WTF is up with used mac prices

[nephilim2k]

I don't get the Mac hate. The computers are efficiently and ergonomically designed and competitively priced.

I can source identical hardware that is in a Mac (right down to the mobo, keyboard etc) and build a PC equivalent, for £400 less than their cheapest brand, the only difference being the case. Infact, I did this about 2 years ago, stuck OSX Snow Leopard on it, and it worked without issue.

Software is just a highly stylised version of unix.

*edit*

I like Apple software, as for design it makes efficient use of the hardware, however for games and everything else, it loses its ability to hold up against a PC

 

[Eureka]

A lot of ATers (and angry internet denizens in general) are a) kids on limited budgets or b) angry adults who never grew out of that mindset.

It used to be that you should always pay more than what it's worth when it came to quality. You bought things that didn't do much more but cost extra because you believed in its build quality.

Today the focus has shifted to getting cheap, replaceable items as fast as possible.

The two paradigms conflict, and now we're sitting here in ATOT.

 

[Vdubchaos]

something that is "overpriced" does not set records for sales and sell millions on millions of items. juts a simple fact.

News flash: most people are stupid

Apple is my proof!

as far as the "limit yourself to apple crap" comment, that is just a stupid comment to make. that is like owning an xbox360 and telling someone who bought a ps3 "why limit yourself with the sony crap".

If you ask me, BOTH limit the end user and force them towards companies ways. It's a great marketing tactic, and again more power to both Sony/MS.

why limit yourself? get both osx and windows and have the best of both worlds. so glad i don't have any company allegiance like so many people on this forum seem to have. if there is something i like and want, regardless of platform, i will get it.

oh and good luck developing iOS apps on a non-apple product (excluding a hackintosh which is against the TOS however).

That's exactly why Apple sucks. They go up and beyond to force people towards their products!!!

I have as much dislike about Apple as I have for MS....

 

[Sureshot324]

People keep saying apple computers hold their value really well but I just don't see it. They are expensive used because they are expensive new. The bare minimum price for a macbook air is $1000 ($1200 for the 13"). Is it any wonder they still fetch $600+ when they are 2-3 years old? Just because a $300 Windows laptop will be worthless in that time doesn't mean Apple's hold their value really well.

 

[Eureka]

People keep saying apple computers hold their value really well but I just don't see it. They are expensive used because they are expensive new. The bare minimum price for a macbook air is $1000 ($1200 for the 13"). Is it any wonder they still fetch $600+ when they are 2-3 years old? Just because a $300 Windows laptop will be worthless in that time doesn't mean Apple's hold their value really well.

A $1500, top of the line Dell laptop will be worth about $400-500 in 3 years.

 

[Eureka]

That's exactly why Apple sucks. They go up and beyond to force people towards their products!!!

I have as much dislike about Apple as I have for MS....

No one is forcing you to buy anything.

For most people, they don't have the time or knowledge to tweak their household electronics to the same level we do.

Apple invests R&D resources into providing a full home system (mobile devices, computers, etc). The whole iApple/iHome (whatever they call it) allows a seamless interface between multiple devices.

You may not think it's worth a premium, but it does cost money to do it. And most people want that kind of pre-built system rather than having to shop parts and build.

 

[Vdubchaos]

No one is forcing you to buy anything.

For most people, they don't have the time or knowledge to tweak their household electronics to the same level we do.

Apple invests R&D resources into providing a full home system (mobile devices, computers, etc). The whole iApple/iHome (whatever they call it) allows a seamless interface between multiple devices.

You may not think it's worth a premium, but it does cost money to do it. And most people want that kind of pre-built system rather than having to shop parts and build.

Sounds good.

Like I said, if they can sell their products at premium and people are willing to buy it.

More power to Apple

 

[AstroManLuca]

Macs really aren't all that expensive when you consider the resale value they retain years later.

I've heard this argument but I feel like the craptop route is better anyway. Without digging into the numbers too deep, let's say you can buy a craptop for half the price of a MacBook but it only lasts half as long before mechanical issues catch up to it.

That means that after 2 years, you can buy ANOTHER cheap laptop and get a new battery, new mechanical components, all new hardware... for the same price as the MacBook. And there's a good chance that even a cheap laptop can last longer than 2 years. There's just a CHANCE that it might break earlier since they tend to be cheaply made. But if you're careful with it, it's a much better deal.

And of course the cheap laptop will have similar computer hardware to what the MacBook has. Meaning an upgrade in processing power partway through. Even if the MacBook holds up fine mechanically, it'll feel outdated and slow by the end of its life.

Plus, by having a low investment in a computer (which is a good idea anyway because they depreciate so fast), it's not as painful if something happens to it.

Basically, resale value is a way of hedging against depreciation, but so is a low initial cost.

 

[lagokc]

i don't get it either. they are just computers with the same disposable components inside, but you can't argue with the market.

With a PC, the internal hardware actually matters because it could conceivably be used to play games, or do work that involves stressing the hardware. Macs are only used to post on facebook so a Mac with 6 year old hardware is just as good as a brand new Mac (better even because of vintage chic). Apple could switch from Intel hardware to simply screwing an ipad into a frame, jacking up the price, and calling it the iMacPad and they'd sell plenty of them.

