Are macbooks worth the cost?

[Rebus1]

Just that really. Need a laptop that will last as long as possible without becoming really outdated. Online reviews of the 2020 model are good but just wondering about personal experience of them.
Love the looks and apple stuff generally but just wondering if will last. We can afford it but can't afford to replace it in 2 years.

Definitely. I've used mine every day (give or take!) since 2015 and it's perfect.

Yes. Dh’s MacBook Pro from 10 years ago still works perfectly. He’s only upgraded because he know uses highly specialist music software that runs better on quad core.

I’ve had windows laptops that have been obsolete within a few years.

I got my first one last year and absolutely love it. I hope it lasts a long time!

Yes. My partner and I both have MacBooks that are almost 10 years old and going strong

Yes. I have both MacBook and Windows laptops for work. The Mac every time.
It does depend what software you need to use though.

I'm still running my MacBook Pro 13" from 2008. It's a lovely machine and still speedy (with cheap RAM and storage upgrades over the years).

Also running an iMac from 2010. That needed a £60 repair to the backlight a few years ago.

I got a Mini out of the cupboard the other day (lockdown project) and it's still fine and surprisingly nippy for a machine I bought in 2005!

Yes, they last. And they keep their value well if you want to trade up in less than a decade.

They also fuck me off far less than Windows PCs do, those seem to specialise in wasting my time and trying my patience. The Macs can be annoying, but they mostly stay out of the way and just let you do your stuff. And they still have the best trackpads in the world.

Apple are due to announce at least one and maybe several new Macs in the next month or so, so I'd hold off a little if I were in your shoes.

Hmmm. I'm not sure. I think they are good if you're not particularly tec savy and couldn't keep a windows laptop in good condition. I think Windows need more maintenance so that's why a lot of people like macs more. But with that comes a lot less customisability. But in general that's not a big issue for lots of people. I use and have used both and the mac book I got in 2011 needed a new battery at some point around 2014 then was on its last legs by 2016.

Were as I have a 2004 mac desk top that's still used by my partner for gaming.

So personally I think the laptops are a lot of money for not much.

I've worn out macbooks. Or they got too slow.
First one I got new in ... 2011?

MN website is especially bad, My 2011 macbook couldn't handle the ads here at all. Even after I added more RAM and replaced the battery which totally died. I wore out the keyboard which was too difficult to repair. I guess it lasted 5 yrs before I bought a replacement made in 2013 & that lasted 3 yrs with me (until 2019) when we gave it to an elderly relative. It's fast enough & reliable for the relative as long as all she does is a bit of facebook & email. Heavy though (that was a Pro not an Air).

MacBook Air is notorious for keyboard issues (sticky key problems); DH just got his McBk Air keyboard etc. refurb'd.

I still choose to have a MacBook Air now (think this one I'm typing on was manufactured in 2018 or 2019) but not deluding myself they last all that long. The sound & graphics sure are nice, and it's faster than the Toshiba described below. I am having some minor keyboard issues with it.

I have a work-supplied 2013 Toshiba that has also been upgraded (RAM & SSD drive). I've had no trouble with that keyboard or the battery.

My boss has a touchscreen laptop; I find it alarming. Agree about who wants a smeary screen.

I have a Macbook that is 10 years old and going strong (touch wood) and used daily.

Ive had my MacBook Pro since July 2012 and it's just as fast and powerful as the day I bought it!! Not many windows machines can say that.

Likewise it worked straight out of the box and I've never had a virus.

Deffo worth every penny!!

Yes definitely especially if you use a lot creative software. I’ve just replaced my MacBook Pro of 10 years a few months back.

I used to have a high-end Toshiba, but have had a MacBook Pro since early 2014. I far prefer it.
It is on 24/7 at present and has been for some months with no issues at all.
One of the things I like about it is the speed at which it boots up. I also like the fact that it isolates malware. I find the graphics far superior to anything I have seen elsewhere.

I was just about to post that I’m a recent MacBook convert, only to realise I’ve actually had it 5 years now. it still looks and works like it’s brand new.

Prefer Pages and Numbers to Word and Exel too if I’m honest.

MacBook Air since 2013 - you wouldn’t know it was 7 years old.

Brilliant machines.

@PuppyMonkey

I was just about to post that I’m a recent MacBook convert, only to realise I’ve actually had it 5 years now. it still looks and works like it’s brand new.

Prefer Pages and Numbers to Word and Exel too if I’m honest.

I use word and and excel on my Mac. I can’t stand numbers and pages.

I've had mine almost ten years and it's got plenty of life in yet so it's worth the money for me.

@WankPuffins never got round to buying Office for Mac stuff etc, have managed to survive without it.

Which is better? The pro or the air?

I have only used Macbooks for the last 10 years and I love them. I've a Macbook Pro and a Macbook Air. I would never buy a windows based laptop again.

Yes absolutely. My Air is 8 years old and as fast as they say I got it. Despite only being turned off about once a year!

Never had or heard of any keyboard issues the previous poster said are notorious!

I bloody hate Apple (she says after owning exclusively Apple products for a decade) but Macbooks are the only laptop I'd buy.

Their batteries are amazing, they get dinged and dropped and don't break or smash, they don't slow, their memory is amazing and honestly, I've never found another laptop quite like it.

I've had mine since September 2015 and it's as good as it was the day I bought it. Aside from a few cosmetic scratches, it's like it's brand new!

Definitely worth the cost in my opinion.

I'd have had three Microsoft laptops in the time I've had my MacBook Pro. They might be expensive but they last for years. Mine is still running like new.

2015 MacBook Pro still going strong, still like lightening. I've been though 3 Windows machines in that time.

My kids' schools only buy MacBook Airs. They are reliable and long-lasting. They provide them to every student age 12 and over. The students keep them for 4 years, then they go into the lab at the elementary school for younger students to use.

Generally very reliable but you should be prepared to replace the battery after 3-4 years if you use it heavily.

I'm a freelancer doing creative work, and I did initially manage on a PC laptop, but a) I wore it out and b) I ended up just hating it.

In the 5 years I've been freelancing I've bought a MacBook Air which is now 5 years old and still going strong, an iMac which is 4 years old and still going strong, and recently bought a 15" MacBook Pro with all the gubbins which is spectacularly fast.

None of them have ever had any issues but the Air needs a new battery. I always buy AppleCare just in case, and I've never yet put in a claim.

My main complaint about MacBook is that upgrading the SSD storage to a useful amount when buying them is ridiculously expensive.

I do currently also have a PC laptop that I use for one client, and I hate it so so so much. I hate the way Windows Explorer works in particular - Finder works so much better eg being able to preview a file by pressing spacebar, the columns view, etc.

I use Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite, and a bunch of other stuff on my Macs, and they connect seamlessly with the iPhones.

Oh, and if it helps my daughter is using a MacBook Pro for her Computer Science degree, as is her boyfriend.