I'm still using my 2015 MacBook Pro that I bought in 2015. I'm vaguely aware that support (which I guess would be security updates) will end soon-ish. But when? I need to plan on buying something newer. I'd likely buy from the Apple website - something newish (or maybe brand new). I want to avoid laptops with dysfunctional keyboards, lack of real ports, lack of MagSafe, overheating MacBooks, Touch Bar, and whatever else Apple royally screwed up. So, whatever year that happens to be. I'll gander a guess something newer than a 2022.
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How Much Time Do I have Left - Using A 2015 MacBook Pro?
- Thread starter MalagLagoon
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Probably until October but it’s not officially announced. You can use OCLP to get at least two more years of unofficial support though.
For new machines just get apple silicon and you’re fine no matter what model pretty much.
For new machines just get apple silicon and you’re fine no matter what model pretty much.
I'm excited over Apple Silicon - my 2015 MBP is really showing its age these days - still though - it's very functional 9 years later. I hope the newer MBP gives me that level of longevity. That helps when considering $5k for a laptop.
i went back to my 2012 and 2010 macbooks since they work better for me in July 2024.
since you have that MBP, enjoy and use that until you cant!
I upgraded from a 2015 MBP to an M1 MBA, and it was a huuuuge upgrade. You'll be thrilled with a new MBP, I'm sure!
I can't use Parallels with Windows 10 to run Altium Designer. Technically, I can run the virtual machine - but, it has gotten so slow I can't realistically be productive anymore. But, outside of that my 2015 MBP is doing alright for surfing the net, email, FCP and Logic. Although I don't believe I can run the latest version of Logic. Like I said in my first post my 2015 MBP is beginning to show its age.
New MacBook Pros don’t have any of these issues. Go to the Apple Store and look at one in person. All of us can tell you how great or terrible there are, but that doesn’t mean a whole lot. You have 14 days after purchase to return it. Use it and see if you like it. If you actually use it as a laptop, battery life alone is going to be a huge upgrade.
I like my 2015 MacBook Pro. I was referring to the seriously poor quality laptops that Apple were putting out for nearly half a decade. Apple MacBooks were so bad that people were starting to switch to Microsoft Windows.
With my 2015 MBP I never had a problem with the keyboard, I use all ports every week on my 2015 MBP - so there's no need to keep a box of ugly dongles with wherever I go, there's no gimmicky Touch Bar, it isn't overheating, the trackpad isn't oversized (causing annoying and time wasting issues with the cursor or accidental clicks), and it has a MagSafe power connector.
What's not to like?
Other than end of support for macOS - there aren't many issues with my 2015 MacBook Pro.
I didn’t say anything was wrong with it, except perhaps security risks from using outdated operating system.
It’s just not going to compare to a new one in performance and battery life. I had a 2015 15” MacBook Pro. I loved that thing. Only you can decide if it’s time to upgrade. That’s why I say try the new one and if you like it, keep it.
I love these new iPads Pros from Apple. The 13" iPad Pro with M4 is an incredible upgrade from a 2015 MacBook Pro.
With your use case, I’d stick with what you have as long as you can. Eventually you may get frustrated by the massive heat these machine produce and the lag you get when performing more demanding tasks. For me it was when I was online teaching with external monitors and zoom, made the computer sound like it was going to take off, and it was hot to the touch. I have two external 4K displays and when running zoom now the fans don’t make a sound. So yeah, for your work with logic and FCP, might as well use it until you can’t. The security updates thing is a problem, and it might do you in before the speed and noise issue.
I think I got one of the max'd out ones.You should sell that old 2015 asap. Let me know what specs it has.
It isn't super urgent for me to upgrade immediately - however, I plan to upgrade my hardware when the security updates stop. My 2015 is showing its age - so, it's getting real close to that saying, 'it's time.'
Do you think Apple would loan me an M3 MacBook Pro 16" - to see if I like it or not?
I’m still new to macOS so forgive my ignorance. But, can’t you still use any previous Mac so long as it still “does the job”? I mean, you would need to keep up on news about hardware exploits that software cannot fix, but those machines should still do what you bought them for.. right?
There’s a 14 day return period in the USA. I don’t think they have loaners so u you know someone that will let you play around with one I’m not sure
As far as I know I can continue using macOS Monterey with my 2015 MacBook Pro even after security updates end. My 2015 MBP will not load/install anything later than Monterey. I'm not sure what "OCLP" is exactly, but it looks to be a workaround for unofficial support. So, if I really want to be clever then maybe I could use OCLP to squeeze more time out of my trusty 2015 MBP. Whatever path I choose - though - I'll be upgrading my hardware soon-ish.
Open Legacy Core Patcher is a cool project that provides compatibility beyond Apple's intended support. There are a few glitches here and there depending on how old your hardware is. 2015 is new compared to some people still using their Mac Pros from 2009. With that said, it's an expensive piece of equipment and it's still useful and usable.
Things have come a long way in almost 10 years. You can find videos like
that show the Macbook Pro memory upgrade process from one of the US based shops. If you upgrade the OS, memory, and storage, the computer might have quite a lot of life left. It won't be as fast as a $3500 - $5000 M4 unit, but $300 in upgrades isn't $5000.
Things have come a long way in almost 10 years. You can find videos like
Security Update support IS important. Most home Mac users don't really consider it as the prevailing notion is still that Macs are perfectly secure indefinitely (which they're not). And yeah, the 2015 MacBook Pros' final major macOS release is macOS Monterey. Seeing as Apple usually supports the most recent three macOS releases, and Monterey is, until Seqoia replaces Sonoma as the most recent OS, the third newest release. So, figure you'll still get security updates until Sequoia launches in the fall.
If you need MagSafe (ruling out an M1 Air or M1/M2 13-inch MacBook Pro), don't want a Touch Bar (further ruling out M1 or M2 13-inch MacBook Pro), and otherwise want more than just USB-C ports (ruling out M2 and M3 MacBook Airs), then what you're left with is any 14-inch MacBook Pro, or any 16-inch MacBook Pro from 2021 and newer. Your lowest end option (assuming availability) would be a refurbished MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021) with an M1 Pro. Though, honestly, even a non-Pro/non-Max M3 based 14-inch MacBook Pro should cover your needs just fine and still run circles around your 2015 15-inch MacBook Pro.
Open Core Legacy Patcher (OCLP) is what you use to install newer MacOS that is not supported on older hardware. I used the latest version of OCLP to install MacOS 15 Sequoia on my 2015 laptops (see sig) and they would run but nowhere as fast as the current M3Pro MacBook Pro laptops can run the OS. I was perfectly fine running the OS on my aging 2015 laptops knowing the writing is on the wall when Apple will cease to support Intel processors in the future. With that said I finally pulled the trigger and got a new M3Pro MacBook Pro 14 inch/18GB/1TB laptop. The current MacOS runs very fast with the new laptop and the OLED display is amazing compared to the 2015 Retina displays. YMMV . . .
I just replaced a 13" 2015 with the M2 Air because it smokes the 2015 in performance and was a bit cheaper than the M3 version which I had no need for. Even with the maxed out storage it was cheap enough and the lackluster base model sells for under $1k for people who just want a reliable cheap computer.
It has none of the issues you mention although it does lack ports. If you plug in a display you only have a single USB port left.
It has none of the issues you mention although it does lack ports. If you plug in a display you only have a single USB port left.