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How long are you keeping your machines for?
- Thread starter Al Rukh
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If I tell you about local NAS-storage would that blow your mind?
I usually keep mine 3-5 years. I'm a pretty heavy user so my upgrade cycle is a bit more frequent. With Apple Silicon though who knows it could be longer.
I'm super tempted to but have no good reason at the moment. My M2 Air was far more powerful than I realized and does all the things.
I keep my machines until they're no longer able to be updated to the most recent OS. Occasionally I keep them past that date but their time is limited...
I also occasionally replace tech when a new feature is debuted that I value or if the old tech no longer runs things flawlessly (hangs, chugs, spinning beach balls...). Sandy Bridge CPUs changed that for me on traditional computers, but GPUs are a different story (I'm a sucker for mesh shading and ray tracing, for example) and I used eGPUs to address that... which is no longer possible on my Apple Silicon machines.
My MBPro will be up for optional replacement once Thunderbolt 5 is available in a Mac Studio (M4 Max/Ultra generation would be my guess). The iPad will be eligible for upgrades once display tech improves (I doubt I'd survive holding my breath for microLED, but I'd explode with joy if a 120Hz OLED iPad mini were released). The iPhone not until it wears out... And the Mac mini likely once it can no longer receive OS updates (it's not pushed particularly hard).
I also occasionally replace tech when a new feature is debuted that I value or if the old tech no longer runs things flawlessly (hangs, chugs, spinning beach balls...). Sandy Bridge CPUs changed that for me on traditional computers, but GPUs are a different story (I'm a sucker for mesh shading and ray tracing, for example) and I used eGPUs to address that... which is no longer possible on my Apple Silicon machines.
My MBPro will be up for optional replacement once Thunderbolt 5 is available in a Mac Studio (M4 Max/Ultra generation would be my guess). The iPad will be eligible for upgrades once display tech improves (I doubt I'd survive holding my breath for microLED, but I'd explode with joy if a 120Hz OLED iPad mini were released). The iPhone not until it wears out... And the Mac mini likely once it can no longer receive OS updates (it's not pushed particularly hard).
I upgraded to the M1 macbook from a 2012 Macbook Pro. Don't plan to upgrade until around 2030.
Regarding storage, I still have doubts honestly. I find it a bit difficult to calculate it not only because of how much storage I want to leave free to improve performance (surprisingly I’ve been using my M2 iPad Pro for more than 6 months with the storage almost full, with just a few GB free, and it was still very snappy; I guess it’s something of Apple Silicon and having 8GB of RAM for iPadOS) but also because of the SSD degradation. Theoretically, lifespan doubles when you double the storage capacity, so having double the capacity means it can take more TBW than smaller SSDs.
On my 128GB iPad Pro the election of a bigger SSD is clear because I end up filling the 128GB and the 256GB will be faster and provide a longer lifespan (although when I exchange it to replace the battery, I guess the SSD will be new). If I manage to sell this M2 iPad Pro this holidays I’ll probably grab a 256GB one.
However, on the Mac side, I don’t have it clear at all. Keep in mind I don’t use cloud storage either. Unfortunately, SSDs are not replaceable on Mac mini or MacBook Airs… and the SSD has a lot more work on macOS, swapping and such. It will degrade faster, it is not replaceable, and that would lead me to get a bigger SSD if I plan to keep the Mac for 8 to 10 years. I have a replaceable Samsung EVO SATA 1TB SSD (it was dirt cheap) on my old 2014 Mac mini, and I usually only fill around 250 to 300GB, if we take into account that sometimes I work on video files or download content that takes 3 or 4GB per file. But I copy them on external drives, and I format and reinstall my Mac from scratch at least once per year, usually in spring or summer. That way, I never use a ton of storage on my Mac.
But still, despite this, I am considering for my next Mac, which will be an Apple Silicon Mac, at least 1TB. For a longer lifespan on a device which I won’t be able to replace the SSD from it once it gets to the end of life. If some upcoming macOS version gets released with a new memory leak, or other memory management glitch (like it was the case with Big Sur or Monterey) the SSD TBW can skyrocket and I would be killing my SSD, which again, isn’t replaceable on many macs. Or if I download or move big files, or let’s say I try learning video editing or something similar, I would be using many TBW, and if I can double them by doubling the storage, why settle on 512GB which, probably, would be enough?
Those are my worries and reasoning regarding SSD, in relation to the long time I plan to keep my next Mac. An M4 Mac, probably.
