3 Minutes
Something strange is happening in China’s tech markets. Old MacBooks—the kind you’d expect to lose value quietly—are suddenly getting more expensive. Not slightly. Noticeably.
The reason isn’t nostalgia or a collector’s trend. It’s AI.
An emerging tool called OpenClaw has exploded in popularity, and its influence is spilling far beyond software downloads. It’s reshaping hardware demand in a way few saw coming—and the ripple effects are just beginning.
When AI Demand Leaks Into Hardware
OpenClaw isn’t your typical chatbot. It behaves more like a digital assistant with initiative—handling emails, browsing, even making purchases without constant supervision. That kind of autonomy is powerful, but it comes with a catch: security concerns.
To stay on the safe side, many users prefer running OpenClaw on a separate machine. And that’s where things get interesting.
Instead of buying brand-new devices, a growing number of users are turning to secondhand Apple hardware. Older MacBooks and Mac Minis, powered by Apple’s efficient chips, offer a sweet spot—reliable performance without the premium price tag of new models.
Except now, they’re not so cheap anymore.
According to data cited by CNBC, demand for used Apple devices in China has surged to levels typically seen during peak iPhone launch seasons. That’s unusual. Spring is usually quiet. Prices tend to dip. This year, they didn’t.
At ATRenew, a major reseller partnered with Apple and JD.com, executives say the spike feels eerily similar to pandemic-era buying frenzies. Used Mac prices alone have climbed around 15%, driven largely by OpenClaw adopters.
A Glimpse of What’s Next
Mac Mini models, in particular, have become the go-to entry point for this AI wave. Compact, efficient, and relatively affordable—at least they used to be—they’re now in high demand as dedicated AI machines.
And the trend isn’t slowing down.
ATRenew has already started increasing its buyback prices just to keep inventory flowing. The company processed roughly 100,000 devices per day last year, and laptops are expected to claim a bigger share of that volume moving forward.
Meanwhile, industry voices are adding fuel to the fire. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has described OpenClaw as “the next ChatGPT,” calling it one of the most significant open-source movements to date. Major Chinese tech firms, including Tencent, are rapidly integrating or supporting the ecosystem, accelerating adoption even further.
The result? Demand for capable machines—new or used—is outpacing supply.
If this pattern holds, the line between software innovation and hardware pricing will blur even more—and consumers will feel it first.
For now, anyone considering a Mac purchase may want to act sooner rather than later. Because if AI continues its current trajectory, today’s prices could soon look like a bargain.
Source: digitaltrends
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