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2026 Upgraders: Why did you finally move on from Intel
- Thread starter bigglow
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MultiFinder17
macrumors 68030
My main computer in my classroom is a 2020 27" iMac, and I plan on getting another 2-3 years out of it. Basically once Tahoe falls out of regular security support I'll likely move on to a new computer. I'm not 100% certain, but it'll likely be a Mac mini with a nice monitor, or I may gut the 27" iMac and convert it into an external display.
boppin
Suspended
Thank you!
And I also want to use current software as well as the operating system like Tahoe instead of fussing with Catalina.
And sorry, I forgot. These old machines aren't made for mesh networks. Too pitty when you can't print anymore.
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That's an interesting question as my wife & I are long time Mac users who have only just switched to from Intel to Apple Silicon this final week of January 2026. This week we have had a full technology refresh as I purchased a used 512GB iPhone 16 Pro Max for £650 thus allowing my wife to replace her iPhone XS Max with my iPhone 12 Pro Max.
When I got laid off in 2008 I started up a video & photography business & bought a well hung 2008 Mac Pro & a 17" MBP with full AppleCare. I did that gig for about five years but then switched back to my old profession where I spent the next ten years until my retirement a couple of years ago.
My MBP was getting a bit slow so it got replaced in 2017 with a 15" 2015 MPB that I found on eBay for a great price still with AppleCare. I had the battery replaced by Apple & eventually upgraded the 16GB MBP with 2TB of storage & it's the machine that I have been using until this week. The battery life is only a couple of hours & the fan noise was getting obtrusive so I was aware that I could do better but I was pleasantly surprised
We purchased an 8GB 512GB 12" MacBook for my wife in 2018 which she absolutely loved. This was purchased with AppleCare which got the screen replaced when it crapped out & the keyboard & top case got replaced under the recall scheme so basically the whole machine was replaced over time. It is the smallest, lightest MacBook that Apple ever made but eventually the 8GB became a limitation & she has been complaining of frequent slow downs.
I was of course aware of Apple silicon but was surprised to find that it's been on the market over five years. I did some intensive research & saw that a 13" M1 MacBook Air would be ideal. It's noticeably bigger than the 12" MacBook but obviously the screen is larger & the keyboard less cramped. I found a 16GB 1TB 13" M1 MacBook Air on eBay for £450 & was delighted when it arrived to find that it was in immaculate condition & a beautiful machine. The battery lasts all day, it's really fast & the keyboard & screen are tremendous. She loves it.
I was so impressed with my wife's M1 machine that I did some more research & decided that as I am used to a larger screen that a 15" MacBook Air would suit me & eventually found an M3 16GB 512GB 15" MacBook Air for the bargain price of £650. It's immaculate & so fast & portable with amazing battery life. I would have preferred more storage but as I store most of my files in the Cloud now I'm hoping that this isn't so much of an issue. I am quite prepared to keep looking on eBay for a bargain with more storage & then selling this MBA. I was briefly tempted with a 64GB 2TB 13" MBP for just £450 but I'm loving the 15" MBA & don't think that I would adapt to a smaller screen plus it's got a MagSafe power connector which the 13" MBP lacks.
I honestly don't know why it has taken so long to move to Apple Silicon as the laptops we have now are so much better than the ones they replaced. Eventually it was my wife's complaints about her cute but slow rose gold MacBook prompting me to look on eBay. I know that I got a couple of bargains as looking today the cheapest I can find with the same specs are at least £150-£200 more than I paid. As usual with eBay there are some good deals & some rip-offs & some very unrealistic pricing. I may eventually get a 16" MBP but at the moment I'm really enjoying how compact & portable the 15" MBA is.
When I got laid off in 2008 I started up a video & photography business & bought a well hung 2008 Mac Pro & a 17" MBP with full AppleCare. I did that gig for about five years but then switched back to my old profession where I spent the next ten years until my retirement a couple of years ago.
My MBP was getting a bit slow so it got replaced in 2017 with a 15" 2015 MPB that I found on eBay for a great price still with AppleCare. I had the battery replaced by Apple & eventually upgraded the 16GB MBP with 2TB of storage & it's the machine that I have been using until this week. The battery life is only a couple of hours & the fan noise was getting obtrusive so I was aware that I could do better but I was pleasantly surprised
We purchased an 8GB 512GB 12" MacBook for my wife in 2018 which she absolutely loved. This was purchased with AppleCare which got the screen replaced when it crapped out & the keyboard & top case got replaced under the recall scheme so basically the whole machine was replaced over time. It is the smallest, lightest MacBook that Apple ever made but eventually the 8GB became a limitation & she has been complaining of frequent slow downs.
I was of course aware of Apple silicon but was surprised to find that it's been on the market over five years. I did some intensive research & saw that a 13" M1 MacBook Air would be ideal. It's noticeably bigger than the 12" MacBook but obviously the screen is larger & the keyboard less cramped. I found a 16GB 1TB 13" M1 MacBook Air on eBay for £450 & was delighted when it arrived to find that it was in immaculate condition & a beautiful machine. The battery lasts all day, it's really fast & the keyboard & screen are tremendous. She loves it.
I was so impressed with my wife's M1 machine that I did some more research & decided that as I am used to a larger screen that a 15" MacBook Air would suit me & eventually found an M3 16GB 512GB 15" MacBook Air for the bargain price of £650. It's immaculate & so fast & portable with amazing battery life. I would have preferred more storage but as I store most of my files in the Cloud now I'm hoping that this isn't so much of an issue. I am quite prepared to keep looking on eBay for a bargain with more storage & then selling this MBA. I was briefly tempted with a 64GB 2TB 13" MBP for just £450 but I'm loving the 15" MBA & don't think that I would adapt to a smaller screen plus it's got a MagSafe power connector which the 13" MBP lacks.
I honestly don't know why it has taken so long to move to Apple Silicon as the laptops we have now are so much better than the ones they replaced. Eventually it was my wife's complaints about her cute but slow rose gold MacBook prompting me to look on eBay. I know that I got a couple of bargains as looking today the cheapest I can find with the same specs are at least £150-£200 more than I paid. As usual with eBay there are some good deals & some rip-offs & some very unrealistic pricing. I may eventually get a 16" MBP but at the moment I'm really enjoying how compact & portable the 15" MBA is.