Macs have a excessive value so it’s comprehensible that many Mac customers will need to delay changing them for so long as they will. However simply how lengthy must you anticipate a Mac to final?
You may additionally be contemplating shopping for a secondhand Mac and questioning how previous is simply too previous? For instance, is that 2017 MacBook Professional for $300/£300 deal, or would you be higher off spending a bit extra on a more moderen mannequin?
One issue to think about is the age at which most Macs begin to expertise points, comparable to random shutdowns and degraded batteries that now not maintain their cost. Sadly, at one level repairing your Mac or MacBook will now not be a viable choice and you will have to search for a alternative.
One other subject with ageing Macs is that the software program you want could not run on it. You may additionally discover that Apple now not helps the working system software program that runs on that Mac – which may depart you open to malware and safety vulnerabilities.
On this article, we are going to handle the above, in addition to give recommendation about which Macs are nonetheless supported by Apple, the Macs that may nonetheless be repaired if required (Apple stops offering the required elements after quite a lot of years), and the Macs that Apple considers out of date and classic. Being Classic means Apple could have the elements accessible if you happen to wished to repair the Mac, however as soon as Out of date Apple won’t present elements if you wish to try to repair the machine.
When do I would like to interchange my Mac?
There are a number of indicators that your Mac has reached the tip of its helpful life:
- Apple now not helps the newest model of the software program it runs (which may depart you weak).
- The apps you have to use now not run on it.
- The Mac struggles to carry out the duties you want it to – particularly if you happen to can’t replace the RAM or another parts.
- One thing breaks and is simply too costly to repair, or the elements aren’t accessible.
- The Mac is turning into unreliable. Surprising shutdowns have gotten commonplace and also you’ve tried every thing to repair the issue to no avail.
Which Macs are supported by macOS updates?
Solely the latest model of macOS will get function updates, however Apple normally maintains the final three variations of the macOS with bug fixes and essential safety updates, making certain that the newest model of Safari will run, and that Apple Companies, comparable to iCloud, are totally supported
Which means Apple will at present present help for these versions of macOS: macOS Sequoia, macOS Sonoma (macOS 14), and macOS Ventura (macOS 13). Previous to the arrival of Sequoia in September 2024, Monterey (macOS 12) was additionally supported, however now Monterey has fallen off that listing and with it Mac from earlier than 2017, and in some circumstances, 2018.
In case your Mac is working Sequoia, Sonoma, or Ventura you must be capable of be assured that Apple will control any safety vulnerabilities and different issues with these working programs. (Certainly, Apple issued a safety replace for Sonoma and Ventura on the day that Sequoia arrived, and has issued additional since that date).
Nonetheless, in case your Mac is working an older model of the working system, comparable to macOS Massive Sur, macOS Catalina or older, one can find your self out within the chilly in the case of important safety updates to Apple’s software program.
If the software program is simply too previous you might also discover that your different Apple merchandise aren’t suitable together with your Mac. With out the newest safety replace, chances are you’ll now not be capable of use Apple Pay or different means to pay for companies on-line, for instance. And if you wish to sync your iPad or iPhone together with your Mac (quite than utilizing iCloud) you will have a current model of macOS. Since Catalina, syncing is completed through the Finder, quite than iTunes. When you can’t run Catalina you will have not less than iTunes 12.8.2.3 and not less than Mac OS X 10.11.6 (El Capitan) or your Mac won’t acknowledge your iPhone or iPad.
It’s not only a case of updating your Mac to the newest model of macOS although. Every time Apple updates the Mac working system extra Macs fall off the listing of these supported. Learn: The latest version of macOS your Mac can run.
In case your Macs isn’t within the listing of supported Macs beneath, it gained’t obtain essential safety updates:
Macs supported by macOS Sequoia
2024’s Sequoia helps the next Macs.
