How long do MacBooks last before you have to replace them? [2025]

How long does an Apple MacBook last? Is it worth buying?

Apple is known for its high-quality, high-performance computers, which benefit users for many years. But how long can it last? How long does a MacBook run reliably?

This article will explore the key factors that determine the service life of MacBook Pro and other Mac models.

Tips to extend the service life of MacBooks: CleanMyMac

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How long does the average service life of a Mac?

The two main factors that determine the average lifespan of a MacBook Pro or Air are durability and compatibility.

Durability depends on the strength of your Mac. To answer the question "How long can Apple computers last?", you should consider what environment you will use them (such as office or desert shooting) and what tasks you need them to perform.

Answering these questions should help you better understand how fast your machine may wear out. In fact, using MacBook for casual browsing rather than heavy video editing will vary in life.

However, even with a light Mac, the new macOS version and security update support is only about seven years old . After this time, while your MacBook may still run, it will gradually become increasingly incompatible with the apps you use everyday.

That's why the exact answer to the question of how long your MacBook will last is the combined results of where and how you work, the apps you use, and how many years of updates you can access.

Estimates suggest that MacBooks and other Apple devices are usually used for at least four years . After that, it depends on other factors.

My experience Based on my experience, I tend to use my personal MacBook for up to 7 years (my demand for processing power and storage capacity is quite low), while my work with a Mac, which is up to 3 years due to the need for more powerful performance.

Before replacing your Mac, you can try the following methods

How long should the MacBook Pro last? If you find your Mac slows down, don't buy new ones right away. If it still has access to the latest macOS update, it may have the remaining life span.

The best solution to restore Mac speed is to perform regular maintenance work, which can be done quickly using tools like CleanMyMac (manual operation is far less efficient).

CleanMyMac is a powerful application designed to enhance every aspect of your Mac, including cleaning, optimizing, and extending its overall service life. Use CleanMyMac's maintenance tools to restore your Mac speed and quickly remove system and hard drive junk. Just start the application and click Run to quickly perform some or all of the following:

• Complete the system cleaning.
• Delete obsolete, unused, and large files, as well as random application caches and other unnecessary data.
• Update or uninstall the application and its remaining files that are not noticed on the drive.
• Scan and eliminate potential malware threats.
• Visualize your storage space as an interactive map of small and large files and folders, including hidden files.

When should I buy a new Mac?

Today’s MacBooks are well-made and reliable, so the average lifespan of the MacBook Pro may exceed a decade. This means you really don't need to upgrade to a new one every few years unless it suffers from hardware damage or you need the latest specifications to run resource-intensive applications.

However, be sure to monitor your Mac for specific signals that indicate it's time to buy a new model. Let's review the most important signals.

1. The latest version of macOS is not supported

With the release of new macOS versions every fall, Apple inevitably stops supporting some older Mac models that are incompatible with the latest updates. While having a new macOS is not mandatory, the machine won't run it is one of the most obvious signs that your Mac is aging.

According to Apple, only the three most recent major macOS versions are completely protected from security vulnerabilities. Currently, these are Sonoma, Ventura and Monterey.

So if your Mac is not within this range, you may want to consider buying a new one.

MacBooks that support macOS 15 Sequoia:

• MacBook Pro (2018 or later)
• MacBook Air (2020 or later)
• iMac Pro (2017)

MacBooks that support macOS 14 Sonoma:

• MacBook Pro (2018 or later)
• MacBook Air (2018 or later)

MacBooks that support macOS 13 Ventura:

• MacBook Pro (2017 or later)
• MacBook Air (2018 or later)
• MacBook 2017

MacBooks that support macOS 12 Monterey:

• MacBook Pro (2015 or later)
• MacBook Air (2015 or later)
• MacBook (2016 or later)

2. Some applications don't run smoothly

Long before your Mac stops receiving updates, you may start experiencing another problem when it can no longer run the app you need. Third-party developers tend to make applications only for the latest macOS versions, as each version requires extensive testing and debugging on a variety of systems.

Additionally, more and more AI and machine learning applications require Apple's neural engine, which is only available on M1 Macs and not on older Intel models.

Still, the largest third-party applications usually have some room for smoothly running the required version of macOS. For example, Google Chrome can use macOS released in 2019, Acrobat Reader can use macOS in 2018, and Dropbox can use high Sierra in 2017.

3. Not enough space available

You may have noticed that every new macOS update requires more storage and processing power to run smoothly – macOS Sonoma currently takes up over 30 GB of space on my Mac. As the Mac grows older, its storage space is often consumed by old applications, backups, remaining files, and other random data.

