

Apple generally supports each macOS version for three years. Taking a look at macOS compatibility (discussed below), we can see that most of the time, Macs are eligible to get the latest macOS version for about seven years. A product is considered obsolete if it was discontinued more than seven years ago. Vintage products are devices that have not been sold for more than five but less than seven years.

The definitions from Apple's Vintage and Obsolete products page give an idea of device longevity.

The harder you work your machine, the sooner a component is likely to stop working. Someone who only uses their Mac for occasional web browsing can likely get away with using the same machine for longer than someone who runs their computer all day and does high-intensity tasks like video editing. There isn't an exact number you can put on a Mac's lifespan, as it depends on a variety of factors. Do not close the lid or power off your Mac until installation is complete.Whether you're taking stock of your old machine or thinking about the value of a new purchase, you might wonder how long MacBooks and other Mac models last. During installation, your Mac may restart, or display a blank screen for a short time.In the Updates window, locate the line that says Catalina.In the App Store, on the left side of the window, select Updates.In the menu bar, click the Apple icon to open the Apple menu.Do not close the lid or power off your Mac until installation is complete.Īfter you've gone through the preparation steps, you need to download and install the latest version of macOS. During installation, your Mac may restart, or display a blank screen short time.When this process is complete, an installer application named Install OS X El Capitan is placed in your Applications folder.Follow the on-screen instructions to perform a compatibility check, and prepare for installation.

