Will this transition make the old model obsolete?

[DukeDevlin]

Hello,

It is a question but above all a fear. Last May, I bought a MacBook Pro 16 inch 2019 with the complete configuration to have a tool that would easily last me 5-8 years. My question is the following: Will this transition from Apple, which started this year, make my model (and the others) obsolete faster and thus I would have wasted a good amount of money. What do you think about this? For you, does it make any difference, or is there a real impact? Thanks.

 

[Einz]

Last time was 3-4 years to drop support in new OS.

Mac transition to Intel processors - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[DukeDevlin]

Last time was 3-4 years to drop support in new OS.

Mac transition to Intel processors - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

So I can be worried about my previous buy?

 

[leman]

It is a question but above all a fear. Last May, I bought a MacBook Pro 16 inch 2019 with the complete configuration to have a tool that would easily last me 5-8 years. My question is the following: Will this transition from Apple, which started this year, make my model (and the others) obsolete faster and thus I would have wasted a good amount of money. What do you think about this? For you, does it make any difference, or is there a real impact? Thanks.

Kind of depends on what you consider as obsolete. Strictly speaking, all Intel Macs became obsolete the moment Apple announced the transition in June. They will still have years of OS and software support, and it is an undeniable fact that the software compatibility (especially for some pros that require specialized apps) is at least wobbly with the Apple Silicon Macs. But there is little doubt that new Macs will significantly outclass the Intel Macs in term of performance and features, and over the course of the next few years, as developers will focus more on supporting the new hardware, Intel-based Macs will become just an afterthought.

On one hand, you have a good-quality computer that will definitely fulfill it's function for years to come. On the other hand, Apple Silicon-based 16" MBP is probably going to be a massive jump from your current machine. Your 16" might lose a lot of value overnight, or it might increase its value if there are a lot of people wanting them for compatibility with legacy software.

Frankly, I have no idea what the smart course of action is. My personal strategy with these things has always been "don't buy a computer for ore then 2 years".

 

[richmlow]

Hello,

It is a question but above all a fear. Last May, I bought a MacBook Pro 16 inch 2019 with the complete configuration to have a tool that would easily last me 5-8 years. My question is the following: Will this transition from Apple, which started this year, make my model (and the others) obsolete faster and thus I would have wasted a good amount of money. What do you think about this? For you, does it make any difference, or is there a real impact? Thanks.

Hello DukeDevlin,


This is always a legitimate concern.

However, your MacBook Pro 16 (2019) will give you many good years of service. Enjoy and use your computer for work and play!

I have a 2013 Mac Pro, MacBook Pro 13" (2018) and a Mac mini (2018). They will last me another 5+ years.

When it is time to upgrade, the Apple Silicon computers will be more "mature" and even better than the first-generation Apple Silicon computers.


richmlow

 

[DukeDevlin]

Thanks! MBP 16 inch is huge for my uses: I use a lot Final Cut Pro X and Photoshop. Both are the tools for my power use of my computer. After that, basic needs. But I’m a little be afraid after this huge investment.

 

[Gnattu]

Will this transition from Apple, which started this year, make my model (and the others) obsolete faster and thus I would have wasted a good amount of money.

This can be interpreted in two ways.

If you are talking about Apple's Official support, like OS availability and repairing service, then unlikely. They replaced the last PPC Mac with Intel in 2007, but they kept support PPC Macs until 2009, with Snow Leopard's release.

But if we are talking about performance, then the Intel MacBook Pros is already "obsoleted" somehow, as 16-inch MacBook Pro is beaten by M1 Macs in lots of tests. The only problem for M1 is that the software (and 3rd party hardware) is not quite ready for critical workflows yet.

 

[richmlow]

Thanks! MBP 16 inch is huge for my uses: I use a lot Final Cut Pro X and Photoshop. Both are the tools for my power use of my computer. After that, basic needs. But I’m a little be afraid after this huge investment.

Hello DukeDevlin,


Think of your MBP 16-inch as an investment in a high-quality tool.

There is always "the next best thing" just around the corner.....if you keep waiting for it, you'll never make ANY purchase!


richmlow

 

[Zazoh]

You will meet your goal.

Tools are an expense, computers, depreciate in value the moment they are made. Obsolete is a strong word. If the computer functions for your tasks, it is not.

For the foreseeable future, there will be something better on the horizon. Ironically as the M1 is a generation one device, it will age quicker than your mature MBP.

There are steep learning curves in the software you use. If you are good, your experience will win in speed and quality over a machine that may use less resources to run that software.

 

[Danny1982]

Hello,

It is a question but above all a fear. Last May, I bought a MacBook Pro 16 inch 2019 with the complete configuration to have a tool that would easily last me 5-8 years. My question is the following: Will this transition from Apple, which started this year, make my model (and the others) obsolete faster and thus I would have wasted a good amount of money. What do you think about this? For you, does it make any difference, or is there a real impact? Thanks.

Remember that obsolete is when you feel it obsolete. If you continue to do your task without problem maybe the obsolescence is only related to a new released technology. Like someone said, every object is already obsolete when it is released on market (probably there is another new in test). Your Mac is already based on T2 chip. This makes it less outdated than you think ...