Lifespan of a MacBook Pro?

[Jvhowube]

Hey guys,

I've had my MBP C2D for 9 months now, and I'm just curious how long this computer should last me. It's been great so far - no problems at all - unless you are perfectionist and complain about squeaky spacebar, not-perfect case alignment, etc. Considering all the parts remain functional until their expected death dates, what is the average lifespan?

Thanks.

[FJ218700]

well, if the past is any indication of the future, my 500 MHz TiBook is still running like new (and that's without sleep and with restarts only after software updates). My 500 MHz iBook, same story. Even my PowerBook 3400c is still running like a champ. Same story for my PB 1.67, though it is only 20 months old.

Hope this helps.

[dacreativeguy]

The lifespan of any laptop is directly proportional to the number of times you've dropped it. ;)

[stealthsniper96]

i agree with bsl4. ur MBP should outlast itself. what i mean by that is that you will have to replace it in a few years due to the fact that new hardware will come out that you cant upgade, not due to the fact that it just dies and wont turn on anymore.

[Sdao]

I just bought a brand new MBP 2.4 SR, 2 gigs (going to up it to 4 soon) and 160 gig hard drive. I was wondering the same thing, I take very good care of this machine, but how long should it last?

I've gone through 2 Windowze laptops in the last 3 years. Not because of carelessness, but because they were lemons.

[rev316]

I'll let you know as soon as my Powerbook G3 dies....

[Chisholm]

The lifespan of any laptop is directly proportional to the number of times you've dropped it. ;)

That pretty much is the long and short of it. Make sure you have clean power going to it also (any electronic device really). We have about 20 MBP and iBooks at work at any given time. It always seems to be the same people that need repairs. And they all happen to work in the same department. They are journalism professors and therefor travel a bit more than their coworkers. We've started buying iBooks for that group because they are quite a bit more durable. Treat your equipment right and it should last for a good long while.

[bobpensik]

I have had some issues with my 4 year old 12" Rev.A PB, but it was only a problem with the Hard Drive every single time, and replacing the HD is a PITA, so i have ordered a new MacBook where the components are much easier to replace. I expect it will last me for quite some time.

I have a feeling that the computer will outlast its components (i.e HD) and it depends what you need the computer to do. If it is just surfing the web and word then it can go for a long time. If you are editing music or video, then it will feel slower MUCH faster!!

[CalBoy]

The lifespan of any laptop is directly proportional to the number of times you've dropped it. ;)

Actually, it's inversely proportional;)

Anyhow, I think that you can keep your computer running for some time, and that it will not meet its end through obsolescence, but rather through the gradual degradation of its parts.

[kuebby]

I'll let you know as soon as my Powerbook G3 dies....

Totally. The past few days I've been using my cousin's old 800mhz iBook G3 and for basic computing it was just fine.

[iW00t]

I'll let you know as soon as my Powerbook G3 dies....

Your PB G3 was made in the good ole USA.

Very much unlike the new MacBook Pros where the chinese probably scrimp on every bit of solder they use to cut costs.

[FJ218700]

true, it seems like quality control is becoming more of an issue lately.

too bad

[iW00t]

I know greenpeace will take my hide for this, but could it be due to the fact that they are using these new leadless solder nowadays?

[miniConvert]

Well, with AppleCare (and no accidental damage) any Apple computer will last 3 years one way or another. My guess is that, given the high-spec nature of the MacBook Pro, it'll still be a competent machine for a couple of years after that providing there are no major hardware or software shifts rendering it obsolete.

Laptops appear to be moving fast in technology terms, but when you look at the high-end 5 years ago and the low-end today you start to realise that things aren't moving that fast.

[iW00t]

Well, with AppleCare (and no accidental damage) any Apple computer will last 3 years one way or another. My guess is that, given the high-spec nature of the MacBook Pro, it'll still be a competent machine for a couple of years after that providing there are no major hardware or software shifts rendering it obsolete.

Laptops appear to be moving fast in technology terms, but when you look at the high-end 5 years ago and the low-end today you start to realise that things aren't moving that fast.

Things are moving fast, true.

But there are also numerous studies and surveys that show that most people are not looking to buy a new computer anytime in the foreseeable future.

Just because things are getting faster does not mean we need to buy them, or that our current usage patterns will shift as a result to obsolete good equipment.

[finchna]

we have several powerbooks (ti, al, intel) and they all run fine. of course, the intel are much faster than the ti and al, and that might be how you outgrow your mbp--not wearing out but simply it gets too slow (or too low screen resolution or doesn't have the features) compared with what's 4 year away.

[miniConvert]

Things are moving fast, true.
I said things appear to be moving fast...

I don't think laptop technology is moving fast enough to warrant concern over a new MBP becoming obsolete any time soon.

[iW00t]

I said things appear to be moving fast...

I don't think laptop technology is moving fast enough to warrant concern over a new MBP becoming obsolete any time soon.

Going from single core to dual core was the biggest move in recent times I would say but as long as the machine doesn't die prematurely I can see me owning my present MacBook Pro for a long long time.

[APPLE.MBP1342]

Going from single core to dual core was the biggest move in recent times I would say but as long as the machine doesn't die prematurely I can see me owning my present MacBook Pro for a long long time.
Yeah me To But I Would Keep my MBP 'til the day it died Apple Seems like The put a life extension on there :apple:Computers
and a whole other line of technology like
a :apple:ipod Very first edition , :apple: ipod's, :apple: iPad's/Tablet computers E.g Apple Newton
:apple: is a great Brand!