 

[renz20003]

oh and good luck developing iOS apps on a non-apple product (excluding a hackintosh which is against the TOS however).

This is the reason why I wanted to buy a Mac to begin with. My problem is why people think their core 2 duo imac from 5 years ago is worth $600. The Mac mini with an I5 and DDR 3 for $550 seems more like it.

Plus it would make a nice htpc for a reasonable price.

 

[sze5003]

An item is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Because that has been the past prices of macs that's what the prices are currently for this used stuff. I payed nearly 1500 for a macbook pro with extra warranty. Sold on eBay almost a year later for 1300.

 

[Rakehellion]

News flash: most people are stupid

Apple is my proof!

This coming from the guy who said gold is worthless and the amount used in electronics could easily be replaced with another metal.

Real technology genius we got here.

 

[Rakehellion]

I can source identical hardware that is in a Mac (right down to the mobo, keyboard etc) and build a PC equivalent, for £400 less than their cheapest brand, the only difference being the case. Infact, I did this about 2 years ago, stuck OSX Snow Leopard on it, and it worked without issue.

Software is just a highly stylised version of unix.

*edit*

I like Apple software, as for design it makes efficient use of the hardware, however for games and everything else, it loses its ability to hold up against a PC

Are you comparing this to the Mac Pro line, which hasn't been updated in over three years?

 

[TwiceOver]

Makes it hard for people to just check out the Apple side of things. I was hoping to get a mac mini or even a standard macbook, but the pricing is just so ridiculous.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Macs really aren't all that expensive when you consider the resale value they retain years later.

I don't sell my computers though. I use them until the copper leads wear out from transporting too many electrons.

 

[nephilim2k]

Are you comparing this to the Mac Pro line, which hasn't been updated in over three years?

No, this was done last year on their newer lines.

Server wise, they are also very far behind (though in green technologies, they are ahead in that dept).

 

[Ichinisan]

People keep saying apple computers hold their value really well but I just don't see it. They are expensive used because they are expensive new. The bare minimum price for a macbook air is $1000 ($1200 for the 13"). Is it any wonder they still fetch $600+ when they are 2-3 years old? Just because a $300 Windows laptop will be worthless in that time doesn't mean Apple's hold their value really well.

Try selling a $1k / $1.2k PC for $600 when it's 3 years old.

Try it.

 

[xapo99]

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

You realize Macs are overpriced PCs with limited hardware right?

Equivalent PC will probably cost you half the price (if not 3rd of the price) on the used market.

If people are willing to pay that, more power to sellers/Apple. Good for them!

A Maybe a fifth or less for a decent Core 2 PC on Ebay, whereas (what will now be) hopelessly slow, Core 2 based Xeon dual core Mac Pro's still fetch loads.

 

[Vdubchaos]

This coming from the guy who said gold is worthless and the amount used in electronics could easily be replaced with another metal.

Real technology genius we got here.

There isn't much gold in the electronics....go ahead start scraping and prove me wrong.

Stop dwelling on BS, it's not significant enough to even talk about...

 

[Rakehellion]

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2401538,00.asp
http://www.computershopper.com/feature/our-favorite-picks-the-best-thin-laptops
http://www.techradar.com/us/news/mo...best-ultrabook-18-top-thin-and-lights-1054355

 

[sze5003]

Macs are just a luxury item to me. Yes maybe an artist or videographer may need one because it makes the job easier. But you can pretty much build a pc with a nice set of components. Throw linux or windows 7 on there.

Most buy macs because of osx. Only reason I would buy one is just to have one. If I'm writing code or something they told me at the mac store for .net stuff I can install windows and code on the other partition. I was like okk that makes sense why I'd want this as my primary development laptop.

 

[shortylickens]

I don't sell my computers though. I use them until the copper leads wear out from transporting too many electrons.

I seriously doubt you are posting from an 8088.

 

[Vdubchaos]

What's your point Rakehellion???

Yes MANY review websites are sponsored and swayed by profits....

Also where is "performance vs $$$" category. Since Apple products cost arm and a leg, YES they BETTER be doing it better.

How about "cost of upgrade" category? How much does Apple charge for DDR3 memory or Battery compare to other makers.

:biggrin:

 

[Eureka]

What's your point Rakehellion???

Yes MANY review websites are sponsored and swayed by profits....

Also where is "performance vs $$$" category. Since Apple products cost arm and a leg, YES they BETTER be doing it better.

How about "cost of upgrade" category? How much does Apple charge for DDR3 memory or Battery compare to other makers.

:biggrin:

IPS screen, metal chassis, battery life, lightweight.

Build me a PC notebook that has all these for less? Your high end ASUS or Alienware laptops don't even come with IPS screens.

Battery life... argue it all you want, but the closed system helps here. Optimize software for hardware and you can max out the battery life.

 

[Mixolydian]

Since Apple products cost arm and a leg, YES they BETTER be doing it better.

And they do.