Each year, Apple releases new models of the Mac. In some cases, the updates are relatively small with boosts in processor, memory or storage that more or less follow Moore’s Law (the principle that suggests computing power more or less doubles regularly). But does that mean you should be ready to upgrade your Mac every year? Or is there a different approach?
Minor vs Major changes
Despite the hyperbole that surrounds the announcement of anything new from Cupertino, not all product releases are as significant as others. SO, the trick is to put the hype aside and really look at what a new release brings to the table.
In the case of a Mac (and I’m not distinguishing between desktop models like the iMac, Mac mini or Mac Studio) there has been one major change since 2020 – the release of the M1 processor. More correctly called a system on a chip (SoC), the M1 ushered a new era in computing.
A little bit of history
Apple has made three major changes to the processors it uses in its computers. And these changes have been driven by the same challenges. The problem Apple (and every other company making computers) is that as you try to make things more powerful, you require more energy and you need to dissipate more heat.
When Apple moved from the PowerPC processor to Intel in 2006-2007, it was struggling to get the performance it wanted. Intel offered it a way forward. (Before the PowerPC, Apple used chips from Motorola)
But by the end of the 2010s, Apple was hitting a roadblock with Intel when it came to getting more power for less energy. Apple acquired a couple of companies, Intrinsity in 2010 and parts of Dialog Semiconductor in 2018, in order to create its own chips, dubbed Apple Silicon.
Back to today
Apple has almost completed transitioned away from intel with just one Mac mini and the Mac Pro running Intel processors (presumably for customers with specific needs).
The shift to Apple Silicon from intel represents a major shift.
My advice is that if you have a Mac using an Intel chip and it is more than three years old, you’re on borrowed time. While M1 and M2 equipped Macs can run apps that were compiled for Intel, that won’t be the case forever. Apple supported PowerPC apps for a time (using a tool called Rosetta) but that disappeared eventually.
It’s also worth noting that each iteration of macOS adds new features. In some cases, these features will depend on the M-series SoC.
You don’t need to upgrade annually
Not withstanding my advice about the shift from Intel to Apple Silicon, most Macs can easily run for more than three years. In fact, I have a 12 year old MacBook Air that works reasonably well. It’s not the speediest computer in the world but I can use it at a pinch.
And even though it’s not been supported by Apple when it comes to software updates and new versions of macOS, there are ways around this with the OpenCore Legacy Patcher. I have macOS Monterey running on that old MacBook Air and it passes the ‘good enough’ test for me. It’s not nearly as fast as my Mac Studio but I can use it for some simple tasks like word processing, email and web browsing.
Apple has been drawn in the ‘speeds and feeds’ battle with its rivals to some degree and does boast of performance improvements between each hardware generation. But it’s arguable that most of us will be able to tell the difference between this year’s and last year’s MacBook Pro, for example, when using them in the real world.
When I upgraded from an Intel Mac mini to the Mac Studio, the biggest difference is that the Mac Studio never seems to get hot whereas there were times when the Mac mini heated up. But in terms of day to day work, there’s little difference to my productivity. My main motivation was to to have access to new apps and features that depend on Apple Silicon.
A special case for the MacBook Pro
The MacBook Pro is a little different. Over the years, Apple has steadily removed the number of different ports on the side of the MacBook Pro. For example, there was no HDMI port and Apple ditched its wonderful MagSafe power adapter. But those have been restored in the latest MacBook Pro models.
The reintroduction of the HDMI port will mean many people will no longer need to carry a USB-C to HDMI adapter in their bags. And bringing MagSafe back returns one of the USB-C ports to users. For many users, the availability of greater connectivity options for peripherals is a significant boon.
When is it time to upgrade your Mac?
- If you’re running an Intel-based Mac that is at least three years old – it’s time to think about an upgrade.
- If you’re using an older MacBook Pro and you hate carrying adapters and dongles – it’s time to consider an upgrade.
- If you already have a Mac running on Apple Silicon, hang on to your money – you’re good for a few more years.
Apple’s hardware is generally very long lasting if treated well. My old MacBook Air is a testament to that. Unfortunately, software support has a shorter lifespan than the hardware. Unless there’s a compelling new hardware feature or your Mac is no longer supported with security updates you can run your Mac for many years.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.