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Should I trade my 15" i9 for something less powerful?

E

Elektrofone

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jul 5, 2010
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I purchased a 2018 i9 15" last year when I was still doing freelance motion design work, but recently I've gotten a full-time job and they provide me a computer at work, so now I don't need something nearly so powerful. I'd love to downgrade, but wondered what you guys think I should do?

I was thinking of getting a 13" MacBook Pro or even a MacBook Air, I really just need to do some light photo editing, possible design work with Sketch and web browsing/mail/file management. Other than that my work laptop is capable of everything else.

Thanks in advance!
 
Why not keep what you have?

Depending on the configuration, you may only get something low to mid 2k range, are you willing sell for the laptop in that price range?
 
maflynn said:
Why not keep what you have?

Depending on the configuration, you may only get something low to mid 2k range, are you willing sell for the laptop in that price range?
Click to expand...

Looking at eBay completed listings I’d probably get around $3300-$3600.
 
I think a 13" MBP would be better than the Air for your needs and is still quite light and small.

I often wish I had a 13" or air for the size and weight reduction. But I also need the power and do not have another portable system, so 15" is what I buy
 
stringerhye said:
Looking at eBay completed listings I’d probably get around $3300-$3600.
Click to expand...
Yeah you can probably get in that ballpark (especially if you include AppleCare+) but that still doesn’t include the seller fees, listing fees, shipping, risk that the buyer reports a not-received claim, etc.

I’ve definitely sold MacBooks on eBay before, it’s just good to consider all that goes into it and all the extra costs that can really add up. Also PayPal policy sucks so if someone reports item not-received, or that you put a rock in the box or whatever, it’s really up in the air and you might be out everything. You’re much safer if you have an established profile, but you still see cases where the seller gets totally screwed because of entitled, thief buyers.
 
The 13” MacBook Air would probably suit tour needs but i would probably just keep your current machine unless you need the money.
 
IMO keep the 15 inch, its pretty solid machine and will last you longer than a 13 inch one, plus better resale value.
 
if you already paid for the current system why trade it? Plus what if something comes up where you want that performance again?
 
I'd only get rid of it if you think the 15" is too big and heavy for me. Otherwise I'd keep it.
 
Does this forum have a Classified section you can sell it to a member? I'm sure someone here would be happy to buy it from you. Or Craigslist. That's where I bought my 2012 MBP.
 
MacDaddyPanda said:
Does this forum have a Classified section you can sell it to a member? I'm sure someone here would be happy to buy it from you. Or Craigslist. That's where I bought my 2012 MBP.
Click to expand...

Yes. I thought of Craigslist, sure is a lot easier to do it in person and with cash, but sometimes you don't get as much as you would on eBay.
 
I'm getting lowballed hard in the second hand market. Only sell if they prepay. No returns.

My wife has a good advice...
Buy it, then use it till it is out of order.

Wheeling and dealing is not worth the time or effort in consumer electronics. Apple is also quite common on second hand platforms, so the buyers are looking for desperate sellers. Premium BTO machines are also hard to sell as most of the buyers can lease, let or buy through their company and deduct.

I personally use a 15" for all my stuff. I would rather compliment my 15" with an entry level iPad and just use it for light tasks around the house and on the road. I seldom get to be very productive on the road except for standard email tasks, photos, taking notes, light banking and spreadsheets.

15" on my desk, iPad around the house and an iPhone outside of my home.
 
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stringerhye said:
Mostly I'd just like a more portable machine and even when just lounging around the apartment the 15" can be a bit cumbersome.
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I think that might be the answer to your question, it isn't so much as downgrading in power, but rather having something more portable.

Personally, I find any time I go to a 13" they are completely unusable due to the reduced screen size. Something about the 15" covering the majority of my field of view that makes it more immersive.
 
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Had a 15" rMBP, 27" iMac, and 12.9" iPad Pro before.(All sold/given away) As a civil engineer, the firm I work for also provides a work laptop. As I've gotten older, I care less about being able to game on the go and enjoy just having a dedicated gaming PC at home.

The 2017 13" nTB MBP + Monitor has actually been perfect for my needs.

It's super light, which makes it easy to carry everywhere like my 12.9" iPad Pro, but easier to use because I don't have to deal with the type cover. (Also significantly lighter than my old 15" rMBP)

For general stuff, this little machine is actually faster than my 2011 27" iMac, so I didn't lose any performance by giving away my iMac and hooking up my 13" MBP to a monitor.

This has allowed me to replace everything but my gaming PC in one swift swoop.

With that said, it's ultimately your money. If the portability is worth it to you, then do it.
 
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stringerhye said:
Yes. I thought of Craigslist, sure is a lot easier to do it in person and with cash, but sometimes you don't get as much as you would on eBay.
Click to expand...
I’m not a fan of Facebook and social media, but I am a user of Facebook Marketplace. If you have a Facebook account you can try selling it on the marketplace, you’ll get a little more on average with little to no spam emails compare to Craigslist. Also keep in mind that while you get less than eBay, like others have said you won’t be paying the sellers fees that eBay charges.

Personally if it were me, since you’ve already paid for the machine I’d keep it. If you need a smaller more portable machine you certainly can do it, but that 15” is a beast and will last you for at 6+ years (of course assuming no “gate” issues occur). I wish I had had the money to get the 15” when I bought my 2017 13” MBP.
 
Selling at this point is a losing proposition. Just use the laptop until you need to buy a new one. Reassess your needs at that point.

You never know when your needs will change and you will wish that you had the i9 back.
 
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R.Stoychev said:
IMO keep the 15 inch, its pretty solid machine and will last you longer than a 13 inch one, plus better resale value.
Click to expand...
I agree. Unless OP travels a lot or needs the extra mobility, I think its better to keep the 15 at this point.
 
Trey M said:
Yeah you can probably get in that ballpark (especially if you include AppleCare+) but that still doesn’t include the seller fees, listing fees, shipping, risk that the buyer reports a not-received claim, etc.

I’ve definitely sold MacBooks on eBay before, it’s just good to consider all that goes into it and all the extra costs that can really add up. Also PayPal policy sucks so if someone reports item not-received, or that you put a rock in the box or whatever, it’s really up in the air and you might be out everything. You’re much safer if you have an established profile, but you still see cases where the seller gets totally screwed because of entitled, thief buyers.
Click to expand...
thats why after every sale i immediately transfer the money to my bank accnt, if buyer want to pull a quick one then paypal have to deal with my bank
 
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