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plut0k

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 4, 2018
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What would a brand-new (plastic wrapping still intact) Mac Mini "Core i5" (late 2012) be worth in 2018?
Any informative feedbak is much appreciated.
 
Is it the base model with 500gb hard disk and 4gb RAM? You can get a used one in excellent condition with 90 day warranty for $519 at Macsales. I bought a used quad core 2012 mini from them a year and a half ago, it looked like new and has been flawless ever since. https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Apple/EE1D59XX2XXXB/

I guess a new one would have the full one year Apple warranty, so maybe that's worth something more? A new base model 2014 Mini with full Apple warranty is only $460 at B&H Photo however. Some people feel the 2012 is superior though and a big advantage is that the user can upgrade RAM on the 2012 but not the 2014.

Anyway, I'd say a "new" 2012 Mini is probably worth between $500 to $550... IF you can find a buyer.
 
What would a brand-new (plastic wrapping still intact) Mac Mini "Core i5" (late 2012) be worth in 2018?
Any informative feedbak is much appreciated.

A 6 year old computer? I’ll take it off your hands for $50 bucks.
 
I looked into getting a 2012 Mac Mini a few years ago, they are definitely holding their value better than the 2014 models. Many believe that the 2014s were a downgrade from the 2012, and I have to agree. After 2014s came out, the 2012 Apple refurbished models wouldn't last more than a day.

The issue is that I think there is a turning point for the 2012s, they are getting old, and there has been rumors of a new Mac Mini. So, if this was a year ago, I would say that you could price it above what new 2014s are selling at.

Now, it might be harder. Are you trying to sell it quick? If not, I think you can list a base model for $550, and it will sell eventually.

A 6 year old computer? I’ll take it off your hands for $50 bucks.
Only a fool would expect to spend $50 on a brand new Mac, regardless of the age.
 
I looked into getting a 2012 Mac Mini a few years ago, they are definitely holding their value better than the 2014 models. Many believe that the 2014s were a downgrade from the 2012, and I have to agree. After 2014s came out, the 2012 Apple refurbished models wouldn't last more than a day.

The issue is that I think there is a turning point for the 2012s, they are getting old, and there has been rumors of a new Mac Mini. So, if this was a year ago, I would say that you could price it above what new 2014s are selling at.

Now, it might be harder. Are you trying to sell it quick? If not, I think you can list a base model for $550, and it will sell eventually.


Only a fool would expect to spend $50 on a brand new Mac, regardless of the age.

And only a fool would think that a 6 year old computer has any residual value.
 
There are some smart people who disagree with you.

Not saying anyone is smart or dumb. Just gonna point out they are in stock so clearly it’s not a sellout.
Something is only worth what someone is willing to pay. I can put up a 2012 Mac mini on eBay for $3500 doesn’t mean it will sell.

$50 is absurd. I would say $250-$350 realistically.
 
I’d be comparing it to the cost of a 2014 base model then taking into account there’s no warranty. I’m not in the US so not sure on the exact value.

I’d also want to see it working before I bought it. It’s odd to have something sit unused for 5 years.
 
I looked into getting a 2012 Mac Mini a few years ago, they are definitely holding their value better than the 2014 models. Many believe that the 2014s were a downgrade from the 2012, and I have to agree. After 2014s came out, the 2012 Apple refurbished models wouldn't last more than a day.

The issue is that I think there is a turning point for the 2012s, they are getting old, and there has been rumors of a new Mac Mini. So, if this was a year ago, I would say that you could price it above what new 2014s are selling at.

Now, it might be harder. Are you trying to sell it quick? If not, I think you can list a base model for $550, and it will sell eventually.


Only a fool would expect to spend $50 on a brand new Mac, regardless of the age.
[doublepost=1517781999][/doublepost]No, $50 is an insult to anyone's intelligence. I think it would be more like $700-$900. These have the quad core processor which the newer models don't. Now that could change with the next generation, and then the 2012's might bring $500-$700 with the specs you sighted. I wouldn't sell mine even IF I bought a new one. :cool:
 
Perhaps I should have been more specific when forming my question.
I reside in Europe, and bought my Macmini6,1 in 2013.
mm61.jpg

For reasones not relevant here, it was never opened and has been stored in a drawer since then.
The proof of purchase has a waranty valid until october 2018, but this is also besides the point.
A quick net search finds no 2012 Mac mini with an unbroken plastic film wrapping for sale, but its hard to imagine that there's not thousands of them still out there.
Could this add a premium compared to those labeled "as new"? (e. g. to late Mac memorabilia collectors.)
In advance: The thread starter knows his item ain't comparable to a complete Apple I Kit.
 
