Best Time To Sell Intel and Buy M1, Now?

[ab225]

My primary machine is a base 2017 MacBook Pro 256GB. I do a lot of research and usually leave dozens of windows open with multiple tabs. I also use Lightroom, Photoshop, Indesign, occasional Cinema 4D and coding. It's served me well and only occasionally chokes or stutters, but I've been thinking about how to minimise losing money on it when I get around to upgrading.

I'm assuming Intel Macs will start to go down in value as people get more confident with the Apple chip transition and more people sell off their old machines on the marketplace. Should I sell as soon as I can? I don't have money to spare right now so I'd be hoping to get the maximum sale price and buy a base MacBook Air while paying as little much to upgrade as I can (luckily I'm connected with a University so I qualify for an Education discount). I'm assuming my upgrade costs are only gonna go up next year? Or do you think the difference would be minimal?

 

[Fishrrman]

I'm going to -guess- that the sooner one can sell a "butterfly keyboard" MBP, the better.

The value of these is going to decline as much (or more) due to the keyboard, as due to the CPU inside.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Better to sell now for the most bang for your buck. The value will almost certainly go down.

 

[pmiles]

How can you lose money on an appliance? A computer is an appliance. You spend X for it. Do you choose your washing machine based on it's resale value? No. You buy it because you need it and it does what you want.

Being able to sell it for something later is a bonus, not an expectation. You want to know why used computers even sell at all? Because there are smart people out there who are looking for a washing machine and if they can get what they want for one-quarter the price of a new one, they'll buy it. It's an appliance after all.

Remember, there will be a flood of refurbished M1s hitting the Apple store... because of all the early adopters realizing it's not quite what they need. So there are even cheaper ways to get a new M1 (albeit refurbished).

 

[garethjparr]

How can you lose money on an appliance? A computer is an appliance. You spend X for it. Do you choose your washing machine based on it's resale value? No. You buy it because you need it and it does what you want.

Being able to sell it for something later is a bonus, not an expectation. You want to know why used computers even sell at all? Because there are smart people out there who are looking for a washing machine and if they can get what they want for one-quarter the price of a new one, they'll buy it. It's an appliance after all.

Remember, there will be a flood of refurbished M1s hitting the Apple store... because of all the early adopters realizing it's not quite what they need. So there are even cheaper ways to get a new M1 (albeit refurbished).

Shhhhhh!!!

 

[ght56]

I'm going to -guess- that the sooner one can sell a "butterfly keyboard" MBP, the better.

The value of these is going to decline as much (or more) due to the keyboard, as due to the CPU inside.

I agree. The keyboard warranty extension on that computer is going to expire soon and, when it does, I think it will make many buyers even more hesitant than they already are-and TBH, having owned one Mac with a butterfly keyboard, I don't think I would personally buy another regardless of pricing. That and the shift to AS will probably both depress resale value. If you are very worried about how much you can recover, it might be worth getting a few quotes on current trade in value to get some idea of what you are working with.

 

[IowaLynn]

Wait. Is Adobe fully ready for AS M1s? Is Big Sur?

Better safe than sorry. Your choices now are limited yet will likely be better next August.

 

[ab225]

How can you lose money on an appliance? A computer is an appliance. You spend X for it. Do you choose your washing machine based on it's resale value? No. You buy it because you need it and it does what you want.

Being able to sell it for something later is a bonus, not an expectation. You want to know why used computers even sell at all? Because there are smart people out there who are looking for a washing machine and if they can get what they want for one-quarter the price of a new one, they'll buy it. It's an appliance after all.

Remember, there will be a flood of refurbished M1s hitting the Apple store... because of all the early adopters realizing it's not quite what they need. So there are even cheaper ways to get a new M1 (albeit refurbished).

I'm not following. You can lose money on equipment when you buy and sell it. In this case, because of Apple chips there's been a big shift in what the resale values will be. It's a tool and I use it when I've paid for it. But why shouldn't expect to sell it later?

Used computers sell at the price the market will pay. And that market price is going to change with this chip transition. I'm just trying to be frugal and choose the best time.

Thanks for reminding me about refurbished options.

 

[ab225]

I agree. The keyboard warranty extension on that computer is going to expire soon and, when it does, I think it will make many buyers even more hesitant than they already are-and TBH, having owned one Mac with a butterfly keyboard, I don't think I would personally buy another regardless of pricing. That and the shift to AS will probably both depress resale value. If you are very worried about how much you can recover, it might be worth getting a few quotes on current trade in value to get some idea of what you are working with.

I've gotten used to the keyboard, but knowing that it can gum up and break any moment does bother me (especially as you say, when the keyboard programme might expire soon).

 

[digitalbreak]

My primary machine is a base 2017 MacBook Pro 256GB. I do a lot of research and usually leave dozens of windows open with multiple tabs. I also use Lightroom, Photoshop, Indesign, occasional Cinema 4D and coding. It's served me well and only occasionally chokes or stutters, but I've been thinking about how to minimise losing money on it when I get around to upgrading.

I'm assuming Intel Macs will start to go down in value as people get more confident with the Apple chip transition and more people sell off their old machines on the marketplace. Should I sell as soon as I can? I don't have money to spare right now so I'd be hoping to get the maximum sale price and buy a base MacBook Air while paying as little much to upgrade as I can (luckily I'm connected with a University so I qualify for an Education discount). I'm assuming my upgrade costs are only gonna go up next year? Or do you think the difference would be minimal?

I traded my 2017 15” MBP for a MacBook Air M1. I did for three reasons:
1) Butterfly keyboard
2) 256GB was not cutting it anymore
3) M1 rocks!