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Anyone else thinking the M1 MBA is still quite pricey used?

pullman

pullman

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 11, 2008
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Greetings and salutations

I am looking to upgrade to a newer MBA because my 11" 2015 is a bit too slow for some of the things I need a notebook for. The M1 MBA is the one that interests me the most as it is powerful enough and I do like the wedge shape. My wife has an M3 and I just find that form factor, well, un-Apple.

I'm going for the 16GB version but those still sell for north of 630 Eurobucks. Doesn't that seem fairly steep these days when there are three later processor types to choose from? At least I would have expected prices to have dropped more five years after the introduction. True the 8GB models can be had for around 500 but I tend to hang on to my Macs a long time so more RAM would give more longevity methinks.

Cheers
Philip
 
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The M-series chips are a HUGE upgrade from Intel and subsequent M chips haven't improved that much (for most normal, everyday use) since then.

Hence the greater cost.

Are you firmly attached to the wedge?
 
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IJustWannaTalk said:
The M-series chips are a HUGE upgrade from Intel and subsequent M chips haven't improved that much (for most normal, everyday use) since then.

Hence the greater cost.

Are you firmly attached to the wedge?
Click to expand...
Yes that makes sense of course. The M1 is a watershed, I suppose. But yes, I would prefer the M1 actually.
 
russell_314 said:
Supply and demand. I bet most models are base models. You’re looking for a specific BTO configuration. That’s going to make them more rare and if there’s more people out there looking for that version the demand is higher.
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Yes basic economics of course. I think it's also the general price level of Apple products these days. For instance the previous iPad mini which had that massive price hike in the middle of its run is still sold for quite a bit used these days.
 
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GMShadow said:
You want to hang onto it longer but you're buying a five year old model.

Those two things do not coincide.
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Well to me it does. I wouldn't buy an i5 or i7 these days but for my use the M1 will be sufficient for several years even if it's not a current model. It all depends on one's needs. My desktop Mac is a 2008 Mac Pro which I've had since new and still ticks along. I'll be replacing it with an Intel Mac Pro later. This works for me.
 
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pullman said:
Yes that makes sense of course. The M1 is a watershed, I suppose. But yes, I would prefer the M1 actually.
Click to expand...
yeah, those prices are pretty typical and have been sustained for a while now.

Especially, as someone previously said, you're looking for beyond the base model.

best of luck!
 
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Any AppleSilicon Mac will be a fantastic upgrade over the Intel-based MacBook Air. Yes, there is a major enclosure change from the M1 to M2 and also the introduction of 'notch' on top of the display. In 2025, I rather get the M2-based MacBook Air for longevity and the MagSafe 3 charging port.
 
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The M1 chip is fantastic and for general computing it's still more than capable. However, I'd urge caution. OS updates can dictate the lifespan of the machine and the M1 Air was released 5 years ago, so you've maybe 3-4 years of "safe" usage, tops, probably less. To answer your question, yes, I think it's overpriced, I'd rather spend 50% more on a M3 or M4 version and have double the lifespan
 
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pullman said:
Well to me it does. I wouldn't buy an i5 or i7 these days but for my use the M1 will be sufficient for several years even if it's not a current model. It all depends on one's needs. My desktop Mac is a 2008 Mac Pro which I've had since new and still ticks along. I'll be replacing it with an Intel Mac Pro later. This works for me.
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You said your needs were to hang onto it for "a long time". Getting an M1 doesn't coincide with those needs. Even if the M1 is good enough for today, an M4 would be "good enough" for about 4 years longer. If you look at it via dollars/euros spent to years of useful life, the M1 makes no sense. Feel free to get it if you just care about the aesthetics though.
 
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pullman said:
Well to me it does. I wouldn't buy an i5 or i7 these days but for my use the M1 will be sufficient for several years even if it's not a current model. It all depends on one's needs. My desktop Mac is a 2008 Mac Pro which I've had since new and still ticks along. I'll be replacing it with an Intel Mac Pro later. This works for me.
Click to expand...
A 2008 Mac Pro is an Intel Mac Pro though 😅
 
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pullman said:
Greetings and salutations

I am looking to upgrade to a newer MBA because my 11" 2015 is a bit too slow for some of the things I need a notebook for. The M1 MBA is the one that interests me the most as it is powerful enough and I do like the wedge shape. My wife has an M3 and I just find that form factor, well, un-Apple.

I'm going for the 16GB version but those still sell for north of 630 Eurobucks. Doesn't that seem fairly steep these days when there are three later processor types to choose from? At least I would have expected prices to have dropped more five years after the introduction. True the 8GB models can be had for around 500 but I tend to hang on to my Macs a long time so more RAM would give more longevity methinks.

Cheers
Philip
Click to expand...

I had a 16GB M1 and it was a beast. Superb machine. You might be able to bargain them down a little, particular if there are screen imperfections or a weak battery. But they are probably holding value because they're still very competent machines.
 
