Is there a shelf life for a modern Mac?

[apostolosdt]

I notice a lot of members here keep a number of Macs; apparently, only one of them (the latest? the most powerful?) are their main machine.

I do the same 😊😆. My oldest machine is an MP from 2013, my newest but idle is a Mini from 2018. I wonder what may happen to Macs being kept switched off for quite some time. I know that other electronic gadgets have a shelf life, like batteries do.

Should we worry about our Mac shelved idle for so long?

 

[Gregg2]

Well, I've heard stories about pulling an old machine out of moth balls and firing it up, so I suspect it will outlive you. You might not be able to do much with an outdated Mac, especially online of course.

 

[salamanderjuice]

I notice a lot of members here keep a number of Macs; apparently, only one of them (the latest? the most powerful?) are their main machine.

I do the same 😊😆. My oldest machine is an MP from 2013, my newest but idle is a Mini from 2018. I wonder what may happen to Macs being kept switched off for quite some time. I know that other electronic gadgets have a shelf life, like batteries do.

Should we worry about our Mac shelved idle for so long?

Things breakdown. In laptops you need to make sure the batteries are being stored correctly, watch for things like expanding batteries etc. Both laptops and desktops can have problems from components dying, potentially leaky clock batteries, Thermal paste will dry out over time etc. How long will they last? Well it's hard to say. Some of it depends on how you're storing it, some of it is luck. A device stored in a home with a stable temp. in dry conditions is generally going to be in better shape then one stored in the garage with no heating or cooling. You might want to do examine them from time to time and maybe do maintenance from time to time.