What really hurts though is that Apple are selling a Refurb base model,
but for -u679, touting it as -u120 off. Er, no, that particular item would have been sold at -u599.
This has stopped me in my tracks for the moment, as I just can't make
myself hit the buy button at that price. I can probable afford it, but
it's a huge price difference for nothing gained within the tech, and is
much less justifiable to me.
Seems everyone has also jumped on that bandwagon, as even used ones everywhere else are at very high prices - some more than the original selling price.
Any thoughts, is it worth waiting to see if things improve, or is it something that'll take years - I know RAM prices have often been
volatile, but never to this level as far as I can remember (and can't
recall how long they took to recover).
Of course I know we don't have a crystal ball, but I'm open to suggestions.
On 31.07.26 23:38, Andy Hewitt wrote:
What really hurts though is that Apple are selling a Refurb base model,
but for -u679, touting it as -u120 off. Er, no, that particular item would >> have been sold at -u599.
This has stopped me in my tracks for the moment, as I just can't make
myself hit the buy button at that price. I can probable afford it, but
it's a huge price difference for nothing gained within the tech, and is
much less justifiable to me.
Seems everyone has also jumped on that bandwagon, as even used ones
everywhere else are at very high prices - some more than the original
selling price.
Any thoughts, is it worth waiting to see if things improve, or is it
something that'll take years - I know RAM prices have often been
volatile, but never to this level as far as I can remember (and can't
recall how long they took to recover).
Of course I know we don't have a crystal ball, but I'm open to suggestions.
RAM chips are commodities. The demand from the AI sector were driving
the RAM-prices and made availability difficult.
As we discuss the AI bubble is bursting. Watch the stock market and the alarmism in the industry.
What goes high can fall very very deep. Especially with commodities. But
an informed forecast about the timeline is really difficult.
J||rg
I see the original prices are still showing on the Argos site, -u599 for
the base model Mini there - would have done me, and I'd have probably
just bought one. Of course there's no stock left at those prices.
They're now at -u799 everywhere I can find.
What really hurts though is that Apple are selling a Refurb base model,
but for -u679, touting it as -u120 off. Er, no, that particular item would have been sold at -u599.
This has stopped me in my tracks for the moment, as I just can't make
myself hit the buy button at that price. I can probable afford it, but
it's a huge price difference for nothing gained within the tech, and is
much less justifiable to me.
Seems everyone has also jumped on that bandwagon, as even used ones everywhere else are at very high prices - some more than the original selling price.
Any thoughts, is it worth waiting to see if things improve, or is it something that'll take years - I know RAM prices have often been
volatile, but never to this level as far as I can remember (and can't
recall how long they took to recover).
Of course I know we don't have a crystal ball, but I'm open to suggestions.
Cheers.
Andy Hewitt <thewildrover@icloud.com> wrote:
I see the original prices are still showing on the Argos site, u599 for
the base model Mini there - would have done me, and I'd have probably
just bought one. Of course there's no stock left at those prices.
They're now at u799 everywhere I can find.
What really hurts though is that Apple are selling a Refurb base model,
but for u679, touting it as u120 off. Er, no, that particular item would
have been sold at u599.
Agree. It's sneaky.
Was looking at refurbs myself today and using the refurb tracker it shows some items as --9% reduction. i.e. +9%. The tracker website uses the launch price and shows many things as actually more expensive now than they were when first sold.
If you are looking for higher spec models they still show some savings.
On 01/08/2026 06:29, J||rg Lorenz wrote:
On 31.07.26 23:38, Andy Hewitt wrote:
What really hurts though is that Apple are selling a Refurb base model,
but for -u679, touting it as -u120 off. Er, no, that particular item would >>> have been sold at -u599.
This has stopped me in my tracks for the moment, as I just can't make
myself hit the buy button at that price. I can probable afford it, but
it's a huge price difference for nothing gained within the tech, and is
much less justifiable to me.
Seems everyone has also jumped on that bandwagon, as even used ones
everywhere else are at very high prices - some more than the original
selling price.
Any thoughts, is it worth waiting to see if things improve, or is it
something that'll take years - I know RAM prices have often been
volatile, but never to this level as far as I can remember (and can't
recall how long they took to recover).
Of course I know we don't have a crystal ball, but I'm open to suggestions. >>
RAM chips are commodities. The demand from the AI sector were drivingI haven't been keeping up with prices but -u399 seems okay?
the RAM-prices and made availability difficult.
As we discuss the AI bubble is bursting. Watch the stock market and the
alarmism in the industry.
What goes high can fall very very deep. Especially with commodities. But
an informed forecast about the timeline is really difficult.
J||rg
<https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=mac+mini+renewed>
On 01/08/2026 06:29, J||rg Lorenz wrote:
On 31.07.26 23:38, Andy Hewitt wrote:I haven't been keeping up with prices but -u399 seems okay?
