How long are you keeping your machines for?

[Powerbooky]

2001: PowerBook G4 used up to 2011 (10 years)
2001: PowerMac G4 (dual 1GHz) used up to 2013 (12 years)
2008: MacPro still in use today
2009: Mac mini (server purpose) used up to early 2023 (13 years)
2011: MacBook Pro put aside late 2023 (12 years)
2022: got used Mac mini (2014) replaced the 2009 server, in use today
2023: got used MacBook Pro 2019, in use today

All of these machines are still here and still work. Before that, the Windows PC's I had are all broken.
So... at least 10 years or more and I hope that when I get my Apple Silicon Mac's they also will function for at least 10 years.

 

[Ifti]

Im with this guy! Sticking with my M1 Max!

 

[Tadros]

With Apple silicone now available for three years, his it a feasible option to upgrade yearly or maybe every other year? The specs and design upgrades are minimal, so how long do you plan to stick with your current devices before considering an upgrade?

I just ordered an M3 Max MacBook Pro so I can retire my 2011 17 inch MacBook Pro.

So… 7-12 years? 🤣

 

[GuruZac]

M1 MBA is way more power than I even need, but I finally start getting paid next year after a very long road of pre-med and medical education so splurging on tech for the fun of it is likely in my future. I’ll probably get a Space Black 16” MBP and probably new 13” iPad Pro next year.

 

[dfj74]

What macOS are you running now?

I upgraded to Catalina some time ago, using dosdude’s patch utility. I don’t think it’ll go any higher.
Unfortunately it’s a 21.5 late 2009 iMac with the nvidia 9400, and afaik that model can’t be used as target display mode.

 

[csalm87]

Usually 5-7 years for desktops and 4 ish for laptops. iMac Pro still going strong, but I will probably look to replace it with the M3 Max/Ultra studio next year.

 

[clayj]

I'll get a new iPhone every two years, maybe three.

Everything else will be kept until it can no longer run the current OS.

 

[17fox]

I upgraded to Catalina some time ago, using dosdude’s patch utility. I don’t think it’ll go any higher.
Unfortunately it’s a 21.5 late 2009 iMac with the nvidia 9400, and afaik that model can’t be used as target display mode.

Probably, you could go higher using OCLP, although I'm not sure how great the performance would be in this case and what issues can unexpectedly appear. I guess Catalina should still be fine for basic tasks.

 

[Schnitzel1979]

my current macbookpro is from 2016, planning on getting a new one, so i used it 7 years; the current one will be passed to a family member for internet and email

 

[Tdude96]

I don't think I'll be tempted to upgrade my Macs any earlier than 5-6 years. Historically I've averaged about 6.5 years per Mac. Until the 2024 Studio comes out I'm in an odd place where my MBA (BTO M2) is a far more capable machine than my desktop (27" iMac).

That upgrade plan could change if there's another massive shakeup like the switch to AS or the introduction of generative AI workflows. Those things happened right toward EOL for my existing machines, so that was a happy coincidence.

 

[msackey]

My 2016 aged out due to the limitations of the 16 GB RAM. Hopefully your workflow lasts longer.

My 2017 Mac only has 8gb RAM and it seems to work well enough. I do think though for my next upgrade I will go above 8gb in anticipation of features that could use it and to give myself wiggle room to play around for the next decade or so

My upgrade cycle before this computer I think was more frequent because the hardware did not seem to keep up with software features and software updates as much as it does now. Back then, I think I upgraded every 4 or so years. At this point, the hardware for me is so good that it's lasting way longer.

 

[sdwaltz]

The M1 Pro is such a monster for my needs that I probably won't buy again until M5.

 

[noteple]

I used to keep them forever, and still have my first plastic (refurb) MacBook.
Later if the machine went through repairs I would unload when AppleCare ran out
Finally if the tech changed drastically like Intel to M1 I would let it go while it still had value For someone.

 

[WC7]

iPhone on the lease program so every 1-2 years, Macs (iMac) 2-3 years.
Just upgraded to iPhone 15 and iMac M3.

