Moving to M1 from 16" MBP - Intel Macs losing value fast?!

[thhh]

In Feb 2020, I bought a 16" MBP that I use for Lightroom, Safari, eMails (all private & casual) and these days also for MS Teams.

Somehow it never felt as perfect as I assumed it to be. It runs really hot on Teams (with Video) and its just really chunky to move around.

Also I feel like I constantly need to charge it.

But of course the screen is nice and great. I assumed I would also game on the 16" but I never did. Hence I don't even need Windows or a big graphics card.

Now with the M1 coming, I assume the resale value of 13" MacBooks must plummet and I assume the same will happen when M1X or M2 comes to 16". I do not mind waiting for M1 Gen 2 but I am just afraid the value of the 16" will drop and getting it out on eBay might make sense.

So I am contemplating to go for MBP M1. Is that all too stupid?

 

[Moakesy]

I bought a 16" MBP that I use for Lightroom, Safari, eMails and these days also for MS Teams.
Somehow it never felt as perfect as I assumed it to be. It runs really hot on Teams (with Video) and its just really chunky to move around.
Also I feel like I constantly need to charge it.
But of course the screen is nice and great. I assumed I would also game on the 16" but I never did. Hence I don't even need Windows or a big graphics card.

Now with the M1 coming, I assume the resale value of 13" MacBooks must plummet and I assume the same will happen when M2 comes to 16". I do not mind waiting for M1 Gen 2 but I am just afraid the value of the 16" will drop.

So I am contemplated to go for MBP M1. Is that all too stupid?

It depends how you define stupid.

I would guess that you'd lose more money overall by selling now, then losing more depreciation on the M1 MBP when you sell that.

If you look at it the other way, you would gain a quicker and cooler machine with much improved battery life.

So if losing money is stupid, then you go one way. If missing out on things that matter most to you is more important, you'd go the other way.

I must admit, although I occasionally do heavier work (where performance is needed) the vast majority of my needs are actually around battery life. I've been working 4 hours, only doing light work and one Video call, and my 2016 MBP is on 23% battery. For me, if I had the money now, I'd rather take the risk of maybe losing a bit more in depreciation in order to gain a better work experience every day for the next 'x' years.

 

[edubfromktown]

I bought a 16" MBP that I use for Lightroom, Safari, eMails and these days also for MS Teams.
Somehow it never felt as perfect as I assumed it to be. It runs really hot on Teams (with Video) and its just really chunky to move around.
Also I feel like I constantly need to charge it.
But of course the screen is nice and great. I assumed I would also game on the 16" but I never did. Hence I don't even need Windows or a big graphics card.

Now with the M1 coming, I assume the resale value of 13" MacBooks must plummet and I assume the same will happen when M2 comes to 16". I do not mind waiting for M1 Gen 2 but I am just afraid the value of the 16" will drop.

So I am contemplated to go for MBP M1. Is that all too stupid?

In the grand scheme of things: people lose far more money the moment they drive a new vehicle off of the dealer lot and even more when they ride off from the bike shop on a new steed. I've never worried about pure resale value of computer purchases (since I started buying them in 1986) or other higher ticket items.

A 2019 or later 16" was not something I'd consider based on all the grousing about excessive heat (far more than on the 13's). I bought a 2020 10th gen 13" and have no regrets about accelerated loss of value as a result of the M1 models coming out. That processor platform cannot run some of what I use so there is no hurry for me to go there.

I've advanced my career and made quite a bit of money (that went into savings!) over the years thanks to wise computer purchases that were based on need and not want. I'm sure many were obsolete or less desirable within a short period of time which made no difference whatsoever.

 

[Gnattu]

I am just afraid the value of the 16" will drop

If the value is too low, just trade-in it with Apple.

 

[DogcowUK]

I sold my 2016 MBP three days before the announcement. Slight guilt but you snooze you lose.

 

[thhh]

What I actually do like about the MBP, is the heft to it.
Isn't the Air almost a little bit too "wobbly" or light to type on? Especially if its on the lap only?

Otherwise, it is really a strange positioning of the MBP vs the Air.

 

[HoosierInFL]

I traded in my 16" MBP for the M1 Air. I got tired of hearing the fans on the Pro all the time and I ended up never playing any games on it. So, I traded it in and I'm also selling my iPad Pro. The Air will be my do everything device. So far, I'm loving how fast and quiet it is.