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$630 is way to high. Go on eBay. You can get it for like $450. That seems to be about the going rate. In USA the 8GB version is still sold at Walmart for $650, so if that's brand new, and if 16GB adds $100 to the cost, new you'd be looking at $750 but I don't think new models exist in big quantities if at all.
 
TechnoMonk said:
I would worry about M1 being obsolete/vintage lack of security updates in few short years.
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I actually don’t think so, or maybe I hope so because i own one😅

What i understand is that the MacBook Air M1 was discontinued in march 2024, and Apple usually give their Intel Mac five year of Mac OS updates after it was discontinued, and another 2 more years of security updates.
So hopefully the M1 will receive updates for another 4-5 years.
 
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Matsamoto said:
I actually don’t think so, or maybe I hope so because i own one😅

What i understand is that the MacBook Air M1 was discontinued in march 2024, and Apple usually give their Intel Mac five year of Mac OS updates after it was discontinued, and another 2 more years of security updates.
So hopefully the M1 will receive updates for another 4-5 years.
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I own M1 Max MBP bought around launch day. Great machine, but I wouldn’t buy it today. It should last few more years with updates.
 
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Prefer the wedge shape, too. A couple of years back, my 13” 2015 MBA was running into major issues, and I faced a similar decision. Really wanted to get the M1 MBA but, even then, couldn't do it. One loses too much.

With the M1 MBA compared to the old Intel, you'll lose the MagSafe power cord attachment, the USB-A ports, USB ports on both sides, the SDXC card slot, and separate Thunderbird video out. You end up using lots of dongles and accessories that one didn't need with the Intel MBAs.

The M2 MBA then came out — and its MagSafe attachment was a big plus along with several other features > M1. Although I preferred the wedge design, I tested the M2 in the store, and realized I could live with it easily. The front edge wasn't that high — and, unlike that on the Intel MBPs, didn't dig into my palms.

But I held off. Nursed the 2015 another year, living with only 1 USB port. Finally took the leap when the 15” M2 MBA came out.

Good move. Impressive battery life. Extra screen real estate great.

Living with dongles, however, is a continuing irritation. The keys on the keyboard are closer than on the 13” Intel MBA and I make more errors typing. That’s a nuisance.

Personally, especially as it's now several years later, I wouldn’t even look at the M1. The wedge design was a classic, but not worth it as you get antiquated tech without MagSafe, less RAM, older processor, less life, etc.

Here's a thread that could be of interest — and value. Note: The OP in it picked the M1 over the M2, but respondents took that decision to task.

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/14mnzx1/i_bought_an_m1_macbook_air_over_the_m2_it_was_an
 
pullman said:
but those still sell for north of 630 Eurobucks
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About good. It is still unbeatable by most similarly priced Windows machines. Mine cost about 1800€ when I bought it new, it was maxed out at the time (8 core GPU/8 core CPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)

As for the difference vs newer ones, you might not really feel it in daily use scenarios, though 32GB RAM is very solid and futureproof imo
 
TechnoMonk said:
I would worry about M1 being obsolete/vintage lack of security updates in few short years.
Click to expand...
I think it might not happen this time, at least not as fast. M1 as the first ARM processor was in development at Apple for more than 4 years prior to initial release in 2020.

There were many rumors and hints Apple is working on a decent Intel alternative that will outperform it in each and every way. And well, when it was released it became obvious AMD and Intel have lost and have nothing comparable under their sleeve, M1 turned out to be better than anyone could ever think, Apple have outperformed themselves. And since they have made M1 so good, it became a solid base for newer models. Thus it might hold up well up until the M8 release
 
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kitKAC said:
Don't forget, Walmart is still selling this: [LINK].
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I live in Sweden so we don’t have Walmart here.
But I did buy a refurbished MacBook Air M1 256/8 in new condition with 12 months warranty and 8 battery cycles for 650 dollar here in Sweden.
So I’m very happy about it.
It’s a massive upgrade from a 13” MacBook Pro from 2015🙂
 
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pullman said:
Greetings and salutations

I am looking to upgrade to a newer MBA because my 11" 2015 is a bit too slow for some of the things I need a notebook for. The M1 MBA is the one that interests me the most as it is powerful enough and I do like the wedge shape. My wife has an M3 and I just find that form factor, well, un-Apple.

I'm going for the 16GB version but those still sell for north of 630 Eurobucks. Doesn't that seem fairly steep these days when there are three later processor types to choose from? At least I would have expected prices to have dropped more five years after the introduction. True the 8GB models can be had for around 500 but I tend to hang on to my Macs a long time so more RAM would give more longevity methinks.

Cheers
Philip
Click to expand...
Got any friends or family traveling to the US? Because a certified refurbished 13" Air w/ 16GB is $709 right now. I'm thinking that if it's out of the box it wouldn't get taxed at customs but I don't actually know that.
 
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