To have bought myself a Macbook Air old model? So stressed, almost in tears

[Exhaustedstudent]

Very, very stressed and anxious - mostly from far too little sleep but that's life.

Had a gift voucher for Apple for £250. I'm a student at the moment so get a student discount. Basically this means I was able to get a Macbook Air but the old version, just spending about £600. Needed a new computer, this was just about affordable, the newer models looked good but too fancy for my needs and couldn't justify the cost.

However then I read that actually the model is really the same as the one that came out in 2015 so that makes it old by laptop standards. Now worried I have wasted £600 and should have waited to save up for the later model?

Should I return it to the Apple store? I haven't even set it up yet.
Is it likely to be obsolete in a couple of years? The whole reason for getting a Macbook is everyone says they go on for years.

Just the worry of making the wrong decision when it's a big chunk of money (to me) kills me, thought I was making a good choice and now stressing I've been ripped off.

My MacBook air is from earlier than 2015 and it still works fine.

Here’s a better laugh I still have my old original MacBook (the white one) and it works fine albeit a bit slow

Also, like @MrSlant said, they still update to the newest os. New update installed this eve and slick as Claudia Winkelmans hair.

I'm so relieved! The thing that spurred me on to get it rather than save was that I have to write my dissertation and something reliable.

I think I will go and set it up! Thank you for all the Macbook insights.

I bought a white Macbook in 2006 and I only replaced it in 2016 because it was a bit too heavy and I travel a lot. It worked perfectly - and I believe it still does with it's new owner. I got as far as Mountain Lion and couldn't upgrade to Mavericks so had a couple of years without major upgrades although I did get minor and security upgrades until the last year I think then it was stopped being supported - It did still work perfectly well.

I got the Air (a year old refurbished model) with El Capitan (so I only missed out on two OS) and it's as seamless now as it was on the day I got it (nearly 3 years ago!) I fully expect it to last 9 years as my last one did.

I am not a power user - it is mostly used for Office type applications such as word/powerpoint/excel and for some reasonably basic photo editing but it is on everyday. It still looks mint. I am very pleased with my purchased and delighted that the longevity of the Macbook has endured from my first purchased in 2006!

New update installed this eve and slick as Claudia Winkelmans hair.

Now that is an IT recommendation if ever I saw one. I wish my machines’ performance was that smooth and polished. But as I’m a Windows devotee I’ll never experience such wonders. (iOS for phones and tablets all the way though: if you want a device essentially only for output, you can’t beat Apple.)

I use a 2011 Macbook, it's fine .

I have the A1465, early 2015. It's great. Won't be replacing it anytime soon.

Another one here with a DH who uses a 2011 MacBook Air and a DS who uses a 2014 model, neither have any problems.

I’ve got a 2015 MacBook Pro (that I bought brand new in 2016 but it’s the 2015 model)
Works like a dream. Keep it updated.

2006 MacBook here. Still does everything I need without issues.

Mine is way older than 2015, prob about 2011/12 and I bought it secondhand. It works perfectly, no plans to change it

Just double checked my little 11 inch Macbook Air that I probably use for 5-10 hours/week - mid 2011. It is running High Sierra and Office 365 (copyright 2019).

I had to replace the first under warranty within a month or 2, but this has been problem free ever since ( I have a fine moshi overlay on the keyboard as I have form for knocking over drinks and snacking whilst typing).

I don't play games on it, but movies and TV are fine. I mainly use it for freelance office work. We have better Macs/monitors for photo editing.
Newspaper websites (with lots of movies/flashy adverts) aren't great for the processor. That said, I notice I have 11 browser windows on the go plus mail and Word at the moment.

In contrast my mini ipad (2012/13) is really just good for reading books and emailing. Lots of apps are no longer supported.

I still have a white Macbook too (maybe DH wants to be on Antiques Roadshow one day).

everymac.com

Useful site for anyone thinking of buying an older Mac. You can find out how upgradable each model is

My very techie son who needs the latest ofg everything is still very happy with his 2013 version. I have just changed mine and nearly cried when I realised that there were no proper USB ports and I now have to carry around a bag of bits so I can attach things to it. Some days I see my old model that my DP is now using, and desperately want it back! I put in a new battery for him and it is as good as new. They do not age like PC laptops - that is one of the reasons they are more expensive i guess.

@KissingInTheRain I use Windows machines too sometimes and am lost for about 5 mins while I get used to the opposite scrolling to the Mac's.

Macs are perfect for the software I use (image manipulation software and tethered image capture). They really do deal with them well.

@Exhaustedstudent good luck with your dissertation. I just submitted mine last week so you have my sympathy and support

I have a newer Mac now.My previous one was a 2011 model. I'd still have it but it was slowly dying after a lot of abuse including a coffee spilled into the keyboard by ds several years previously. I nearly bought a 2015 model when I replaced but the price difference was so minimal I decided the warrantee on the newer model was worth the slight extra. I'd say don't worry about it at all.

My 2013 Macbook Air is still running beautifully. My children recently purchased 2009 iMacs and the only thing they can't run is the latest edition of Minecraft. They still do everything else. And only cost $200 CAD from a refurb shop.

I've had my MacBook since 2012, it's still as fast as it was the day it was released.

Stop stressing - Apple products just work, it's not like a windows machine that is unusable in 18m time!!!

My Macbook Air is from 2012-2013. It's great and still does all I want it to do.

The older ones are better!

Oldest Mac in use in my immediate family is about 16 yrs old. That one is past the age for the latest updates but still works fine. One of the DC has an older Air than the model you have bought.

They are generally well made and last so long as you look after them. I've rarely ever had problems with upgrades/software changes on Macs.

Don't forget you still need an anti virus! There are free versions of products like avast for Mac.

Don’t worry OP, the great thing about Macs is that (generally ) they last a LOT longer than others. My MacBook is 6.5 years old and, white it can be a bit slow sometimes, this is probably due to me not clearing the caches or upgrading the software for a while (Apple previously did this over the phone/remotely for me). My previous non-Mac lasted about 3 years before it was unusable.

Sorry if stupid question but I have a 2013 iMac, it is running a bit slow but I'm not teccy enough to know what to do... Should I upgrade to Mojave? I'm worried its going to slow it down to a stop!

I’d give Apple support a call.

Don’t stress! I bought my MacBook in 2015/2016 and it’s absolutely fine for what I need it to do even 3/4 years later. And I’m quite hard on it. In fact I also have an iPad that’s older (around 7 years old) and again does the job I need it for. There’s a lot of fuss about having the latest models of stuff and while that nice and probably a good idea for something like a phone I think if it’s a laptop for uni work there’s really no harm in a slightly older (and more affordable) model. Keep the OS up to date and take good care of the battery and there won’t be an issue. And honestly I think £600 is reasonable. I paid around double that for mine when it was new.