How Long Can You Keep Using an Intel Mac?
Maybe it's frugality that's driving you to use your old Apple MacBook or iMac for as long as it keeps booting up. Possibly it's retro-tech nostalgia pushing you to keep that Mac mini from 2014 or your old Mac Pro chugging along. Or perhaps you aren't thrilled about the move to the Apple Silicon M1 and M2 series processors, along with the idea of updating software to versions better suited for the new chips. Whether it's three years old or celebrating a decade in service, the Intel Mac's days are numbered. It's been a while since we recommended anybody buy one, mainly because Apple's newer house-brand processors have proven to be fantastic performers, delivering better speeds—not to mention, great battery life on the latest Mac laptops.
Apple Silicon is now into its second generation, and the company is selling only one Intel-powered model at this writing: the now-outdated Mac Pro. Apple Silicon has been a huge winner for Apple, but if you're not yet ready to upgrade, how long do you have until it's time to switch? While we can't give a definitive answer for every specific machine and situation, we'll point out some waypoints on your journey, identify problems that are likely to come up, and present your opportunities for moving to a new system.
Whether it's a 5-year-old iMac Pro or a 40-year-old Amiga you've kept running in a back room as a hobbyhorse, you'll encounter a number of common problems that any aging computer is prone to. Some, like the end of warranty coverage and customer service support, are unavoidable. Others are less certain, like guessing which component might fail first. Some of these issues can be held off by preventative care; others can only be met with acceptance. You'll also discover some issues
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