day trading

 

[MajorFubar]

Let's be honest its only value at this stage is to collectors.
It's almost academic whether it's working or not when the main attraction is that it's still sealed in its box.
No one's going to buy it to actually use, or even open it, it otherwise they may as well save a fortune and buy a used one.

 

[eyoungren]

Let's be honest its only value at this stage is to collectors.
It's almost academic whether it's working or not when the main attraction is that it's still sealed in its box.
No one's going to buy it to actually use, or even open it, it otherwise they may as well save a fortune and buy a used one.

And that's why I have a problem with the whole NIB thing. The value is wrapped up in the whole NIB mystique, justified by the product in the box.

You're buying an experience, a nostalgia, not a product. That means the price of the product is inflated.

 

[MajorFubar]

Reminds me of penny stock day trading

Reminds me more of the retro-car scene, where someone selling an exceptionally low mileage example of a once-common car from the 80s and 90s wants 10x the typical current market value because of its mileage. The paradox is if you actually use it for its intended purpose, the value takes a nose-dive every thousand miles, so it becomes just a life-sized ornament, trailered round to all the classic car shows so as not to add mileage to the odo.

 

[MajorFubar]

And that's why I have a problem with the whole NIB thing. The value is wrapped up in the whole NIB mystique, justified by the product in the box.

You're buying an experience, a nostalgia, not a product. That means the price of the product is inflated.

Correct. I personally have no interest in paying silly money for old gear that devalues when I open it, or use it. But collectors are a different breed.

 

[Adarna]

Correct. I personally have no interest in paying silly money for old gear that devalues when I open it, or use it. But collectors are a different breed.

Their wives/gf has little say or dont give a flying fu_ck

 

[eyoungren]

Correct. I personally have no interest in paying silly money for old gear that devalues when I open it, or use it. But collectors are a different breed.

I guess then, that's what the difference is. I'm not a collector, although I've always liked PowerPC Macs and Apple devices. I have a lot of them, but I've never bought a device, NIB or otherwise to display it. I've always had a purpose for it, or a justification.

I do display boxes in my own personal space, but I either have, used to have, or still use what was in the box.

 

[laptech]

Let's be honest its only value at this stage is to collectors.
It's almost academic whether it's working or not when the main attraction is that it's still sealed in its box.
No one's going to buy it to actually use, or even open it, it otherwise they may as well save a fortune and buy a used one.

That's why if i ever wanted to do something like this, rather than take the risk of buying a 'sealed NIB', i eould just purchase a used empty original box, weight it down with stuff then seal it and stick it on my shelf as a 'sealed NIB' display piece, would save me a fortune and no one is going to know what's inside only me because as far as everyone else is concerned, it's a sealed box

 

[MajorFubar]

I guess then, that's what the difference is. I'm not a collector, although I've always liked PowerPC Macs and Apple devices. I have a lot of them, but I've never bought a device, NIB or otherwise to display it. I've always had a purpose for it, or a justification.

I do display boxes in my own personal space, but I either have, used to have, or still use what was in the box.

I used to know a guy who trailered a restored Group B rally car round the local classic car shows. Totally pristine, better than factory fresh. I overheard one of the younger teens ask him if he would start if for them and rev it. He said he had never started it since its full engine rebuild because that would wipe 30K off its value. It dawned on me then that this guy didn't really own a restored Group B rally car, he owned a 200K ornament that he couldn't use.

 

[B S Magnet]

Unless I’m tasked as a curator for a museum exhibit, the act of acquiring a sealed-in-box Mac amounts to a gesture of vanity for one’s own idle wealth. If that’s your jam, then gosh, have at it.

These are machines. They are meant to be used and treated with the care of maintaining them — not reduced to overgrown fanboy trophies and kept in some hermetically sealed glass case (or fancypants “spare room”).

I treat my Macs the way I treat audio gear and how I treat film photography equipment: with care, by putting them into use for which they best do the job.

 

[MBAir2010]

Where did you see the unopened one? I didn't see any in the sold listings on eBay.

mid december, for if i remember under $600, from Michigan
they had other ones (powerbook G4) for sale as well.

they do sell fast,
and even if someone does have a 2011 MacBook air,
they might buy another one when the price is good good to pass up.

 

[Spock]

I would say if it were really in the box, it could probably sell for at least $500. If I wanted to get rid of it, I would set that as my reserve price and sell it on eBay so some YouTuber can buy it and unbox it. I know that Luke Miani and Crazy Ken do it all the time.

 

[justin-mc]

Are you planning to keep it sealed?

Yes, I believe that's where the value is.

 

[justin-mc]

mid december, for if i remember under $600, from Michigan
they had other ones (powerbook G4) for sale as well.

they do sell fast,
and even if someone does have a 2011 MacBook air,
they might buy another one when the price is good good to pass up.

It was sealed, not just NIB? Do you have a link?

 

[MBAir2010]

It was sealed, not just NIB? Do you have a link?

I'm very sure that was sealed, and i tried checking today but could not find the item
i know this response and a bus ticket will get you to th next staion
but my input was to encourage the value to the macbook.
being that there ar eno sealed one is your advantage.

 

[Rikintosh]

That's why if i ever wanted to do something like this, rather than take the risk of buying a 'sealed NIB', i eould just purchase a used empty original box, weight it down with stuff then seal it and stick it on my shelf as a 'sealed NIB' display piece, would save me a fortune and no one is going to know what's inside only me because as far as everyone else is concerned, it's a sealed box

That would just be deceiving yourself. It's like preferring to masturbate over having sex with a woman.

Edit: Or a guy (if you prefer)

 

[Rikintosh]

Unless I’m tasked as a curator for a museum exhibit, the act of acquiring a sealed-in-box Mac amounts to a gesture of vanity for one’s own idle wealth. If that’s your jam, then gosh, have at it.

These are machines. They are meant to be used and treated with the care of maintaining them — not reduced to overgrown fanboy trophies and kept in some hermetically sealed glass case (or fancypants “spare room”).

I treat my Macs the way I treat audio gear and how I treat film photography equipment: with care, by putting them into use for which they best do the job.

That's not how things work in the business world. Why can a painting be worth a few cents or several million dollars? It's just oil paint on a fabric canvas. Why are NFTs valuable? Why is bitcoin valuable? Because Ferraris are expensive, is every price the cost of production plus profit, or is it something else? Why are clothes and bags so expensive if they serve the same purpose as "poor people" clothes, isn't the purpose just to dress? Alcoholic drinks that cost the price of a car? Did all of this really cost dearly to produce, or is it just that valuable because people attached value to it?

Because one or more people value that, and every economy is based on faith. I could pull down my pants right now, and defecate 500g of feces, and put a half-million price on it, and say it's special. If 1 or 2 more people believe this, then it will have value, it will have even more value if someone buys it from me, people around will say "wow he bought that for half a million, it must be special", and they will want it too . When someone comes along who will say it's just a piece of ****, you can accuse them of not having knowledge, culture, or anything like that. But that's how the world works.

you can cry and say that this is just a useless and expensive trophy. But there will always be someone who will share the seller's opinion, will want to have that useless and expensive thing, and will pay for it.

More examples of high-value imbecility: Reborn Doll, sex dolls, super sports cars, anything sold in dubai, gemstones, internet infrastructure, fossil fuel, luxury cell phones, basically anything designer fashion...