Sell 16" plus MBA intel 2020 or not?

[dantracht]

Here I go again, and sorry if this has been posted before:

I can sell my 16" base model MBP plus my early 2020 i5 8/256 MBA for $2100, more than apple trade in values. I would use that to get an M1 mini and likely a base m1 MBA. All I would need to do is get a monitor.

I kinda want to and I kinda don't. Both machines are great and yes next year promises so much more but I am concerned about resale values.

Should I or should I binge the mandalorian instead?

 

[Bug-Creator]

but I am concerned about resale values.

It's all the same, next years (or 2022s) M1x/M2/whatever Macs will also devalue any M1 Mac.

Support for M1 Macs will be dropped a year earlier than an M2.

(except for the MacPro all 1st gen Intel got dropped after SnowLeopard, just 1 version after PPC after Leopard)

 

[dantracht]

So should I wait to see what next year brings, like new design and the like?

 

[Bug-Creator]

So should I wait to see what next year brings, like new design and the like?

Sure.

And next year you need to wait what 2022 will bring




-> there is never a "right" time to upgrade (unless in hindsight)

 

[dantracht]

Sure.

And next year you need to wait what 2022 will bring




-> there is never a "right" time to upgrade (unless in hindsight)

So so true. The fact that I'm waffling and reading endless forums indicates I should probably wait.

 

[dantracht]

You know what?

NOPE.

I paid $1200 for the MBA in July. I don't care how fast the m1 is, I can't lose half of what I paid in less than 6 months. Cannot.

I'd rather have my lap warm and a slightly slower MBA that looks exactly the same than take that kind of bath so soon.

I also love the 16, and as fast as a mini might be, I know I'll miss it.

I'm going to hold onto these, enjoy them, and upgrade next year.

Thanks all.

 

[alchemistics]

I ditched my almost speced out 16 inch MBP for a base MBA M1 and I don‘t regret it.

I can run an external Monitor now without having the noise of a vacuum cleaner on the desk.
It is a tradeoff on speaker / monitor wise etc. But I can invest the money from selling the 16“ later into a 14“.

Perfomance of the M1 is even better in some scenarios. I strongly think the value of intel macs will decrease rapidly when the lineup with apple silicon is complete.

 

[dantracht]

I ditched my almost speced out 16 inch MBP for a base MBA M1 and I don‘t regret it.

I can run an external Monitor now without having the noise of a vacuum cleaner on the desk.
It is a tradeoff on speaker / monitor wise etc. But I can invest the money from selling the 16“ later into a 14“.

Perfomance of the M1 is even better in some scenarios. I strongly think the value of intel macs will decrease rapidly when the lineup with apple silicon is complete.

I get that the performance is phenomenal, and I'm glad you're enjoying your MBA.

I just cannot fathom losing that much money in so short a period of time to justify it.

I'd rather enjoy these devices, and they're great devices, upgrade next year to the 2021 models with rumored new designs, and pass these off to family members.

That's what I decided to do.

Fan noise? Yes. Heat? Sure.

For me, I'd rather put up with that than take such a bath after a few months.

 

[smoking monkey]

I'd rather enjoy these devices, and they're great devices, upgrade next year to the 2021 models with rumored new designs, and pass these off to family members.

That's what I decided to do.

But, if you're now gonna pass off to family members... Why not upgrade now as it doesn't cost you anything and then next year buy the ones you want and pass off the M1s to family members? Total money spent is about the same in the 2 scenarios, isn't it??? Or am I missing something?

 

[dantracht]

But, if you're now gonna pass off to family members... Why not upgrade now as it doesn't cost you anything and then next year buy the ones you want and pass off the M1s to family members? Total money spent is about the same in the 2 scenarios, isn't it??? Or am I missing something?

The air cost $1200 in July with the summer deal Apple ran. Bought the 16" in August for $1550. I would sell the air for $600 now, which is around what apple would accept a trade-in for, and the 16" for $1400. Can't justify losing so much, intel resale value drop or not. I also think I'd miss the 16" too much. It's a fabulous machine.

I thought about it all day, read way too many forums/posts/comments, and decided I'd rather not sell at all. Not for a $700 loss in 5 months' time.

Selling items also exhausts the hell out of me, but that's another story. Facebook, offerup, it wears me out.

I'm keeping them, deleting the ads, and next year if I like what comes next I'll get them and keep these in the family.

Made the same choice this fall with the iPhone. Just.....MEH. We're waiting for the 13.

Thanks for letting me ramble and happy holidays!

 

[smoking monkey]

The air cost $1200 in July with the summer deal Apple ran. Bought the 16" in August for $1550. I would sell the air for $600 now, which is around what apple would accept a trade-in for, and the 16" for $1400. Can't justify losing so much, intel resale value drop or not. I also think I'd miss the 16" too much. It's a fabulous machine.

I thought about it all day, read way too many forums/posts/comments, and decided I'd rather not sell at all. Not for a $700 loss in 5 months' time.

Selling items also exhausts the hell out of me, but that's another story. Facebook, offerup, it wears me out.

I'm keeping them, deleting the ads, and next year if I like what comes next I'll get them and keep these in the family.

Made the same choice this fall with the iPhone. Just.....MEH. We're waiting for the 13.

Thanks for letting me ramble and happy holidays!

I get that and it's a hassle to sell, but if you're giving the machines to family those resale number comparisons are kind of meaningless. So if you can get a mini and a 13" now for basically no outlay in funds, it means that the machines you'd be giving family would be M1s and not intel machines. There is no extra money out of your pocket. But if your family are fine with the intel machines, it's def easier to keep what you've got as it is troublesome to sell.

