Is anyone still using Intel MacBooks? If so, why? I have a 2018 Intel 15" MacBook Pro, and I don't feel inclined to replace it due to its slimmer design, Touch Bar, and a few other reasons. What are yours? I'm not particularly concerned about battery usage, as it has always been used while plugged in at around 80% battery level. Even when I used it on battery without charging it to 100%, it still lasts approximately six hours until the battery level drops to about 20%. Plus, I simply like its appearance—flat and thin.
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Anyone still using Intel MacBooks, if so why?
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I only caved in and bought an M4 Air because the battery in my MBP 2020 started swelling, and as UTM can run XP quite well nowadays, I didn't need the Intel processor anymore. If the battery had lasted I would probably have squeezed a few more years out of the old machine.
I’ve got a late 2013 MacBook Pro Retina that I still use I think 10 time/year. My main devices are iPhone & iPadPro, that’s why I’m still using an old MacBook.
I was running a 2020 Intel MacBook Pro (4 thunderbolt ports) until summer of last year, and it was generally fast enough for basic office tasks and watching videos, but it was slow for one thing I wanted: on-device AI tasks. I had discovered MacWhisper (a killer app for me) and was using it to transcribe video and audio files, but it was too slow on the Intel Mac for me. It was my main machine for 4 years.
I then bought a 15" M3 MacBook Air just to run MacWhisper faster, and it does run it much faster using the M3's GPU.
If it wasn't for wanting to run MacWhisper faster, I'd likely be still using the 2020 Intel MBP (which I have since given away) until the M5 machines come out.
I then bought a 15" M3 MacBook Air just to run MacWhisper faster, and it does run it much faster using the M3's GPU.
If it wasn't for wanting to run MacWhisper faster, I'd likely be still using the 2020 Intel MBP (which I have since given away) until the M5 machines come out.
I waited until the hype surrounding the silicon Macs had slowed down when they were first released, and I held off until the M4 was launched to get a Mac Mini. By the way, the first buyers of the M1 Macs were the experiment, not the Macs themselves. However, I won't be getting rid of my 2018 15" MacBook Pro, as it is still quite good, and that slim design is no longer available with the new MacBooks, and that the Touch Bar.
In three more years, there will likely be three more M series chips available, and most probably, my 2018 MacBook Pro will still be around. Intel won't die that quickly, I believe.
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2020 27" iMac: My main computer in my classroom. It still does everything I need and should for several years to come, so I don't feel any pressing need to replace it.
2018 15" MBP: I got it for free and use it daily in my classroom as my desk away from my desk. It's a fantastic machine for my uses.
2009 Mac mini: My main classroom server, running High Sierra. Besides Time Machine backups for all my Macs in my classroom, it also runs my old computer lab management software that is 32-bit only.
2016 12" rMB: I use this machine at home regularly for basic use just because it's so small and light.
2012 Mac mini i7: I use this machine at home running OCLP Sequoia as a Time Machine and Minecraft server.
Most of my Intel Macs are still in service simply because they still do what they need to do for me, and so long as they do so, I feel no pressing need to replace them. I do have several AS Macs - my main laptop for school is an M4 Air, my main home laptop is an M1 Air, and I have an M1 Mac mini running the big touchscreen at the front of my classroom, but the Intel Macs in my world still do what they need to do.
2018 15" MBP: I got it for free and use it daily in my classroom as my desk away from my desk. It's a fantastic machine for my uses.
2009 Mac mini: My main classroom server, running High Sierra. Besides Time Machine backups for all my Macs in my classroom, it also runs my old computer lab management software that is 32-bit only.
2016 12" rMB: I use this machine at home regularly for basic use just because it's so small and light.
2012 Mac mini i7: I use this machine at home running OCLP Sequoia as a Time Machine and Minecraft server.
Most of my Intel Macs are still in service simply because they still do what they need to do for me, and so long as they do so, I feel no pressing need to replace them. I do have several AS Macs - my main laptop for school is an M4 Air, my main home laptop is an M1 Air, and I have an M1 Mac mini running the big touchscreen at the front of my classroom, but the Intel Macs in my world still do what they need to do.
Why would you say that "the first buyers of the M1 Macs were the experiment, not the Macs themselves."?
- had a 15" MacBook Pro 2018 - regret getting rid of it.
Well, the first buyers of iPhone Air are also the experiment, not the phone itself.