 

[thhh]

I traded in my 16" MBP for the M1 Air. I got tired of hearing the fans on the Pro all the time and I ended up never playing any games on it. So, I traded it in and I'm also selling my iPad Pro. The Air will be my do everything device. So far, I'm loving how fast and quiet it is.

Don't you just miss the big screen?

 

[ECJ]

I would suggest to sell the the 16” MBP now and purchase the 13” MBP. A mint base model 16” MBP is selling for $1,700 on Swappa. Which is down almost $200 in the past month. I sold mine after the announcement, and purchased the 13” MBP 16GB/1TB and came out of pocket $75. If later next year a new M-something 16” MBP is released, you can sell the M1 13” MBP with a much smaller loss of value than a 2019 16” MBP at that point.

 

[Six0Four]

What I actually do like about the MBP, is the heft to it.
Isn't the Air almost a little bit too "wobbly" or light to type on? Especially if its on the lap only?

Otherwise, it is really a strange positioning of the MBP vs the Air.

I had the 16" before and this is something i actually liked better on the Macbook Air, the screen on my 16" would have a slight wobble to it. It feels like the Macbook Airs screen hinge is stiffer. The Air is very well made.

 

[Danny1982]

In the grand scheme of things: people lose far more money the moment they drive a new vehicle off of the dealer lot and even more when they ride off from the bike shop on a new steed. I've never worried about pure resale value of computer purchases (since I started buying them in 1986) or other higher ticket items.

A 2019 or later 16" was not something I'd consider based on all the grousing about excessive heat (far more than on the 13's). I bought a 2020 10th gen 13" and have no regrets about accelerated loss of value as a result of the M1 models coming out. That processor platform cannot run some of what I use so there is no hurry for me to go there.

I've advanced my career and made quite a bit of money (that went into savings!) over the years thanks to wise computer purchases that were based on need and not want. I'm sure many were obsolete or less desirable within a short period of time which made no difference whatsoever.

I agree. I bought a MBP 2020 13" i5 10th Gen. too, and I have no regret too. You have to remember that till 2018 MBP keep inside T2 chip that is an ARM processor (similar to A10 Fusion), that assolve to some kind of works that optimize performance (video encoding, audio, Secure Enclave and so on)...

 

[bb_mac]

If the value is too low, just trade-in it with Apple.

Noooo! - Apple offer stupidly low prices for trade-ins - just sell it on eBay and get 10x the price!

 

[magbarn]

Dumped my 2020 MBP 13 loaded with 32gb RAM and 2TB SSD for a loaded M1 MBA. Faster in processing my RAW workflows with jut half the RAM. Double the battery life and no more fan noise when processing files. Just as fast as my MBP 16. The resale value on Intel Macs are nosediving as many have predicted based on what happened to PowerPC Macs. I'm tempted to dump the MBP 16 now too but it's resale has been hard too...

 

[magbarn]

Noooo! - Apple offer stupidly low prices for trade-ins - just sell it on eBay and get 10x the price!

With the ever present risk of being ripped off on ebay thrown into the mix. Too much fraud there now with buyers having all the power.

 

[ECJ]

With the ever present risk of being ripped off on ebay thrown into the mix. Too much fraud there now with buyers having all the power.

Yeah, selling eBay is too risky now. Last year I sold my iPhone XS Max for $1,000. Due to a very complex scam, I lost the phone and had to refund the $1,000. This year I did the safe trade-in with Apple, and no issues.

 

[Danny1982]

Yeah, selling eBay is too risky now. Last year I sold my iPhone XS Max for $1,000. Due to a very complex scam, I lost the phone and had to refund the $1,000. This year I did the safe trade-in with Apple, and no issues.

I'm totally agree. In Italy I use to sell to a trade in site in order to avoid possible scams

 

[bb_mac]

With the ever present risk of being ripped off on ebay thrown into the mix. Too much fraud there now with buyers having all the power.

Never had a problem in here in the UK.
I'm super careful - have yet to have a single bad experience, in over 10 years of using it.

I'm really strict with who I deal with and always specify absolutely NO sales for anyone outside my own country.

I guess to each their own.
Apple offered me a laughable £50 for my ancient 2010 Mac Pro 5.1 - they are selling on eBay for at least £250 for the basic spec and up to £500 and above for upgraded models.

