Should we be concerned about the lifespan of our products?

[DukeDevlin]

Hello,

Being fearful by nature, this is a question I'm asking myself more and more, especially when I see the new ARM models that have recently been released and seem to be getting a lot of attention. For the record, I had a 2013 MacBook Air with the full configuration that I kept for 7 years without any problems (Using FCPX and Photoshop). In 2020, I decided to change to have a more comfortable laptop that would last me over time. That's why I bought a 16" MBP with a full configuration for 5000 dollars. I am very satisfied with it for my use, it is a real pleasure to use every day.

Nevertheless, as you can imagine, I managed to keep an MBA for 7 years by paying twice as much (around 2500 dollars at the time), so I have very high expectations for the MBP that I hope to keep as long or even longer.

And it is on this last statement that I have serious doubts. Why? Because of the migration from Intel to ARM and the evolutions that have taken place in a very short time. I don't see myself investing every 3 years on 5000 dollars. Such an investment, for me, is on the long term, hence the fact that I preferred a complete configuration to see the future (At the moment, I didn't need such a version). That's why I'm afraid that this choice will fall on me in view of the transition made by Apple.

Should I be worried? Or on the contrary, am I scaring myself for nothing?

Thank you,

 

[MultiFinder17]

Given how long Apple supports their phone SoCs (the A9 is still fully supported in iOS 15, its 7th major version of iOS) I wouldn't worry about it too much. Apple has a habit of not supporting their first-gen devices as long as later ones, but I have high hopes for the Apple Silicon transition given their history with their own chips.

 

[Mikael H]

We don't have a lot of data to go on, but it would frankly surprise me if you wouldn't get 6-7 years out of your 2020 Intel Mac; at the very least in the form of receiving security updates for a couple of years after Apple stops releasing new OS versions for their Intel hardware.

 

[PeterJP]

Except for a few specific problems (heat, keyboard, dGPU, ...), all macs have lasted that long. If there are none of such problems with the new generations, then they should last as long as well. I'm hopeful, because I bought several M1 machines for users in the office and none have had a problem. I'm also buying myself a 14" for the long haul. My first mac, a 13" MBP, lasted 6 and the current one (16" Intel) will have lasted a year and a half because of the heat problem.
EDIT: sorry, I didn't see that you got a 16" Intel. If you're not experiencing any problem with it, you'll be fine. Actually, Monterey's low power mode has fixed almost completely the problem with heat and fans. But I'll be selling it anyway.

 

[JMacHack]

If we go by Apple’s track record on supporting iPhones, you have about 7 years of official support.

I understand being fearful, which is why I back up everything important on an external drive. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail!

 

[DukeDevlin]

In fact, this INTEL to ARM transition scares me a bit. Why? Because at any time, once ARM is well established, Apple can stop running its old machines by not updating the software or making them obsolete, right? And that can be pretty quick. I mean, between 2013 and 2020, there was no change as revolutionary as this chip change, hence my relative confidence in my MBA at the time.

 

[alien3dx]

Hello,

Being fearful by nature, this is a question I'm asking myself more and more, especially when I see the new ARM models that have recently been released and seem to be getting a lot of attention. For the record, I had a 2013 MacBook Air with the full configuration that I kept for 7 years without any problems (Using FCPX and Photoshop). In 2020, I decided to change to have a more comfortable laptop that would last me over time. That's why I bought a 16" MBP with a full configuration for 5000 dollars. I am very satisfied with it for my use, it is a real pleasure to use every day.

Nevertheless, as you can imagine, I managed to keep an MBA for 7 years by paying twice as much (around 2500 dollars at the time), so I have very high expectations for the MBP that I hope to keep as long or even longer.

And it is on this last statement that I have serious doubts. Why? Because of the migration from Intel to ARM and the evolutions that have taken place in a very short time. I don't see myself investing every 3 years on 5000 dollars. Such an investment, for me, is on the long term, hence the fact that I preferred a complete configuration to see the future (At the moment, I didn't need such a version). That's why I'm afraid that this choice will fall on me in view of the transition made by Apple.

Should I be worried? Or on the contrary, am I scaring myself for nothing?

Thank you,

computer today pretty fast .. m1 is dam fast . m1 pro or max not sure . But for me m1 is a big plus

1. heat ..
2. power management which can hold 6 to 8 hour my heavy duty . If non heavy duty may come more hour.
** my most heavy duty as developer with windows laptop /amd just 3 hour max even support 4 to 7 hour..

If you don't do weird 8k render , 4k render should be okay enough m1 pro for a long time period my think.

I bought computer each 3 years. my imac blown fuse third year. IF you do business , be prepare ..

