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How long are you keeping your machines for?
- Thread starter Al Rukh
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As much as I like new and shiny, I've been keeping my systems as long as possible when they work well and fulfill my useage patterns. If they keep running and the batteries work well enough, I keep them until the OS doesn't update anymore. I was amazed at how long we actually do keep them after compiling this list.
My devices:
Mac Mini 2018 i5 256/32 (6y 3m +) from Mac Mini 2011 (7y 3m)
iPad M2 Air 2024 from iPad Air 2 (7y 11mo) from iPad Air, iPad 3, iPad 2 (5y total)
iPhone 15 Plus 2024 from XR 2018 (5y 3 m) from 6S Plus (1y 5m, water damage) from 4S (4y 6m)
Macbook Pro 13" mid-2014 (10y 1m +)
iWatch SE (3y 10mo +)
Garmin S20 Golf Watch (4yr 10mo +)
Wife's devices:
Macbook Air M2 15" 2023 from my MBP (3y) from 2018 i5 Air 13" (1y 4m, screen) from used 15" MBP 2009 (2y)
iphone SE 2 from SE 1 (?) from my 4S (3m) from flip-phone
Notes:
No Applecare for us. 2 devices broke prematurely cost us about $1000 in lost value, so we are probably ahead of the game
Plan is to pay cash for phones and keep them for 3+ years, using USMobile for our plans.
I have had 3 or 4 monitors over the course of 2 mac minis and have upgraded the RAM and storage when possible instead of paying apple prices. New 5K2K monitor this year.
I want a touch ID keyboard for the Mac Mini, so I am interested in the new form factor M4 on the way. Mac Mini have alway had terrible bluetooth in my setup with Mac Mini in cabinet and 6ft away from keyboard. I could move the mac mini to my desk and get a dock for the drives and such in the cabinet.
iWatch is on last 2 years due to missing out on this years OS upgrade, I think. It does what touch Id would do if it was on my wrist right now. Garmin watches are better for golf. When 2 years is over, I'd like to go to a one watch setup with a better garmin golf watch, I think. Perfect time for a M6 mac mini with a touch id keyboard, or maybe the mini will have face id, that would be cool.
My devices:
Mac Mini 2018 i5 256/32 (6y 3m +) from Mac Mini 2011 (7y 3m)
iPad M2 Air 2024 from iPad Air 2 (7y 11mo) from iPad Air, iPad 3, iPad 2 (5y total)
iPhone 15 Plus 2024 from XR 2018 (5y 3 m) from 6S Plus (1y 5m, water damage) from 4S (4y 6m)
Macbook Pro 13" mid-2014 (10y 1m +)
iWatch SE (3y 10mo +)
Garmin S20 Golf Watch (4yr 10mo +)
Wife's devices:
Macbook Air M2 15" 2023 from my MBP (3y) from 2018 i5 Air 13" (1y 4m, screen) from used 15" MBP 2009 (2y)
iphone SE 2 from SE 1 (?) from my 4S (3m) from flip-phone
Notes:
No Applecare for us. 2 devices broke prematurely cost us about $1000 in lost value, so we are probably ahead of the game
Plan is to pay cash for phones and keep them for 3+ years, using USMobile for our plans.
I have had 3 or 4 monitors over the course of 2 mac minis and have upgraded the RAM and storage when possible instead of paying apple prices. New 5K2K monitor this year.
I want a touch ID keyboard for the Mac Mini, so I am interested in the new form factor M4 on the way. Mac Mini have alway had terrible bluetooth in my setup with Mac Mini in cabinet and 6ft away from keyboard. I could move the mac mini to my desk and get a dock for the drives and such in the cabinet.
iWatch is on last 2 years due to missing out on this years OS upgrade, I think. It does what touch Id would do if it was on my wrist right now. Garmin watches are better for golf. When 2 years is over, I'd like to go to a one watch setup with a better garmin golf watch, I think. Perfect time for a M6 mac mini with a touch id keyboard, or maybe the mini will have face id, that would be cool.
Um...as long as possible!
