Why is the Mac Mini 2018 still so expensive second-hand?

[SilasPal]

I was planning pick one up to use as an HTPC since it can play 4k files but i was surprised that used ones are still like $300-$400 cad, meanwhile a refurb m4 mac mini (which to me is as good as new) is CAD 679$ + tax = $767, which is like twice the price of the 2018 (a 7 year old computer made of laptop parts) used mini but like 4x as fast.....

so why haven't prices dropped for the older intel mac minis?

 

[russell_314]

I was planning pick one up to use as an HTPC since it can play 4k files but i was surprised that used ones are still like $300-$400 cad, meanwhile a refurb m4 mac mini (which to me is as good as new) is CAD 679$ + tax = $767, which is like twice the price of the 2018 (a 7 year old computer made of laptop parts) used mini but like 4x as fast.....

so why haven't prices dropped for the older intel mac minis?

Supply and demand sets the price for used items. The demand is high because they are still very usable machines.

 

[IJustWannaTalk]

Probably because of Boot Camp.

M1 series chips might be better spec wise, but they aren't as versatile for hobbyists.

 

[Boyd01]

I have had the top-spec model since 2020 and use it very heavily running Windows GIS software in a 32gb VM, rendering/exporting maps 24/7 for weeks at a time frequently. Quite a workhorse for me and the integration with MacOS on Parallels is a huge plus.

This was posted awhile ago on MacRumors and I see they are still available, very tempting if you want a 2018 Mini. 32gb hex-core i7 for $269, claims to be factory-sealed new in box.

Apple Mac mini (Late 2018) Core i7 3.2GHz 6-core 8th Gen, 32GB RAM, 128GB PCIe SSD, Wi-Fi + Bluetooth, MacOS Mojave 10.14.1 - Space Gray

BRAND NEW FACTORY SEALED --- Apple Mac mini (Late 2018) Core i7 3.2GHz 6-core 8th Gen, 32GB RAM, 128GB PCIe SSD, Wi-Fi + Bluetooth, MacOS Mojave 10.14.1 - Space Gray

www.amazon.com

The "gotcha" is the tiny internal 128gb SSD but probably not an issue for a media server with content on an external disk. Of course, $269 USD is like $369 CAD, so it's no cheaper than the ones you have been looking at, but at least it's new.

I was using a 2014 Mini as a media server and replaced it with a base m4 Mini here however. For me, that was a better solution and will be supported much longer by Apple. Today, I think the main appeal of the 2018 Mini will be Windows compatibility - also Mojave compatibility for old MacOS apps I guess.

 

[MilaM]

I read somewhere that musicians still use Intel Macs a lot because some very specialized audio software hasn't been ported properly for the newer Apple Silicon Macs.

 

[salamanderjuice]

I was planning pick one up to use as an HTPC since it can play 4k files but i was surprised that used ones are still like $300-$400 cad, meanwhile a refurb m4 mac mini (which to me is as good as new) is CAD 679$ + tax = $767, which is like twice the price of the 2018 (a 7 year old computer made of laptop parts) used mini but like 4x as fast.....

so why haven't prices dropped for the older intel mac minis?

What kind of 4K files? Even a cheapo Intel N95 Mini PC (sub $200 CAD) can play most formats in 4K just fine. For about the price of a used 2018 Mac Mini will get you something like a Ryzen 5825U mini pc new, which will be significantly faster than even the i7 2018 Mac Mini. Unless you're married to macOS for this use case for some reason I think there's better alternatives. LibreELEC makes a good HTPC.

2018 Minis are the last with easily upgradable RAM and can run x86 Mac software. Might be some value from that.

 

[Corefile]

You can pick them up for $150 to $300 on eBay. Not sure what that means when you convert Canadian currency to greenbacks.

 

[salamanderjuice]

You can pick them up for $150 to $300 on eBay. Not sure what that means when you convert Canadian currency to greenbacks.

It means about $300-$400 once you do conversion, add shipping and import duties.

