Apple builds high-quality laptops, and my experience with MacBooks is far and above any other laptop I've owned. I had a MacBook Pro that lasted for ten years, and had I not taken an unfortunate tumble down my stairs, I'd likely still be using it today. On average, your MacBook Pro is expected to last 7.2 years and a MacBook Air for 5-7 years. However, the lifespan of your MacBook depends on what tasks you use your MacBook for, how frequently it is used, and how well you care for your battery and its components. We'll cover some of the major considerations when predicting how long a MacBook should last and how you can help your laptop last longer.
Jump To:
- How Long Does a MacBook Pro Last?
- How Long Does a MacBook Air Last?
- Easy Ways to Extend the Life of Your MacBook
How Long Does a MacBook Pro Last?
As we stated above, your MacBook Pro is expected to last just over seven years, however, the lifespan of your MacBook depends on the types of activities handled on the device. The MacBook Pro offers more processing power and can handle more work without straining the battery or processor.
How Long Do MacBook Pros Last with Heavy Use?
So, what tasks qualify as heavy use? If you often work in very large spreadsheets, edit videos, build animations, or play high-resolution games on your laptop, you're using a fair amount of processing power. In this case, your MacBook Pro would be expected to last between five to six years. At the six-year mark, many people who frequently use their MacBooks as a workhorse for processor-intensive tasks report that they start seeing slower performance and that the battery needs to be charged more frequently. In general, a MacBook Pro battery is expected to last around five years with heavy use. However, if you reduce strain on your battery whenever possible, it can certainly last longer. Also, while it might need to be charged more often, your MacBook Pro battery should continue to function past the five year mark.
How Long Should a MacBook Pro Last with Light Use?
If your MacBook Pro is mainly used for less processor-intensive tasks, such as editing documents and spreadsheet, streaming videos, or editing websites, your MacBook Pro could last seven years or more. Just keep in mind that while you can keep your MacBook Pro for longer than seven years (as I have), you will eventually stop being able to update to the latest software. While your laptop will still function, not having the latest software can be inconvenient, as you might find your laptop is incompatible with certain applications or features.
How Long Does a MacBook Air Last?
If you're unfamiliar with the differences between MacBook models, the MacBook Air is lighter, thinner, and has a less powerful processor than the MacBook Pro. The average length of time a MacBook Air is expected to last is between 5-7 years, however, this can potentially be longer if you only use your MacBook Air for light tasks.
How Long Do MacBook Airs Last with Heavy Use?
Heavy use of a MacBook Air is defined a bit differently than for a MacBook Pro. While it still has quite a bit of processing power (especially over other brands of laptops), it still has less processing power than the MacBook Pro. For this reason, it is less often used by graphics and animation designers. However, if you still use your MacBook Air frequently (for eight hours a day or more), use a large percentage of your laptop's storage, and often work in large documents or stream videos (either on YouTube or work meetings with a video stream), this will qualify as heavy use. In this case, your MacBook Air is expected to last 5-7 years.
How Long Should a MacBook Air Last with Light Use?
If your MacBook Air is mainly used for things like checking email, editing documents, browsing online, and streaming the occasional video, your MacBook Air could easily last longer than seven years. This is true even if you frequently use your laptop, since these tasks are less processor-intensive. However, just as with the MacBook Pros, the same caveat applies. While your laptop could very likely last longer than seven years with good care and light use, it will eventually stop being able to update to the latest software. While your laptop will still function, not having the latest software can be inconvenient, as you might find your laptop is incompatible with certain applications or features.
Easy Ways to Extend the Life of Your MacBook
For more helpful tips on managing your Apple devices and making the most of their features, sign up for our free Tip of the Day Newsletter. The good news is that you can extend the lifespan of your MacBook with regular maintenance and care. Here's some easy things you can do to keep your MacBook in tip-top shape.
- Stay on top of software updates! Software updates can resolve potential security issues and protect your Mac from malware. In addition to this, software updates can also resolve bugs that might be causing your Mac to use more computing power than necessary.
- Track your storage. Avoid filling your drive to maximum capacity and keep 5-10% of your drive free. As you run out of space on your laptop, your drive has to keep re-organizing data, causing your computer to do much more work behind the scenes than is necessary.
- Use the battery wisely. MacBooks have high-quality batteries, which can easily last more than five years if you use them properly. To help maintain your MacBook's battery health, avoid needlessly draining the battery. Whenever possible, keep your laptop plugged in and let your computer drive power from the socket. This technique is easier on your battery as it keeps the cycle count low, and most importantly keeps the battery's charge capacity high.
- Clean your laptop often. Cleaning your laptop is about more than just removing gross bacteria. Regular cleaning helps to ensure your MacBook doesn't accumulate dirt and grime, which can clog ports and vents. While there are a few chemicals and substances you want to avoid, safely cleaning your laptop is a pretty simple process. You might be interested in checking out this article on how to properly clean your MacBook.
- Use protective cases whenever possible. Accidents happen, despite our best intentions! While we try to be careful of our laptops, it can be easy to accidentally drop your MacBook or hit it against a surface as you move to a new spot in your home. To help protect against damage, I recommend purchasing a protective hard-shell case or laptop sleeve.
The Bottom Line: MacBook Lifespan
Overall, I've been consistently impressed with the MacBooks I've owned, and have found that they lasted longer than the reported average lifespan. The MacBooks I've owned have definitely outlasted the laptops I've owned from other brands (one of which had a significant decrease in performance after only three years). Remember that Apple products, while powerful, still need care. If you notice your computer slowing down, consider your storage. Maintenance and care will affect how long your MacBook lasts, and taking this into consideration in your laptop's early years can make a big difference down the line! If you've made your decision and are ready to purchase a MacBook, be sure to check out iPhone Life's picks for the best MacBook accessories of the year! Also, if you own a pair of AirPods, you can also check out how to make your AirPods last longer.