I understand your feeling going from 16 to 13". I've just gone from 15 to 13 and it is a little tough, but I can deal with it until the 16 comes out next year and then the wife gets the base M1 MBA I'm typing this on.

 

[jose40]

The 16 MBP is a superb machine and truly expensive. If it covers your daily work, why switching?. You will lose a lot of money, screen size, discreet graphics, audio quality, etc.

 

[dantracht]

I get that and it's a hassle to sell, but if you're giving the machines to family those resale number comparisons are kind of meaningless. So if you can get a mini and a 13" now for basically no outlay in funds, it means that the machines you'd be giving family would be M1s and not intel machines. There is no extra money out of your pocket. But if your family are fine with the intel machines, it's def easier to keep what you've got as it is troublesome to sell.

I understand your feeling going from 16 to 13". I've just gone from 15 to 13 and it is a little tough, but I can deal with it until the 16 comes out next year and then the wife gets the base M1 MBA I'm typing this on.

I hear ya, and I remain somewhat conflicted. Another offer came in late yesterday and he can meet really close to home, so I really have few excuses left.

So very tempted to sell them, get an air and a mini with a 24" monitor to help me feel better about losing the 16".

Decisions, decisions.....

 

[KShopper]

Well I had to swallow the same "cost hit" pill as you with my 2020 Intel MBA. However, I disliked the fan noise and thermal throttling so much on that thing that it was an easy decision to make. My M1 Air is pure joy to use in comparison.

I'll never buy another Intel based machine.

 

[dantracht]

Well I had to swallow the same "cost hit" pill as you with my 2020 Intel MBA. However, I disliked the fan noise and thermal throttling so much on that thing that it was an easy decision to make. My M1 Air is pure joy to use in comparison.

I'll never buy another Intel based machine.

Funny thing is: my intel air is performing like a champ today. Like it knows it's about to be sold.

 

[4sallypat]

The 16 MBP is a superb machine and truly expensive. If it covers your daily work, why switching?. You will lose a lot of money, screen size, discreet graphics, audio quality, etc.

Superb - um no.
Expensive - yes.

I am not selling my 16" MBP because of what I put into it - $2500+ w/ AppleCare.
The depreciation of that 2019 unit is just too much to bear....

16" going to my wife for Xmas since she loves the larger screen (currently using the 12" rMB because her 15" died)..

Now I just have to sell the DGRule Docking station

 

[mouthster]

Funny thing is: my intel air is performing like a champ today. Like it knows it's about to be sold.

My 16" did the same thing.. don't fall for it!

 

[dantracht]

My 16" did the same thing.. don't fall for it!

HAHA, trying. My 16" MBP always works really well.

 

[dantracht]

I tried, but I couldn’t.

Yea, I sold them both.

M1 air and mini here I come!

 

[dantracht]

Well I had to swallow the same "cost hit" pill as you with my 2020 Intel MBA. However, I disliked the fan noise and thermal throttling so much on that thing that it was an easy decision to make. My M1 Air is pure joy to use in comparison.

I'll never buy another Intel based machine.

Which Air did you get? Picking up a base model tonite, and a base model M1 Mini.

 

[workerbee]

I tried, but I couldn’t.

Yea, I sold them both.

M1 air and mini here I come!

Very interested in reading how it goes, and how you'll feel about it, as I'm thinking of selling my 16" MBP and go for a M1 MBA + 24 UltraFine. No more fans blowing whenever some daemon decides it's time to do something or other, and still just about the same ridiculous speed. Sounds like a win-win to me.

 

[dantracht]

Update: picked up the M1 MBA and Mini last night. Will set up this evening.

Also grabbed a highly rated Asus 24” 1080p monitor for the mini, as a 4K wasn’t in the budget right now.
Stay tuned.

Holding me over for today at work is my BELOVED early 2015 13”MBP. Even with the ever so slight staingate it’s still my all time favorite along with the 2012 unibody I sold last year.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

I tried, but I couldn’t.

Yea, I sold them both.

I think you made the right choice. Even though the loss you are taking on the 16" stings right now, it's resale value right now is the most you'll get and when they do release an Apple Silicon version, the resale will fall off a cliff.

I was lucky, I was upgrading from a mid 2014 base 13" MBP which I sold for around 40% of the original purchase price to get a base MBA.

I had staingate so bad on it that I decided to completely remove the AR coating using baking soda. It made it look like new.

 

[dantracht]

I think you made the right choice. Even though the loss you are taking on the 16" stings right now, it's resale value right now is the most you'll get and when they do release an Apple Silicon version, the resale will fall off a cliff.

I was lucky, I was upgrading from a mid 2014 base 13" MBP which I sold for around 40% of the original purchase price to get a base MBA.

I had staingate so bad on it that I decided to completely remove the AR coating using baking soda. It made it look like new.

Very interested to learn about your baking soda trick. Our early 2015 13” has slight staingate.
Would you mind sharing with me what you did and how it worked? Might try that.

 

[SlCKB0Y]

Very interested to learn about your baking soda trick. Our early 2015 13” has slight staingate.
Would you mind sharing with me what you did and how it worked? Might try that.

1. If it's only slight, you might not want to remove the AR coating, mine was pretty bad and all over the screen.

2. There are a number of methods that people use and claim to work - I cannot comment on them as I only used this method. I would say it took me about 20 minutes in total.

How to remove anti-reflective coating from MacBook Pro - The best and easiest way

This is a comprehensive guide on how to remove anti-reflective/glare coating from your MacBook. Learn about the potential causes and how to prevent this issue!

homeexplained.com

3. It definitely made it more reflective, but given how unsightly it was the net improvement was huge in my case.

Before:

After: (unfortunately I don't have an after pic with the screen off but the glass looked perfectly clear afterwards).