6 Signs it's time to replace your Mac

Posted on Monday December 09, 2019

Apple computers are built to last. However, you'll eventually experience some issues with their machines and have to replace it with a new one. But how do you determine if it's finally time to put your Mac to rest? Let's highlight some of the signs you need to look out for.

Your device can't support the latest macOS version

Apple releases a new version of macOS every September or October. Typically, Mac models from the past several years are supported. So if your device can't update to the latest version, it's a sign that you need to have your Mac replaced.

As of this writing, the latest macOS version is 10.15 Catalina. Here are the following Mac models that support the update:

• MacBook (2015 and later)
• MacBook Air (2012 and later)
• MacBook Pro (2012 and later)
• iMac (2012 and later)
• iMac Pro (2017 and later)
• Mac Pro (2013 and later)
• Mac mini (2012 and later)

This means that devices made earlier than those in the list cannot install macOS Catalina. For instance, if you have a 2010 Macbook Pro running Mac OS X Lion, it cannot support Catalina. Your device is likely to be deemed obsolete, and while you can continue using it as usual, you won't get any new features, and you might experience productivity issues.

You've run out of free space

File sizes are constantly growing, which means that they are bound to take up more space in computer hard drives. If your Mac only has 128 or 256 GB of storage space, you'll find yourself freeing up space for new files often. You have the option to purchase flash drives or external hard drives, but these aren't built into your system, so the chances of losing them - and your files - are very high.

It would then be more ideal to just purchase a new Mac. Newer versions offer 1 TB of storage, which offers significantly bigger storage than older Macs.

Your Mac has poor specs

If frozen screens, slow-loading apps, and poor battery life are already a part of your typical day while using your Mac, then it might be time to replace it.

For instance, the performance of a hard disk drive (HDD) slows down with age, which could cause your computer to load files and programs sluggishly. The same principle applies to your battery. You may experience short standby and usage times, or the device could just shut down by itself. There's the option of plugging in your device to an outlet while using it, but this sacrifices portability.

To mitigate these issues, you can add more RAM, swap out the HDD, or replace the battery. It's important to note that some components are soldered to the motherboard, so replacing them may not be an option. The money you would spend on upgrading your Mac would be better put towards a new machine, which will not only be faster, but also much more reliable.

Your Mac has hardware damage

You need to replace your Mac if it has suffered serious physical damage. This could range from a broken display, damaged hard drives, missing keyboard buttons, or nonfunctioning USB and charging ports.

It's easy to have your device fixed, but it's not the most financially sound decision to invest money in an obsolete machine when you can buy a new one that will last longer. Remember that small issues can also become major problems. Let's say you're using your Mac with a heavily cracked screen. The device might be usable for a while, but the display might stop functioning anytime, and this would be an inconvenience if you're in the middle of something important.

If problems on your Mac are already affecting your productivity, consider replacing it with a newer version that performs much better and has no hardware damage.

You're experiencing software issues

An outdated Mac can experience software problems such as unresponsive apps, visual glitches, and random shutdowns. If your Mac is running an old operating system (OS), it might run into software compatibility issues. For instance, a program may refuse to run because your OS is outdated.

You can usually fix these problems by freeing up your random access memory (RAM) or storage space. Reinstalling macOS is also a good option. If the problems persist, however, you should consider investing in a new Mac.

It's important to have a Mac that not only performs well, but also helps you become more productive and efficient. If you want to learn more about replacing your Mac, drop our experts a line today and we'll be in touch.