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How long will a MacBook Pro last?
- Thread starter AVBeatMan
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What do you mean by 'last'?
Last in terms of hardware failure? Last in terms of software supports? Last in terms of usable speed and performance?
In terms of hardware failure, there were the infamous GPU issue and they probably won't last very long. While others are likely last longer. There are still people using iBook so that's more than 10 years.
In terms of software supports, Apple will stop it's security update after certain years. If you are alright with that then you can certainly keep using it. Other software that users use will likely to stop supporting after the OS support stopped. This all depends on the individual software.
In terms of speed and performance, all hardware will slow down and die. What's acceptable to you may not be acceptable to me. Moreover, rMBP isn't user upgradable therefore; you will need to buy a newer version when you find yours unacceptably slow.
Last in terms of hardware failure? Last in terms of software supports? Last in terms of usable speed and performance?
In terms of hardware failure, there were the infamous GPU issue and they probably won't last very long. While others are likely last longer. There are still people using iBook so that's more than 10 years.
In terms of software supports, Apple will stop it's security update after certain years. If you are alright with that then you can certainly keep using it. Other software that users use will likely to stop supporting after the OS support stopped. This all depends on the individual software.
In terms of speed and performance, all hardware will slow down and die. What's acceptable to you may not be acceptable to me. Moreover, rMBP isn't user upgradable therefore; you will need to buy a newer version when you find yours unacceptably slow.
My 2012 rMBP is going strong, so hopefully it will last another few more years
Most laptops and Desktop computers last about 6 years to some part breaks down mostly hard-drive or power supply. Some computers can last 8 to 10 years but 90% do not.
Mostly computer is only good for about 6 years to you have to fix it or get a new one.
I'm using a 2011 MacBook Pro, it's been a great laptop and i consider 5 years a long time. I will be upgrading to a new MacBook Pro when Apple announce them, especially if there is going to be a redesign and Touch ID added like rumours suggest.
Can i ask tho, anyone who has a retina display MacBook, is there much of a difference between the retina and the non-retina MacBook Pros? in terms of how good the screen is.
Can i ask tho, anyone who has a retina display MacBook, is there much of a difference between the retina and the non-retina MacBook Pros? in terms of how good the screen is.
I went from 2009 pro to 2013 pro with retina screen and to be honest can't tell the difference.
Ok thank you, i plan on upgrading for reasons more than the screen, but i just wondered if it was a big deal, because from what i can tell the screen on my 2011 isn't that bad.
My ol' 2008 MBP is 'still' trudging along. In 8 years hardly a day has gone by without me using it. Runs El Capitan no problem. Its been dropped several times, spilled on and overheated (so bad it was too hot to touch, I friggin' threw it in frig to cool it down!). The screen is cracked, the touch pad is cracked and partially works, the case is dented in, the SuperDrive works when it wants to, and, of coarse, the battery has been swollen for years..... But it just keeps truckin' man.
By far the best investment in an electronic device I've ever made, and it virtually guarantees my next laptop will come from Apple.
By far the best investment in an electronic device I've ever made, and it virtually guarantees my next laptop will come from Apple.
Most web sites are not retina.
You can't make text and image nice when it is in really low resolution.
I've 2011 15" and 17" that are behaving faultlessly. AMD dGPUs haven't failed; bodies are in pristine condition; batteries lasting about 3-4 hours.
Recently popped in new batteries, switched to SSD and upped to 16GB RAM. While I can relugate the machines to my infrastructure lab, the way they're running means the value proposition of updating this year has severely diminished (though may not be completely ruled out).
Running latest VMware Fusion and Phase One's Capture One software without any issues. Lack of a retina display doesn't bother me; still have use for an optical drive and make use of the original Thunderbolt connector to Target Disk boot any one of 5 2012 Mac Minis running as virtual hosts.
5 years is a reasonable expectation for modern hardware and could probably go another 5 - despite the layman's claims to built-in obsolescence for any piece of kit produced in the last 10 years.
Expect (hope?) I'll get a couple of years of macOS support before they become purely Windows or *nix machines.
Recently popped in new batteries, switched to SSD and upped to 16GB RAM. While I can relugate the machines to my infrastructure lab, the way they're running means the value proposition of updating this year has severely diminished (though may not be completely ruled out).
Running latest VMware Fusion and Phase One's Capture One software without any issues. Lack of a retina display doesn't bother me; still have use for an optical drive and make use of the original Thunderbolt connector to Target Disk boot any one of 5 2012 Mac Minis running as virtual hosts.
