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Switcher Hangout (Windows to Mac)
Can a base model i3 8GB MBA remain useable for 8-10 years for a basic user?
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<blockquote data-quote="Randy B. Singer" data-source="post: 1851792" data-attributes="member: 190607"><p>IF you don't go crazy updating your software to newer, more demanding versions, and IF you do a minimum of routine maintenance, your Mac should be as snappy 10 years from now as it was the first year you had it.</p><p></p><p>I have a 12 year old iMac in my office, still running OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" (I maintain it mostly for running legacy PowerPC software that was never updated), and for most things, including running Microsoft Office (an older version) and Web surfing (Safari is too outdated, but there is a version of Firefox that runs really well), it is still surprisingly snappy. Often I'm happy to use it for my regular work all day. That said, it's been babied. It is attached to a really good UPS, and it has been maintained really well (I've literally written a Web site on Mac routine maintenance.)</p><p></p><p>Laptops statistically tend not to last as long as desktops, because they tend to lead much harder lives. They also have batteries that wear out and which need to be replaced.</p><p></p><p>You should know that the i3 processor in the latest MBA is a bit of a dog. Fine for really basic stuff, but for only $100 more you can move up to an i5 that will give you significantly better performance. </p><p></p><p>Note that if you really only need to do the most basic stuff, and you are tight for funds, you can probably get away with using a $250 Chromebook. E.g.:</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M8QVNKG/?tag=macforums0e4-20" target="_blank">Robot Check</a></p><p>It won't be a Macintosh, but it will be fine for doing the things that you mentioned. Something to think about.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Randy B. Singer, post: 1851792, member: 190607"] IF you don't go crazy updating your software to newer, more demanding versions, and IF you do a minimum of routine maintenance, your Mac should be as snappy 10 years from now as it was the first year you had it. I have a 12 year old iMac in my office, still running OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" (I maintain it mostly for running legacy PowerPC software that was never updated), and for most things, including running Microsoft Office (an older version) and Web surfing (Safari is too outdated, but there is a version of Firefox that runs really well), it is still surprisingly snappy. Often I'm happy to use it for my regular work all day. That said, it's been babied. It is attached to a really good UPS, and it has been maintained really well (I've literally written a Web site on Mac routine maintenance.) Laptops statistically tend not to last as long as desktops, because they tend to lead much harder lives. They also have batteries that wear out and which need to be replaced. You should know that the i3 processor in the latest MBA is a bit of a dog. Fine for really basic stuff, but for only $100 more you can move up to an i5 that will give you significantly better performance. Note that if you really only need to do the most basic stuff, and you are tight for funds, you can probably get away with using a $250 Chromebook. E.g.: [URL='https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M8QVNKG/?tag=macforums0e4-20']Robot Check[/url] It won't be a Macintosh, but it will be fine for doing the things that you mentioned. Something to think about. [/QUOTE]
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Can a base model i3 8GB MBA remain useable for 8-10 years for a basic user?
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