[eron]

My friend is a programmer and plays game quite a bit. He's planning to keep his late 2008 15" MBP for another 2-3 years.

Catch is, he has a 256GB OWC SSD, optibay HDD, and 8GB ram.
With these upgrades, he says will be happy with it for another few years.

[hypertc13]

I have a late 2006 model that a bought in February of 2007. The thing still runs amazing. I have only had one problem with it the 4 and a half years i have had it. However the new quad core processors are making it pretty tempting for me to upgrade to a new one.

[intwo]

... this post is from 2007. :rolleyes:

[silverf1re]

i love how we bring up a converstation that ended 4 years ago. lol not disrespecting anyone but imagine doing that in a real life conversation. :p

[MJNBGA]

So, to all the people who posted in 2007: are you still typing on the same computer? :)

[trims]

So, to all the people who posted in 2007: are you still typing on the same computer? :)

Still using the RiscPC (purchased 1996) for my domestic correspondence - is this a record?

The combination of the fast Risc processor (whose descendent powers the iPhone and iPad) with a brilliant document writer (Impression Publisher) has yet to be surpassed for flexibility and responsiveness IMHO.

[jonregler]

I too have an early 2007 MacBookPro2,2 still going strong..... had the battery and damaged replaced under AppleCare. I carried it with me every day until the arrival of my iPad1 so it's very well travelled and kept me fit!
Only issue I have now is WPA connection timeout sometimes on wake, but that's it.
I'll be looking to replace with a new Air if/when the new ones come out.

[Salukipilot4590]

i love how we bring up a converstation that ended 4 years ago. lol not disrespecting anyone but imagine doing that in a real life conversation. :p

What, women do it all the time!
:p

[Mobius 1]

it dies when new games come out and it lags

[Blondie :)]

it dies when new games come out and it lags

If that were true, users would have to buy new computers every refresh. Thank god we're not all gamers here :P lolz

[RoyalFlushAK(s)]

Hey guys,

I've had my MBP C2D for 9 months now, and I'm just curious how long this computer should last me. It's been great so far - no problems at all - unless you are perfectionist and complain about squeaky spacebar, not-perfect case alignment, etc. Considering all the parts remain functional until their expected death dates, what is the average lifespan?

Thanks.

It can last you forever if you don't damage it. If you are satisfy with the hardware you've got and not going "crazy", so to speak, as to have the newest and the greatest and the newest designs, a MacBook should last for a very long time. I personally see no reason as to why spend extra money every couple years for a new MacBook when the old one is working and doing what I need to be done. I know dudes keep changing theirs mac every year or so just to have the newest but why burn money when you don't have to?

RoyalFlush,

[deosaa7]

It can last you forever if you don't damage it. If you are satisfy with the hardware you've got and not going "crazy", so to speak, as to have the newest and the greatest and the newest designs, a MacBook should last for a very long time. I personally see no reason as to why spend extra money every couple years for a new MacBook when the old one is working and doing what I need to be done. I know dudes keep changing theirs mac every year or so just to have the newest but why burn money when you don't have to?

RoyalFlush,

I completely agree except the resolution is driving me crazy my old thinkpad (14") had a MUCH higher native resolution than MBP does..damnit Apple this would be a near perfect laptop if it had discrete graphics and a higher res screen with the portability of the 13".

/rant

[darrellishere]

My macbook pro, matt, 15 inch high res, will become obsolete for me when, the new thinner model comes out made of liquid metal and dedicated ssd.

Size and weight are the next revolution in portable PC's.

[wezman2k]

i'm typing on my 2007 santa rosa macbook pro right now. i just replaced both fans tonight (i normally leave it running).

i love this computer. it's still in great condition and aside from the fans (and a logic board failure that apple replaced for free due to manufacturing issues) it's been running solid!

[calderone]

2 weeks max.

[ender land]

2 weeks max.

Really?

Mine normally last between 3 weeks and a month. Some of them definitely only made it two weeks but in general, they seem to last nearly a month before falling to pieces and needing to be replaced.

But on the bright side Apple makes it really easy to make backups! It's a painless process to setup the new computer. Which is good. Since I do it at least once a month...

[Demosthenes X]

I expect the hardware to last 10 - 15 years. Sometimes there'll be a major hardware failure not worth the cost of repairing, but this is the exception, not the norm.

In terms of useful life, I would say 3 - 5 years. 3 years is when you start wanting (not needing) to upgrade. 5 years is when it's reasonable to expect that new operating systems will not support your hardware, new software won't run properly, etc. That's not say a 10 year old computer is useless, but if you want to be able to run modern software, I'd put a 5 year timeline as the high end.

Of course, this is also a little dependent on when you buy. For example, I bought a CoreDuo MacBook 6 weeks before the C2D models were released. This meant I was stuck with a 2GB RAM limitation, which made my computer less upgradable compared to those that others bought only a couple months later. C'est la vie!

[TSE]

As a freshman Industrial Design student, I expect my early 2011 MacBook Pro to carry me at least through my undergraduate program, hopefully more.

In 3-4 years I am hoping to nab a 1 TB SSD for ~$300-$400 that extends the life of both the battery and laptop as a whole.