There was a time when buying an Apple gadget was considered to be a long-term investment, and Apple, the manufacturer, gave consumers a lot to live with that very idea of longevity. That things change is the way of the world of technology, and we need to be very careful about telling that a high-end Apple product like the MacBook Pro is really going to last for a decade. So, how long does a MacBook Pro last?
It should be a tough thing to explain. Some experts wouldn’t even believe that it’s an answerable question. Now that we abide in an age of information technology, we’ve access to the in-depth description of a computer’s specs.
To help you understand MacBook pro longevity, a few instances have been described. You’ll be able to get what actually matters to MacBook pro lifespan and how you should view your particular case.
Case #1
One of our customers told us that his 15-inch MacBook Pro lasted quite longer than he expected given that the extreme workload and prolonged hours of operation it had to deliver. He accounted for 3 years. The device was working just fine at the time he talked with us. We don’t know if that’s still working now.
The same customer with a sigh of disappointment told us his first MacBook didn’t last longer than a couple of years ago. Why did that happen? In fact, it wasn’t the device he was blaming. It was one of his mistakes committed while doing some cleaning.
Case #2
Here’s what another customer whose MacBook Pro battery got nearly dead, and we did a replacement job for him. It was surprising to know it lasted only two and a half years before requiring him to get the replacement.
We asked how many cycles the battery had passed. He couldn’t tell us the exact number. So, we had to run a check that showed was it was over 1000 cycles. Well, that explains why the need for a replacement came so quickly.
Case #3
One of our pals has been using his MacBook Pro (15-inch) since 2012. Imagine how happy he is to have such a GREAT device! Throughout this long time, he had to spend just a little amount to fix one of the USB ports that seemed too unstable to respond. To be honest, he’s determined to have it in use for another decade. Just kidding!!!
Case #4
A customer once came to us with a failing hard drive that wouldn’t allow the simple “copying or pasting” actions plus several other restrictions. When we ran a diagnostic test, we discovered it had a lot of bad sectors, and the device hadn’t been taken good care of. In addition, the security features were also turned off; we didn’t know why. Maybe, the user wanted it that way. Unfortunately, we had to suggest a replacement because that was the only option under those circumstances.
Case #5
A valued corporate customer that has been counting on us for the past few years came with a problem. Many of the operating system features weren’t working at all while some seemed to undergo serious malfunctions. We took note of all actions taken prior to visiting us and ran a thorough test. It was the macOS itself that wasn’t behaving normally.
The user didn’t avail the updates for over two years, and the manufacturer stopped giving supports to that version of the OS. The device was also purchased a long time ago. Who could you blame?
What do you get from the discussion? How long will a MacBook Pro last if you buy one? Many things are at play. The above cases should hint you at the factors that actually determine the average MacBook Pro lifespan. Let’s understand those factors once and for all.
What Does the Word ‘Last’ Exactly Mean?
If the question is “how long does a MacBook pro last”, it usually points to one of the following conclusions.
- It may mean the ‘End Of Life’, abbreviated as EOL which means a particular device may not be in its regular functioning state when the manufacturer (Apple in this case) stops providing supporting for that model or product.
- It may also suggest that the MacBook isn’t usable in terms of its physical state. Some prefer calling it “my Mac just died!”
- The last scenario occurs when you sell the device to get another. You would do that on two typical occasions. Either your device wasn’t able to meet your needs, or you just want a newer model.
We’ll now expand all of these ideas for a more definitive idea about the MacBook Pro lifespan. Please remember that we’ll exclude the instances that are specifically created by your actions.
What Does EOL Mean?
Many laptop manufacturers provide a predetermined EOL timeline for many of their products. Apple adopts a rather different policy here. They don’t usually provide any predetermined schedule for their products.
In addition, they don’t introduce so many product lines which may or may not last for years. Look at the iMac devices. Those are around the market for nearly a decade. Added with this example are some other products that are also working fine for now. It means Apple stays ahead of the competition in this respect.
But, it doesn’t mean they’ll do the same (support all product lines) for decades. There’re Apple products that come in a shorter lifespan in terms of the support that the manufacturer provides. Let us give you a practical example.
The MacBook Pro that doesn’t have Retina displays are supposed to be ended (terminated) in the next two years, and Apple would continue to provide their supports for the device for another year or a little longer. So, what do you think how long MacBook pro lasts?
Your Mac Died! What Does That Mean?
We guess you already have the answer. It’s always difficult to predict when and how a laptop will die because it depends on how you use it. Usually, most problems of a MacBook can be solved with the right repair jobs. For example, the battery problems or the hard drive issues can be resolved, and most users don’t see them as a big deal.
However, for devices that are older than 5-7 years, such a replacement might not be a good idea. Who can tell the device won’t suffer the same issue all over again in a short time? Here’s a breakdown of the longevity of different components.
- A hard drive won’t usually lose its usual lifespan unless and otherwise, it suffers extreme abuses in terms of the user behaviors and its usual R/W cycles. An SSD shouldn’t catch anything unusual in 4-5 years unless it has any malicious virus residing inside.
- The RAM is another powerful hardware components that don’t die very quickly. Given that you handle everything smartly, it lives for as long as it takes you to sell the device for getting a new one.
- The same is true about the display if it doesn’t have any shock or bump from any careless handling of the device.
- A motherboard is produced to serve for as long as the laptop itself lives. It means this particular part of the Mac is built to be strong and enduring enough to stay functional for years.
What Has Changed over the Years?
Like or not, the Mac platform underwent some changes, actually some fast paced actions, over the two years. Once the ecosystem used to move forward at a slow pace that allowed most users to catch up with easily. Since newer technologies are being added continuously and consistently, the manufacturer is left with no options but taking the operating system to a harder and changing path.
Look at the present days’ MacBooks! The graphics components have got significant improvements. The Wi-Fi functions have been made to serve more than just sharing the internet connection. Many devices are coming with solid state drives. All these transitions take a toll on the device’s overall componentry and thus, its lifespan.
None of the above reasons should direct you towards a conclusion that MacBooks aren’t worth giving a shot. The manufacturer has been doing all these upgrades just to allow its loyal users to stay updated with the rest of the world. The concerns about the security and protection of user privacy still reign.
Look at the laptops from other brands. Aren’t they upgrading too fast to cope up with? Why wouldn’t Apple do the same? But, the point is you need to be conscious about the way your Mac’s being used.
So, you might again be asking “how long does a MacBook pro last”, and the answer is still going to be embedded in your user behavior, and the environment it’s being used.
It’s the support of the satisfied millions that made Apply go big on their product policy. There’s no doubt that Mac users enjoy quite a long time of smooth operation than others using different brands.