Hopefully the knowledgeable GRM community can put me on the right direction on this one.
I was recently made a trade proposal of a Apple MacBook Pro + $$$ for a Harley sportster project in my possession. I still haven't received detailed specs on the computer.
Should I even be considering this? I could use a new laptop but have a weird feeling about trading a motorcycle that with some elbow grease will probably always work computer hardware which is essentially outdated even when brand new (plus having to buy any accessories/software to make the computer work w/ my stuff which is all PC)
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Look at the depreciation curve on Apple laptops. At 4 to 5 years they generally have a residual value about equal to the aluminum in them. I would keep the bike. Or sell it to me. 
agree with mister number deuce. in a few years the bike will have the same value. the computer will have the value of a few paving bricks from home depot. or $100 or whatever. so unless the cash involved alone makes you happy, i would not do it.
On one hand- ↑ they're right, the laptop will depreciate more than the bike. But, Apple laptops do hold their value better than their Windows counterparts. It comes down to what you'll get the use out of and want. If you'd be buying a new computer anyway it would be depreciating as well, so figure out what the computer being offered is worth and whether that plus the cash is enough equal the value of the bike- and then ask for a bit more cash than that. 
oldtin
UberDork
11/24/15 9:12 a.m.
Depends. If the sportster project consists of a bent frame and a vin it might be ok. What are the dollars needed for the bike to be roadworthy? It sounds like a better deal for the other guy than you on the face of it.
Thanks everyone, confirmed my suspicions. Unless the trade is mostly cash it's no good.
Theoretically if I had the storage, the bike would be fine if I forgot about it for 10-20+ yrs. The computer would be useless clutter. I'll continue to pursue cash, or one of the specific trades I could use.
It would be fun and fairly easy to get this up and running but I just wish I had the time, it's stored about half an hour from where I live and honestly this particular bike just doesn't excite me.