- MacBook Air from 2020 and later
- MacBook Professional from 2018 and later
- Mac mini from 2018 and later
- iMac from 2019 and later
- iMac Professional from 2017
- Mac Professional from 2019 and later
- Mac Studio (all fashions)
Learn: Which Macs will run macOS Sequoia?
Macs supported by macOS Sonoma
2023’s Sonoma helps the next Macs.
- MacBook Air from 2018 and later
- MacBook Professional from 2018 and later
- Mac mini from 2018 and later
- iMac from 2019 and later
- iMac Professional from 2017
- Mac Professional from 2019 and later
- Mac Studio (all fashions)
Learn: Which Macs run Sonoma?
Macs supported by macOS Ventura
2022’s macOS Ventura helps the next Macs:
- MacBook fashions from 2017 or later
- MacBook Air fashions from 2018 or later
- MacBook Professional fashions from 2017 or later
- Mac mini fashions from 2018 or later
- iMac fashions from 2017 or later
- iMac Professional (all fashions)
- Mac Professional fashions from 2019 or later
- Mac Studio (all fashions)
Learn: Can my Mac run Ventura?
Which means the oldest Macs supported proper now are from 2017, and in some circumstances, 2018–and are available September 2025 these Macs will now not be supported.
Which Macs aren’t supported by macOS?
When Apple launched Sequoia in 2023 it dropped help for macOS Monterey. These Macs won’t get safety updates following the elimination of help for Monterey:
- iMac (fashions from 2015)
- MacBook Air (fashions from 2015 and 2017 fashions)
- MacBook Professional (2015 and 2016 fashions)
- Mac mini (2014 fashions)
- Mac Professional (2013 mannequin: cylinder/trash can)
- MacBook (2016 mannequin)
This provides to the listing of Macs that aren’t supported with safety updates, which incorporates: the 12-inch MacBook launched in early 2015, the mid-2013 MacBook Air and the early-2014 MacBook Air, late-2013 MacBook Professional and mid-2014 MacBook Professional, or the 2014 iMac.
All different Macs that pre-date these talked about above are now not supported by Apple’s software program updates.
In case your Mac is a decade previous you then definitely gained’t get safety updates for it.
Does it matter if my Mac gained’t run a supported macOS?
As soon as you can’t replace your Mac to run a supported model of macOS you’re weak to safety breaches, which ought to clearly be a priority. You may additionally discover you can’t perform transactions on the web if you wish to pay for issues in your out-of-date Mac.
It’s additionally in all probability that the software program you want gained’t run in your Mac. Apple and different corporations cease supporting older variations of the purposes they make, so there could possibly be points with the variations of the software program you’re working. If you’re experiencing random shutdowns, for instance, it could possibly be because of issues with an app you’re working – issues that won’t be addressed by the developer as a result of that model of the app is now not supported.
If you wish to run totally supported software program then you will have to replace to a more moderen model of macOS – and that will imply that you have to replace your Mac. Though, there are workarounds to install a new version of macOS on an old Mac if you have to.
As soon as Apple now not helps your Macs with working system updates, it’s in all probability time to interchange your Mac.
When do Macs change into out of date?
However it’s not simply software program updates that decide the lifespan of a Mac. It’s additionally a query of whether or not it is going to be attainable to repair your Mac ought to one thing go fallacious with the {hardware}. Apple has two requirements that point out {hardware} help is waining: Out of date or Classic. The primary stage is Classic: you is perhaps fortunate sufficient to get elements for this Mac, the second is Out of date: you’re out by yourself in the case of any try to fix the Mac if it goes fallacious.
When you take a look at Apple’s listing of Out of date Macs – these being the Macs that Apple will now not present spare elements for – you will note that the corporate stops offering elements for Macs that it hasn’t bought for greater than seven years. In actual fact, the corporate could not even present elements for Macs that haven’t been bought for greater than 5 years (thought of Classic by the corporate).
This might imply that you simply gained’t be capable of get a defective Mac fastened as a result of the elements aren’t accessible.