 

[JMacHack]

In fact, this INTEL to ARM transition scares me a bit. Why? Because at any time, once ARM is well established, Apple can stop running its old machines by not updating the software or making them obsolete, right? And that can be pretty quick. I mean, between 2013 and 2020, there was no change as revolutionary as this chip change, hence my relative confidence in my MBA at the time.

Well, I think that was always the long term plan. After supporting their latest Intel machines for ~7 years or so they likely will drop support. That’s kinda the way it’s always been.

 

[Pro Apple Silicon]

Hello,

Being fearful by nature, this is a question I'm asking myself more and more, especially when I see the new ARM models that have recently been released and seem to be getting a lot of attention. For the record, I had a 2013 MacBook Air with the full configuration that I kept for 7 years without any problems (Using FCPX and Photoshop). In 2020, I decided to change to have a more comfortable laptop that would last me over time. That's why I bought a 16" MBP with a full configuration for 5000 dollars. I am very satisfied with it for my use, it is a real pleasure to use every day.

Nevertheless, as you can imagine, I managed to keep an MBA for 7 years by paying twice as much (around 2500 dollars at the time), so I have very high expectations for the MBP that I hope to keep as long or even longer.

And it is on this last statement that I have serious doubts. Why? Because of the migration from Intel to ARM and the evolutions that have taken place in a very short time. I don't see myself investing every 3 years on 5000 dollars. Such an investment, for me, is on the long term, hence the fact that I preferred a complete configuration to see the future (At the moment, I didn't need such a version). That's why I'm afraid that this choice will fall on me in view of the transition made by Apple.

Should I be worried? Or on the contrary, am I scaring myself for nothing?

Thank you,

I have no idea what you're talking about, frankly. These are not the kinds of things I allow myself to be concerned with. The machines I buy are for work, many hours per day, every day. I don't much care what they cost (within reason), and I don't much care about "how long" I am going to use this for. When something better comes along that will improve my productivity or make my life easier, I will upgrade based on that. I will not upgrade or not upgrade based on "how long I've had this for". This drips of some kind of penny pinching self flagellation has no real value in life or business management.

 

[PeterJP]

In fact, this INTEL to ARM transition scares me a bit. Why? Because at any time, once ARM is well established, Apple can stop running its old machines by not updating the software or making them obsolete, right? And that can be pretty quick. I mean, between 2013 and 2020, there was no change as revolutionary as this chip change, hence my relative confidence in my MBA at the time.

There are plenty of people on this forum who admitted buying an M1Pro/Max machine to replace their 2013 or older machines. I've seen somebody with 2010.

I expect the 2019 16" to be supported at least until 2024 if not later. If you have the software you need, it will continue running. If there's a newer version of software that's not compatible with your old mac, don't upgrade the software.

Don't worry too much about it. Use it until you bump into a real problem, then figure it out.

 

[DukeDevlin]

Thanks! May be I’m afraid for nothing. Computer is costing, so for sure, we can get some doubts about it. I love my laptop and it’s huge for my habits. Nonetheless, I have to think « futur proofing concept ».

 

[zarathu]

In fact, this INTEL to ARM transition scares me a bit. Why? Because at any time, once ARM is well established, Apple can stop running its old machines by not updating the software or making them obsolete, right? And that can be pretty quick. I mean, between 2013 and 2020, there was no change as revolutionary as this chip change, hence my relative confidence in my MBA at the time.

Apple supports all products for 7 years. This is longer than most manufacturers. But technology keeps increasing and as it does some things cannot be done on older machines because the hardware for it does not exist. For example, Live Text requires the neural engine. Only the M1’s have that. My late 2013 MBP just became obsolete.

 

[poorcody]

For example, Live Text requires the neural engine. Only the M1’s have that. My late 2013 MBP just became obsolete.

Actually Apple was able to get Live Text working on Intel Macs on the fourth Monterry Beta. According to Rene Ritche, because the Mac version doesn't work with a "live camera", they were able to do the processing off the Neural Engine. But I think your point still stands, as Apple had to put in special effort to get it work on Intel. Going forward, there will probably be things that stay unique to the M1.

Source: https://9to5mac.com/2021/07/27/apple-brings-live-text-to-intel-macs/

 

[Madhatter32]

Apple cut me off by the knees many years ago with the transition to Intel. If I were you, I would be worried if you think your Intel based machine will be fully supported for another seven years.

 

[smoking monkey]

They will support intel but newer feature will be sometimes only for M series chips. That has already happened and unfortunately your computer isn’t able to fully take advantage of Monterey. I’d sell it and get a M1 pro 16 if you’re concerned and have the money to do so.