I did just update my laptop to a MBA M3, and I expect it to last at least five years. But my mid-2015 MBP is still quite functional, but I need to keep it OS-suppressed. I fire it up when needed.
My 2020 M1 Mini is my main machine for everyday stuff plus professional recording studio work and some gaming. Going strong (though I do need to clear out some junk from it).
I did just update my laptop to a MBA M3, and I expect it to last at least five years. But my mid-2015 MBP is still quite functional, but I need to keep it OS-suppressed. I fire it up when needed.
My 2020 M1 Mini is my main machine for everyday stuff plus professional recording studio work and some gaming. Going strong (though I do need to clear out some junk from it).
Still using my 2013 MacBook Air ,for what ever I need a computer for, 99% of the time I use my M1 12.9 iPad Pro,2TB,16GB RAM. I use it all the time. it does it all,wicked fast! Since I will be able to run Ai on it, I’ve set myself to upgrade when the M7 hits,with the forecasted 15” OLED Screen
It’s interesting to look at the progression.
Back in my PC days, it was a constant upgrade cycle. My PC was never static, always needing a new component. Then in 2007 maybe, I got a cheap second hand G4 Power Mac (Sawtooth) to see what the fuss was about, and it converted me. I then went to a:
2008 Mac mini
2012 MacBook Air (I needed more power, and had to carry it around a lot)
2023 MacBook Pro (purchased 2024)
So buying PC parts multiple times a year became 4 years on the mini, and 12 on the Air! Let’s see how long an M3 Pro can hold up.
Launch day iPod touch (delivered a day early), iPhone 3GS, 4, 5, 6, 8 Plus, 14.
I switched to the 4 early, instead of waiting for the 4s because I had carrier issues, and ended up switching, and getting a new phone.
I probably would have got a 12, but I couldn’t afford it at the time, and my 8 Plus kept going strong. In fact it is still soldiering on, but the ear piece blew, and it became very difficult to hear on the phone. Since the repair costs with a new battery were pretty steep, I decided it was time for an upgrade.
1st gen iPad
1st gen iPad mini
iPad Air 2.
I’m really hoping I can upgrade soon, but don’t see how I can afford it. iPads are frightfully expensive now.
Apple Watch 2. Still going. I’d like a new one, but it’s a luxury I can’t afford.
I am glad you upgraded you iPhone instead of just using speakerphone like many of my generation might have done!!!
Apple has desktop, laptop, tablet, phone, watch, and TV. It seems you have picked the ones that are important to you to upgrade. A new $200/$300 ipad 9/10 on sale would be a less expensive upgrade as I figure your air 2 is just too slow to use like mine was. You don’t need power if you have a new MacBook and phone, but maybe enjoy a tablet form factor. Or just give it up. The gap between phone and MacBook is less than it was in the iPad Air 2 days. When wife got her car 10 years back before the CarPlay days I got her a iPod nano off eBay and it’s been plugged in and used every day for 10 years running. I update the songs every 2-3 years.
Oh man, I could not use speaker phone in public! I'm too old for that!!!
The iPad is an interesting one. For most things I could go without it, or use different work flows. It isn't strictly necessary. But I play bass as church, and along with a foot pedal page turner, an iPad is EXCELLENT at showing chord charts. That doesn't need much horse power, and my iPad Air 2 is still keeping up with that, but my eyes aren't. I have to have the tallest music stand so I can have the iPad right in front of my face, so I can read the chords. So, a 13" iPad would be great! I just don't have the AU$1300 required.
If the 10 is ever sufficiently discounted in Australia, I may actually get one, and keep using the tallest music stands I can find. I actually really like the 10, and it would be nice to get one in yellow. Maybe when the 11 is released they'll come down from AU$600, and I might be able to afford one!
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I keep my computers as LOOOONG as humanly possible! HA! I've got the first MacBook Pro I ever bought - a 2009 13 inch MBP and was using it up until about 4-5 years ago. I'm typing this message on a 2015 15MBP - My wife has been using a 2014 MBA although I did upgrade her this year to a 14 M3 MBP. For years I edited on a 2013 iMac, then a 2017 model, and now just finally upgraded to a M2 Pro Mac mini.
