Apple economics: a free laptop every year.

#1

Post by eroded » Tue, May 03, 2011, 6:12 PM UTC

Apple economics: a free laptop every year.
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Re: Apple economics: a free laptop every year.

#2

Post by atacrawl » Tue, May 03, 2011, 6:17 PM UTC

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.

Re: Apple economics: a free laptop every year.

#3

Post by stcredzero » Tue, May 03, 2011, 6:24 PM UTC

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.

I suggest Amazon Marketplace. Prices are higher, but people who shop for used items there will pay a premium to have a smooth transaction and be done with it.

    - Only buy good products, like the Air. If Apple releases a 
      lemon, it’s not going to hold its value well.
    - Buy at the start of a release cycle. It’s unlikely Apple will 
      replace one of its own products within a year.

The problem with the above, is that it's harder to know if the product is a lemon if you buy too soon in the product cycle. I suppose someone could do an analysis of news articles and determine when you have a good chance of spotting a lemon. (People with SSD drives buying a new i5 or i7 13" Macbook Pro are an example of people bitten by an Apple-lemon.)

Re: Apple economics: a free laptop every year.

#4

Post by nevinera » Tue, May 03, 2011, 6:36 PM UTC

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 boundaries. Buying a new one every year may in fact cost less than buying a new one every 2 years (depending on the resell curve, which you do not know in advance). Regardless, it's certainly not such a clear win that you can insult the intelligence of everyone that doesn't behave this way.

Re: Apple economics: a free laptop every year.

#5

Post by nicw » Tue, May 03, 2011, 6:39 PM UTC

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.

Re: Apple economics: a free laptop every year.

#6

Post by jeffclark » Tue, May 03, 2011, 6:40 PM UTC

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.

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 market will bring your laptop up to acceptable prices.

* Include as many words and pictures as you can in your description. I routinely just copy the specs from one of the tear-down sites for my exact model and paste them in. Buyers find comfort in knowing exactly what they're buying.

* Take as many hi-res pictures as you can. Don't worry about the scratch. Buyers find comfort in knowing exactly what they're buying.

* This is hugely overlooked: Make your auction end on a Friday or Saturday night around 11pm EST. This is when the nerds with money are sitting on their couch putzing around eBay looking for a new lappy.

Re: Apple economics: a free laptop every year.

#7

Post by WiseWeasel » Tue, May 03, 2011, 6:41 PM UTC

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.

eBay is indeed difficult, but Craigslist is easy. Only sell to local buyers for cash or a money order from a trusted establishment, and it's fairly low risk and effort. Shipping to people remotely through eBay and Paypal is sketchy as hell, and Paypal offers very little fraud protection for the seller.

Re: Apple economics: a free laptop every year.

#8

Post by lotusleaf1987 » Tue, May 03, 2011, 6:41 PM UTC

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.

Craigslist is fine with some precaution--meet in a public place and trust but verify. Do not just take their word, seek evidence like receipts etc. Also, cashier's checks/money orders are pretty cheap and would be relatively safe to accept. Amazon and eBay take a huge chunk out and you can still have the person reverse the Paypal transaction, so nothing full-proof and I don't think the added price is worth it.

Re: Apple economics: a free laptop every year.

#9

Post by devmach » Tue, May 03, 2011, 6:41 PM UTC

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 programmers, i think old but working laptop seems fine to me.

Re: Apple economics: a free laptop every year.

#10

Post by wtandy » Tue, May 03, 2011, 6:42 PM UTC

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.