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Can a MacBook last for 10 years?

2008 unibody. It had a new battery a while back and I dropped an SSD in it which gave it a new life.

The screen is pretty much dead in it now though so I have a new 2016 on order.

If it wasn't for the screen I think I'd scrape another two years out of it. Its really slow for final cut and aperture but for general web browsing and stuff its still fine (apart from the screen)
 
Pootmatoot said:
I bet you've been a few thousand cruddy Apple chargers in that time though!
Click to expand...

sorry to disappoint there. ;) i vaguely do remember a recall a while back but are they known as generally problematic?

re: use case: definitely. for general web use and word processing, even an old machine will do fine. most likely better than some tablet, too. main problem might be that modern, now mandatory software will not be available anymore (e.g. i think on my parent's snow leopard-based machine some modern browsers are no longer available).
 
th0masp said:
sorry to disappoint there. ;) i vaguely do remember a recall a while back but are they known as generally problematic?

re: use case: definitely. for general web use and word processing, even an old machine will do fine. most likely better than some tablet, too. main problem might be that modern, now mandatory software will not be available anymore (e.g. i think on my parent's snow leopard-based machine some modern browsers are no longer available).
Click to expand...


If you travel about a lot: the insulation flaying off at the connection point is a known bugbear. I average about 2 a year... :)
 
Yes, it can.

Writing from a late 2007 white MB. It's still a beast.
I have it switched on everyday 24 hours a day attached to a 24' and I am still using it for work ( 30+ tab on chrome + Ps + In + web dev programs open at the same time) and for vintage gaming (bootcamp) and for video / music .

I upgraded to 4GB RAM and samsung SSD. Battery is dead so I just took it off (not using it on the go anymore).

I added thermal paste on the CPU 3 times and cleaned the inside from the dust. I think all these things made my MB last so long.

I was planning to upgrade this winter but I'm not convinced yet.

A question for you guys: how new generation macbooks are easy to clean / repaste compared to my device?

I really think that proper cleaning and new thermal paste saved life to my white old companion. Is this possible with 2013 to the new 2016 models?

cheers
 
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I'm running a 2006 original MBP 17", it is now VERY slow at performing modern tasks, it's a lovely laptop but weighs a ton, has to live on the mains and the screen is on its last legs. So yes, 10 years is doable, but in doing so you have to make compromises. Personally, I would say 5 years is the preferred lifecycle of a MacBook, much longer and you start to fall behind the hardware requirements for updates, new software requirements and generally start to feel the slowdown in performance (I've also had a fair few out of warranty repairs so the cost to keep it on-the-road so to speak has to be factored).

I did take it into the Apple Store last month as I'm having display issues and the genius was amazed at the pristine condition of my MBP considering it's age, it was the first time they had seen an original 17" in the flesh and they called over several colleagues to also marvel in its greatness.
 
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Lou-X said:
A question for you guys: how new generation macbooks are easy to clean / repaste compared to my device?
Click to expand...

well, according to ifixit articles it's more of a challenge to get into these machines compared to older generations. they went through some effort to lock the user out and thus hade to raise prices considerably. ;)
 
My primary laptop is a late 2008 Aluminum MacBook. Max RAM, upgraded to an SSD, and have replaced the battery; but the core of it still runs just fine. Thanks to this thread, I have it running macOS Sierra just fine.

I only got it (used) last year. Before that, I was using an original, ordered-day-of-launch 2006 MacBook Pro. It needed quite a few repairs in the first couple years (covered under warranty) and I had to replace the battery many, MANY times, but it still works fine. (I no longer have a working battery, though.) I'm also rather rough on my laptops, it has quite a few dents, and is even "bent" a little - something the newer "unibody" designs are a lot better at preventing.
 
Have an old MacBook Pro 17" early 2008 that's in its 8th year, going on 9th. Only issues are: expanding battery (Apple original) - which I got apple to replace after a bit of whining and complaining. The wifi is a bit flaky some days, dropping off and not being able to get back on. But once connected to ethernet port, should be ok.
 
th0masp said:
well, according to ifixit articles it's more of a challenge to get into these machines compared to older generations. they went through some effort to lock the user out and thus hade to raise prices considerably. ;)
Click to expand...
That's sad.. I'm very afraid of getting a new mb for this reason: I want to be able to open my device and clean it easily and also do regular maintenance in order to keep it working.
 
I have a 2009 MBP. The battery doesn't last, but apart from that, I don't have any other major issues. I have replaced the HDD with an SSD and upped the RAM, but no original parts have failed. I'm sure it could last for three more years, but it won't get any more OS upgrades.
 