What really hurts though is that Apple are selling a Refurb base model,
but for -u679, touting it as -u120 off. Er, no, that particular item would >>> have been sold at -u599.
This has stopped me in my tracks for the moment, as I just can't make
myself hit the buy button at that price. I can probable afford it, but
it's a huge price difference for nothing gained within the tech, and is
much less justifiable to me.
Seems everyone has also jumped on that bandwagon, as even used ones
everywhere else are at very high prices - some more than the original
selling price.
Any thoughts, is it worth waiting to see if things improve, or is it
something that'll take years - I know RAM prices have often been
volatile, but never to this level as far as I can remember (and can't
recall how long they took to recover).
Of course I know we don't have a crystal ball, but I'm open to
suggestions.
RAM chips are commodities. The demand from the AI sector were driving
the RAM-prices and made availability difficult.
As we discuss the AI bubble is bursting. Watch the stock market and the
alarmism in the industry.
What goes high can fall very very deep. Especially with commodities. But
an informed forecast about the timeline is really difficult.
J||rg
<https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=mac+mini+renewed>
On 1 Aug 2026 at 07:13:54 BST, David Kennedy wrote:
Of course I know we don't have a crystal ball, but I'm open to suggestions.
Can you access an Apple education discount?
RAM chips are commodities. The demand from the AI sector were drivingI haven't been keeping up with prices but -u399 seems okay?
the RAM-prices and made availability difficult.
As we discuss the AI bubble is bursting. Watch the stock market and the
alarmism in the industry.
What goes high can fall very very deep. Especially with commodities. But >>> an informed forecast about the timeline is really difficult.
J||rg
<https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=mac+mini+renewed>
That buys you a base-spec M1. The OP was looking for an M4. I bought one a year ago for half the price of this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Apple-Mac-mini-Computer-M4/dp/B0DLBV2QCH
(admittedly I had to buy and fit a 1TB disk and mine only has 16GB RAM - about
-u600 all in with an education discount)
Andy Hewitt <thewildrover@icloud.com> wrote:
I see the original prices are still showing on the Argos site, -u599 for
the base model Mini there - would have done me, and I'd have probably
just bought one. Of course there's no stock left at those prices.
They're now at -u799 everywhere I can find.
What really hurts though is that Apple are selling a Refurb base model,
but for -u679, touting it as -u120 off. Er, no, that particular item would >> have been sold at -u599.
Agree. It's sneaky.
Was looking at refurbs myself today and using the refurb tracker it shows some items as --9% reduction. i.e. +9%. The tracker website uses the launch price and shows many things as actually more expensive now than they were when first sold.
If you are looking for higher spec models they still show some savings.
On 01/08/2026 08:49, RJH wrote:
On 1 Aug 2026 at 07:13:54 BST, David Kennedy wrote:
[..]
Of course I know we don't have a crystal ball, but I'm open to suggestions.
Can you access an Apple education discount?
Not at 62 I can't, and the grandkids are a few years off that yet ;-).
On Sat, 1 Aug 2026 16:33:28 +0100, Andy Hewitt
<thewildrover@icloud.com> wrote:
On 01/08/2026 08:49, RJH wrote:
On 1 Aug 2026 at 07:13:54 BST, David Kennedy wrote:
[..]
Of course I know we don't have a crystal ball, but I'm open to suggestions.
Can you access an Apple education discount?
Not at 62 I can't, and the grandkids are a few years off that yet ;-).
You can start a degree-level course at most Universities no matter
what age you are, though if you are under 18 you may have to have an
adult with you in the Chemistry Lab. when doing practical work, and
the Students' Union might not serve you beer.
Whether it's worth the tuition fees to get all of the discounts and
other freebies depends on whether you or your country pays for it.
I hope this will at least last a few years (my 2013 iMac made over ten
years (with a little help from OCLP at the end ;-)).
John <Man@the.keyboard> wrote:
On Sat, 1 Aug 2026 16:33:28 +0100, Andy Hewitt
<thewildrover@icloud.com> wrote:
On 01/08/2026 08:49, RJH wrote:
On 1 Aug 2026 at 07:13:54 BST, David Kennedy wrote:
[..]
Of course I know we don't have a crystal ball, but I'm open to suggestions.
Can you access an Apple education discount?
Not at 62 I can't, and the grandkids are a few years off that yet ;-).
You can start a degree-level course at most Universities no matter
what age you are, though if you are under 18 you may have to have an
adult with you in the Chemistry Lab. when doing practical work, and
the Students' Union might not serve you beer.
Whether it's worth the tuition fees to get all of the discounts and
other freebies depends on whether you or your country pays for it.
