Macs are quite famous for holding their value and lasting longer than Windows PCs. The resale value of an Apple machine is higher both for its style and its durability. This is especially true for Mac product lines that have no true replacements. For a few years after they were discontinued, Power Mac Cubes consistently fetched higher-than-expected prices on Ebay.
What does that mean in light of this week’s renewed rumors of an amazing thin, light, aluminum and tiny Macbook? Take your 12″ Powerbooks and unload them now. I’m an owner of such a machine (and will be selling it as soon as I replace the hard drive), and the market is great right now — $400-plus for four-year-old Powerbooks. The machines have special cachet, because they were significantly lighter than any current Mac portables. I know a lot of people who have been refusing to upgrade because there just isn’t a machine that meets their needs.
But if the rumors popping up all over 9to5Mac are even close to right — especially if there are new MacBooks announced the day of Leopards release — the market for those glorious Baby Powerbooks is going to deflate as soon as the new machines get announced. There’s still plenty of doubt for the time-being — some think the new machines won’t even have DVD drives. What do fear, uncertainty and doubt lead to? Higher resale prices for the existing and reliable. Gentlemen, start your auctions!
Image via LowEndMac.
20 responses to “Now is the Time to Sell 12″ Powerbooks”
Is that MacBook gonna be glossy screen? If so I’m not interested. I’m an old 12″ Powerbook user. I loved that thing. When it was time to upgrade earlier this year, I thought about a MacBook. The smaller size was still in the range of what I was looking for. Only problem was that damn glossy screen. I’m working on an HP laptop at work right now. I hate this thing. Glare EVERYWHERE. I was forced to get a 15″ MBPro just so I could get the traditional screen.
Of course the opposite holds true for buyers. I LOVE the 12″ Powerbook and used first a 1.0GHz and then a 1.5GHz as my primary computer for over three years. I’ve not owned one for about a year now, and will wait until after the announcement to buy another.
While a new Intel-powered MacBook-Mini is something I’ve wanted for a long time, for what I use an ultraportable for the old 12″ PowerBook remains about as good as it gets. Small, thin, light, and fully capable of playing desktop-replacement (great sound and outstanding keyboard), this remains about the best travel computer ever made.
Hmmm. Have thought about this. I am on a 4 year old 1Ghz 12″PB and I love it dearly. It now has 1.25Gb RAM, new battery and a spanking new 120Gb HDD after the last one breathed its last mortal gasp. It still does the job- ready and waiting for Leopard.
I reckon it could fetch few quid/bucks/croner but I love it so much I may keep it forever in a glass case. Also what am I to do before the replacement arrives? Twiddle my thumbs? Submit little tirades to geek sites on an unlocked iPhone?
Its still great looking and built like a tank. Nah, I think I’ll keep it- unless anyone is offering serious cash?! Anyone??
I was actually considering putting my 12″ on ebay, now I have read this I am definitely going to put it on this weekend. I know many people consider it to be one of Apple’s best notebooks but for me it had some irritating flaws –
Screen quality is poor compared to other models, lacks contrast and colour.
Airport reception is poor, I have a clamshell that performs much better.
Hard drive has a ticking noise that is very annoying, it seems many other users have encountered this.
I was considering a MacBook as I can’t justify spending as much as the MacBook Pro would cost, but I am a little put off by the integrated graphics of the MacBook and if I am totally honest I am not keen on the Macbooks looks – especially the white ones.
An ‘amazing thin, light, aluminium and tiny Macbook’ does sound good.
I don’t even look at other computers since I bought my 12″ Powerbook. How sad is that?
Sell!? But the 12″ PB is sooo cute! :-)
I like mine alot. Carry it around everywhere. Bought it this year and call me cray but I prefered it above a new Macbook.
If I need processorpower I also own a Macbookpro.
I have a 1 Ghz 12″ Powerbook. I just love the thing. Though it has been brought up to date. Dual layer DVD burner, 160 gig hard drive and the ram maxed. Brand new high capacity battery is nice too.
So I think I’ll keep it. It does everything I need a laptop to do and then some. For the heavy lifting I have a nice Mac Pro on the desktop.
too bad the new ipod wont work on it as its only usb 1 , i had to return the ipod touch as genius bar said not compatable.
too bad the new ipod wont work on it as its only usb 1 , i had to return the ipod touch as genius bar said not compatable.
I’ve had a love affair with my 12″ Powerbook for the last few years. As Puplet said, I don’t even look at other computers. I’ve got friends who have bought MacBooks and Pro’s and I’m just not impressed.
Yeah it’s got faults, the WiFi reception is particularly poor and to be honest it’s starting to have a hard time running my music apps – let alone FCP, but I’m still loving the small form factor and the overall aesthetics.
However, a lightweight Alluminium Macbook may convince me to finally switch to Intel (but I’ll probably keep my trusty 12″ and shed a few tears…..)