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.
What's the average life of a MacBook?
- Thread starter livebackwards
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
it's a combination of chassis build quality and software that make Macbook Pros last so long. i will explain
1) chassis build quality - many laptops physically break over the years from the heat cycling of the plastic, to the flexing of the plastic during transit (Dell laptops are notorious for this since everything they make is completely modular). the modular design is great for part replacements, but bad for long term structural integrity. but heck, if it breaks just replace the modular part that's broken. problem is - consumers don't like doing this and many don't know how. Apple has traditionally (even before the metal unibody or even the plastic one) done a superior job with build quality
2) software - the efficiency of Apple's OS means that the computer does not slow down as much or as often in the long term compared to Windows. it's not rare to hear people on the original OS X install after 6+ years. if you made it on the same Windows XP install after 6 years - you deserve a medal or you just have gotten that used to a slow computer. when i was running windows XP, i was reformatting every year usually in August just before i would start engineering school again. many Windows consumers after 3-4 years when their Windows machine has slowed down think that their computer is broken and they need to buy a new one. they don't know that reformatting the drive and starting over with a RAM upgrade will make the computer run like new again. consumers have realized that with OS X they don't have to do this. now granted Windows 7 is much more stable than XP - so that OS differentiating aspect gap is narrowing. in addition to slow downs leading to more frequent replacement, Apple's more efficient OS means that components are not stressed nearly as much. i am referring mostly to the hard drive which in many corrupted windows installations is constantly read/writing as it struggles to just stay operational without the OS crashing. most machines when they physically break are from hard drive failures, or from improper heat management due to constant 100% processor usage from a corrupted OS installation or a clogged CPU/GPU fan
after propping up Apple on a pedestal, i will state that i am actually a Windows 7 user with an iPhone 4S and iPad 2. i like Windows 7 a lot, but i certainly know how superior OS X has been compared to the Windows crap i have used in the past.
1) chassis build quality - many laptops physically break over the years from the heat cycling of the plastic, to the flexing of the plastic during transit (Dell laptops are notorious for this since everything they make is completely modular). the modular design is great for part replacements, but bad for long term structural integrity. but heck, if it breaks just replace the modular part that's broken. problem is - consumers don't like doing this and many don't know how. Apple has traditionally (even before the metal unibody or even the plastic one) done a superior job with build quality
2) software - the efficiency of Apple's OS means that the computer does not slow down as much or as often in the long term compared to Windows. it's not rare to hear people on the original OS X install after 6+ years. if you made it on the same Windows XP install after 6 years - you deserve a medal or you just have gotten that used to a slow computer. when i was running windows XP, i was reformatting every year usually in August just before i would start engineering school again. many Windows consumers after 3-4 years when their Windows machine has slowed down think that their computer is broken and they need to buy a new one. they don't know that reformatting the drive and starting over with a RAM upgrade will make the computer run like new again. consumers have realized that with OS X they don't have to do this. now granted Windows 7 is much more stable than XP - so that OS differentiating aspect gap is narrowing. in addition to slow downs leading to more frequent replacement, Apple's more efficient OS means that components are not stressed nearly as much. i am referring mostly to the hard drive which in many corrupted windows installations is constantly read/writing as it struggles to just stay operational without the OS crashing. most machines when they physically break are from hard drive failures, or from improper heat management due to constant 100% processor usage from a corrupted OS installation or a clogged CPU/GPU fan
after propping up Apple on a pedestal, i will state that i am actually a Windows 7 user with an iPhone 4S and iPad 2. i like Windows 7 a lot, but i certainly know how superior OS X has been compared to the Windows crap i have used in the past.
It varies I guess, before this rMBP, my last MBP was an early 2007 MBP. I've beefed it up myself (add RAM, swapped out with a SSD). Battery is not as good as it was anymore, but it still works like the first day I got it.
Oh except the logic board died due to the faulty nVidia graphic card, which reached the class action lawsuit status. I got mine replaced w/o any question, even it was out of the warranty for years.
Oh except the logic board died due to the faulty nVidia graphic card, which reached the class action lawsuit status. I got mine replaced w/o any question, even it was out of the warranty for years.
I have a 2009 MBP with 2.66GHz, 1TB HDD and 8GB RAM.
It runs buttery smooth and is very fast still and I use this machine for a lot of tasks. I use it for Matlab and C programming. I do a lot of photo editing, and a little video and audio editing. I do all my work related tasks and use it as my main media device. It handles everything thrown at it and still feels as good as new.
I suspect if I put in an SSD down the line it will make the laptop blazing fast and literally breathe new life into it. I definitely think this will easily last me another 3-4 years assuming Apple don't continue this awful trend of abandoning capable machines.
So in total that would be 6-7 years.
