Apple Inc. designed and manufactured the MacBook Air laptop range. Apple announced the MacBook Air laptop on January 15, 2008.
It was globally marketed as the thinnest laptop, surpassing the Toshiba Portege R200’s previous record. It was also Apple’s first laptop with a solid-state drive as an option (SSD).
This laptop was the first MacBook Air laptop generation. In October 2010 and October 2018, Apple announced the second and third models of MacBook Air computers, respectively.
The MacBook Air laptops are a significant investment. Many folks are left wondering how long Macbook Airs last. The answer is contingent on several criteria, which we’ll discuss in this article, and when to replace your Macbook Air.
The Average Lifespan Of A MacBook Air
If you take great care of your MacBook, it can last anywhere from 5 to 7 years. Despite this, technology is constantly evolving.
Your computer may be unable to cope with new software, ever-increasing memory requirements, and any faults that may arise. These variables lead MacBook Air customers to replace their devices after a few years, just as with other laptops.
The longevity of a MacBook Air is determined by how you utilize it. Tasks that primarily rely on graphics or the central processor unit (CPU) will significantly reduce the lifespan. That is because these jobs require software that requires additional memory and storage.
The MacBook Laptop Use (Heavy vs. light)
Web browsing and Netflix viewing are examples of light usage. When used sparingly, a MacBook Air can last up to 7 years.
Photoshop, Illustrator, games, and animations are examples of heavy usage.
A Macbook Air utilized for these duties is unlikely to last more than five years. A Macbook Pro may be your better option if you require a laptop to handle more demanding tasks.
The Lifespan Of A Gaming Macbook Air
A Macbook Air can play light games, but its design isn’t to do so frequently or for a prolonged time.
A Macbook Pro is a better choice if you want a laptop that will last a long time and handle games. The Pro’s software can run new games and video software than the Air’s.
You can’t upgrade the RAM, storage, or graphics on the Air or the Pro before buying it.
These upgrades are optional, and you can only add them after you complete the purchase. If you plan on gaming, you may need these upgrades, so make sure you get them before you buy.
You can buy external graphics enclosures if you have a Macbook Air with no updates but wish to use it for gaming. Your laptop becomes a desktop computer when connected to your Air (or Pro). It can handle all gaming and video editing chores without needing a new computer.
How Is It That The MacBook Air Lasts So Long?
Here is how and why the MacBook Air has a five-to-seven-year average lifespan.
1. Updates To The System
After about five years of use, Apple stops providing system updates to the laptop. That does not imply that the PC is inoperable. The computer’s operating system (OS) can still function properly. The only drawback is that the user would miss out on the new Mac OS’s unique features. Some users purchase the most recent laptop models to take advantage of the new OS features.
2. What Is The Purpose Of The Laptop?
Specific users use laptops for graphic design, communication, and general office work. These users, particularly those who use their laptops for business, are constantly on their computers. Their laptops must have a powerful processing unit; otherwise, they may overheat and experience battery problems.
3. Specifications And Capabilities
Every MacBook Air variation has its own set of features and capabilities. As previously said, people often use laptops for more than they can. Some programs or applications, particularly computer games, consume excessive RAM or CPU. If the laptop runs an app that it can’t handle well, it will crash after a while. The user must be aware of the laptop’s capabilities and only run programs and applications that it can handle.
4. Proper Maintenance And Use
Damage to the laptop’s physical or mechanical components can occur anytime. As a result, the user must keep the MacBook Air laptop safe when it is purchased.
As previously noted, there are numerous definitions of a laptop’s lifespan. Apple appears to have set a typical lifespan for their laptops of roughly five to seven years. Since laptops are machines many people use daily, this is an acceptable amount of time.
You can extend the MacBook Air laptop’s lifespan with proper maintenance and care. A MacBook can last several years or even decades if properly cared for.
Signs That Your MacBook Needs A Replacement
Although Apple’s computer hardware lasts a long time, you’ll eventually have to say goodbye to your Mac. If you’ve been getting issues with your MacBook, you might be wondering whether it’s time to get an upgrade or if you should stick with your current model for a while longer.
