Mac mini M4

[Bruce205]

Hi folks. I just have a general question about how long can I go before I have to upgrade my current setup. Mac mini m4 24gb ram and 512 ssd. I just do basic stuff for now. I guess when it's no longer supported by Mac OS? I also purchased a 2026 Studio Display when they came out (my first🙂 Sorry for such a stupid question. Thanks for replies

 

[MacCheetah3]

Five to seven years. That's typical OS support.

A relevant/related discussion:

When will support for the 2018 Mini end?

Well… Let’s review (recents): macOS 10.10 Yosemite Oct. 16, 2014 - July 19, 2017 (1008 or 2 years, 9 months, 4 days) macOS 10.11 El Capitan Sep. 30, 2015 - July 9, 2018 (1014 or 2 years, 9 months, 10 days) macOS 10.12 Sierra Sep. 20, 2016 - Sep. 26, 2019 (1102 or 3 years, 7 days) macOS...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[Bruce205]

Thanks Cheetah

 

[IvyKing]

I also purchased a 2026 Studio Display when they came out

Your Studio display should be good for a decade or more. I have a 10+ year old Thunderbolt Display that's still going strong.

 

[marclondon]

A lot of people who waited would very much like to have your M4 with 24gb ram and 512 ssd - now like me we're going to be spending much more on an M6 unless we can find an M4 at a reasonable price.

 

[EdwardC]

When Apple no longer supports look at something like Fedora Asahi Linux to put on it and keep on using it.

 

[Ben J.]

how long can I go before I have to upgrade my current setup

As long as it does what you need it to do, and even after it's not supported by new macOS releases. You never 'have to upgrade' your mac. Just stay with the latest compatible macOS until some software essential to you requires an OS upgrade.

 

[Starfia]

Bruce205 –

Agreed with Ben: I have a Mac mini from 2012 that's still on all day, doing plenty of useful stuff for me.

If your needs include the latest version of some app, or the latest version of macOS, then I'd guess you have at least through the end of this decade.

 

[Bruce205]

Your Studio display should be good for a decade or more. I have a 10+ year old Thunderbolt Display that's still going strong.

Thankyou and I love it 🙂

 

[Bruce205]

As long as it does what you need it to do, and even after it's not supported by new macOS releases. You never 'have to upgrade' your mac. Just stay with the latest compatible macOS until some software essential to you requires an OS upgrade.

But aren't you taking a risk going online ?