how much could i sell my ibook for please?

[jane2]

Hi! I just joinedt his forum to ask for people's opinions on the second hand value of my laptop.

would my ibook sell on ebay? and how much for do you think?

i am thinking of selling my laptop and replacing it with a desktop so i wondered if anyone had any idea how much i could expect to get for my ibook on ebay.

It is 2 years old but works fine - just been serviced by apple when it was sent off to have its logic board replaced - 700mhz processor, 256mb of ram, 20GB hard disk, DVD / CDRW drive. It is the smaller (12.1 inch screen) and I still have all the CDs etc which came with it.

The battery does not hold its charge however so will either need replacing or to be used plugged into the mains all the time. it could do with a new power cord as it is getting worn aruond the top as well. Probably not ideal if you wanted a laptop to cart around the place with you, however to use in one place all the time it is absolutely fine and in perfect working order.

What do you reckon I could expect to get for it? Ball park figure would be fine.

Thanks!

[CocoPops]

Give ya 200 quid for it.

Coz a new battery is 99 from Apple and an adaptor is 45quid

[jane2]

do you really not think i could ask for any more than that?

And is it a stupid question to ask whether if I had a new battery and adaptor I could hope for more than £350?

Btw it also has a year left of applecare plan ie if it goes wrong they fix it for free.

[CocoPops]

Well a new one WITH a G4 processor for 800quid direct from apple.
On ebay they seem to be going anywhere between 300 and 400 depending on condition etc.

G4 ibooks seem to be going for anywhere between 500 and 650.

It would sell better if you did have a new power adaptor and battery, as it would be ready to rock, rather than the buyer thinking "hmmm *00pound PLUS more money to put it right".

Hope that helps.

[jane2]

ok, thanks, that does make sense. i guess i had hoped for a little more......never mind! I am waiting for the new i macs to come out in September anyway so will see what they're like and come to a decision. It'll either be one of those, or an E Mac.

Actually, lastly, what do you think would be the value of the computer this time next year? Ie once it no longer has any extended warranty left and is 3 years old? Would it have any resale value at all?

[Jonny M]

Nope

[jane2]

didnt think so. maybe i should sell it now? Hmm. decisions decisions.

[Jonny M]

Are you using the laptop now? If not i'd cut my losses and get rid of it. At least then it's sold and you have money.

[jane2]

Well, I am using it now, but I could just use my husband's computer - we could share. I don't know what to do with it really, what you say certainly seems a valid point.......

[CocoPops]

The new iMac's are due anytime soon (start of sept apparently).
They shouldn't affect the value of iBooks tho, it's only the release of new iBooks that would affect iBooks.

I definitely think that if you replaced the battery/charger then you could sell it as a complete package, ready to go. Especially with the "back to school" time period approaching.

The G3 iBooks took the biggest hit as soon as the G4 iBooks were released.

Mac hardware is known for holding it's value better than PCs, but obviously everything does have a drop off point etc.

Something which seems to help values, is that Apple hardware can't be bought with a range of prices, ie the biggest price difference you will find per item is about £10, which means that 2nd hand values are fairly consistant unless someone needs to sell it on sharpish.

Hope that all makes sense.

Oh and welcome to Hexus, hope we've been helpful.

[jane2]

You have been very helpful, thanks!

the reason for waiting until September is to decide whether or not to replace it with an Emac (which are cheap, as I am a student - about £500 I think?) or an I Mac - which are currently about £1000+ but presumably the new ones will be more? I love the screens on the I mac. is there any way I can find out in advanec what the new i macs will be like?

You have a good point aobut selling it on as a package at the start of the academic year, etc.

I will see how it goes

[Spud1]

well if you do sell it I would give you the £350 with the new battery and charger =)

[Spud1]

I've just bought a 366mhz clamshell ibook off ebay for £200, so ithink that £200 is a bit low now really...I think that £350 WITHOUT the charger/battery would be reasonable, and that if you put it on ebay you could easily get more than that as lots of ppl dont seem to read auctions properly many ppl wouldnt notice as long as you didnt make a big deal out of it.