I’m considering a 2020 MacBook Pro with the 8th Generation i5 processor. I’m coming from a late 2011 Macbook Pro in which I’ve maxed out the memory and installed a SSD. Seeing as I keep my computers a long time, what is your advice on the 8th generation processor? I’m concerned more about Apple ending OS support for it sooner than the 10th generation.
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8th Gen Support
- Thread starter Psy101
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Apple provides at least 5 years of OS support, and 2 years of security updates after that. It is possible that a future macOS will draw the line at the Iris Plus graphics that are in the 10th generation, but not the 8th generation. However, given that Apple is selling both MacBook Pro and Mac Mini “2020” models with the 8th generation, I think they will support them for a while. That said, if you are going to go with 16GB and 512GB for “future proofing,” I’d strongly consider the 10th generation for the extra $200.
If Apple switches to ARM soon. As rumors strongly suggest at least a partial switch. All bets are off about any current model as far as OS support is concerned. As Apple has historically quickly dropped old architectures' OS support (680x0, PowerPC) when replaced.
If they don't replace. While some products get dropped sooner. I'd expect seven to eight years of OS support. Plus two more years of security patches. Based on recent OS releases and the models they supported.
GPU wise: They all seem to support the same codec hardware acceleration. I don't see any issues there for future OS support.
CPU wise: They support most of the same instruction sets. The big difference is AVX-512 which the 10th gen has. Looking at Intel CPU pages most of the current Macs don't support it. So, I doubt it'll be an issue anytime soon. There are some other instruction set difference which seem more to do with thermal and power management.
For future OS support. I'd be more worried about a switch to ARM than generational differences. Even with some unusual short support of five years plus two years of security updates. You should get at least seven years out of the computer before it is no longer secure. Unless AVX-512 is necessary or again an ARM switch. You'll probably get some more unofficial support via something like a DOSDUDE1 patch. Even 2009 models can run Catalina well if patched.
If they don't replace. While some products get dropped sooner. I'd expect seven to eight years of OS support. Plus two more years of security patches. Based on recent OS releases and the models they supported.
GPU wise: They all seem to support the same codec hardware acceleration. I don't see any issues there for future OS support.
CPU wise: They support most of the same instruction sets. The big difference is AVX-512 which the 10th gen has. Looking at Intel CPU pages most of the current Macs don't support it. So, I doubt it'll be an issue anytime soon. There are some other instruction set difference which seem more to do with thermal and power management.
For future OS support. I'd be more worried about a switch to ARM than generational differences. Even with some unusual short support of five years plus two years of security updates. You should get at least seven years out of the computer before it is no longer secure. Unless AVX-512 is necessary or again an ARM switch. You'll probably get some more unofficial support via something like a DOSDUDE1 patch. Even 2009 models can run Catalina well if patched.
Given that my 2012 MBP with 3rd Gen Intel processors is eligible to upgrade to Catalina, anything you buy today will probably hit a hardware constraint in the future (battery, touchpad, display) before you'll need to worry about running out of software support. Even if Apple stops providing software support, its not like your Mac will suddenly stop working. It will continue to operate for as long as you want to. Moreover after the first 2- 3 years, you'll see a diminishing addition of features on future upgrades (like how Sidecar is not available on all previous models eligible for software support).