As many of you know, Apple announced new and Macbook and Macbook Pro models last week just in time to have the latest model notebooks ready for the Holiday Season. Although Apple made a number of adjustments and improvements to each of the Macbook models, it seems that their pricing structure is of the most interest.
It is true that Apple is now selling a notebook for $999. But, it looks like that Macbook will only be around for as long as Apple has a large inventory of White Macbook cases. The new and improved Notebooks are priced at $1,299 and $1,599 for Macbook and $1,999, $2,499, and $2,799 for Macbook Pros. Its almost as if Apple failed to check the US economy when they were deciding on their new notebook prices. The higher price mark will make it difficult on many during hard economic times. Is Apple trying to keep their notebook marketshare below 5%?
The Apple Tax
In addition to these high prices, some people have started to point out that the Apple Tax for buying an Apple computer seems to be as high as ever. Getting similar systems from other computer manufactures often cost considerably less.
An argument I have used before is that despite paying the “Apple Tax” I often resell my notebooks and with Apple Computers I can sell the computer for very close to the original retail price I paid for it. I always believed that one thing true about Apple computers is that they keep their value. But do they?
Used Macbook
Below is a chart showing original prices for Apple Notebooks, their recently “Used” sale price on Ebay, and the percentage of their original value that the notebooks still hold today. You’ll see below that a Used Macbook Doesn’t cost nearly as much as the new models.
As you can see it seems that Apple notebooks stay close to 60% of their original value, even after 18 months of use. It is comforting to know that I can use a computer for almost two years and still get $.60 on each $1 that I originally spent. If you’re in the market for a used Macbook, be sure that you’re not paying anything over 60% of the originally value, even if its just been used for 6 months or so.
But what I find a bit depressing is it seems that these same notebooks decrease to close 60% of their retail value within the first 6 months of use. Is the resale value of Apple Computers the price the notebooks should be minus the Apple tax? Does the computer I purchase drop 60% just by opening the box?
Have you checked to see what your notebook is worth? Let us know in the comments, or let us know what you’re thinking of paying for the Used Macbook you’re looking to purchase. We’re a great source for telling you if its worth it or not.
12 Responses so far.
joey
October 19, 2008 at 4:25 pmthe new macbook is 999, not 1299.
Dan
October 19, 2008 at 8:35 pmJoey – Yes, as I stated above, the new macbooks are $1299. The $999 price is for the white Macbooks, or the previous generation models. So Apple does now sell a notebook for $999.
Andre
August 26, 2009 at 4:04 amI would like to sell my MacBook Pro 17 inch (old one). Where is the best place to sell it? Where did you take the "used Apple" prices from in your table?
Thanks!
Dan
August 26, 2009 at 4:39 amAndre – The prices were taken from Ebay. I have usually sold my older computers on ebay but have heard of success and decent prices via craigslist.
Refurbished Macs « BeginnerPC : Tips , Tricks & Tutorials
September 26, 2009 at 8:23 am[...] One of the many arguments that you’ll hear from PC owners is that Apple computers are just too expensive. PC owners often state that PCs that contain the same hardware specifications as a typical Macintosh computer will cost 15% – 20% less. It is true that prices are a bit more expensive for Apple devices, it is hard to compare Macs to PCs because of differences in software, security, and how a Mac is often much easier to re-sell and at higher prices. [...]
Klub
November 17, 2010 at 5:20 pmDan here is my war a computer guy knows I am interested in a mac here is the offer…
Help! yea or nah run away fast
Thanks
2009 13.3" Macbook Pro
A 2009 with18mo left on Apple Card Warranty and I believe a 512 graphics card.
7200rpm hard drive and 4GB Ram (which can go up to 8!)
It's new from what I'm told
Good or bad deal he wants 1800 here is what it's loaded with
Some stuff seems cool some seems like junk.
Adobe Acrobat Pro-Mac
Office 2010-Mac
iWork '09-Mac
iLife 2011-Mac
Parallels 5-Mac
Little Snitch (firewall app)-Mac
Start Menu-Mac
Paperless (scanning and PDF maker app)-Mac
iAlertU (isight webcam security app)-Mac
iFinance (self explanatory)-Mac
SMC Fan Control (self explanatory)-Mac
UnRAR (unzip app)-Mac
VLC (media player)-Mac
Skype-Mac
Miro-Mac
Picasa (Photo editor)-Mac
Name Changer (multi folder name changer app)-Mac
Carbon Copy Cloner (cloning app)-Mac
Mac Family Tree (Generation app)-Mac
Dan Hinckley
November 17, 2010 at 12:23 pmI think you can get all that new for the same price. I'd so no go.
Sha
January 10, 2011 at 9:30 amIf he's got Lil Snitch, chances are all that software was illegally downloaded.
dash
December 22, 2010 at 12:18 pmyep all that new for 1500
Alison
January 6, 2011 at 11:43 amWant to sell my aunt my early 2008 MacBook Pro, 15", glossy screen, 2.5/2.2GHz, perfect condition, always in a case, no scratches, has had one of those hard plastic covers on it the whole time.
Don't want to take her for a ride, just want to figure out the fair value of the computer. Any advice?
Dan
January 6, 2011 at 11:52 am2 years old.. I'd say 40% to 50% of what you paid for it originally would be fair.
Or just go see what they're currently selling for on eBay and take that price.
Cynthia
January 10, 2011 at 10:34 pmWould love to know the answer here, sort of what I'm looking for but new to Macs and have heard some real horror stories buying used. Good luck
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