 

[matram]

OP, you do not say anything about your use case?

MBA tend to inducate more casual computing on the move. MBP 16” tend to indicate semi-stationary work using some demanding application, e.g. Premiere or FCP?

If you are using only general SW I would not be worried. I believe the likely scenario is that some SW suppliers will stop providing updates for Intel shortly after the transition is done, or that they will not port to ARM and Apple will stop support for Rosetta. So maybe look more closely at the applications you are using and the suppliers.

Obviously what you have will not stop working, so it is primarily about future updates.

 

[rezwits]

I have no idea what you're talking about, frankly. These are not the kinds of things I allow myself to be concerned with. The machines I buy are for work, many hours per day, every day. I don't much care what they cost (within reason), and I don't much care about "how long" I am going to use this for. When something better comes along that will improve my productivity or make my life easier, I will upgrade based on that. I will not upgrade or not upgrade based on "how long I've had this for". This drips of some kind of penny pinching self flagellation has no real value in life or business management.

Dude, the range of Mac User goes from like 1-100, that is to say there are at least 100 different types of users.

I get your point to a "T", from my 1st day tests I am going to be getting 6x daily speeds on everything I am working on. For me that's gonna be 6 years in 1 year. In addition being able to build in Xcode a "Built for iPad" version of my Apps in Xcode is gonna save immensely, also getting like 4:1 not having to do an TV, iPad, and iPhone version test in the Simulator App.

But you seemed to be REALLY AMPED, which is DOPE, I am laughing so hard over here I am almost lost myself at these speeds, LOL.

But he just seems like a chill dude who wants to get a little "Video Toaster" and cruise for like 5 years (minimum), maybe longer if he's lucky is all he is saying.

PEACE DAWG

 

[satcomer]

Your hating the wall! if you were in the Microsoft world had a tough time on Windows 7 64 bit! I back in the day had this ob a separate drive in 2008 Mac Pro! It amazed me the some many 32 only software was highly spoken about! than 64 bit transition on Microsoft caused big consumer headaches for 2-3 years into the change!

So you just complaining about change and younwant computers to never change! Besides computer makers should always run Intel chips is that your feeling?

 

[altaic]

.

 

[Christoph_SK]

“Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future!” (Niels Bohr).
Since Apple has just migrated to a new architecture, I would expect this architecture to last at least for a decade.

My 2012 Retina MBP is still supported with software updates, however it cannot run Big Sur. My 2014 iMac cannot run Monterey. So on the one hand I use quite old machines (thanks to CoViD19 on a 10h per day basis!), on the other hand I miss new OS features. Whilst I am waiting for my new MBP 16'' Max, it is a pity that I will have to retire machines which still run pretty well after more than 9 years.
In a nutshell, my expectation: no worries about the new machines, but you might lack new OS features in about 7-10 years.

 

[altaic]

“Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future!” (Niels Bohr).
Since Apple has just migrated to a new architecture, I would expect this architecture to last at least for a decade.

My 2012 Retina MBP is still supported with software updates, however it cannot run Big Sur. My 2014 iMac cannot run Monterey. So on the one hand I use quite old machines (thanks to CoViD19 on a 10h per day basis!), on the other hand I miss new OS features. Whilst I am waiting for my new MBP 16'' Max, it is a pity that I will have to retire machines which still run pretty well after more than 9 years.
In a nutshell, my expectation: no worries about the new machines, but you might lack new OS features in about 7-10 years.

I think Feynman would have had something to say about that. In modern day speak, Niels B p0wnd.

 

[TrueBlou]

In fact, this INTEL to ARM transition scares me a bit. Why? Because at any time, once ARM is well established, Apple can stop running its old machines by not updating the software or making them obsolete, right? And that can be pretty quick. I mean, between 2013 and 2020, there was no change as revolutionary as this chip change, hence my relative confidence in my MBA at the time.

Well, if their last major architectural change is anything to go by, it took them 4 years to stop supporting the previous architecture (PowerPC) as a platform for their operating system.

They did continue to support PowerPC software via Rosetta for another 2 or three years, then it was resigned to the history books.

These days though, with the much larger install base of Intel based systems. I think that Intel will be supported possibly a bit beyond the previous 4 years.

But you can never tell with Apple. The deciding factor is likely to be the uptake of Apple Silicon. Once a large enough percentage of their customers have migrated to AS, there is going to be a lot less incentive for them to continue to support Intel, one would imagine.

Apple is utterly committed to AS now, it’s the future for their entire computer line and will remain so until there’s any kind of viable alternative, which won’t be soon.