To answer your question accurately will depend on how long it ends up lasting for. For example if it works well enough for another 4 years, now we need to ask

To answer your question accurately will depend on how long it ends up lasting for. For example if it works well enough for another 4 years, now we need to ask the question on whether or not you could get reasonable value out of an 8+ year old Mac. I never sold one so I'm not sure. My gut tells me it's going to be worth way less than what you bought it for even if it's in good condition. But more generally, yeah I have no intentions on re-selling this thing if I decide I'm done with it before it physically breaks. I'd probably donate it or give it away for free (if someone wanted it). I don't see that as too bad tho. If I can get 7-8 years out of $350 device I'm pretty happy, especially if the next one costs about the same. It's a tough comparison tho because a decently decked out MBP is going to be like 8x as expensive but also have way better specs.