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Xiao_Xi

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Oct 27, 2021
1,627
1,101
If Apple uses TSMC's 3nm for the M3 SoC and inflation drops in the coming months, could the next MBA on launch day be cheaper and much faster than the current M2 MBA? How might that affect the trade-in value of the M2 MBA?
 

tmoerel

Suspended
Jan 24, 2008
1,005
1,570
If Apple uses TSMC's 3nm for the M3 SoC and inflation drops in the coming months, could the next MBA on launch day be cheaper and much faster than the current M2 MBA? How might that affect the trade-in value of the M2 MBA?
If you buy a computer and worry about its trade in value then you are in the wrong business. Rather see it like a three year write off. If that is shocking to you then perhaps you should not buy it!
 

turbineseaplane

macrumors P6
Mar 19, 2008
17,391
40,162
If you are worried about trade in valuations, the best thing to do is buy only a base model and get one refurbished or on a big sale

To get a good net value nowadays you need to get a pretty good deal going in

Other than refurbished, Apple themselves is basically the worst place to buy (purely on price/value)
 

jdb8167

macrumors 601
Nov 17, 2008
4,859
4,599
If Apple uses TSMC's 3nm for the M3 SoC and inflation drops in the coming months, could the next MBA on launch day be cheaper and much faster than the current M2 MBA? How might that affect the trade-in value of the M2 MBA?
3nm is likely to be very expensive. So I wouldn't expect declining prices anytime soon.
 
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Xiao_Xi

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Oct 27, 2021
1,627
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3nm is likely to be very expensive. So I wouldn't expect declining prices anytime soon.
Do you foresee Apple applying an MBA-like price increase to the upcoming M2 and M3-based macs?
 

JPack

macrumors G5
Mar 27, 2017
13,543
26,166
N3 is expected to shrink a chip by about 25%. Apple usually adds more transistors to increase performance (M2 has 25% transistors than M1). Since N3 wafer costs are much higher, the end result is M3 is probably a more expensive chip than M2.

Inflation may slow down, but I don't see price drops happening. $1,199 is not expensive given current global market conditions. Maybe when recession hits later this year, things will be different.
 
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