How Long Do MacBooks Last? The Complete Tech Guide

Because of its great production, MacBooks, MacBook Airs, and MacBook Pros are viewed as some of the most reliable products in Apple’s product line.

Although Apple products, especially MacBooks, tend to last for a long time, eventually there comes a time when it is time to replace your MacBook with a brand new one. Even with this knowledge, some seek to put it off and use their Mac for as long as possible before it stops working because of their high prices.

Although using your MacBook on a limited basis is the best way to preserve it, if your computer is not already protected by Apple warranty now is the time to consider safeguarding your device. Any performance issues during the post-warranty period can be frustrating, but these things do happen. Therefore, having an affordable and reliable MacBook repair service on speed dial is a necessity. MacBook owners usually find it difficult to repair their machines on their own but due to the specialized designs of Apple products, tracking down expert technicians can be tricky.

Cracked screens, display issues, the need for a hardware or RAM upgrade, power supply problems, and data recovery disasters can all lead to larger problems if left for too long. Therefore, consulting with expert technicians at the first sign of any problems with your computer is strongly recommended. Correspondingly, if you need to get your MacBook repaired in a hurry then tracking down a local tech repair specialist in your area is crucial. For instance, if you are based in Sacramento, searching for ‘Macbook repair in Sacramento‘ can help you to locate an expert quickly and efficiently.

But how long do MacBooks last? What is the average MacBook life expectancy? If you are wondering about those questions, read below for a guide to figuring out how long do Macs last.

Macs That Support Apple Software

Before considering replacing the MacBook that you currently own, it is important to consider waiting until the software on your MacBook no longer works. If you are still able to receive the newest Apple software on these computers, you should be using these computers:

● MacBook (early 2015 or later)
● MacBook Air (mid-2012 or later)
● MacBook Pro (mid-2012 or later)
● Mac mini (late 2012 or later)
● iMac (late 2012 or later)
● iMac Pro (2017 or later)
● Mac Pro (late 2013 or later)

The most recent macOS operating systems that can support the latest Apple software are Mojave, Catalina, and Big Sur (upcoming in Fall 2020).

Macs Considered Obsolete

As of 2020, there are some editions of MacBooks products by year that are considered to be “vintage” or “obsolete”, meaning that newer macOS hardware and software cannot run on those computers.

An Apple product is considered vintage when it has not been sold for more than five and less than seven years ago. A product is obsolete when sales for the product was discontinued more than seven years ago.

If you want the newer software, you might need to start thinking about getting a newer MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. Some of the computers on the Mac and MacBook lines that are vintage and obsolete are listed below:

● All pre-Intel Macs
● iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011)
● iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012)
● iMac (27-inch, Late 2012)
● iMac (21.5-inch, Early 2013)
● Mac mini (Late 2012)
● Mac Pro (Mid 2012)
● MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2013)
● MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2014)
● MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2013)
● MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2014)
● MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2013)
● MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2013)
● MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Early 2013)
● MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013)
● MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014)

If you want a full, complete list of MacBooks and Mac products that are considered to be obsolete, Apple provides a full list on their website.

Signs It Is Time to Get a New Mac

When your Mac is about to reach the end of its life, there will be certain signs you notice signaling that it is about time to start thinking about getting a new MacBook Pro or MacBook Air.

Here are some of the signs you should look for when your MacBook Pro or Air is starting to die.

Your MacBook Cannot Run the Latest Version of macOS

Apple tends to release a new macOS operating system in September or October of each year. As of 2020, macOS Big Sur is the latest one announced and currently in developer beta. If your computer cannot install or run the latest software, that means your computer is now obsolete.

Your Computer Constantly Runs Out of Free Space

No one likes seeing that popup notifying you that you need to delete items off your hard drive to open up more free space. To solve this in the short term, buy an external hard drive where you can keep the most important items you need as a backup in case your computer does die.

Software Issues Keep Appearing

One of the biggest signs is when software issues start appearing on your MacBook. This can come in the form of your computer screen freezing, visual glitches, random shutdowns, or Blue Screens of Death (BSODs). If updating your hardware or reinstalling macOS does not solve these problems, this may be a sign your MacBook is starting to fail.

Your Mac Has a Lot of Physical Damage Beyond Repair

Obviously, if you drop your MacBook and the screen cracks or something else in the computer breaks off, it is a good time to replace that component. Smaller issues, such as dead pixels on display or not being able to use the charger unless it’s in a certain position or spot, when these start building up over time, it can be a sign that your MacBook is starting to be unusable.

It Doesn’t Work Like It Used to and It’s the Right Time to Do It

It might be the case that you have been thinking it was time to upgrade your MacBook and was willing to wait on doing so. If the newest macOS software and model are starting to interest you, take the jump to replace your computer.
Of course, if you want to save some money or can’t afford the latest models, you can buy an older MacBook. Keep in mind though that older models get closer to getting considered obsolete the longer you have it.
If any or all of these signs start popping up regularly, you should take the opportunity to start thinking about getting a new MacBook or replacing the one you already have.

How to Make a MacBook Last for a Long Time

Some ways to make sure your MacBook can last for as long as possible before you start thinking of replacing it are downloading software updates through the App Store and installing antivirus software on your computer.
You are able with a MacBook to download any new software updates that Apple releases through App Store or your System Preferences. While MacBooks and other Apple products are typically not as susceptible to unwanted viruses, spyware, and malware, it can happen and the occurrences are growing by the year.

If you have any other problems with your MacBook, you can always take your computer to an Apple Store near you and have a Genius help you solve the problem you are having.

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How Long Do MacBooks Last?

In most cases, even when your MacBook has the best functionality and working hardware, the longest you could potentially use a MacBook until it eventually dies is ten years.
Yet, keep in mind that if you use your MacBook for a specific purpose, such as gaming, animation, or editing photos, this can shorten your MacBook’s lifespan by a couple of years. This is because these activities can challenge your computer’s RAM and hard drive limitations.

How Long Does a MacBook Pro Last?

For many computer and MacBook experts, MacBook Pros will last on average from around seven years on average, although it could also last from eight to ten years at the most. MacBook Pros are typically marketed and made for people who require the maximum performance and CPU-intensive tasks out of their computers for their business or recreational purposes like the ones listed above.

If your MacBook Pro has to undergo these intensive processes a lot, it can wear down your computer’s battery, RAM, hard drive, and graphics card and potentially shorten its lifespan. If you want to make your MacBook Pro last efficiently longer, you can use it for about three days a week for about two and a half hours per session.

How Long Does a MacBook Air Last?

According to most experts, MacBook Air computers can last, at most, for five to seven years on average.

Since these computers are marketed more towards people who will not use any extraneous software for gaming, animation, or editing photos and instead use it more for everyday life like web browsing, emailing video playback, and social media, it is not a computer that requires being needed for as long as a MacBook Pro.

If you want your MacBook Air to last longer than the average five years, consider upgrading it with more RAM and installing a better graphics card than the one Apple automatically provides.

Help Your MacBook Be Efficient and Last Longer

If you have been wondering “How long do MacBooks last?”, let this guide help you figure out how long to make your MacBook last.
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