MacBook Pro is an expensive investment, so how long should it last? The answer is:
Depending on how you use it, the average lifespan of a MacBook Pro is 7 years. We’ll explain more below, including a few care tips on how to make your MacBook Pro last longer.
If you’re like me, you expect purchases that cost a lot of money to function flawlessly and work for a long, long time. One of the reasons you purchased your MacBook was because of the reputation they have for both being high-end computers and pretty durable and long-lasting.
That’s what attracted me to Apple products as well and it’s good to know that an investment is worth the price tag.
Even though these computers can last quite a long time, they won’t last forever. But nothing really does, especially in the world of tech. There are multiple factors that come into play with the lifespan of your MacBook Pro and in addition to these, accidents or theft can always happen.
Luckily, if you take good care of your computer, it should last for many years of reliable use, so I’ve also included some tips for taking care of your MacBook Pro in this article.
5 Signs Your MacBook Pro Might Be Getting Old
If you’re seeing these signs, you should probably consider getting a new laptop or computer soon!
My current laptop computer is a 15-inch MacBook Pro from 2011. I’m thinking of making a purchase of a new one soon and that means I’ve had the same computer for about 11 years. This fact already answers many of you who asked whether a MacBook can last for 10 years.
That’s a decade and while I wish it would last a lifetime, I realize that advances in technology and regular wear and tear dictate I need a new one pretty soon. In addition to the actual age of your computer, there are some other signs your MacBook might be getting old.
1. Your Computer No Longer Supports the Latest macOS
This is a problem I ran into with my computer. Due to its age, I can no longer upgrade my operating system to the latest that Apple offers.
This can be frustrating, to say the least, but after you’ve had your computer for a number of years, it can start to become obsolete in regards to the latest upgrades for operating systems.
Therefore, if you can’t upgrade your computer to the latest version of macOS, it’s a tell-tale sign that it is getting old.
2. Your computer just isn’t powerful anymore
Another sign that your MacBook Pro is nearing the end of its life happens when it starts to act really slowly and just isn’t as powerful as it once was.
Advances in tech happen really fast and a computer that is 5 or more years old will not be equipped with as powerful components as a new one.
Important aspects of your computer’s operating power such as CPU and RAM will be drastically slower on an older machine. Battery life will also decline with age.
Also Read: What’s a Good Battery Cycle Count for MacBook Pro
3. Running out of space
As your computer ages, the more files, documents, applications, and other data you have will start to fill up the space you have available for storage.
New programs and software that are more advanced will also demand more space. Older model MacBooks don’t always have a considerable amount of storage space and the closer your computer gets to becoming full, the worse it will perform.
That’s why running out of space is another sign that your computer is getting old.
4. It literally looks old
If you’ve had your MacBook Pro for a while, it will probably start to look old. While these computers are pretty durable overall, after years and years of steady use, you are sure to have scratches, dents, a few missing keys, or even a cracked or chipped screen.
While scratches and dents are really no big deal, missing keys or a cracked display are signs that your computer is aging and you probably need to fix or replace it soon.
5. It doesn’t work as it used to
All of these factors listed above can contribute to really poor performance out of your MacBook.
My current MacBook Pro has all of these symptoms and that’s how I know it’s probably time I spent the money on a new computer.
It acts really slow, freezes often, and just doesn’t work at all like it did when it was new. It still turns off and on and can get basic tasks done, but anything demanding and it really struggles.
MacBook Pro Lifespan: How Long Should Your MacBook Pro Actually Last?
I’d say the average lifespan for a MacBook Pro is about 7 years. After year 7, you will usually start to hit the macOS upgrade issues alongside several other of the problems listed above.
There is no exact answer to this question. Due to all of the factors that contribute to its age and working lifetime, the MacBook Pro lifespan can vary for different types of users.
For Heavy Users
If you use your MacBook Pro intensively, such as gaming, running design programs, or using it for long hours, obviously it’s going to last less than the average lifespan. I’d say around four to five years it’ll start to get slow.
It’s a good idea to check up on your MacBook when it happens and see if you can fix the major problems.
For Light Users
Like I said earlier, my MacBook Pro is 11 years old and is still usable but definitely has a host of problems that impact my workflow and enjoyment when using the machine. It still works for basic tasks and browsing so 10 years of use can be expected in a limited capacity.
Typically, if you don’t use your computer for high-level tasks such as video editing and stick to basic operations like web browsing and such, your computer will last longer. Just like many other machines, the harder you push it, the quicker it can wear out.
Check out this list from Apple that details their devices that are considered vintage or obsolete.
Tips to Increase the Lifespan of Your MacBook Pro
If you can’t replace your laptop right away, you can try the tips below to make your MacBook Pro last longer.
Since we know that battery can really affect its lifespan, you can start taking care of the MacBook battery or simply replace it.
Turn off your MacBook Pro. A lot of people don’t like to turn off their computer because it’s just so convenient to have all the windows and programs open so that the next time you use your computer, you don’t have to restart everything again.
Well, that’s not a good habit. Because shutting down your computer actually preserves battery life and helps its reset.
Don’t leave it charging all the time. Keeping the charger connected to your computer actually blocks electricity moving, thus it kills the battery.
Another important factor that affects your Macbook lifespan is space/memory. Make sure you’re not running out of space.
Upgrade RAM or hard drive. It is a good idea if you do use heavy programs like design software. Adding more RAM or replacing the hard drive with an SSD will help make your Mac much faster and extend its life.
Clean files. Deleting unnecessary files from your computer and clear it empty them in your trash folder can also free up some space on your computer. You can use a Mac cleaner software to do this or manually clean up Mac drive as well.
Final Thoughts
Your MacBook Pro can last quite a while but as it ages it will begin to perform poorly. Taking good care of your computer can increase the lifespan a bit but there is nothing you can do to make it last forever.
If your laptop is showing any of the above symptoms or if it is around 7 years old, it might be a good idea to start considering an upgrade in the near future.
How old is your MacBook Pro? Have you ever had a computer last longer than 10 years?