Well the reason I am using my early Intel Macs is because Catalina-Somona I felt was limited.
while very fast and responsive, these os were very dependent on the cloud.
there wearer other annoyances like music stoping after 3 songs on an album,
only or no new finder windows an just the flat graphics seemed a boring experience.
somehow Sequoia fixed all these nuances as the system reminds me of mountain lion.
which is a shame for my 2010-2012 MacBooks as they might take a back seat in my computing world,
I will still keep them since their value will not be met, if sold.
while very fast and responsive, these os were very dependent on the cloud.
there wearer other annoyances like music stoping after 3 songs on an album,
only or no new finder windows an just the flat graphics seemed a boring experience.
somehow Sequoia fixed all these nuances as the system reminds me of mountain lion.
which is a shame for my 2010-2012 MacBooks as they might take a back seat in my computing world,
I will still keep them since their value will not be met, if sold.
My MacBook pro 2012 is still my daily computer....... its a bit clunky and the battery lasts about 10 mins.
My 2008 mac pro is still my photography machine, running aperture for my workflow..... it does struggle with the size of the raw images my camera takes, but it gets there eventually.
I'm probably going to get a new MacBook air or MacBook pro this year, and I would like it to last me 8 years.
My 2008 mac pro is still my photography machine, running aperture for my workflow..... it does struggle with the size of the raw images my camera takes, but it gets there eventually.
I'm probably going to get a new MacBook air or MacBook pro this year, and I would like it to last me 8 years.
Until they are unusable,
Laptops:
2011 17" Top Spec >To> 2015 15" Top Spec >To> M1 16GB, 1TB (Works great still)
Using as a desktops:
2010 5,1 (With upgrades along the way) >To> 2013 6,1 (With upgrades along the way) >To> MacBook Pro 2019 i9 16GB 'With damaged screen' as main machine, works as well as the 5,1/6,1 did for my needs.
Around 4-6 years or longer, as long as they don't feel slow for daily use; We good!
I was using 5,1 until around 2021... So just depends, really.
Laptops:
2011 17" Top Spec >To> 2015 15" Top Spec >To> M1 16GB, 1TB (Works great still)
Using as a desktops:
2010 5,1 (With upgrades along the way) >To> 2013 6,1 (With upgrades along the way) >To> MacBook Pro 2019 i9 16GB 'With damaged screen' as main machine, works as well as the 5,1/6,1 did for my needs.
Around 4-6 years or longer, as long as they don't feel slow for daily use; We good!
I was using 5,1 until around 2021... So just depends, really.
I already have stock in Apple.I would sell ... one house and buy stock in Apple! ... plus those M4s.
About 9-10 years. MacBook Pros are not cheap (for me, anyway) and I use them until the lack of support and compatibility issues make the situation untenable, almost. I find MacBook Pros are great machines (but I managed to skip all the ultra-thin Intel garbage that Apple spewed for years).
- MacBook Pro Late 2013 - still in use - 10+ years.
- Intel iMac 27" 2020, 16GB VRAM with upgraded base 8 GB RAM for 300USD to 128 GB RAM. 4 years and I still intend to keep it for years to come till it dies naturally.
- iPhone SE 2020 v 2- 4 years. I have no intention of upgrading it. It is enough for me as a smartphone, so probably for the next 4 years or more so long as I can buy replacement parts from iFixit.
- Intel iMac 27" 2020, 16GB VRAM with upgraded base 8 GB RAM for 300USD to 128 GB RAM. 4 years and I still intend to keep it for years to come till it dies naturally.
- iPhone SE 2020 v 2- 4 years. I have no intention of upgrading it. It is enough for me as a smartphone, so probably for the next 4 years or more so long as I can buy replacement parts from iFixit.
In the past, I had been keeping mine for about 2-3 years. Then I tired keeping them much longer, having an Intel iMac (for 11 years), and Intel MBP(for 7 years). That last change didn't go well and don't want to do again. I always felt I was missing out on the latest stuff. I'll likely now revert back to the 2-3 years plan again.
EDIT: Minor spelling and grammar mistakes.