Well, I decided to just bite the proverbial bullet. I ordered it from Apple >yesterday.
I feel like IAve really been stitched up, but as the future is a bit >uncertain, I felt it was HobsonAs choice whatever.
I see rumours of a new M6 model at some point, but who knows when.
And
according to the article, MacWorld I think it was, it could be a budget >processor anyway, as they seem to be looking at the M5 Pro for the higher
end models.
In any case, it seems prices might go up more yet, so could be unlikely >thereAs any savings for waiting it out.
Most astonishing is the Apple refurb is actually the cheapest, most others >were considerably higher.
I hope this will at least last a few years (my 2013 iMac made over ten
years (with a little help from OCLP at the end ;-)).
Cheers.--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
On 03/08/2026 16:48, Andy H wrote:
I hope this will at least last a few years (my 2013 iMac made over tenI've found that most of my stuff has lasted 8-10 years, phones perhaps a
years (with a little help from OCLP at the end ;-)).
bit less although I'm still using an XR
On Mon, 3 Aug 2026 15:48:21 -0000 (UTC), Andy H
<thewildrover@icloud.com> wrote:
Well, I decided to just bite the proverbial bullet. I ordered it from Apple >> yesterday.
A few years back, I was looking at a Mac Pro. That's an Apple Desktop computer which they no longer make. The one I was sort of lusting
after was state-of-the-art and I went to their buy-this web-page. I
picked most of the most expensive, and highest specification options:
more RAM, more CPU, more HDD at all of the others.
The ultimate cost rose from about -u4,000 to -u56,000.
I didn't buy it. I procrastinated. I waited so long that Apple
stopped making Pro's.
I think I should have gone for it.
But, at the time, my lovely, kind, wonderful wife would have had a
couple of unkind things to say about the extravagance.
I feel like IrCOve really been stitched up, but as the future is a bit
uncertain, I felt it was HobsonrCOs choice whatever.
One thing is absolutely certain: the instant you take delivery and
open the box there will be a better machine on the web-site costing
less.
There is *NEVER* a "best time" to buy.
The companies always want us to continue to buy stuff, so they can
continue to have income, so things change.
That's Life. Or something vaguely like it.
I see rumours of a new M6 model at some point, but who knows when.
The day you switch on your new machine and set it up with all of your preferences. As soon as you've done all the work to get it to run how
you like it, M6 will be the highlight of Apple's web pages.
And, if you had waited to buy an M6, they would have been delayed for
a year or more. That, too, is vaguely Life. :)
And
according to the article, MacWorld I think it was, it could be a budget
processor anyway, as they seem to be looking at the M5 Pro for the higher
end models.
There will be an M6 Max and an M6 Pro, maybe even an M6 Magic.
Most astonishing is the Apple refurb is actually the cheapest, most others >> were considerably higher.
I hope this will at least last a few years (my 2013 iMac made over ten
years (with a little help from OCLP at the end ;-)).
I am typing this on a keyboard I bought in 2013 for my 2013 Windows-7
"My Last Computer". Kit can last a very long time.
Or explode the day the warranty runs out. :)
I truly hope you enjoy your new machine and that it makes you happy.
Wrap up well, and try to stay warm,
-a There will be an M6 Max and an M6 Pro, maybe even an M6 Magic.
And probably an M6 Services :-O
On 03/08/2026 22:30, Andy Hewitt wrote:
-a There will be an M6 Max and an M6 Pro, maybe even an M6 Magic.
And probably an M6 Services :-O
I don't wish to know that, kindly leave the stage!
On 03/08/2026 22:30, Andy Hewitt wrote:
-a There will be an M6 Max and an M6 Pro, maybe even an M6 Magic.
And probably an M6 Services :-O
I don't wish to know that, kindly leave the stage!
On 03/08/2026 20:23, John wrote:
On Mon, 3 Aug 2026 15:48:21 -0000 (UTC), Andy H
<thewildrover@icloud.com> wrote:
[..]
Well, I decided to just bite the proverbial bullet. I ordered it from Apple >>> yesterday.
A few years back, I was looking at a Mac Pro. That's an Apple Desktop
computer which they no longer make. The one I was sort of lusting
after was state-of-the-art and I went to their buy-this web-page. I
picked most of the most expensive, and highest specification options:
more RAM, more CPU, more HDD at all of the others.
The ultimate cost rose from about u4,000 to u56,000.
I didn't buy it. I procrastinated. I waited so long that Apple
stopped making Pro's.
I think I should have gone for it.
But, at the time, my lovely, kind, wonderful wife would have had a
couple of unkind things to say about the extravagance.
LOL, that's more than I paid for a house!
I feel like IAve really been stitched up, but as the future is a bit
uncertain, I felt it was HobsonAs choice whatever.