Out of date Macs
Out of date Macs are typically Macs that Apple stopped promoting greater than seven years in the past. As soon as a Mac is in Apple’s out of date listing you might have little likelihood of getting it repaired if one thing does go fallacious. You would possibly be capable of discover spare elements your self, however Apple gained’t present them.
You’ll discover extra particulars concerning the precise fashions on Apple’s dedicated page, however the lists beneath gives you a common concept.
Apple considers the next Macs and older Out of date, with the 2014 iMacs (21.5-inch and 27-inch) added within the second half of 2024.
- 11-inch MacBook Air (early 2014 and older)
- 12-inch MacBook (2016 and older)
- 13-inch MacBook Air (early 2015 and older)
- 13-inch MacBook Professional (2016 and older)
- 15-inch MacBook Professional (2016 and older)
- 27-inch iMac (2015 and older) – newly added
- 21.5-inch iMac (2015 and older) – newly added
- Mac mini (2012 and older)
- Mac mini Server (2012 and older)
- Mac Professional (2010 and older)
- Something predating the Intel change, clearly.
Classic Macs
Apple additionally has an inventory of Classic Macs. These are Macs that Apple stopped promoting between 5 and 7 years in the past. (When you reside in France the place a regulation means you will get help for spare elements for as much as seven years after Apple stops promoting a Mac).
Apple Approved Service Suppliers will restore classic merchandise for as much as seven years, so long as elements can be found.
Apple lists the next merchandise as being classic, with the 2017 iMacs (21.5- and 27-inch), 2014 Mac mini, and the 2019 13-inch and 2018 15-inch MacBook Professional’s added within the second half of 2024.
- 11-inch MacBook Air (2015)
- 12-inch MacBook (2017)
- 13-inch MacBook Air (2018)
- 13-inch MacBook Professional (2017, 2018 & 2019)
- 15-inch MacBook Professional (2015, 2017 & 2018)
- 21.5-inch iMac (2013 & 2017)
- 27-inch iMac (2015 & 2017)
- Mac Professional (2012)
- Mac mini (2014)
Based mostly on the above, we’d counsel that in case your Mac is greater than eight years previous, it’s time to search for a brand new one. And, if you happen to see a 2017 or earlier Mac on sale, it’s not clever to purchase it. In actual fact you’ll word that there are even 2018 and 2019 Macs on the classic listing. Learn: Why you shouldn’t buy a second hand Mac.
See: Best Mac 2024: Every Apple Mac and MacBook compared
Ought to I repair my Mac or purchase a brand new one?
In case your Mac is within the Out of date class above and one thing goes fallacious with it then you will wrestle to get the required elements if you happen to wished to aim to get it fastened as Apple gained’t present the elements.
You would possibly be capable of purchase an previous Mac on eBay or related and scrap if for the elements, however we’d counsel that it actually wouldn’t be well worth the effort.
In case your Mac is within the Classic listing then Apple would possibly be capable of present the required elements, however there isn’t any assure. If you’re fortunate sufficient to get the half an Apple service supplier would possibly even be capable of repair the Mac for you – however the price of the work is prone to be prohibitive.
You would possibly discover that the Mac was included in a part of a recall as a result of subject you’re experiencing, in that case, it is perhaps value enlisting in a repair program. Nonetheless, if the time interval during which Apple was providing the repairs has handed (which is sadly possible) then you’ll nonetheless need to afford the restore, which once more is perhaps prohibitive.
Apple restore applications
If the Mac you personal, or are contemplating shopping for could be affected by any of the issues listed beneath that’s another excuse to keep away from it.
Apple’s present Mac restore applications embrace:
- A recall for 15-inch MacBook Professional models because of a battery fault. September 2015 to February 2017 fashions affected.
Service applications which have now ended:
- There was a keyboard companies for some Mac laptops purchased since 2016, however that is now not working.
