Used MacBook Prices Surge in China Amid OpenClaw AI Frenzy
Prices of secondhand MacBooks are reportedly rising significantly in China, fueled by a growing demand for devices capable of running the OpenClaw AI framework. According to a CNBC report, this upward trend is driven by users seeking dedicated machines to experiment with the open-source tool, which enables autonomous local computer operations.
Driving Forces Behind the Price Increase
Jeremy Ji, chief strategy officer and general manager of international business at ATRenew, a used-electronics reseller partnering with Apple and JD.com in mainland China, highlighted the surge. He noted that from March to May, ATRenew is maintaining Apple product prices at levels typically seen during peak iPhone launch periods, instead of the usual seasonal decline. New MacBooks are generally priced about 15% higher than used units on its platform.
"As people in China jump on the OpenClaw trend, they are turning to pre-owned computers," Ji told CNBC, comparing the demand spike to the pandemic period when personal computing purchases increased. He added that consumer interest in higher-spec secondhand MacBooks remains steady, with ATRenew increasing buyback prices to improve supply, and expects this trend to continue "throughout the whole year."
OpenClaw's Popularity and Security Concerns
OpenClaw, created by Austrian developer Peter Steinberger, is an open-source AI agent framework that allows for autonomous management of tasks like email, calendars, and files. In February, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman hired Steinberger to lead the development of next-generation AI agents. The tool has seen higher usage in China than in the US, according to cybersecurity firm SecurityScorecard.
However, concerns about data access and security risks are prompting users to run the software on secondary devices or cloud servers rather than on their primary computers. This has further boosted demand for used MacBooks as dedicated testing machines.
Impact on Device Trade-Ins and Market Trends
ATRenew is observing users trading in MacBooks powered by older M1 and M2 chips for models equipped with M4 or M5 processors. "We do see the growing demand for laptops, PCs as a whole, but the Mac devices benefit from that trend [to try OpenClaw] above all," Ji noted.
While Ji did not disclose the exact number of MacBooks processed since late February, he mentioned that ATRenew handled around 100,000 devices daily on average last year. He expects laptops and personal computing devices, including MacBooks, to account for about 20% of the company's business, up from 15% currently.
Broader Industry Implications
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told CNBC that OpenClaw is "definitely the next ChatGPT," calling it "the largest, most popular, the most successful open-sourced project in the history of humanity." This endorsement underscores the tool's potential impact on the tech landscape.
Separately, rising demand for AI computing has pushed up prices of memory chips, a key component in smartphones and laptops. Ji added that this has led more consumers in China to consider used Apple smartphones instead of flagship Android devices, reflecting broader shifts in consumer behavior driven by AI advancements.
OpenClaw was introduced by Steinberger in November, but demand in China accelerated earlier this month after companies such as Tencent began using the tool to attract users, further cementing its role in the market.