One thing is absolutely certain: the instant you take delivery and
open the box there will be a better machine on the web-site costing
less.
There is *NEVER* a "best time" to buy.
Indeed so.
The companies always want us to continue to buy stuff, so they can
continue to have income, so things change.
That's Life. Or something vaguely like it.
Yup.
Although I don't think I've ever seen this particular scenario with
Apple products.
I see rumours of a new M6 model at some point, but who knows when.
The day you switch on your new machine and set it up with all of your
preferences. As soon as you've done all the work to get it to run how
you like it, M6 will be the highlight of Apple's web pages.
And, if you had waited to buy an M6, they would have been delayed for
a year or more. That, too, is vaguely Life. :)
For sure, don't I know it ;-)
And
according to the article, MacWorld I think it was, it could be a budget
processor anyway, as they seem to be looking at the M5 Pro for the higher >>> end models.
There will be an M6 Max and an M6 Pro, maybe even an M6 Magic.
And probably an M6 Services :-O
[..]
Most astonishing is the Apple refurb is actually the cheapest, most others >>> were considerably higher.
I hope this will at least last a few years (my 2013 iMac made over ten
years (with a little help from OCLP at the end ;-)).
I am typing this on a keyboard I bought in 2013 for my 2013 Windows-7
"My Last Computer". Kit can last a very long time.
I'm using an old Mac Extended USB keyboard here,
I got that for the iMac
many years ago. Sometimes a key or two need cleaning, but it works fine >otherwise.
Or explode the day the warranty runs out. :)
I truly hope you enjoy your new machine and that it makes you happy.
Cheers :-)
Wrap up well, and try to stay warm,
Blimey, no, I have trouble keeping cool enough!
Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
On 03/08/2026 22:30, Andy Hewitt wrote:
a There will be an M6 Max and an M6 Pro, maybe even an M6 Magic.
And probably an M6 Services :-O
I don't wish to know that, kindly leave the stage!
I expect weAll all be long gone before Apple launch the M90 :(
On Mon, 3 Aug 2026 22:30:48 +0100, Andy Hewitt
<thewildrover@icloud.com> wrote:
The ultimate cost rose from about -u4,000 to -u56,000.
I didn't buy it. I procrastinated. I waited so long that Apple
stopped making Pro's.
I think I should have gone for it.
But, at the time, my lovely, kind, wonderful wife would have had a
couple of unkind things to say about the extravagance.
LOL, that's more than I paid for a house!
Even allowing for inflation, it is way less than my house cost me and
is a huge, colossal and massive amount less than the place is "worth"
in today's market, after years of price rises.
I could sell the house and make a tidy profit. The only problem with
that idea is that I'd need to buy another one to actually live in and
that one would cost me more than I'd make selling this one.
No, "down-sizing" isn't an option. There aren't many smaller ones for
sale and there just aren't many smaller ones in existence. :)
There is *NEVER* a "best time" to buy.
Indeed so.
My very first personal PC, I bought for what was a gigantic sum at
the time, -u1300. It was, at the time, super-advanced and full of cool
techy bits: 33MHz CPU, 250 MByte (yes, *MEGABYTE*) hard-drive, 8 MB
RAM (yes, eight MEGA-bytes), CD-ROM reader and writer, free monitor,
free mouse and keyboard, up-to-date Windows OS, internal modem (less
than 44000 Baud, I think), MS Encarta CD, lots of other free CD's.
A couple of months after I bought it, there were newer boxes with
faster CPU's, more RAM, more HDD and so on. I didn't care. I had a
lovely machine that still works.
I used it for years and learned a lot on it. Essentaially, it helped
me become a better I.T. guy, improved my usefulness to the job and got
me lots and lots of lovely wages.
It was, then, a large expense but I see it now as a very good
investment.
There will be an M6 Max and an M6 Pro, maybe even an M6 Magic.
And probably an M6 Services :-O
"M6 Overflow"? "M6 Lightspeed"? "M6 Quark"? "M6 Banana"? "M6 Corona"?
Wait.
"M6 Banana"? Really?
I'm using an old Mac Extended USB keyboard here,
Cool. Apart from those attached to my MBP and virtualised on the iPad screen, I've never had a Maccy KB. The old ones do look nice, though.
I got that for the iMac
many years ago. Sometimes a key or two need cleaning, but it works fine
otherwise.
"Cleaning"?
I'm sure that I've heard this word but not in the context of
keyboards.
| Sysop: | Amessyroom |
|---|---|
| Location: | Fayetteville, NC |
| Users: | 74 |
| Nodes: | 6 (0 / 6) |
| Uptime: | 52:22:33 |
| Calls: | 1,101 |
| Calls today: | 1 |
| Files: | 1,339 |
| Messages: | 276,091 |