5 years is a reasonable expectation for modern hardware and could probably go another 5 - despite the layman's claims to built-in obsolescence for any piece of kit produced in the last 10 years.
Expect (hope?) I'll get a couple of years of macOS support before they become purely Windows or *nix machines.
I've owned several macs over the years .. I never really had to replace one because it got outdated, slow, etc... or had hardware issues .. I've always bought another Mac because of the newer models .. I could still be using a 10 year old Mac and not have any issues .. my work's mainly research and writing ..
[doublepost=1471838199][/doublepost]have a rMBP 2012, as well .. 7-8 hours of battery life!
I sold my early-2011 base model MBP to my cousin and that thing still screams through everything we throw at it (except for games obviously). I did upgrade it with an SSD and for basic tasks it runs just as smooth as my 2014 15-inch rMBP (though the older display is tough to look at now).
I used that computer heavily when I had it, and he uses it heavily now. It was my main box as a developer (even used it as my desktop replacement at work), also did tons of music projects using Logic, and ran heavy apps like Parallels. I gamed on it even though it wasn't great in that regard (could run Skyrim at 800x600 30 FPS though!) and that thing would heat up like crazy, I thought for sure it would have burned out by now!
I see my cousin regularly and he always has it with him. It still flies with the best of them! We still use it to create music projects, some being fairly complex with dozens and dozens of tracks, and that little beast takes it like a champ.
I used that computer heavily when I had it, and he uses it heavily now. It was my main box as a developer (even used it as my desktop replacement at work), also did tons of music projects using Logic, and ran heavy apps like Parallels. I gamed on it even though it wasn't great in that regard (could run Skyrim at 800x600 30 FPS though!) and that thing would heat up like crazy, I thought for sure it would have burned out by now!
I see my cousin regularly and he always has it with him. It still flies with the best of them! We still use it to create music projects, some being fairly complex with dozens and dozens of tracks, and that little beast takes it like a champ.
I beat the **** out of mine and they've lasted at least 5 years each
I know this post is late but I own a late 2011 MacBook Pro and it's still running great after 5 and a half years of use. I only surf the web and type up documents on Word though, but still. I could see it lasting another 2 years *knock on wood*. I will be buying a new retina iMac in August or September along with the Apple Care Warranty. I got by without it for my MacBook but I'm not going to risk it again.
Just interested, why are you buying a new one if your 2011 is still "running great"? I have a 2013 MacBook Pro. I'd love one of the new ones, but mine, like yours, is still running great. For that reason I decided to keep my 2013 one a while longer.
Typically, how long will they last thru Apple's security updates? Provided my 2015 MBP holds up hardware wise, software security updates would be my deciding decision. And I am hoping for 5 years on my 2015. By the time it is not supported for an update, I am hoping Apple has really made my ipad capable of replacing a laptop.
Macs can last a long time, but ultimately if you are into cutting edge gaming or something similar, it's probably not going to work for you, especially given they are becoming less upgrade able.
In my own experience:
- I had a PowerBook G4 that only became truly unusable when the switch over to Intel became the standard.
- My 2008 Mac Pro is still a very good workstation, I have upgraded RAM, graphics card and SSDs over the years. It's only very recently that Apple have dropped support for it, so it won't allow an upgrade to Sierra... the annoyance is that it could run it just fine.
- My 2010 MacBook Pro has had an increase in RAM and an SSD added. Aside from having to replace the battery a couple of times now, it's still fine for web browsing and office work etc. It is however a bit of a dog now for trying to do video or photography work, so I'm looking to replace it with a 2017 model. So to have got 7 years out of it is pretty good going really.
In my own experience:
- I had a PowerBook G4 that only became truly unusable when the switch over to Intel became the standard.
- My 2008 Mac Pro is still a very good workstation, I have upgraded RAM, graphics card and SSDs over the years. It's only very recently that Apple have dropped support for it, so it won't allow an upgrade to Sierra... the annoyance is that it could run it just fine.
- My 2010 MacBook Pro has had an increase in RAM and an SSD added. Aside from having to replace the battery a couple of times now, it's still fine for web browsing and office work etc. It is however a bit of a dog now for trying to do video or photography work, so I'm looking to replace it with a 2017 model. So to have got 7 years out of it is pretty good going really.
Same here. Probably my best Apple laptop purchase ever. Got it the day after the 2009 models were released for $650 off regular price, so 1,349. I did upgrade RAM, replace the battery and last year I put a $65 SSD in it.
I'm getting an iMac because I want a Mac desktop as well as my MacBook. I'll still be using my MacBook everyday. I may not end up getting the iMac it just depends.