 

[bzgnyc2]

I have had the top-spec model since 2020 and use it very heavily running Windows GIS software in a 32gb VM, rendering/exporting maps 24/7 for weeks at a time frequently. Quite a workhorse for me and the integration with MacOS on Parallels is a huge plus.

This was posted awhile ago on MacRumors and I see they are still available, very tempting if you want a 2018 Mini. 32gb hex-core i7 for $269, claims to be factory-sealed new in box.

Apple Mac mini (Late 2018) Core i7 3.2GHz 6-core 8th Gen, 32GB RAM, 128GB PCIe SSD, Wi-Fi + Bluetooth, MacOS Mojave 10.14.1 - Space Gray

BRAND NEW FACTORY SEALED --- Apple Mac mini (Late 2018) Core i7 3.2GHz 6-core 8th Gen, 32GB RAM, 128GB PCIe SSD, Wi-Fi + Bluetooth, MacOS Mojave 10.14.1 - Space Gray

www.amazon.com

The "gotcha" is the tiny internal 128gb SSD but probably not an issue for a media server with content on an external disk. Of course, $269 USD is like $369 CAD, so it's no cheaper than the ones you have been looking at, but at least it's new.

I was using a 2014 Mini as a media server and replaced it with a base m4 Mini here however. For me, that was a better solution and will be supported much longer by Apple. Today, I think the main appeal of the 2018 Mini will be Windows compatibility - also Mojave compatibility for old MacOS apps I guess.

Agree with all that and add one more thing -- much cheaper/upgradable RAM. There are fewer Apple Silicon refurb Mac Mini options with 32 or 64GB of RAM and they are 3x+ that Intel Mac Mini you mentioned. For memory rather than CPU/GPU-intense applications (and while HPTC doesn't push either these days, everyone is competing for the same hardware), the Intel-based Macs can be a particularly good deal.

 

[SilasPal]

What kind of 4K files? Even a cheapo Intel N95 Mini PC (sub $200 CAD) can play most formats in 4K just fine. For about the price of a used 2018 Mac Mini will get you something like a Ryzen 5825U mini pc new, which will be significantly faster than even the i7 2018 Mac Mini. Unless you're married to macOS for this use case for some reason I think there's better alternatives. LibreELEC makes a good HTPC.

2018 Minis are the last with easily upgradable RAM and can run x86 Mac software. Might be some value from that.

I think for the mac mini 2018, it can output to 4k without an adapter (unlike the 2014 mac mini) and the 2018 mini can also play HEVC/265 files using the GPU instead of the CPU.

How do i know what windows mini PC can run windows 11 and play HEVC/x265 files and also run quietly at the same time?
There are just so many windows mini PC out there how do i what is good and what is crap? there are too many choices!

 

[salamanderjuice]

I think for the mac mini 2018, it can output to 4k without an adapter (unlike the 2014 mac mini) and the 2018 mini can also play HEVC/265 files using the GPU instead of the CPU.

How do i know what windows mini PC can run windows 11 and play HEVC/x265 files and also run quietly at the same time?
There are just so many windows mini PC out there how do i what is good and what is crap? there are too many choices!

HEVC/x265 is easy. You just look at what the GPU supports. E.g., an Intel N95 has 12th gen graphics which supports x265.

For sound you can look at reviews. Notebookcheck often has them for various mini PCs and they cover sound under load and idle.

A used unit is used. Maybe you'll get one on it's last legs that was kept in a chain smokers home that drove it at 100% for it's entire life. Who knows.

 

[mr.steevo]

I was planning pick one up to use as an HTPC since it can play 4k files but i was surprised that used ones are still like $300-$400 cad, meanwhile a refurb m4 mac mini (which to me is as good as new) is CAD 679$ + tax = $767, which is like twice the price of the 2018 (a 7 year old computer made of laptop parts) used mini but like 4x as fast.....

so why haven't prices dropped for the older intel mac minis?

Last month I picked up a base M1 Mini on Kijiji for $200. Then I listed my 2012 Mini for $100 and it sold within days at asking price.
Keep looking and you’ll find something!