👍
Maybe with the iPhone air as no one really was asking for it…but MacBook Pro 2021, the majority of Pro’s were asking (demanding) that they put back the ports and ok with thickness to reduce overheating and throttling at the time.
“Yes” some (I) like the thinnest of the MacBook Pro 2018, but thermal throttling and fans running like a jet when in heavy rendering (video) was not worth the sacrifice for thinnest.
Many just bare the heaviness of M1 MacBook Pro when we have to travel with it, but from what I have read (including my workflow behavior) many just leave it on the desk.
Remember Mac Studio was not out at the time, so all we had as an option to upgrade if needed was the M1 MacBook Pro. “if” the Studio was out at the time, I would have kept my intel MacBook Pro 2018 and bought the Studio instead of the 16” MacBook Pro first (but then eventually get it later).
The MacBook Pro 16” M1 probably was not an experiment with users as normally is the first of something new. It was a “finally” moment for those Pro’s loosing patience with Apple after the Mac Pro 2013 issues and the butterfly keyboard issues along with the “form over performance” era etc.
I remember watching the keynote and Apple’s product director (forget his name) was in their workroom and he seemed to be showing off what he knew to be the best Mac Apple created for some time (if ever). Almost flawless…and he had big smiles.
M1 MacBook Pro 16” IS THE BEST COMPUTER i have ever had. It still rocks hard solid and I cannot say that for any computer I have had ever…Period. “Yes” the new MacBook Pros are better now, but when the M1 MacBook Pro came out, it was a “Wow” and “finally” moment.
So my opinion is “Yes” you are correct normally, but for MacBook Pro 2021, it was instead a “day of reckoning” when it came out instead.
For heavy work, one should consider getting a desktop computer. The fans running is a good thing, as they are doing their job. After all, it has an 8th generation Intel processor. Mine is quite good, and I won't sell it. Sequoia is quite good, and there's not much to add to macOS, except for eye candy.
Sure, that could be the case; I'm not negating that. However, now most people are trying to get rid of their M1 devices, and even the M2 devices.
There are still people who would buy Intel Macs for they are getting cheaper, while selling an M1 Mac would be challenging, especially with M4s available and M5 just around the corner. Purchasing an M1 Mac was quite a risk, as its lifespan is much shorter due to the newer M series chips being released every year. That will make it harder to sell.
I still us a 2019 MBP 19” and don’t mind it. Yes it sounds like a jet at times but for what I use it for it works and works decently fast. I’ve used it heavy the last four years as well. Mostly for work but I’m also not running any processor heavy apps. The battery is starting to leave something to be desired but I have no reason to upgrade. I use mostly the web, office apps, watch videos and emails. Love the form factor even though it does get hot at times. Looking to upgrade within the next few years. My lady still uses a 15” intel MBP as well and she loves it. The battery is starting to show its age as well but she only really uses it for personal finance along with other office apps and some light web browsing. Don’t think she plans to upgrade anytime soon. She also uses an Intel machine for woke (Hp) that is provided by her work for most of what she needs a computer for. She has to use the work computer that is provided as well since she is in a heavy regulated and monitored industry.
I honestly like our Intel Macs but the M series ones are pretty amazing. Just no need to upgrade yet and we both could easily afford to.
I also have to say that right when Covid travel restrictions were lifted for flying I started flying from Florida to Colorado 2-3 times a month for a year and really appreciated the form factor of my 16” pro even though it was a tad big (16” screen) to use on some flights but the weight of it and thinness offset that. Couldn’t imagine doing that with a new 16” MBP.
I honestly like our Intel Macs but the M series ones are pretty amazing. Just no need to upgrade yet and we both could easily afford to.
I also have to say that right when Covid travel restrictions were lifted for flying I started flying from Florida to Colorado 2-3 times a month for a year and really appreciated the form factor of my 16” pro even though it was a tad big (16” screen) to use on some flights but the weight of it and thinness offset that. Couldn’t imagine doing that with a new 16” MBP.
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You think just because they release a new M chip every year that it makes their lifespan shorter? I sorta see your point but respectfully disagree as it should last as long if not longer then an intel machine and is still pretty fast for most task years later. Just some people want the newest and/or best every year. I’ll be waiting till the OLED screen pros for sure but I see myself keeping it for many years as for me it would be plenty. The 14” size to me is a sweet spot.