We better discuss some of the most common indicators that your Mac is outdated. We’ll look at how to work around these issues and whether or not it’s time to upgrade your Mac.
1. You Are Unable to Run the Most Recent Version of macOS
Apple releases a new version of macOS every year in September or October. It’s compatible with Mac models from the last few years. That implies that if your Mac is too old to upgrade to the most recent version of macOS, it will become obsolete.
MacOS Monterey (version 12) is the most current version of macOS. This update is available for the following Mac models:
1. Early 2016 and later MacBook models
2. Early 2015 and subsequent MacBook Air models
3. Early 2015 MacBook Pro variants,
4. Late 2015 and subsequent iMac models
5. 2017 and next iMac Pro models
6. Late 2013 and later Mac Pro models
7. Late 2014 and subsequent Mac mini models
Your computer is probably obsolete; if it isn’t on the list. You won’t acquire any more full macOS upgrades at that time, but you’ll be able to use your machine as-is for a while.
Your Mac will no longer receive security updates for your current macOS version, and third-party applications may cease working as a result. Thus, you’ll need to consider upgrading your Mac as soon as possible.
2. Your Mac Is Always Running Out Of Space
Apps and other data continue to take up more space as technology progresses. If you have an older MacBook with limited storage, this leads to a perpetual battle for free space.
If your MacBook has a 128GB or even 256GB hard drive, you’re probably constantly juggling things to free up space. That could entail freeing up space on your Mac whenever possible or adding additional storage via an external hard drive or other means.
You can utilize these workarounds to get by for a while with a tiny quantity of space. However, when you’ve had enough of them, it’s time to move to a new Mac. When you do, buy a model that will provide you with enough storage space for years to come; surviving on a Mac with limited storage space is a horrible experience.
3. Your Mac’s Hardware Isn’t Up To The Task.
The storage disk on your Mac is just one of the computer components that deteriorate with age. You won’t run multiple apps at once if you don’t have enough RAM, and things like editing 4K video will be incredibly slow or impossible if you have an outdated CPU. You’ll also notice a drop in overall system performance with older hardware.
The battery in MacBooks is another internal component that deteriorates over time. You can only recharge rechargeable batteries so many times before they become “spent” and no longer hold a charge. When your battery nears the tail end of its lifespan, macOS will notify you, and you can check the cycle count on your MacBook at any time.
If you’ve used the battery a lot, it may only last an hour or two before it needs to recharge. You can get around this by always charging your laptop, but that, of course, reduces its portability.
4. Damaged Mac’s Hardware
When your MacBook suffers substantial physical damage, it’s evident that you’ll need to replace it. Maybe you dropped it, and the internals was damaged, or you smacked the screen against some debris, and it broke.
In these situations, your computer will be inoperable until repaired or replaced. And, as previously stated, it makes little sense to invest hundreds of dollars in an old or even obsolete computer when a new one with a longer lifespan is available.
Unless there is a severe hardware failure, a long list of minor errors can soon escalate into a significant issue. You can live with a few oddities if they don’t interfere with your ability to use them effectively. Eventually, something important will go wrong, and you’ll have to choose between fixing it and upgrading it.
Minor issues like your charger not working until it’s in the exact right area, dead pixels on display, stuck keys, and crackling speakers don’t always signal that your Mac needs a replacement. However, if your computer has so many minor flaws that it’s barely useable, you should consider replacing it with a machine that will perform considerably better.
Conclusion
Intelligent buyers will consider how long a Macbook air can last on average before needing to replace rather than how long Apple claims it can last. The typical lifespan of a Macbook Air, according to most users, is 5-7 years. The battery will need to be changed far sooner than this.
With the rapid advancement of technology, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a laptop that hasn’t seen an upgrade in 5-7 years become obsolete, primarily if you use your laptop for more than just browsing the internet and working on Google Docs.