- A 13-inch MacBook Professional backlit service program for fashions from 2016-2018.
- A SSD service program for 13in MacBook Professional fashions from 2017-2018.
- A battery alternative program for 13in MacBook Execs from 2016-2017.
Now we have extra information about Apple’s product recalls and repair programs here. Plus, go to this page for extra info on the above restore applications.
Assuming your fault isn’t a kind of listed above, chances are you’ll be confronted with a pricy restore invoice. We advise that in case your Mac is older than 5 years then repairing it won’t be value it – except after all there are essential paperwork or images on it that you simply need to retrieve during which case it is perhaps value how to recover these files.
Ought to I replace my Mac or purchase a brand new one?
This can be a related query to the one above in as a lot as you may be weighing up whether or not spending cash to enhance your Mac is perhaps extra savvy than shopping for a brand new Mac.
There are numerous methods you would possibly be capable of enhance your current Mac, together with including extra RAM or altering from a tough drive to a SSD. When you can improve the parts inside your Mac you could possibly pace it up and make it extra able to doing what you want. See How to upgrade a Mac.
Nonetheless, many Macs can’t be upgraded in any respect. Lately Apple has taken to soldering RAM in place and hiding parts away to make entry inconceivable (or not less than inconceivable if you happen to don’t need to fully destroy your Mac making an attempt to get to them). With M-series Macs reminiscence, GPU and CPU are all built-in onto the chip, so it’s inconceivable to improve them. Nor are you able to replace the SSD as it’s soldered onto the motherboard.
That mentioned, there are methods to improve your Mac. Learn: How to upgrade your Mac mini for concepts.
When you resolve to purchase a brand new Mac try our round-ups of the most effective Mac offers you will get:
Can I replace the RAM in my Mac?
In case you have one of many following Macs you would possibly be capable of replace the RAM:
- MacBook (2008 to 2011 fashions)
- MacBook Professional (2009-2012 13in, 2008-2012 15in, all 17-inch fashions)
- iMac: The RAM might be up to date within the majority of iMacs apart from the 21.5in fashions from Mid-2014 and Late-2015, which had their RAM soldered into place.
- Mac mini: (2010-2012 and the 2018 mannequin)
- Mac Professional: (all fashions)
- iMac Professional: RAM isn’t user-accessible, however might be up to date at an Apple Retailer or Apple Approved Service Supplier.
You possibly can’t replace the RAM in any MacBook Air fashions.
We clarify which Macs have accessible RAM in this article and likewise take a look at find out how to replace the RAM.
What can I replace in my Mac?
It could be attainable to replace different parts, together with the SSD, exhausting drive, battery, logic board, exhausting drive, however that is solely attainable for a number of Macs and the method is just for the professional. When you’d wish to strive learn: How to upgrade a Mac.
If you’re up for pulling your Mac aside and making an attempt to improve its parts then by all means strive, however be sure to again it up first and be ready to confess defeat if it doesn’t go as deliberate.
As for whether or not it’s value upgrading your Macs RAM or another part – assuming you will get the elements – quite than shopping for a brand new Mac? Maybe it can purchase you a number of extra years of use. Nonetheless, we’d be inclined to counsel that in case your Mac is older than seven years it actually isn’t value it (and, you’ll discover, the MacBooks that may have their RAM upgraded are usually older than that).
How lengthy do Macs final?
So, in reply to the query: How lengthy do Macs final? We’d say 5 to eight years, however beware that you could be not be capable of exchange any defective elements in a Mac when greater than 5 years have handed since Apple final bought it.
Before you purchase a brand new Mac, learn our article concerning the best time to buy a Mac or MacBook.
You may additionally need to learn our Best Mac Buying Guide for assist deciding which Mac to purchase. We even have a information to the Best MacBook.
Questioning how lengthy Apple helps iPhones and iPads for? Learn How long do iPhones last and how long Apple supports iPads for.
