I have a 2017 model of Macbook Air. I'm just now downloading Monterey. But I see that it will not support the next version - Ventura. How much time will I have left using Monterey before my laptop is done? I really hate this with macs and I've only ever had macs. But even tho the computer itself is working great - you run into roadblocks like this - you can only upgrade to a certain point and then you're looking at a new one. And they are SO expensive!!!! I'm moving over to PC after this one. I'm done with apple. I'm just hoping this one will last me MORE time.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
How long will my macbook air last with monterey?
- Thread starter seabreeze02
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
If you like your MBAir, then continue to use it. You should continue to get security updates for Monterey for another two years.
But, you can also do what I have done - upgrade to Ventura, using OCLP - (OpenCore Legacy Patcher)). Yes, Apple does not support that upgrade, but it's an option for you, if you want to continue to keep your 2017.
How is your battery doing? I recently replaced my battery (same MBAir, as I said), so I'm more portable than I was a couple of months ago, running latest Ventura beta version 13.5...
But, you can also do what I have done - upgrade to Ventura, using OCLP - (OpenCore Legacy Patcher)). Yes, Apple does not support that upgrade, but it's an option for you, if you want to continue to keep your 2017.
How is your battery doing? I recently replaced my battery (same MBAir, as I said), so I'm more portable than I was a couple of months ago, running latest Ventura beta version 13.5...
Eh... my battery is not what it used to be. So after about a couple hours or so of use, I need to plug it in. I should probably have the battery replaced. I have read a bit about the OCLP option. I'm NOT a techy person but I can surely try. Has it slowed down your system at all?
In my experience, I have not seen much difference - but then I upgraded to a larger capacity SSD, at the same time that I installed Ventura/OCLP (about 4 months ago, I think).
You may have different software usage than I do, so unless there is something that has obviously changed about the speed, I haven't really noticed. The browsing that I currently do is related to searches for answers that I can use on this web site, and I enjoy some time with YouTube - so, I don't really tax my system compared to some who post here.
My #1 tip, if you decide to move ahead with an OCLP upgrade: Be sure to have a full backup before you begin. The OCLP process is not too hard, and with a good result - but things can go wrong, and you want to be confident that you can simply erase a bad install on your internal drive, and restore your working system from your backup.
You may have different software usage than I do, so unless there is something that has obviously changed about the speed, I haven't really noticed. The browsing that I currently do is related to searches for answers that I can use on this web site, and I enjoy some time with YouTube - so, I don't really tax my system compared to some who post here.
My #1 tip, if you decide to move ahead with an OCLP upgrade: Be sure to have a full backup before you begin. The OCLP process is not too hard, and with a good result - but things can go wrong, and you want to be confident that you can simply erase a bad install on your internal drive, and restore your working system from your backup.
ok. I think I'll stick with monterey as I don't feel comfortable doing the OCLP. Seriously - when I do something out of MY box or knowledge, something always goes really bad!! I don't tax my laptop either. I do internet searches, youtubes when I need help with something, emails - simple things. And if I can get at least 2 years out of this one - I'm good with that.
All computers hit a wall eventually - be they Apple or Windows - and more often than not, its the OS manufacturer that adds 'features' that simply require more horsepower than the computer has. It doesn't necessarily make it a better OS, but it is a way to force users to upgrade. This noted on an Apple more often than a Windows I believe because the hardware seems to last longer - and the initial price encourages users to hold onto their computers longer.
Earlier this year, I purchased a M2 Mini for home / SOHO use (so runnning Ventura on that), while I held onto my 2017 Mac Air for work travel. Its trade-in value is laughable with Apple - so little point in making that part of the M2's purchase - while it still has every useful port I need built-in when travelling (and I use a micro-SD with an adapter in the SD slot for its Time Machine). Like yours, it's running Monterey (with the latest security updates) - and as long as it continues to run the software I use, I'm good with that. I also recently had the battery replaced, so, subject to other hardware issues, it should be good to go for another 6 years!
(BTW - always computer-ambidextrous, my default was Windows until Win8 finally chased me to Mac full time. At the time I was also upgrading my Windows laptop every couple of years to keep up with the OS and sometimes questionable build quality of the hardware. Over the last couple of years I've had times when I have been working elsewhere on Win 10 / 11 machines, and I gotta tell you, I think Microsoft has lost its way with the OS. IMHO, they're moving away from a any vestige of a business machine and seem more preoccupied with media (several apps seemingly doing the same thing, but not replacing older versions), gaming and Android. Also, its easy to discover that behind the pretty Win 11 GUI, there's an awful lot of stuff that looks / behaves like it did when I had Win 7 (and WinME and NT, if it comes to that). It needs a complete purge and rewrite. And yes, the same could be said for MacOS, but still....)
Earlier this year, I purchased a M2 Mini for home / SOHO use (so runnning Ventura on that), while I held onto my 2017 Mac Air for work travel. Its trade-in value is laughable with Apple - so little point in making that part of the M2's purchase - while it still has every useful port I need built-in when travelling (and I use a micro-SD with an adapter in the SD slot for its Time Machine). Like yours, it's running Monterey (with the latest security updates) - and as long as it continues to run the software I use, I'm good with that. I also recently had the battery replaced, so, subject to other hardware issues, it should be good to go for another 6 years!
(BTW - always computer-ambidextrous, my default was Windows until Win8 finally chased me to Mac full time. At the time I was also upgrading my Windows laptop every couple of years to keep up with the OS and sometimes questionable build quality of the hardware. Over the last couple of years I've had times when I have been working elsewhere on Win 10 / 11 machines, and I gotta tell you, I think Microsoft has lost its way with the OS. IMHO, they're moving away from a any vestige of a business machine and seem more preoccupied with media (several apps seemingly doing the same thing, but not replacing older versions), gaming and Android. Also, its easy to discover that behind the pretty Win 11 GUI, there's an awful lot of stuff that looks / behaves like it did when I had Win 7 (and WinME and NT, if it comes to that). It needs a complete purge and rewrite. And yes, the same could be said for MacOS, but still....)
This one has lasted nearly 12 years, so suspect the Air will be good for a year or two more LOL...
Q-6
Q-6