My PowerBook is still with me on my balcony and travels when I want to write and check on some VPS accounts, some quick browsing and I enjoy it still.

But I can certainly not do with it what I really want, and use my iMac for, or iPad.

But it works.
 
It might run, but Apple likes to arbitrarily cut of software support early so you probably won't have security or software support. You'll probably be able to run the latest version of Windows though.
 
Lou-X said:
Yes, it can.

Writing from a late 2007 white MB. It's still a beast.
I have it switched on everyday 24 hours a day attached to a 24' and I am still using it for work ( 30+ tab on chrome + Ps + In + web dev programs open at the same time) and for vintage gaming (bootcamp) and for video / music .

I upgraded to 4GB RAM and samsung SSD. Battery is dead so I just took it off (not using it on the go anymore).

I added thermal paste on the CPU 3 times and cleaned the inside from the dust. I think all these things made my MB last so long.

I was planning to upgrade this winter but I'm not convinced yet.

A question for you guys: how new generation macbooks are easy to clean / repaste compared to my device?

I really think that proper cleaning and new thermal paste saved life to my white old companion. Is this possible with 2013 to the new 2016 models?

cheers
Click to expand...

Doesnt that make your cpu only use one core or throttle it agressively?
 
Skika said:
Doesnt that make your cpu only use one core or throttle it agressively?
Click to expand...
The removal of the battery? I don't think so. I haven't noticed differences after taking out battery ( 6 months circa).
And activity monitor still shows 2 cpu. Does normally battery influences the cpu usage?

My mb is a core 2 duo, so 1 processor (2cores). It throttle under heavy load doing tasks which many friends with last gen pc cannot do either.

Biggest problem is discontinued programs under snow leopard.. Still using cs5 :/

I've bought a little external usb fan from Amazon (artic) and it helps to keep it cooler
 
My Mac Pro hit the 10 year mark this year(although I've not owned it that long) and it's still running fine. I'm running Mavericks on it, although I could run El Capitan and get two more years of security updates. This is my main work computer.

To be fair, it has been upgraded a fair bit. Needless to say it has an SSD, but also was upgraded to 8 cores(2x4core 2.66ghz X5355), 16gb of RAM, and a 1gb 8800GT from MacVidCards.

I have the laptop that I'm going to use until I can't use it any more. It's a 15" mid-2012 "classic" MacBook Pro. Mine has the HR-AG screen(the last AG screen Apple made) which is why I don't really even want to entertain an upgrade. I do have 16gb of RAM and a 1TB Samsung EVO. There are otherwise long gone features on it which I use often enough to not want to have to deal with dongles/externals. Also, despite some folks here with apparently weak backs, I do not find it especially cumbersome or heavy-it beats the heck out of the 15" Windows laptops I hauled around in college.

BTW, although I'm partial, but if you want the non-Retina Unibody form factor the 15" 2012(9,1) is the one to get. It is one of the few discrete graphic models that does not have GPU issues, and the mid-2012s also are the only non-Retina MBPs with USB 3.
 
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bunnspecial said:
My Mac Pro hit the 10 year mark this year(although I've not owned it that long) and it's still running fine. I'm running Mavericks on it, although I could run El Capitan and get two more years of security updates. This is my main work computer.

To be fair, it has been upgraded a fair bit. Needless to say it has an SSD, but also was upgraded to 8 cores(2x4core 2.66ghz X5355), 16gb of RAM, and a 1gb 8800GT from MacVidCards.

I have the laptop that I'm going to use until I can't use it any more. It's a 15" mid-2012 "classic" MacBook Pro. Mine has the HR-AG screen(the last AG screen Apple made) which is why I don't really even want to entertain an upgrade. I do have 16gb of RAM and a 1TB Samsung EVO. There are otherwise long gone features on it which I use often enough to not want to have to deal with dongles/externals. Also, despite some folks here with apparently weak backs, I do not find it especially cumbersome or heavy-it beats the heck out of the 15" Windows laptops I hauled around in college.

BTW, although I'm partial, but if you want the non-Retina Unibody form factor the 15" 2012(9,1) is the one to get. It is one of the few discrete graphic models that does not have GPU issues, and the mid-2012s also are the only non-Retina MBPs with USB 3.
Click to expand...
Is your mbp the last upgradable in SSD and RAM?
Does it run only 1 external display?
Thanks
 
Lou-X said:
The removal of the battery? I don't think so. I haven't noticed differences after taking out battery ( 6 months circa).
And activity monitor still shows 2 cpu. Does normally battery influences the cpu usage?

My mb is a core 2 duo, so 1 processor (2cores). It throttle under heavy load doing tasks which many friends with last gen pc cannot do either.