I just don't take good enough care of my laptops to make one last that long. My main mac now is an M1 Studio, which just sits on my desk looking very solid. I'm definitely shooting for 10 years or so, at which point I'll be near end of life myself, and will have a hard time justifying buying a Mac with a longer useful life than myself!
My guess is that we’ll all be tempted to upgrade by some major advances in on-device neural engine, but that would require that Sonoma has compelling new features.
I’m more skeptical about the latter part coming soon (2 years). macOS Sonoma was a pretty minor update with tons of bugs.
I’m more skeptical about the latter part coming soon (2 years). macOS Sonoma was a pretty minor update with tons of bugs.
Tbh 13 yrs is way to long and too much time consumed with its upkeep, rather than being a tool to make life easier.
It was only possible through component level repairs and a 3rd party warranty who've been dying to finally write it off. I'm still typing on it now and the only original part is the main body and keyboard. A bit like me
Apple followed an annual upgrade cadence with its most popular models during the Intel era (the 13/15/16" MBP and the iMac), so I don't really think that will have a huge impact for the resale value of similar models that get upgraded annually versus the Intel models.
I'm still on my 13" MBP 2012 CD-Drive. So 12 years for me...
I plan on upgrading to the new MBP Black this Holiday season. Just waiting to see if they have any special offers possibly.
I plan on upgrading to the new MBP Black this Holiday season. Just waiting to see if they have any special offers possibly.
I haven't moved to Apple Silicon (except for a work-provided M1 MacBook Pro). 5K iMac I've had since May 2016, 16" MacBook Pro I've had since November 2019. The iMac is due for an upgrade and will likely be replaced with an iMac to 5K monitor conversion connected to a custom-built Linux PC when I have the time to do all that.
To clarify, I’m going back 10+ (the iLife yrs) when there weren’t annual cycles to this extent and buying was a gamble to those wanting the newer tech. We were all fixated on the MR Buyers Guide back then.
Apple considers it's products vintage after 5 years and obsolete after 7 years from the date of introduction (not when you decide to buy it).
Therefore I would expect 5 years of MacOS releases and 2 years of security-only updates if your need to save up again to pay the Apple tax.
While the M3s are pricey, if your able to amortize it over 5-7 years I think you've gotten a good deal, although if you upgrade every year/other year when the new shiny comes out, I can cost being an issue for you.
Therefore I would expect 5 years of MacOS releases and 2 years of security-only updates if your need to save up again to pay the Apple tax.
While the M3s are pricey, if your able to amortize it over 5-7 years I think you've gotten a good deal, although if you upgrade every year/other year when the new shiny comes out, I can cost being an issue for you.
The vintage/obsolete clock starts when new product was no longer listed for sale directly from Apple (excluding refurbished sale). The clock doesn’t start when the product is introduced.
I just got my upgraded M2 MBA several months ago and it's perfect for my needs, both personally and semi-professionally in working with audio. I'll be keeping it for at least 3 years, components permitting.
I usually keep my devices for about 5 to 8 years for my iPhones and Mac's.. Only have used apple products for personal use. Had PC's at my work.. upgraded from a iPhone X to a 14 pro Max last year. Have owned apple computers sine 1989. iMacs starting with first iMac a G5 in 2004 .My last computer upgrade after 8 years was from a 2011 27" iMac to a Intel 2019 27" with 1T storage iMac. Which currently is working fine. So now biting time until I need another Mac.. I will only be happy with at least a 27" or larger so waiting and waiting for something reasonably priced is released in the near future..
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Mac mini 2011. Works fine but slow these days. Maxed out the ram when I bought it. Keep it for Lightroom 6 (non subscription).
Got new mini in feb 23 but regret buying as it constantly displays desktop incorrectly on my monitor (too scaled in) & find the iTunes a major PITA trying to get the iPhone to sync.
I may trade in m1 mini in a few years for iMac when I get near retiring etc but will keep 2011 mini going as long as I can.
Apple software has got worse over the years tbh
Got new mini in feb 23 but regret buying as it constantly displays desktop incorrectly on my monitor (too scaled in) & find the iTunes a major PITA trying to get the iPhone to sync.
I may trade in m1 mini in a few years for iMac when I get near retiring etc but will keep 2011 mini going as long as I can.
Apple software has got worse over the years tbh
It’s difficult or impossible to carry NAS around, such as traveling. For home use it may be fine.If I tell you about local NAS-storage would that blow your mind?
Yes, I know about NAS. Not really in a position to set one up at the moment.