 

[17fox]

My 2017 Mac only has 8gb RAM and it seems to work well enough. I do think though for my next upgrade I will go above 8gb in anticipation of features that could use it and to give myself wiggle room to play around for the next decade or so

My upgrade cycle before this computer I think was more frequent because the hardware did not seem to keep up with software features and software updates as much as it does now. Back then, I think I upgraded every 4 or so years. At this point, the hardware for me is so good that it's lasting way longer.

Actually the same here, I think that different hardware technologies used to improve faster than now. And nowadays you don't really need to upgrade even every 4-5 years, unless you have very specific demanding tasks that require capable hardware.

 

[cpnotebook80]

I just noticed the return window is like 2 months for the new m3 laptop I got. Did apple change policy? I thought it was 14 days.

 

[Chuckeee]

I just noticed the return window is like 2 months for the new m3 laptop I got. Did apple change policy? I thought it was 14 days.

It is a temporary special return policy for the holiday season. It is to encourage people to purchase Apple products as holiday gifts for others

 

[cpnotebook80]

It is a temporary special return policy for the holiday season. It is to encourage people to purchase Apple products as holiday gifts for others

Ah ok - threw me off guard for a bit.

 

[iamasmith]

Until they can't be upgraded or are seriously lacking some compelling feature only present on the new platform.

The iMac 2019 27" last generation I admit will probably be kept shortest, we'll just have to see how long they keep the Intel OS updates available. It is still a decent machine though so probably won't get wiped/locked and go to the tip.. with the cheap memory expansion I might just turn it into a dedicated machine runnning something else (possibly even just Kubernetes via Rancher Desktop to retain an Intel machine for home testing).

 

[Coldmode]

I upgrade based on how much storage I use. Bare minimum 2TB. If I want to use computer for 3-5 years, the internal storage capacity would have to be 8TB or higher, which both I can’t afford and doesnt exist (more than 8TB). It is incredible to think I am running out of storage at an alarming rate without doing any sorts of video editing.

Reason? I staunchly against the idea of storing everything in the cloud. My data MUST BE stored locally and I manage it. I do use cloud storage but not in a manner that I completely neglect local storage. In fact, my current MBP having no local mirrored copy of my iCloud photos library and OneDrive files worries me quite a bit.

I have thought about the same thing, and after a certain point it's quite a bit cheaper to get a base M1 Mac mini to use as a home server. You can attach a boatload of cheap SSD storage over thunderbolt and not pay the $2200 for an 8TB drive. It's certainly less convenient and definitely not free (a refurbished Mini is ~$450, plus storage), but overall would save some money.

 

[coachgq]

Keeping 14” Black M3 Max 1TB 36GB RAM with 14 Cores.
#1. Until there’s Something twice as fast On the market
#2. or Apple updates the MacBook Pros with a new dual layer QD-OLED Display in 2026

I just feel bad for M2 owners they got DUPED!

I have an M2 pro Mac mini that I got new and plan to keep for at least 3 years. I expensed it as part of my home business side hustle along with my studio display. I don't feel duped at all.

 

[LeeW]

I don't put dates on these things. I upgrade either when I feel like it or need to. I will know when that is when it happens.

 

[txb0115]

I got the M2 Mini right as Sonoma came out, will run it until Apple obsolete's it/can't upgrade the OS...

I maxed out the Ram. For my use there is no real daily advantage to upgrade for multiple cycles.

Previous machine was 2017 iMac that went on the obsolete list and I couldn't update to Sonoma.

Although now that I am running a Mini and it's much cheaper to upgrade, who knows, maybe this time I won't wait so long...

 

[gk_brown]

It‘s insane reading people buying a new costly computer every 2 years like it’s a phone.

It's insane that people buy a costly phone every 2 years!

 

[gk_brown]

2010 MBP
2016 MBP w/TouchBar
2019 MBP w/TouchBar
2021 MBP w/M1 Pro

Based on that schedule I guess I should have already bought the M2 or M3. 😄 But I'll probably hold off for a couple more years. The M1 Pro is a great machine.