Thoughts on if this a good trade?

[mashinhead]

I was offered a trade. I would love to know what the community thinks, about whether or not this is a good trade?

14 M2 Max / 38 Core GPU / 64GB Ram / 4TB / Standard Display

vs

16 M4 Pro / 20 Core GPU / 48 GB Ram / 4TB / Nano Texture Display

For other context, I bought a Maxed out 16 M5 Max recently. The 14"is a second computer that I was selling (though I might be fine to keep it if I can't sell it.) For me the important things are, performance and power if I keep it. And what I can sell it for if I trade it.

 

[wilberforce]

It is more important to get what you want/need than to get a good deal.
Don’t understand why you want another 16 if you already have one of higher spec. As a backup machine? Computers are extremely poor “investments.”

 

[mashinhead]

It is more important to get what you want/need than to get a good deal.
Don’t understand why you want another 16 if you already have one of higher spec. As a backup machine? Computers are extremely poor “investments.”

If I can sell the 16 for more than the 14 it's a worthwhile trade. I'm a little more looking to know if I'm loosing anything significant performance wise with the RAM / GPU drop

 

[wilberforce]

If I can sell the 16 for more than the 14 it's a worthwhile trade. I'm a little more looking to know if I'm loosing anything significant performance wise with the RAM / GPU drop

Yes, you can probably sell it for more because it is newer and bigger. IMO people buying used don’t care as much about the exact spec.

 

[Sgaar]

Trade as in a swap, or a trade where one of you adds money? If it is a swap, then heck yeah, it is a great deal. If you have to add money, then it depends on how much.

 

[mashinhead]

Trade as in a swap, or a trade where one of you adds money? If it is a swap, then heck yeah, it is a great deal. If you have to add money, then it depends on how much.

No money it would be a straight swap. Mine has better GPU and RAM. His has more recent CPU and a larger screen and battery. I think it would be easier if it was like a MAX to MAX vs a MAX to PRO

 

[wilberforce]

No money it would be a straight swap. Mine has better GPU and RAM. His has more recent CPU and a larger screen and battery. I think it would be easier if it was like a MAX to MAX vs a MAX to PRO

The person that really needs the better GPU performance of the Max chip really should be looking at an M4 Max or M5 Max, but doesn’t have the money for it, so is hoping to score an M2 Max for a giveaway price from someone desperate to sell it.
Both machines have good processors, good RAM, and big SSDs. You might find someone willing to pay a good price for the M2 Max, but that person is going to be harder to find, as they have more niche needs. This is just my opinion, I don’t really know.
Btw, I suspect the Nano screen will have very little added value in the used market.

 

[conmee]

Why would other person want to give up faster core performance, screen size, nanotexture, and ray tracing (M2 lacks)? Your M2 Max has the additional media engine and more RAM, but unless they really need the GPU cores for intense media/video work or are already maxing out the 48GB on the M4 Pro, doesn't make a lot of sense. All that said, I think it will be easier to find a buyer for the M4 Pro given it is newer and unless a buyer is specifically looking for an M2 Max and understands the things it is better at vs the M4 Pro. Most/average buyers will be in the mindset of "M4 > M2" and not get into the technical weeds.

Did a quick search and looks like M2 Max still holds more value (granted I didn't do a thorough search and I don't know if these prices reflect the new normal post-Apple price hikes). But as @wilberforce mentioned, the M2 Max potential customer/buyer is more niche and hence going to take longer to find (unless you just plan to trade it in to Apple for pennies on the dollar). So if you think you can find a buyer, keep your M2 Max and try to sell it.

 

[wilberforce]

Good info from @conmee
Realize, of course, that asking prices are not the same as actual selling prices.
I think $4700 for a 14” M2 Max is unrealistic. For not much more one can get an M5 Max (and less if refurb).
There are many listings for 64GB 14” M2 Max’s for mid-$2000s, perhaps not with 4TB SSD but still.

 

[mashinhead]

Why would other person want to give up faster core performance, screen size, nanotexture, and ray tracing (M2 lacks)? Your M2 Max has the additional media engine and more RAM, but unless they really need the GPU cores for intense media/video work or are already maxing out the 48GB on the M4 Pro, doesn't make a lot of sense. All that said, I think it will be easier to find a buyer for the M4 Pro given it is newer and unless a buyer is specifically looking for an M2 Max and understands the things it is better at vs the M4 Pro. Most/average buyers will be in the mindset of "M4 > M2" and not get into the technical weeds.

Did a quick search and looks like M2 Max still holds more value (granted I didn't do a thorough search and I don't know if these prices reflect the new normal post-Apple price hikes). But as @wilberforce mentioned, the M2 Max potential customer/buyer is more niche and hence going to take longer to find (unless you just plan to trade it in to Apple for pennies on the dollar). So if you think you can find a buyer, keep your M2 Max and try to sell it.

View attachment 2641711View attachment 2641712

The seller, or person asking for the trade, just wants a smaller model that's comparable meaning they don't want a 16 inch computer anymore. His is up for $3100, mine $2700. Neither have sold.

 

[conmee]

The seller, or person asking for the trade, just wants a smaller model that's comparable meaning they don't want a 16 inch computer anymore. His is up for $3100, mine $2700. Neither have sold.

Fair enough. If the person is fine with the compromises make the trade. Then relist their MBP for the $2,700 you were trying to get for your M2 Max. Likely will sell quicker. Win-win for you! 🙂

 

[benholt]

Both will probably sit a while at those prices — anyone shopping a 16" M4 Pro at $3100 is one click away from a used M4 Max for $300-500 more, and the 14" M2 Max is fighting the perception that "M2 is old" even though that exact spec (38 GPU + 64GB + second media engine) is what people who actually do video work want.

So this stops being a flip and starts being which machine you'd rather have around for the next couple months. 14" + 64GB is a useful secondary; a 16" M4 Pro 20-core sitting next to your M5 Max is just two big laptops doing the same job. I'd keep the M2 Max and slow-walk the sale.

 

[mashinhead]

Both will probably sit a while at those prices — anyone shopping a 16" M4 Pro at $3100 is one click away from a used M4 Max for $300-500 more, and the 14" M2 Max is fighting the perception that "M2 is old" even though that exact spec (38 GPU + 64GB + second media engine) is what people who actually do video work want.

So this stops being a flip and starts being which machine you'd rather have around for the next couple months. 14" + 64GB is a useful secondary; a 16" M4 Pro 20-core sitting next to your M5 Max is just two big laptops doing the same job. I'd keep the M2 Max and slow-walk the sale.

Thanks for the insight. I had some bites at about 2400-2500 for the M2, that's pre RAM increases, which I'm sure will affect the secondary market. And to be fair, I don't really know if he is or isn't getting interest on his side. He might be, and just wanted a trade to make it easier. When I reached back out to him after not hearing back for a couple days, he said he a lot of messages.

For me if I'm keeping it, it's about which machine will perform better under load. The reason I upgraded the 14, was it would get hot and I would feel the performance and RAM limitations. It made me regret not getting the 96 limitation at the time. However that might be from the way the 14 handles heat, which is worst than the 16.