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Perhaps I should have been more specific when forming my question.
I reside in Europe, and bought my Macmini6,1 in 2013. View attachment 749907
For reasones not relevant here, it was never opened and has been stored in a drawer since then.
The proof of purchase has a waranty valid until october 2018, but this is also besides the point.
A quick net search finds no 2012 Mac mini with an unbroken plastic film wrapping for sale, but its hard to imagine that there's not thousands of them still out there.
Could this add a premium compared to those labeled "as new"? (e. g. to late Mac memorabilia collectors.)
In advance: The thread starter knows his item ain't comparable to a complete Apple I Kit.

Dude, it’s an old underpowered PC made in the millions. You want it it be collectible then leave it as is and revisit selling it in 30 years
 
Do you want to sell it, and on ebay? I am currently looking for a Mini on ebay and to be honest, if I saw one that old for sale intact with plastic wrap, I would question that the plastic wrap has been freshly put on. I don't mean you by the way, yours is genuine, but I wouldn't believe any seller on ebay.
 
Dude, it’s an old underpowered PC made in the millions. You want it it be collectible then leave it as is and revisit selling it in 30 years
[doublepost=1517842817][/doublepost]Initially I shared miami and ludwigs sentiments toward the matter: Use it or lose it.
However, taking this cynicism at face value might be jumping to conclusions.
An incident on "American Pickers" got me thinking.
Sure, this is no $40,000 mint condition 1940's comic book.
Yet they appear to share a few noteworthy characteristics.
The most significant being a short route from abundance to scarcity.
Apple products collectability, combined with the company's unrivaled "use-and-dispose" mentality, looks to me like a recipe for impending monetary gains.
Only a tech collector could assess this consideration with authority, though.
In the meantime, I dare you to find a sealed 2012 Mac mini currently for sale, with the original receipt (authorized store w/waranty) included.
 
You can just look at completed sales on Ebay. There were seven new 2012 i5 models sold "brand new in box, never opened" in the last 30 days, ranging from $350 to $788.

I don't think the receipt will add any value. I'm unsure how much your warranty would add. If there is a useful amount of time left and it is transferable, then perhaps 10% if it is a third party warranty or maybe more if it is genuine Apple Care.

I provided a US link because that's where I live and you don't say which European country you are in. Of course you'd want to check the Ebay that supports your area.
 
Well, any civilized individual loves America, despite it's evident shortcomings these days.
Among the benefits of living in a Bernie Sanders utopia state, is improved rights for consumers.
All merchandise sold here (ment to last more than two years) come with an extended 5 year complaint limit.
Thus my receipt still holds a valid waranty for the duration of a healthy pregnancy.
A pat on the back to both fozzie and mango for providing links to enlighten my obscured mind.
Based on this intelligence the current market value estimate of a factory shrink wrap item is around 600 bucks.
Perhaps an investment opportunity for those fleeing the stock market today.
In thirty years it's bound to be worth it's weight in gold.
Thanks again.
 
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Eh, a brand new shrink wrapped machine wouldn’t add that much value IMO on a machine 6 years old. If it was new it might add a bit and sell quicker than opened ones but anybody looking to buy this is probably just going to open it up and not care anyways... they also aren’t that rare and there’s hardly anything unique about them (besides being able to add ram and ssd)...

Good luck with your sale regardless.
 
I never stated I was out to sell it.
Just an estimate of value, which was sought and found.
This particular Mac is not for Joe Sixpack.
More suitable targets would include the likes of Vincent "monkey on back" Williams,
aching for that untouched unit feeling.
Or any sucker convinced of a steep climb in appreciation somewhere down the line.
7.jpg
 
Or any sucker convinced of a steep climb in appreciation somewhere down the line.
Then I suggest you hold on to it for at least another decade so it goes from pricy outdated hardware to praised collector's item.
 
It's worth whatever someone is willing to pay. Because of the currently high resale values, I considered selling my late 2012 2.3 GHz i7 Mac mini, but I decided to keep it, because I still have uses for it. If I didn't already have one, though, there's no way I'd pay the going rate for someone else's late 2012 i7 mini. My wife has the i5 model. I increased the RAM to 8 GB and created a 1.12 TB Fusion drive for her. It does everything she needs to do, so we have no intention of selling it. But if it died tomorrow, I wouldn't get her another late 2012 i5 Mac mini -- I'd get her either a refurbished 2014 model or a refurbished MacBook from the Apple Store.
 
It's an interesting question. I bought a quad core 2012 Mini from Apple refurbs for 589$ in 2014. I sold it on ebay for 950$. That allowed me to buy a refurb dual 2012 from Apple for 419$ in 2014 so I'd say something less than 400$. Check out ebay for truer prices for new old stock Minis.
[doublepost=1518224330][/doublepost]Another thought is that its price might plummet when the 2018 Mini is unleashed soon.
 
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