Maximizing the Mac's Support Period?

[Wheel_D]

Hello,

After nearly fourteen years, my Windows/Linux desktop is kaput. I'd like to switch to a Mac but am unclear about Apple's support policies. Assuming I want to use my Mac for ten years, how can I maximize the period of support, including OS security updates?

Thanks.

 

[MacCheetah3]

For software/security updates, you’ll (of course) get the longest support/compatibility by buying the latest newest generation Mac.

For hardware, AppleCare+ has a one time (few years coverage) option or you can subscribe annually.

AppleCare Products - Mac

Learn how to set up and use your Mac computer. Get direct access to Apple experts for questions on using MacOS and iCloud, and connecting to printers.

www.apple.com

 

[Boyd01]

About all you can do is purchase a recently-released model. Beyond that, it's a roll of the dice. Some Macs end up being supported for longer than others. For example, the the high-end 2018 Intel Mini's have had an unusually long lifespan because there was a long delay before it was replaced with an Apple Silicon mini. There would have been no way of know this back in 2018 however.

What you need to understand is Apple's policy on "vintage" and "obsolete" devices. They support products for 5 to 7 years after they are discontinued. This confuses some people, because it doesn't matter when the computer was released, only when it was discontinued. This often creates support disparities between models that were released at the same time.

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

Learn about your options for getting service and parts for Apple devices that are past their warranty period.

support.apple.com

This policy is actually about hardware support however (when they will no longer fix a broken computer) and not when they stop supporting it with operating system updates. With one of these "obsolete" Macs, there is generally a period where they will no longer support new versions of the operating system but can still run an operating system that is supported with security updates.

After an operating system stops getting security updates, there could be a risk using it for things like online shopping or banking. But there are some hacks to install new opeating systems on these unsupported Macs. Caveat Emptor...

Now that the transition from Intel to Apple Silicon is complete, my gut feeling is that your expectation of a 10 year lifespan might not be realistic. Not unreasonable to assume that the Mac will still function that long, but it may not be able to run a supported operating system.

 

[Fishrrman]

First, don't expect to get 10 years out of a Mac.

This is not to say that you can't. Or won't.
But 5-7 years, perhaps 8, is a more realistic expectation.

And if you expect that much longevity, you have to buy "above the baseline".
That is, buy extra RAM and a "one-size larger" SSD.

These components ARE NOT UPGRADEABLE in a Mac, so you have to buy with an eye on "future needs" right from the start.

If you buy a Mini or a Studio, you can probably keep using your existing display, keyboard and mouse, at least for the time being. The mouse and keyboard will need to be USB.

BE AWARE that m-series Macs cannot run bootcamp -- that means you cannot "boot back to Windows" natively. It IS possible to run the ARM version of Windows using emulation. This may not be able to handle all Windows software (I'm not a PC guy).

I've been a Mac user since 1987.
I don't think I've ever called Apple "for support".
I did visit the Apple Store genius bar a couple of times, for laptops that needed service.
The "tech support" calls I have made were so few and so long ago, that I can't remember when...

 

[Wheel_D]

Thanks again--helpful insights!

But there are some hacks to install new opeating systems on these unsupported Macs. Caveat Emptor...

I'm aware of workarounds such as OpenCore Legacy Patcher, but I thought they were only compatible with Intel-based systems. Are there similar options for the "M" architecture, too?

 

[Boyd01]

Sorry, no idea, I am still on Intel and will probably remain there for a couple more years - maximizing my own Mac's support period!

 

[chrfr]

Are there similar options for the "M" architecture, too?

It seems unlikely, but there’s currently no need since all Apple Silicon Macs are currently compatible with shipping versions of macOS. Because the boot process is so different on the newer Macs, chances are good that OCLP or a similar product will never work with Apple Silicon.

 

[Wheel_D]

I'm aware of workarounds such as OpenCore Legacy Patcher, but I thought they were only compatible with Intel-based systems. Are there similar options for the "M" architecture, too?

Sorry, no idea, I am still on Intel and will probably remain there for a couple more years - maximizing my own Mac's support period!

Well, there is Asahi Linux, which is designed for Apple silicon. Perhaps there'll be more such options in the coming years.

 

[mcnallym]

Hello,

After nearly fourteen years, my Windows/Linux desktop is kaput. I'd like to switch to a Mac but am unclear about Apple's support policies. Assuming I want to use my Mac for ten years, how can I maximize the period of support, including OS security updates?

Thanks.

When I picked up my Mac Studio from the Apple Store then one of the emoloyees’s spiffed out the set for 10 years.

so asked if that meant apple would be providing OS / Security updates for 10 years.

looked a bit put out by my response.

basically I wouldn’t expect to get 10 years out of a mac unless you happy on older OS that not getting patched.

I still fire up my old mbp2008 for a bit of C&C Generals but don’t go online with it.

 

[Wheel_D]

When I picked up my Mac Studio from the Apple Store then one of the emoloyees’s spiffed out the set for 10 years.

so asked if that meant apple would be providing OS / Security updates for 10 years.

looked a bit put out by my response.

basically I wouldn’t expect to get 10 years out of a mac unless you happy on older OS that not getting patched.

I still fire up my old mbp2008 for a bit of C&C Generals but don’t go online with it.

The Mac would be an enormous financial outlay--more of a strain than for many here--so I'd use it for as long as would be safe. Later, I might try it with Linux, though that would seem to defeat the purpose of using a Mac, eh?

 

[KaliYoni]

Later, I might try it with Linux, though that would seem to defeat the purpose of using a Mac, eh?

Another option to extend the life of Macs that no longer receive updates from Apple, as long as you are not staunchly opposed to Google products, is ChromeOS Flex.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of Google, especially its privacy practices, but I've been seriously considering putting Flex on an old MacBook Pro once it is formally declared obsolete. I would then use the laptop like a burner mobile phone: stripped down and clean of anything important or sensitive.

About ChromeOS Flex certified models - ChromeOS Flex Help

ChromeOS Flex works on most Windows, Mac, and Linux devices manufactured over the last 10 or more years. What are certified models? To make sure that ChromeOS Flex continues to work as expected acro

support.google.com

 

[mcnallym]

Another option to extend the life of Macs that no longer receive updates from Apple, as long as you are not staunchly opposed to Google products, is ChromeOS Flex.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of Google, especially its privacy practices, but I've been seriously considering putting Flex on an old MacBook Pro once it is formally declared obsolete. I would then use the laptop like a burner mobile phone: stripped down and clean of anything important or sensitive.

About ChromeOS Flex certified models - ChromeOS Flex Help

ChromeOS Flex works on most Windows, Mac, and Linux devices manufactured over the last 10 or more years. What are certified models? To make sure that ChromeOS Flex continues to work as expected acro

support.google.com

Also regarding ChromeOS Flex

You can run ChromeOS Flex on most computers with Intel or AMD processors. ChromeOS Flex does not support ARM architecture

not really going to be a solution for Apple Silicon based Macs. So unless people are buying a machine on which the clock is already ticking down on the Support time for Apple which kind of makes why buying it if want to maximize Apples support time

 

[Wheel_D]

Flex's hardware compatibility has seemed significantly less seamless than Google alleges, although the situation may have improved in the months since I followed Flex's release.

Like many of of you, I don't particularly care for Google (although I've come to like Windows even less).

Fortunately, there will be several years before I'll need to consider end-of-support contingencies; perhaps more options will be available. 0patch for Mac, anyone?