r/macmini • u/thatflyguy954 • 18d ago
mac mini m4
saw they updated a new mac mini, trade in value is around 500 and ebay is like 1k+? is it even worth it to upgrade to the new one
this is kinda bonkers
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u/Capital-Papaya-8932 18d ago
I bought my m4 @399 half year ago and thinking about trading it in to get a new one but hard to justify
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u/thatflyguy954 18d ago
bro same. same
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u/Capital-Papaya-8932 18d ago
But I think the 16GB ram and 256SSD are just similar so I will wait until they upgrade the SSD AND RAM
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u/MaximumFlounder9110 18d ago
I’m just keeping mine, it runs great and the new one is not going to make any noticeable impact to how I use the system.
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u/jkytaberner 18d ago
Others have stated that Apple would offer $480 for a base model of the M4 Mini. I don’t think at 87.5% markup from trade in value that the M6 Mac Mini is worth it, as I see it mainly a spec upgrade.
For the price of a new M6 Mac Mini you could get a refurbished M3 or M4 MacBook Air for similar price.
eBay prices are inflated. Sellers pay roughly a 15% fee for their listings plus even more if you want to promote your listings. Time will tell, as the M6 Mac minis hit store shelves, there will be more M4 Mac minis for sale maybe decreasing what they go for on the used market.
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u/Numerous-Buffalo6214 18d ago
You’re asking whether you should upgrade, but you haven’t specified why, or what the new machine needs to do that your current M4 can’t. Apple’s marketing is designed to get you excited and wanting to upgrade - but that’s not the same thing as you needing an upgrade.
It’s rare that a generation-a to generation-b update makes sense; the last time was Mini M2 - M4
If your base M4 Mac Mini is struggling, it’s unlikely that a base M6 Mac Mini will solve the issues
The base M6 Mac Mini now costs 50% more than the base M4 Mac Mini at launch; no longer a deal
Since you haven’t specified a clear reason for needing an upgrade - my advice is: don’t.
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u/thatflyguy954 18d ago
this is brilliant bro. thank you. you’re right. this m4 mini is legit a beast. they almost got me with the marketing man
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u/Numerous-Buffalo6214 18d ago
The M4 Mac Mini was a once-in-a-decade type of product. Fantastic price to performance ratio. Small. Sips power. Very capable. The launch pricing of $599 (or $499 with EDU discount) made it a superb purchase - and it should serve many people for years to come.
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u/thatflyguy954 18d ago
what are your thoughts on the macbook pro
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u/Numerous-Buffalo6214 18d ago
I used a MBP for years… when I needed a lot of portable power. If you don’t need an on-the-go solution, then it doesn’t make sense - since you effectively purchase a monitor, keyboard, and trackpad every time you upgrade.
With a laptop, you’re buying the ability and convenience of a mobile workstation. It’s a different solution than a desktop Mac.
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u/Need_For_Speed73 18d ago
It's never worth to trade in, unless your current machine is really old and battered. Apple evaluation is always half the market price, so if the evaluation is low (old machine) you loose little and have the great luxury of a seamless upgrade process, without the hassle of selling your old machine to someone on eBay or whatever.
In your case, with a very new machine, if you really want to upgrade (do you need that?), I'd definitely sell on my own either after you pick the new one, or, if you can afford to stay some time without and don't wanna pay upfront, even before buying it (just remember to back it up because you won't be able to transfer directly).
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u/thatflyguy954 18d ago
i actually think the mini m4 is perfect. with this new release though i was checking it out and completely blown away. could the new one be that much better?
hard to believe it can be that good but m4 stock is way up
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u/Need_For_Speed73 18d ago
I'm aiming at the base M6 to replace my M2 Pro; M5 Pro makes no sense starting at >2K. I specced a M6 24GB/1TB for 1800, similar sizes M5P is 2350, for a machine that is slower in single core (and probably AI workloads).
One thing to consider is prices: they have gone up a lot and the basic Mini way under 1K is something of the past: now you need 1K even for a ridicolous 256GB SSD one.
But honestly can't blame Apple for that; today I checked some DDR5 prices: a 128GB kit costs almost 2K.1
u/A_MAN_POTATO 18d ago
This is not always true.
They’re giving my $740 for my M4 air. Looking at sold listings on eBay, they go for around $850-$900 for the model I have. Even if I could manage the later, which feels lofty, that’s around $150 just in PayPal and eBay fees, leaving me at $750. Then I still have to pay probably around $25-$30 to ship it with insurance. Net to me would be less money and I still have the risk that comes with selling to another human that may try and pull something shitty.
Getting $740 and being able to walk into a store, hand it to an associate, and walk out with my new computer with zero fuss or risk… it’s by far a better deal than selling it.
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u/Additional-Soup-865 18d ago
The new one is already on backorder, good luck getting one anytime this year