Biggest problem is discontinued programs under snow leopard.. Still using cs5 :/

I've bought a little external usb fan from Amazon (artic) and it helps to keep it cooler
Click to expand...

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/apple-macbook-pro-battery-benchmarks,6643.html

According to this support document, Apple essentially down-clocks the CPU to prevent the system from shutting down if it happens to demand greater power than the AC adapter alone can provide: "If the battery is removed from a MacBook or MacBook Pro, the computer will automatically reduce the processor speed. This prevents the computer from shutting down if it demands more power than the A/C adapter alone can provide."
Click to expand...

Dunno if this applies to your macbook but still, worth getting a look into.
 
bunnspecial said:
My Mac Pro hit the 10 year mark this year(although I've not owned it that long) and it's still running fine. I'm running Mavericks on it, although I could run El Capitan and get two more years of security updates. This is my main work computer.

To be fair, it has been upgraded a fair bit. Needless to say it has an SSD, but also was upgraded to 8 cores(2x4core 2.66ghz X5355), 16gb of RAM, and a 1gb 8800GT from MacVidCards.

I have the laptop that I'm going to use until I can't use it any more. It's a 15" mid-2012 "classic" MacBook Pro. Mine has the HR-AG screen(the last AG screen Apple made) which is why I don't really even want to entertain an upgrade. I do have 16gb of RAM and a 1TB Samsung EVO. There are otherwise long gone features on it which I use often enough to not want to have to deal with dongles/externals. Also, despite some folks here with apparently weak backs, I do not find it especially cumbersome or heavy-it beats the heck out of the 15" Windows laptops I hauled around in college.

BTW, although I'm partial, but if you want the non-Retina Unibody form factor the 15" 2012(9,1) is the one to get. It is one of the few discrete graphic models that does not have GPU issues, and the mid-2012s also are the only non-Retina MBPs with USB 3.
Click to expand...

The 2012 non-retina 15" MacBook Pro is probably the most upgradeable Mac laptop. It has Thunderbolt, USB3, SATA3, Firewire 800, Ethernet, and SD slot without requiring any dongles. Not to mention the MagSafe port and Battery indicator. Enjoy it! :)

I also have a Mac Pro 1,1 which is running 18 hours a day as a NAS server. IMO, 2006-2012 is Apple's golden age.
 
Lou-X said:
Is your mbp the last upgradable in SSD and RAM?
Does it run only 1 external display?
Thanks
Click to expand...

The 9,2(13" version) was still around until a few weeks ago, but yes this generation was the last.

The GPU is more than capable of handling more than one external display, but actually making it work can get a little bit complicated. I've seen one runny daisy chained TB displays, but you'd need some work with Thunderbolt peripherals to actually pull off multiple ones.
 
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theitsage said:
The 2012 non-retina 15" MacBook Pro is probably the most upgradeable Mac laptop. It has Thunderbolt, USB3, SATA3, Firewire 800, Ethernet, and SD slot without requiring any dongles. Not to mention the MagSafe port and Battery indicator. Enjoy it! :)
Click to expand...

does it still have a DVD slot drive, too? my 2011 model has that and i actually do find it still useful. plus, if you decide it's useless to you then you can swap it for a mounting bracket and a second SSD.
 
th0masp said:
does it still have a DVD slot drive, too? my 2011 model has that and i actually do find it still useful. plus, if you decide it's useless to you then you can swap it for a mounting bracket and a second SSD.
Click to expand...

Yes, it does. It's one of those features that I don't use all the time, but use it often enough that I like not having to haul around a drive.

Back when these were the current model, one quite common modification was to remove the optical drive and install a hard drive in its place. There were adapters made for this-the OptiBay is probably best known. When SSDs got cheap enough for consumers to start buying en masse, but were still expensive for capacity this modification really came into its own. You could install an inexpensive small SSD in the main bay as your boot drive, and then a big platter drive in the optical bay for storage.

The 1TB SSD in mine is plenty big, so I've never felt a desire to do this, but there was a time when it made a lot of sense. Heck, it still does if you want a laptop with tons of on on-board storage that doesn't cost a fortune..
 
bunnspecial said:
The 9,2(13" version) was still around until a few weeks ago, but yes this generation was the last.

The GPU is more than capable of handling more than one external display, but actually making it work can get a little bit complicated. I've seen one runny daisy chained TB displays, but you'd need some work with Thunderbolt peripherals to actually pull off multiple ones.
Click to expand...
I just found a 9,2 (13') second hand with 22 original battery cycles for about 750euros.
I don't need video power and I think it could work for my hardcore multitasking jobs.
I could upgrade it to 16gb ram and put double SSD. Very tempting. What do you say mate?
 
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