Sure, I would *never* sell something that I couldn't risk losing money on, but that's always been my way of working with eBay. Ditto for buying - if it looks too good to be true, it is.

Anything that is currently on sale "new", I would avoid buying on eBay absolutely - even from user auction sales.

For example, there's a ton of "new sealed iPad Pro's" on eBay from 'casual' sellers - wouldn't touch any of them with a 10 foot pole.

But some old kit that isn't in demand?
No problems.

You also insist on payment to PayPal before delivery and as soon as the cash is in your PayPal account, move it to your bank account and THEN send the item.

That makes disputes just a little more fair - not that I've ever had any!
Yep, I've read many nightmares from people using the platform - it *is* a risk, but it's a calculated one.
You have to be prepared for a rare chance of losing money - it really is vanishingly rare, unless you are ... well, silly.
If you can't afford to lose, don't use.
But sure, 10 years, not a single issue - and I've sold and bought a LOT of stuff in that time. (and saved myself a fortune!)

The rules of engagement are simple. Only the rules you specify on your sale are valid.
You name the terms.
You *never* accept any other terms. You *never* allow "collection". You vet every single person *before* bidding and every single person who is bidding on *your* item - if you smell something bad, you bail - simple.

But I'm curious as to what apple would offer on the OP's item - I'm willing to bet it will be absolutely laughable! - you would be better off asking friends and friends of friends if they are interested.

 

[edubfromktown]

With the ever present risk of being ripped off on ebay thrown into the mix. Too much fraud there now with buyers having all the power.

I've been active on eBay since the 1990's (nearly 1,000 ratings, sold cars, computers, a vintage guitar, ...) and have only had two minor issues with chintzy/slippery buyers who lost in their attempts to pull a fast one. There was a time where the pendulum swung toward buyers however, these days I find it to be not so one-sided.

I sell less there anymore because of the high fees; still purchase things on a semi-regular basis. Apple trade-in's are a joke. The last two computers I sold on eBay were a 2015 quad core 15" and 2017 maxed out MacBook 12". Apple trade in on the 2015 was like $500 and I got ~$800 for it. I had purchased the 2017 used on eBay less than a year prior for $620 and sold it for ~$925.

 

[badsimian]

I just sold my i7/32/1TB on eBay in the UK and have gone for an M1 Air. The prices are dropping a lot I think. An exact same spec machine went for £2600 a few days before I listed. I managed 2300...couldn’t wangle a free listing weekend though and predictably eBay offered me one 2 days after it sold. I don’t need all the power that the 16” gave me and the fans drove me mad and all I was doing was ploughing an external monitor in. Happy so far, I’m treating my Air as a transitional machine until miniLED ones arrive in 14” form factor at some point and this one will get passed down to my eldest.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Yeah, selling eBay is too risky now. Last year I sold my iPhone XS Max for $1,000. Due to a very complex scam, I lost the phone and had to refund the $1,000. This year I did the safe trade-in with Apple, and no issues.

That really, really sucks! I am sorry to hear that ECJ. I have come close a couple of times, but just use swappa now.

 

[magbarn]

I've been active on eBay since the 1990's (nearly 1,000 ratings, sold cars, computers, a vintage guitar, ...) and have only had two minor issues with chintzy/slippery buyers who lost in their attempts to pull a fast one. There was a time where the pendulum swung toward buyers however, these days I find it to be not so one-sided.

I sell less there anymore because of the high fees; still purchase things on a semi-regular basis. Apple trade-in's are a joke. The last two computers I sold on eBay were a 2015 quad core 15" and 2017 maxed out MacBook 12". Apple trade in on the 2015 was like $500 and I got ~$800 for it. I had purchased the 2017 used on eBay less than a year prior for $620 and sold it for ~$925.

Depends what you’re selling. With my friends and I the most common scammed items are unfortunately Apple devices. iPhones especially and next are MacBooks and iPads. I’ve sold toys and other knickknacks and those usually sell without a hitch.

 

[ADGrant]

I think it depends what you are using it for. If you are an actually 'Pro' user (i.e. the MBP 16 is a tool you use to earn an income), then I think worrying about resale value is a mistake. You should worry about the potential for a negative impact to your workflow that switching to a Gen 1 product might introduce.

That said, I recently bought a 27" iMac instead of a 16" MBP because I was concerned that the ARM Macs would make the MBP 16" look bad.