EDIT: Minor spelling and grammar mistakes.
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I used to upgrade more frequently, but I grabbed all my current devices on sale, and I intend to keep those as long as I can. I got the M2 iPad Pro for super cheap when the M4's came out, and I grabbed my M3 Macbook Pro for $1299 plus a trade in. I also got my Apple Watch Ultra 2 on sale with a trade in as well. The only thing I upgrade more frequently is my iPhone since I'm on the iPhone upgrade plan. But even that might stop happening after the 16 Pro/Pro Max comes out. I might get that sweet natural titanium and chill for a couple years.
But for Macbooks, my configuration is just the base model M3, and I intend to keep that for a loooooong time. I traded Air's in more frequently, but this one will stay.
But for Macbooks, my configuration is just the base model M3, and I intend to keep that for a loooooong time. I traded Air's in more frequently, but this one will stay.
Usually after about 4 years.
I traded an i9 MBP for an M1 when they were released - the best computer move I ever made.
The M2s and M3s never seemed like huge upgrades (or not enough to justify the cost and disruption of changing), but I'll probably go with M4 at some point. I'm looking forward to seeing what Apple announces.
I traded an i9 MBP for an M1 when they were released - the best computer move I ever made.
The M2s and M3s never seemed like huge upgrades (or not enough to justify the cost and disruption of changing), but I'll probably go with M4 at some point. I'm looking forward to seeing what Apple announces.
intel macs were replaced pretty much every upgrade.
i still have the old 2019 intel macbook pro
i traded up to the 13" M1 pro when it was first released
sold that and picked up the M2 macbook air (still have / use), will trade up to the M4 i'm sure
bought the M3 macbook pro oct last year. will probably sell it and stick with the M4 MBA depending on specs
so intel - every year
apple silicon - every 2 years or so
i still have the old 2019 intel macbook pro
i traded up to the 13" M1 pro when it was first released
sold that and picked up the M2 macbook air (still have / use), will trade up to the M4 i'm sure
bought the M3 macbook pro oct last year. will probably sell it and stick with the M4 MBA depending on specs
so intel - every year
apple silicon - every 2 years or so
I had a 2010 MacBook Pro for over 10 years (and a used 2010 Mac Pro for more than 5) before I retired them with an M1 Air in 2022. I’ll upgrade again when they remove the hideous notch.
Similar as the last post, had a 2011 MacBook Pro 13" that I used for 10 years then upgraded to the 2020 M1 MacBook Pro. I'm debating on getting the next M4 Pro/Max MacBook Pro 14" or 16", but it certainly isn't necessary at all.
Generally 4-5 years. My goal is at least until 2030. Granted my Macbook Pro is an M3 Max with 128 GB RAM. I imagine this will continue to satisfy my workflow until then.
This is exactly what I did! And I agree... While the M2, M3, M4's when they come, my M1 14" maxed is plenty for my editing and work!
Coachingguy
The M1 Max would still be a great machine. I would expect it to continue being so for a good few years yet!
Depends on the device and my usage needs. My phones I upgrade usually every couple years as it’s my most used device and I like to use the latest and greatest and enjoy it. Plus multiple family members to pass them down to so they go to good use. My iPads I keep until they aren’t useful anymore at basic tasks, I went from an iPad 6 to an M1 Pro, sold that to try a pc handheld and went back to an m1 air as I didn’t need the newest out there.
My MacBooks will be the same way, I only just got my first MacBook 2 years ago but it still runs and feels like new, so I don’t see an upgrade in the near future for it, but I don’t use it for any heavy tasks either
I think everyone’s life cycles will heavily depend on their use cases as well, especially for a MacBook.
My MacBooks will be the same way, I only just got my first MacBook 2 years ago but it still runs and feels like new, so I don’t see an upgrade in the near future for it, but I don’t use it for any heavy tasks either
I think everyone’s life cycles will heavily depend on their use cases as well, especially for a MacBook.
Im still using rMBP early 2015 (i7, 16GB RAM and 512 HD) and still very happy with it, battery in great condition as well was looking for a reason to upgrade but ....