The lifespan of a MacBook Pro is one of the main things to consider before you jump on the Apple bandwagon.
Known for their build quality, those that are switching over from cheaper Windows laptops are often curious just how long Mac laptops last for in comparison.
Let’s look at the key factors that influence how long a MacBook Pro can be expected to last, both in terms of hardware durability and software support.
How Long does a Macbook Pro last?
Though it’s impossible to give an exact time on how long a Macbook will last, but it’s fair to say that they should last at least 5 years.
If you decide to upgrade your Macbook when you buy it, then you may find it lasts 7 or more years.
Speaking from experience, the last time I purchased a Macbook Pro was in 2022. The time before that? 2015.
The 7 year mark seems to be pretty consistent with needing to upgrade, but as mentioned, some may find it necessary a few years earlier than this, whilst I also know people that have been using the same Mac for 10 years solid.
A new Macbook Pro now may come with 8GB of RAM, and in five years time, this will probably be outdated as the default minimum. However if you upgrade to say 16GB, 32GB or even 64GB now, you can future-proof your Macbook when it comes to memory.
Though the main issue that users have with their Macbook when it comes to longevity is the battery. Over extended periods of time with endless charging, your Macbook battery life will decline, and eventually the battery will die.
In terms of hardware, a Macbook Pro has the best Apple have to offer. Newer Macbook models come with an Apple chip processor and longer lasting Macbook batteries than in previous years, so they can be expected to last a little longer.
I should add that typically Apple stop hardware support for older models of Macbook after a period of time – typically 8 years. When your Macbook becomes older than this, you’ll no longer be able to rely on Apple for repairs and parts.
Factors Affecting Apple MacBook Pro Longevity
It’s not just the battery that will have an effect on how long Macs last, there are other elements that will determine the lifespan of a MacBook Pro. These include:
Hardware
MacBook Pros are known for their robust build quality. The use of premium materials like aluminium contributes to their durability, so we know that they’re built to last.
We can also look at the motherboard, or logic board, of a Macbook, which is made with high quality materials, enabling the processor and other components to function smoothly.
One of the main concerns users have is the memory, or RAM. Windows users are used to being able to upgrade their RAM themselves, so if they want to upgrade from 8GB to 16GB of RAM, they can.
This isn’t possible with Macbook Pro and Macbook Air models, so it’s important to buy as much RAM as you can from the off.
If you do a lot of graphic design or editing, try to upgrade your RAM to as much as you can afford, as otherwise you may find your Mac becoming outdated within a few years.
Battery Life Cycle
The battery is probably the most important part of a new Mac when it comes to longevity, as this is most likely to degrade first.
We know that on average, a MacBook Pro battery can last for more than 1000 charge cycles before its capacity significantly diminishes. With a daily charge this is almost 3 years before having to worry about it, or more likely 5+ years for the average user.
Software Updates
As mentioned earlier, Apple provides support for Macbooks for approximately 7-8 years post-release, as this includes macOS updates to MacBook Pros.
These updates are crucial for security, performance, and new features, and your old Macbook won’t be able to run much newer, better versions of the operating system.
There are unofficial ways you can update your old Mac to the latest OS, but this isn’t supported by Apple.
Make Your MacBook Pro’s Lifespan Last Longer
So, we know that the lifespan of your Macbook depends on how it’s used. Intensive tasks like video editing and graphic design are likely to wear out components faster than light web browsing or word processing – this is common knowledge.
To maximize the length of time our Macbooks last, you can:
- Ensure Regular Maintenance: Making sure that you’re always updated to the latest software can help, as well as regularly performing cleanups of unnecessary files and applications.
- Proper Care: We need to take care of the hardware itself too. To do this, it’s important to avoid exposing your MacBook Pro to high and cold temperatures, and of course handle it with care to ensure that it doesn’t get damaged.
- Battery Health: It’s a bad idea to leave your Macbook Pro on charge all of the time – doing this can run down the battery life of it long term, so letting your battery run down is actually beneficial for your Mac’s health. It’s also necessary to use the genuine Apple charger that came with your Macbook too.
When to Consider a Replacement for your Macbook
There comes a point where you may need to replace your Mac, but it’s not always easy to know when this is. It might be time to replace your MacBook Pro when:
- When Software Updates Cease: When the macOS updates stop being unavailable to your MacBook Pro, it begins to be vulnerable to security risks and miss out on new features.
- Increasingly Common Performance Issues: Over time, you may see that your MacBook Pro struggles with routine tasks, and becomes significantly slower. When this happens, it might be time for an upgrade.
- Big Repair Costs: Whether you have a Macbook Pro, Macbook Air or even a Mac Mini, when larger components fail it’s not always worth getting it fixed. For example, if your logic board fails, this is very difficult to repair, and you may want to replace your Mac completely as opposed to trying to fix it.
In conclusion, a MacBook Pro can last for many years, especially with proper care and usage. There are many great reasons to buy a Macbook, none more so than it’s longevity.
Its lifespan is usually determined by the overall build quality of the Mac, the battery life, software updates, and how itβs used overall. By following best practices for maintenance and usage, there’s no reason why your Macbook shouldn’t last 5-10 years.
