Apple Mac mini Intel Ivy Bridge Core i5 2.5GHz Desktop for $549 + FS

Quote from expansionist : Have fun with Apple's new 6-month product cycle.

It should be six months to not get behind. And the resale value is still high no matter their product cycle. Not blowing Apple, I actually hate their computer products.

Quote from expansionist : Have fun with Apple's new 6-month product cycle.

I think you're trying to bash apple? But it actually works for apple product owners. Because apple products retain their value (don't ask me why....), you can easily sell your "old" apple products for about the same price you bought it; so essentially, you're only paying the upgrade difference in cost if you buy a newer version. Maybe even get the newer version free if you make enough profit.

I have actually made money from selling my old apple products 1-2years after release.... Sold my iphone 4 for $220 this year to upgrade to iphone 5, AND made $20 lol.

Quote from umrdyldo : It should be six months to not get behind. And the resale value is still high no matter their product cycle.

Quote from ONEchance : Because apple products retain their value (don't ask me why....), you can easily sell your "old" apple products for about the same price you bought it; so essentially, you're only paying the upgrade difference in cost if you buy a newer version.

As an ex-iPad 3 owner, nope.

Quote from LetsGiveATry : Micro Center [microcenter.com] offers it for $549.99 (only Store pickup)

+ Sales Tax for most!

Quote from expansionist : Have fun with Apple's new 6-month product cycle.

Except that does not apply to the Mac product line.
Check everymac.com and you'll see the time lines.

Quote from expansionist : As an ex-iPad 3 owner, nope.

So a 30% drop in value over a year on an tablet is bad?

That seems pretty reasonable to me.

Quote from ONEchance : I have actually made money from selling my old apple products 1-2years after release.... Sold my iphone 4 for $220 this year to upgrade to iphone 5, AND made $20 lol.

You got an iPhone 4 with no contract for $200 while they were current? Sounds legit.

Quote from animexstudio : f Also (i think its on the bottom in that same buy together and save link) you can get 50% off applecare which is definitely a good thing to buy

Entended warranties are almost always a waste of money, including Applecare

Quote from ONEchance : I think you're trying to bash apple? But it actually works for apple product owners. Because apple products retain their value (don't ask me why....), you can easily sell your "old" apple products for about the same price you bought it; so essentially, you're only paying the upgrade difference in cost if you buy a newer version. Maybe even get the newer version free if you make enough profit. I have actually made money from selling my old apple products 1-2years after release.... Sold my iphone 4 for $220 this year to upgrade to iphone 5, AND made $20 lol.

Not after tax and activation I don't think.

Quote from ONEchance : I think you're trying to bash apple? But it actually works for apple product owners. Because apple products retain their value (don't ask me why....), you can easily sell your "old" apple products for about the same price you bought it; so essentially, you're only paying the upgrade difference in cost if you buy a newer version. Maybe even get the newer version free if you make enough profit. I have actually made money from selling my old apple products 1-2years after release.... Sold my iphone 4 for $220 this year to upgrade to iphone 5, AND made $20 lol.

LOL, funniest thing I've read today.

Let me tell you what really happened when you bought your iPhone. Assuming this is the base model, you signed a two year contract, you paid $600 for your phone, the carrier then subsidized $400 of it. The carrier easily made its money back by keeping you locked into your two year contract and bleeding you dry over 24 months. I will agree that the iPhone holds its value better than any other phone out there. When I used to be with AT&T, I bought my iPhone 3G for $199 and sold it for $200 on CL two years later. Doesn't mean I came out ahead.

$45 tax in Texas

This should work nicely for a media machine. Was planning on picking up a mini sometime soon.

I had a 3 1/2 yr old macbook pro that I bought for around $1000 new. I just sold it for $600 and upgraded to the newest one on that amazon sale that was here about a month ago for $960. So I upgraded for basically $360. I love their resale value!

It's alright

I've never owned a Mac. Would this be good to run Photoshop CS5 or Lightroom5, etc? Obviously an upgrade to RAM & possibly SSD would be wise. Not sure how easy it is to upgrade Macs... as I've stated, I'm a PC/Intel guy, throught & through.