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Apple economics: a free laptop every year.

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Re: Apple economics: a free laptop every year.

#21

Post by alanfalcon »

lotusleaf1987 wrote: post #11
nicw wrote: post #5

Whether or not this experience works for everyone, I have found that Apple laptops/desktops hold their value much longer than their PC counterparts. I'm not sure if its because Apple tends to spec their machines more on the mid to high-end of capabilities that allow them to be used longer in a changing market.

It's because a Macbook is a Macbook whether its 2005 of 2011, but some HP-24x454 vs a MX311 is meaningless. That's why Motorola/Samsung are making their Droid/Galaxy lines.

And why in the world is HP still releasing products called HP EliteBook 2540p, HP EliteBook 8440p, and HPEliteBook 8540p?

Re: Apple economics: a free laptop every year.

#22

Post by gte910h »

nevinera wrote: post #4

Doesn't add up. The only way you can keep this with the numbers given here is if you buy near the start of a release cycle and always sell before it ends . In order to do both, you have to both predict the release schedule well AND spend a month or more with no computer while you wait for the new release. The numbers in the long run are weaker, since some of your purchases will invariably cross release cycle boundari…

> AND spend a month or more with no computer

Or have a desktop computer too.

Re: Apple economics: a free laptop every year.

#23

Post by ww520 »

wtandy wrote: post #10
nevinera wrote: post #4

Doesn't add up. The only way you can keep this with the numbers given here is if you buy near the start of a release cycle and always sell before it ends . In order to do both, you have to both predict the release schedule well AND spend a month or more with no computer while you wait for the new release. The numbers in the long run are weaker, since some of your purchases will invariably cross release cycle boundari…

My thoughts exactly. However, this works VERY well with iPhones. I have had every iPhone starting with the 3G, and have upgraded each year. Both times, I have sold my previous phone on ebay for at least $100 MORE than the subsidized cost of my new one.

> I have sold my previous phone on ebay for at least $100 MORE than the subsidized cost of my new one.

Are you paying the full price of the phone when you bought it? Or your cell plan paying part of it (subsidized)? In the later case, the sold phone is still being paid until the cell plan finishes.

Re: Apple economics: a free laptop every year.

#24

Post by jeffclark »

albedoa wrote: post #14
jeffclark wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't be. If you follow the rules to a T (ship only to confirmed U.S. addresses, ship with tracking, require a signature) you're covered in the eyes of PayPal. I've probably sold 5 laptops and (easily) 10 phones for myself and friends on eBay. Cover your bases, require PayPal and a confirmed address. Don't budge on these points and you'll be fine. PROTIPS: * Absolutely start with a $1 lowest bid, no reserve. The mark…

For someone who has only sold two or three things, it is always awesome to hear this type of advice from experienced sellers. Can you explain why you recommend passing on the reserve? Even if the product will sell for a price that the market considers acceptable 100% of the time, what is the harm in setting a reserve regardless?

Only because it turns some experienced buyers off. And your dream buyer is an experienced buyer.

A reserve means the seller can bail at any point up until that reserve is met.

Imagine that you're selling a laptop that's going for around $800 in other auctions. But you're not entirely sure you even want to sell your laptop. You put a $2,000 reserve on it just to leave the option to bail available at the end. An experienced buyer realizes this and will likely just pass on your item out of principle.

If it would make you feel better to place a reserve on your item, at least state right up front what your reserve price is and why you've placed it in the first place.

In my experience, however, I've never once been low-balled on an auction. There's a median price for your item in it's condition across the entire marketplace. If you're OK with that median price, don't post a reserve.

Spell your brand and product name correctly and you're virtually guaranteed to get close to that price in the end.

Re: Apple economics: a free laptop every year.

#25

Post by Tichy »

atacrawl wrote: post #2

I'm considering trying this with the MacBook I bought a few months ago (to upgrade back to the 15" MBP that I miss), but to be honest, I've heard so many horror stories about trying to sell computers on Craigslist and eBay that I'm a little spooked by the prospect.

Same here. What if the buyers complains that something is broken in the MacBook? I tend to pass my old computers on to family and friends...

Re: Apple economics: a free laptop every year.

#26

Post by kenjackson »

Bud wrote: post #19
devmach wrote: post #9

Why should i buy every year a new laptop ? even it's free ? every time i buy a laptop , i have to; - backup my files / projects - destroy my personal files - sell my old laptop to someone and hopefully get my money - copy files to the new laptop - set personal settings ( wallpaper, mouse speed etc ) - and optionally : get used to new keyboard layout - hope for a fix if there is a some hardware/design error. for progr…

Destroying your files is a single step, well-implemented in Mac OS, and you don't even have to do this if you simply install a fresh OS and use the right settings. Selling your old laptop is easy via Craigslist. Copying files takes a few minutes with FireWire disk mode. There is no separate step for "personal settings"; those are copied over when you copy your home directory over. There is also almost never a new key…

Destroying your files is a single step, well-implemented in Mac OS, and you don't even have to do this if you simply install a fresh OS and use the right settings

I don't think installing a fresh OS will remove personal data sufficiently. But maybe there is a setting to do a secure clean?

Re: Apple economics: a free laptop every year.

#27

Post by kenjackson »

lotusleaf1987 wrote: post #11
nicw wrote: post #5

Whether or not this experience works for everyone, I have found that Apple laptops/desktops hold their value much longer than their PC counterparts. I'm not sure if its because Apple tends to spec their machines more on the mid to high-end of capabilities that allow them to be used longer in a changing market.

It's because a Macbook is a Macbook whether its 2005 of 2011, but some HP-24x454 vs a MX311 is meaningless. That's why Motorola/Samsung are making their Droid/Galaxy lines.

The real issue is because HP may release the 24x454 at $2000, but in three weeks Dell releases the Latitude XY1 that is $100 cheaper with the same specs. Two months later, Acer has the same specs at $250 cheaper.

In the PC world your pricing competes against every manufacturer. So HP has to push their prices down on next rev.

Whereas no one else can make an Apple computer. They can set a price and keep it fixed for a year. There's no knockoffs that can undercut them.

Re: Apple economics: a free laptop every year.

#28

Post by pkulak »

wtandy wrote: post #10
nevinera wrote: post #4

Doesn't add up. The only way you can keep this with the numbers given here is if you buy near the start of a release cycle and always sell before it ends . In order to do both, you have to both predict the release schedule well AND spend a month or more with no computer while you wait for the new release. The numbers in the long run are weaker, since some of your purchases will invariably cross release cycle boundari…

My thoughts exactly. However, this works VERY well with iPhones. I have had every iPhone starting with the 3G, and have upgraded each year. Both times, I have sold my previous phone on ebay for at least $100 MORE than the subsidized cost of my new one.

If you sell your phone in May and use a beater phone for a month you can sell it for another $100 more.

Re: Apple economics: a free laptop every year.

#30

Post by bensummers »

kenjackson wrote: post #26
Bud wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Destroying your files is a single step, well-implemented in Mac OS, and you don't even have to do this if you simply install a fresh OS and use the right settings. Selling your old laptop is easy via Craigslist. Copying files takes a few minutes with FireWire disk mode. There is no separate step for "personal settings"; those are copied over when you copy your home directory over. There is also almost never a new key…

Destroying your files is a single step, well-implemented in Mac OS, and you don't even have to do this if you simply install a fresh OS and use the right settings I don't think installing a fresh OS will remove personal data sufficiently. But maybe there is a setting to do a secure clean?

There is a secure wipe option in the Mac OS X install process.
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