If I'm going to spend over $1000.00 on a laptop I want it to last me five years in terms of usability. Is this possible with the new Macbook Air? The processor seems to be its weak link and we know Apple will likely bump them in a year, so if I buy now and a new Mac OS version comes out in a couple years, will this new MBA still run well?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
How long will the new Macbook Air last?
- Thread starter kreasonos
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Mr_Brightside_@
macrumors 601
Same here - yet a bit torn between MBA and MBP and waiting for a year, since my 2011 MBA still runs smoothly...
New_Mac_Smell
macrumors 68000
It'll last however long it lasts. Normally this depends on your usage, and if you increase that demand in years to come. Generally speaking, the hardware inside modern devices provides a huge overhead for most people, with OS improvements slowly eating into this over the years. But if today you use it to browse the internet, watch a film etc., then of course it'll be more than capable of doing that in 4-5 years time. If however you're thinking about doing anything that pushes the CPU hard today, then it's going to slow down a lot in about 1-2 years time.
Really just depends on what you're using it for. It's not a Pro, so don't expect it to perform as well.
Really just depends on what you're using it for. It's not a Pro, so don't expect it to perform as well.
Howard2k
macrumors 604
If you take care of the hardware it will likely last. I figure three years for the battery and then three years for the replacement, so six years is a good return. Maybe you get 4 or 5 years from the battery and replace the machine, that works too perhaps.
If your needs drastically change, then they change. If today you're doing low stress tasks like simple spreadsheets, web browsing, and email; and in the future you get into coding or video work, then yeah you might expect a shorter length of usability.
If your needs drastically change, then they change. If today you're doing low stress tasks like simple spreadsheets, web browsing, and email; and in the future you get into coding or video work, then yeah you might expect a shorter length of usability.
Dave245
macrumors G4
If it's anything like my 2011 Macbook Pro was then it will last around 7 years, mine died earlier this year. Mac's tend to last longer for some reason, i was very surprised that my Pro lasted as long as it did, considering i use to carry it around University, use it in lectures, edit videos in the editing suit, take it to the university bar and work there for hours at a time, then after graduating i used it for my first job. I will say that i had my use out of it and then some! it was a great machine and what made me fall in love with the Mac 🙂
That's not to downplay my 2012 iMac, i still love that thing as well and again i've had fair use out of it, editing videos in the home office, writing and playing some of my favourite old games 😀 When Apple decide to update the iMac i will be upgrading from my 2012!
That's not to downplay my 2012 iMac, i still love that thing as well and again i've had fair use out of it, editing videos in the home office, writing and playing some of my favourite old games 😀 When Apple decide to update the iMac i will be upgrading from my 2012!
Unless you're into gaming or heavy duty media editing, there's no reason why any computer that you buy today that isn't a bargain basement model shouldn't last 5 years. Today's PCs/Macs are actually over-powered for the basic tasks that most people use them for.