Lifespan in the matter of resale value, counted in years. Try selling an M1 device today and getting a good price, or indeed finding a buyer.
I find no reasons for replacing my 2019 13" MacBook Pro, since it has been flawless since I purchased and it performs the tasks I need it to with its 1.4 GHz Quad-core intel Core i5, its 8GB Ram. It runs with Sequoia 15-6.1. I like the horizontal lighted touch bar at the uppermost area of the keyboard, and the SSD still has at least one-half amount off room left. While the MacBook is a portable device, mine is always a home and 99.9% of the time sitting on a desk. Mine has always been quiet, unless... I am losing my hearing (?)
I don't see the need to spend money on a newer MacBook
I don't see the need to spend money on a newer MacBook
2019 16" MBP, 32GB ram, due to having to use VMware fusion to run some VM's from ESXi's or local ones.
edit: i also like the Bootcamp feature...
edit: i also like the Bootcamp feature...
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Yes, because I don't have FOMO. Still use a 2020 SE iPhone too because it runs iOS 26 and does all I need (messages and mail mostly). Apple's greatest con has been persuading people to keep spending $1000s every year or two for hardware they don't need b/c most just browse the Net and do messaging, photos and a few written texts, which can be done perfectly well on older Macs.
OCLP does/has done a great job keeping Sequoia running on old Intel hardware, but with the Tahoe release I went back to Monterey on all old Intel hardware b/c started having blocked iCloud Messages and FaceTime issues even on M-series Macs that I thought/think might be related to Apple detecting OCLP on old Macs and disabling accounts. If that's untrue, I might return to OCLP Tahoe on old Macs if/when OCLP releases. For now I'm playing it safe with Monterey.
well i am still using 2016 15inch macbook pro, it still make me feel great as long as still can work me well, i am fine with it. sometime my kids just grab it for their study ... lol
I do ... it still works great
2015 15" MBP on Sequoia thanks to OCLP
2015 15" MBP on Sequoia thanks to OCLP
Does bootcamp work correctly under OCLP? Meaning will correct Windows drivers downloaded and create Windows partition correctly?
I don't think so. I have probably over 20+ old Mac and iPhone/iPad connected with my Apple ID. Most Intel Macs are running with OCLP and iCloud messages are working. I don't use FaceTime at all, so I can't tell you that.
No, they lucky folks who were in the right place at the right time. I had a 2013 15" i7 MBP that was becoming slow and got quite hot. I wanted a replacement. Everything from 2016-2019 was a non-starter due to the butterfly keyboards (I could not find a fully working keyboard in all of the local Apple Store, so I don't think it was overblown, some people just got lucky).
I was all set to get a 2020 MBP with the fixed keyboard when the talk of the switch to Arm and the prototype Minis hit. It would be silly to invest in the last Intel generation. You're pretty much guaranteed an early-end to support. No way was I buying into a discontinued line. So, back to waiting. Early reviews of Apple Silicon were extremely positive... getting two M1 Pros on launch day was a no-brainer. Having transitioned to console for gaming, I had no need for any Windows only software. No regrets.
All folks living were at the right place at the right time.
Only, most never bought that M1 device and waited patiently for the experiment to establish itself. You were using the 2013 15" i7 MacBook Pro for seven years until 2020, without getting caught up in the hype to upgrade every year.
I'm still using my CTO (maxed out) 11" MBA that I ordered and that was made for me in 2014; this beauty (and beast) has - quite literally - travelled the world with me, and has done everything I have asked of it.
Yes, I have replaced the battery and the keyboard, (the pandemic did for the battery and the keyboard was a casualty of that), but, I will say that it is easily the best computer that I have ever had.
Some years ago, when I was contemplating an upgrade, an individual at an Apple store (quietly) advised against it, pointing out that I already owned one of the best (designed and built) computers that Apple had ever built and that "they hardly ever come in for repairs", unlike some of the other (more recently constructed and released) models.
Yes, I have replaced the battery and the keyboard, (the pandemic did for the battery and the keyboard was a casualty of that), but, I will say that it is easily the best computer that I have ever had.
Some years ago, when I was contemplating an upgrade, an individual at an Apple store (quietly) advised against it, pointing out that I already owned one of the best (designed and built) computers that Apple had ever built and that "they hardly ever come in for repairs", unlike some of the other (more recently constructed and released) models.