It runs buttery smooth and is very fast still and I use this machine for a lot of tasks. I use it for Matlab and C programming. I do a lot of photo editing, and a little video and audio editing. I do all my work related tasks and use it as my main media device. It handles everything thrown at it and still feels as good as new.
I suspect if I put in an SSD down the line it will make the laptop blazing fast and literally breathe new life into it. I definitely think this will easily last me another 3-4 years assuming Apple don't continue this awful trend of abandoning capable machines.
So in total that would be 6-7 years.
I have a late 2006 2Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo Black MacBook. It runs Lion with an 120GB OCZ Vertex 3 SSD and 4GB of RAM. It's very fast and more than useful. 1080P mkv files are no issue (using Plex) and the newest software runs on it (Office 2011 etc).
It's in mint condition though. No outer damage, nothing. Looks unused so to say. Also, still the original battery 1050 cycles!
99% health!
It's a backup machine, but pretty damn nice! It will certainly be running for many years to come. I'm sure!
Still have an iMac G3 lyin' around that I turn on every now and then. Perfect.
It's in mint condition though. No outer damage, nothing. Looks unused so to say. Also, still the original battery 1050 cycles!
99% health!It's a backup machine, but pretty damn nice! It will certainly be running for many years to come. I'm sure!
Still have an iMac G3 lyin' around that I turn on every now and then. Perfect.
My wife is still using my old 2007 MBP 17inch model...one ram stick went bad and I just removed it...too lazy to order cheap replacement...replaced battery just a few months ago for first time...it was like 25-30 bucks. AND...a couple of years ago she dropped it through a plate glass patio table onto concrete...it's slightly dented at the corner but everything still works great and the screen is untouched. A few months later I dropped it from waist height onto a hardwood floor. Again, slightly dented, no problem with screen. It's a beast.
My mid-2009 MBP is three years old now, and after installing ML and increasing the RAM from 4GB to 8GB, it's faster than it was out of the box.
Be nice to your Mac, and your Mac will be nice to you!
Be nice to your Mac, and your Mac will be nice to you!
The life of a computer can vary I think. But on the whole Macs are ok, however, they have certainly had their issues, the iMac yellow tint screens is one.
I have had three Macs now, I had the non unibody MB Pro which was my first machine, the power board failed in it and had to be replaced, known issue, and when it was done the case was slightly bent on the piece going across the top of the DVD loading slot.
Not impressed.
I also hated the keyboard on that model? Really couldn't get on with it for some reason, anyway that went the moment the unibody machines were launched with the chick let keyboard which I can use fine.
But I had to go through two machines before getting a third one with no thumb prints behind the glass! Not impressed, also i think the DVD drive was packing up on it.
Anyway I then traded to my 2010 Mac, it has been fine since day one, solid as anything, I have managed to drop it off a bed onto carpet and it was mark less! No damage at all, it has some light scratches on it and some light scuff marks from general use, but it feels as solid as anything!
I looked a Retina Mac and loved it, thought about getting it to replace my current one but then also thought why? It's a 'want' and certainly not a 'need'. So I'm sticking with my 2010, and putting an SSD in it next week, along with my 8GB ram and Mountain Lion I am set. It runs Diablo 3 like a dream, better then Starcraft 2 I think! I really cannot see it not lasting for a very long time and if I replace it, it will only be because the temptation for new tech has become too much, not because it needs replacing.
But on the flip side I have an Apple Macintosh Performa 460 that STILL works, I think it's about 17 years old? Says it all really.
I have had three Macs now, I had the non unibody MB Pro which was my first machine, the power board failed in it and had to be replaced, known issue, and when it was done the case was slightly bent on the piece going across the top of the DVD loading slot.
Not impressed.
I also hated the keyboard on that model? Really couldn't get on with it for some reason, anyway that went the moment the unibody machines were launched with the chick let keyboard which I can use fine.
But I had to go through two machines before getting a third one with no thumb prints behind the glass! Not impressed, also i think the DVD drive was packing up on it.
Anyway I then traded to my 2010 Mac, it has been fine since day one, solid as anything, I have managed to drop it off a bed onto carpet and it was mark less! No damage at all, it has some light scratches on it and some light scuff marks from general use, but it feels as solid as anything!
I looked a Retina Mac and loved it, thought about getting it to replace my current one but then also thought why? It's a 'want' and certainly not a 'need'. So I'm sticking with my 2010, and putting an SSD in it next week, along with my 8GB ram and Mountain Lion I am set. It runs Diablo 3 like a dream, better then Starcraft 2 I think! I really cannot see it not lasting for a very long time and if I replace it, it will only be because the temptation for new tech has become too much, not because it needs replacing.
But on the flip side I have an Apple Macintosh Performa 460 that STILL works, I think it's about 17 years old? Says it all really.