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Comment by Ensorceled | Hacker News Reader

5-6 year support for hardware is just too short. I have a Mid 2015 Macbook Pro as a "backup" and that computer is still quite decent.

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See reply below about Open Core Legacy Patcher[1] which enables to use older Intel Models to use modern OS Versions. And for even older hardware, check out the patchers from Dosdude[2]. Most likely this will not be possible with the M-Class Processors from Apple, which is a shame.

[1]https://dortania.github.io/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher/MODELS.ht...

[2]http://dosdude1.com/

I wonder if it’s worse this year than usual because of the switchover to AppleSilicon? I have a 2013 Mac Pro that I use daily and it’s gotten all updates until this one. 9 years is pretty good. But I can understand wanting to end support for as many Intel machines as quickly as possible.

When Apple announced the transition from PPC to Intel, the PPC Macs only got two major updates before being EOLed. Even the Power Mac G5 (2005) only got two major updates before being cut off from support.

It should be noted, however, that those major updates had longer lifespans then. Snow Leopard, the first Intel-only version of Mac OS, came out in 2009.

MacOS versions tend to receive security updates for 2 additional years after they’re supplanted, so it’s more like 7-8 years. Plus, all of the Macs that aren’t eligible for Ventura can use Bootcamp to install Windows or dual boot into Linux if you’re not happy with MacOS anymore.

The newest machine that can't run the new version would be a Mac Pro purchased a scant 4 years ago. Potentially for several thousand dollars.

Meanwhile there are 10 year old ~$1000 Thinkpads running Windows 11 or Linux. If they just wanted to run Linux on it they could have saved themselves some money.

8 years of updates to current version and 10 years of security updates should be the absolute minimum for every expensive hardware.

I question anyone purchasing a machine with generations old hardware in 2018. Especially considering the Mac pro had been supplanted by newer macs at that point.

In 2018 CPUs were still stagnating, so a 2013 CPU would likely be almost as performant as the latest one.

It's not really about the CPU power, more that by 2018 it was well known that the Trashcan Mac Pro was a dead-end design and a soon to have radical refresh.

Absolutely correct it would have been a shitty purchase but one which ought to be supported none the less.

Companies ought to love people who give them thousands for outdated hardware worth hundreds.

They haven’t yet released a machine worth upgrading to if you’re on a 2015 MBP. I recently got a 14” M1 and I think I’ll just reinstall my 2015 and move back to it.

You can’t be serious? The m1 is so good, great performance, much quieter and doesn’t get hot, and the battery life is amazing. Also there’s not many compatibility issues now

I’d wager that the vast majority of people who have made that upgrade would disagree with that view; it’s a substantial step-change in most ways, if you use the device for software development or content creation.

That’s certainly a hot take. I’m not sure many would share that opinion.

I upgraded from a 2015 15" MBP to a 2021 16" MBP. I'm loving the upgrade. Fast. Better display. Much better battery life. Still has magsafe. The keyboard is acceptable. What do you think is missing and/or bad about the new models?

…absolutely not. I jumped from a 2015 to an M1 and never looked back. It’s 100% worth the upgrade.

The 14" M1 is the spiritual successor to the 2015 MBP I think. Ports, magsafe charger (with higher quality cable), larger screen within a marginally larger footprint, keyboard is good unlike the last few years, solidly built, no touch bar, finger print login, performance, etc. No complaints personally.

Battery life and speed alone are totally noticeable. This doesn't mention that Intel fires up the fans anytime a CPU calculation is done. I think you're being disingenuous here.

I upvoted you because you're entitled your opinion, but I whole-heartedly disagree.

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