Why do Macs get slower over time?

If you find your Mac is running slowly, there are a number of potential causes that you can check. Your computer's startup disk may not have enough free disk space. To make disk space available, you can move files to another disk or an external storage device, then delete files you no longer need on the startup disk.
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Does Apple slow down old Macs?

No, Apple does not deliberately slow down any of their laptops.
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How long do Macbooks last before slowing down?

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.
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Why do older Macs last longer?

There are a couple of main factors that contribute to the lifespan of these old macs: One of the obvious points is that these old devices can be very cheaply retrofitted with more RAM and SSD storage to keep them in line with the newer released Macs.
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Why do computers slow down over time?

Computers slow down as they age due to memory, hardware, and software failure. The average lifespan of a modern computer is four years. Most become slow due to normal wear and tear and increased performance requirements from the latest operating systems, software, and games.
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How To Fix a Slow Mac



Do laptops naturally get slower over time?

Over time, you laptop begins to accumulate more files and programs as a result of regular use. Eventually, this can slow down your laptop's response time, making daily processes take longer to execute and lowering your productivity.
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Why is my 5 year old computer so slow?

As programs are installed and uninstalled, files are added, modified and deleted, and email data is added, modified and deleted, pieces of programs and data can be left behind. Old, unused programs and numerous Windows “temp” files can also be scattered around the computer.
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What is considered old for a Mac?

Products are considered vintage when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 5 and less than 7 years ago.
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What year Mac is obsolete?

Obsoleted Macs include the late 2013 21.5 and 27-inch iMacs, the mid-2014 21.5-inch ‌iMac‌, and the late 2014 27-inch Retina 5K ‌iMac‌. The late 2014 27-inch ‌iMac‌ was the first iMac with a 5K Retina display. At the time, Apple's Phil Schiller said it was the "most insanely great Mac we have ever made."
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Is a 10 year old ‌iMac‌ obsolete?

In the memo, Apple said the 21.5-inch and 27-inch ‌iMac‌ from Late 2013, the Mid 2014 21.5-inch ‌iMac‌, and the Retina 5K 27-inch ‌iMac‌ from late 2014 will be marked as obsolete on November 30, 2022. When marked as an obsolete product, the iMacs will no longer be eligible for any repairs and services.
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How often should you replace your Mac?

The OS released in 2029 would receive support from Apple until 2032, and most third-party tools that worked on the final version of the OS would be supported until at least 2035. This means that in general, you can expect at least 10 solid years of life from a Mac, barring any unforeseen hardware issues.
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What years of MacBook Pro to avoid?

Avoid the 2018 and 2019 versions of the MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pros made between 2016 and 2019, and any 15-inch MacBook Pro (the 16-inch replaced the 15-inch model in late 2019). Apple has released new versions of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, with M2 Pro and M2 Max processors.
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Is a 2013 MacBook Air still good in 2022?

Older versions of macOS also continue to get security updates for a while after subsequent versions are released. For example, macOS Big Sur, released in 2020, received a security update as late as December 2022. A 2013 MacBook Air could be running macOS Big Sur and still getting updates today, nine years later.
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How many years should you use a Mac?

iMacs typically last between 3 to 8 years depending on how they are configured. Most iMacs will come with larger hard drives as a standard configuration. A Mac Mini is usually more of an entry level Mac, but can be configured with faster processors, expanded memory and larger hard drives that will extend the life span.
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Does Windows or Mac last longer?

Do Macs last longer than PCs? There's often vigorous debate as to whether Macs or Windows PCs last longer. The answer depends on the hardware and the configuration. Macs have a reputation for lasting longer, and Apple offers a strong support and maintenance system.
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Can a Mac last 20 years?

Apple hardware typically lasts much longer than that from competing manufacturers. Lots of people have Macs that are 10 or even 20 years old that still work. And there are a few that are even older than that.
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Whats the oldest Mac you can update?

Apple advises that macOS Catalina will run on the following Macs:
  • MacBook models from early 2015 or later.
  • MacBook Air models from mid-2012 or later.
  • MacBook Pro models from mid-2012 or later.
  • Mac mini models from late 2012 or later.
  • iMac models from late 2012 or later.
  • iMac Pro (all models)
  • Mac Pro models from late 2013.
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Is 7 years old for a Mac?

Macs, over seven years old, are considered “obsolete.” Apple or its service providers will not service obsolete Macs. From a repair point of view, Macs last seven years since they are no longer on sale. Macs are typically on sale for around a year, though some models have been sold for much longer.
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Should I replace my 10 year old Mac?

When do Macs become obsolete? Based on operating system support, the limit is between eight and ten years – after which time Apple will not support the software and it's probably a good time to replace your Mac. But it's not just software updates that are important.
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Is a 2015 MacBook still good in 2022?

The MacBook Pro 2015 is a 7-year-old Apple laptop that is still very much relevant in today's world. This is because the laptop offers a fantastic retina display, a comfortable keyboard, and an innovative trackpad. That's not all, the laptop also delivers multiple CPU options with a dedicated graphics card.
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Is Apple discontinuing the desktop?

27-inch iMac

With the iMac Pro also discontinued last year, the 24-inch iMac with the M1 chip is currently the only all-in-one desktop computer sold by Apple. Reputable sources like Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo have claimed that the iMac Pro could make a comeback in 2023.
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Which generation of computer is very slow?

The main characteristics of first generation of computers (1940s-1950s) Power – consume a lot of electricity and generate a lot of heat. Speed and size – very slow and very large in size (often taking up entire room).
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How long should a 10 year old be on a computer?

The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages media use by children younger than 2 and recommends limiting older children's screen time to no more than one or two hours a day.
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How long should a 12 year old use a computer?

Recommended time limits

Under 2 years old: Zero screen time, except for video chatting with family or friends. 2-5 years old: No more than one hour per day co-viewing with a parent or sibling. 5-17 years old: Generally no more than two hours per day, except for homework.
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