The new Mac comes with a larger SSD, so if you have a hard time doing your day job on your Mac mainly due to the lack of available space, it might be a good idea to consider an upgrade.

4. The hardware is too weak

In addition to severe hardware damage, such as screen fragmentation or keyboard failure, some other components can also decline over time and cause overall system performance to decline.

If there is insufficient RAM, your Mac cannot effectively run too many applications at the same time, especially those that are power-consuming like a video editor. Even a single task can become too slow to improve efficiency.

The battery in a MacBook is usually the first part of the hardware to be damaged. The average lifespan of a rechargeable battery used in a Mac laptop is about 1,000 charging cycles. If you use your Mac every day, 1000 charging cycles will last about five years, which can also give you an idea of ​​the average lifespan of your MacBook.

At the end of the Mac battery life cycle, you may find that it lasts only for an hour or two without plugging in the power supply. If portability doesn't matter to you, you can continue to use your laptop with a charger. Otherwise, consider upgrading to a new Mac.

How to keep your MacBook healthy

It doesn't make much use of how long a MacBook can last from an abstract perspective, because the answers can vary by several years, depending on how often you use, your daily tasks, and the upgrade of internal components.

Meanwhile, you can extend the average lifespan of your MacBook Pro or Air by following some simple guidelines. The first step is to understand and manage the activity process on your Mac. iStat Menus can help you do this.

Monitor your Mac in real time with iStat Menus

iStat Menus is the most detailed real-time Mac monitor. It can show how the Mac works in every aspect, from the CPU to the internal temperature—all from the easy-to-access menu bar icon.

After starting iStat Menus, you can choose to activate the following monitors:

• Tracking CPU and GPU power consumption tasks
• Monitor memory expenditures
• Check the status of the SSD
• Make sure your WiFi is fast enough
• Track internal temperature
• Get the latest statistics on battery status

You might be surprised to find that applications running in the background still consume a lot of CPU. It is best to slow down some of these applications and make room for active applications. If you're wondering how long MacBooks can usually last, those that can control their applications will last longer. The best tool here is App Tamer.

Use App Tamer to limit power consumption applications

App Tamer displays all active applications and the percentage of CPU they are currently using. The app then allows you to turn them off or limit them by setting an upper limit that allows them to use. To set a limit, click the application, select the box next to "If this application uses more than the following percentage, slow down its speed", and use the slider to specify the limit.

If you don't want to permanently limit your background apps, App Tamer has other cool features:

• Limit the application when your Mac is not plugged in.
• Browse the most resource-consuming processes directly from the menu bar.
• Discover the increase in CPU usage by looking at the color indicator.
• Select your favorite app and exclude it from being slowed down.

If you want to extend the average life of your MacBook by extending the battery life of your machine, you need to try Endurance.

Extend battery life of your Mac with Endurance

Endurance is a lightweight app that improves battery health on your Mac and extends its lifespan by up to 20%. So you can do more work between charges. While customization is possible, Endurance is configurable out of the box, so you can enable it right away and enjoy a longer battery cycle.

Here are some things Endurance does to save Mac battery life:

• Dilute the screen over time
• Reduce the processor's speed on simple tasks such as web browsing
• Pause inactive applications and Google Chrome tabs
• Make sure Flash technology never runs unnecessary

How long should the MacBook Pro last?

So, how long does MacBook usually last? The answer depends on how you work and what you do to keep your Mac healthy. But four to seven years is a good estimate.

To extend the lifespan of a MacBook beyond its typical range, it is best to use CleanMyMac for cleaning and optimization. Additionally, use iStat Menus to monitor other aspects of your Mac, use App Tamer to prevent CPU overload, and use Endurance to extend battery life.

During the seven-day trial of Setapp, you can try all of these apps for free—CleanMyMac, iStat Menus, App Tamer, and Endurance. Setapp is a high-performance iOS and macOS application platform that can meet any task you can think of. Check out over 250 other utilities to increase productivity and help you extend the average lifespan of your MacBook Pro.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you change your MacBook?

When your MacBook no longer meets your performance needs, or it becomes too old to run the latest software (especially macOS), it's wise to replace it. Most companies upgrade laptops for employees every three to five years, while the average user can use the Mac for eight or more years without major issues.

How long is MacBooks supported?

The new MacBook can support it for about seven years before it stops receiving software updates. Given this long support period, you technically don't need to upgrade for years after buying your Mac.

Are old MacBooks still easy to use?

The problem with older Macs (Macs over five years) is that even if the hardware is working properly, the supported macOS system may be outdated, meaning potential security risks and weaker software support. However, if your daily tasks are not demanding on resources and are limited to a browser, you may be able to use an older Mac for a while.

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