Upgrading your MacBook - From a financial point of view…

[MacGizmo]

Maybe that's the difference in our back-of-the-napkin math.

If you bought the base model 14" today for 1999 and sold it for 1600 when the M2 Pro came out, would you be spending more or less money over the 5-7 years?

Like I said, for my business it's paid for in under a month—there is no money lost, there is no depreciation. Every month I keep it is profit (as far as the computer goes).

As for my personal use Macs, I can't remember the last time I sold one... I pass my Macs down to my wife, son and/or other family members. By the time they're done with them they're not worth anything at all because they're ten+ years old. But

 

[BigMcGuire]

Trading in has a lot more value when doing it within a set timeframe. I remember trading in my 2015 MBA and getting almost half of what I paid for it after 3 years. I got a pretty penny for my 2017 MBP when trading it in to get an M1 MBP as well. Probably could have gotten more if I did non-Apple but the convenience factor is pretty high.

 

[clevins]

My friend and I were chatting about this.. the big companies all like to sprout the green credentials but then next breath they are advertising for you to trade in your last years phone etc which to me cancels Put their carbon neutral speech.

What?

I don't know what happens for other companies but Apple either refurbs and resells the machines or, if they're old, recycles them.

 

[clevins]

It’s always better to keep using as long as possible money wise. Sort of silly to think otherwise.

Not necessarily. Depends on how much computer performance affects your productivity (assuming you make money with what you do on it). Depends on how much you can resell it for. Depends on how you cost things out ($/day or whatever).

As usually, one size doesnt fit all.

 

[wys]

Or how long do you guys usually keep your MacBooks?

Forever. Spare computers are handy to have around. Even if it collects dust for years, at some point you might need it again in a pinch and you will be glad you have it.

If its so old that even that's no longer feasible, then take it to the recycling center.