A lot of customers, when considering whether to repair their Mac or simply replace it, will ask me what the average lifespan is of a Mac. This question cannot be easily answered by an average span of years. The answer to this question is completely conditional upon a number of factors.
To me, the lifespan of a computer is when it has reached a point at which it is no longer functioning properly, and the cost to repair it is comparable to the machine’s value. At this point, in my opinion, it would be a wiser choice to invest in a new computer, rather than repair this one. This is a choice many customers have to make at some point(s) in their life, and it’s never a very easy one.
Although it ultimately comes down to your individual budget, there are a few useful references and standard questions you should ask yourself to help you make this decision. Aside from the obvious websites that can be referenced to determine the value of your machine (eBay, Amazon), one website I typically check is EveryMac.com. Like the title says, they have a listing for every Mac, as well as model specifications, and an estimated current value range. I’ve noticed that their estimate values are generally a little higher than the specific model actually sells for, but it’s a good ballpark figure. Obviously, looking for your Mac’s model on a website like eBay will give you a good real-world value, it just may take a little more time/consideration (is it an auction? how much time is left?)
One question you should ask yourself is how much this computer has cost you in the past. If you just had a major repair performed not too long ago, that’s definitely something to consider when making the decision of whether or not to repair your Mac. If this is the first issue you’ve had in a few years of use, then it may very well be worth keeping it running.
The most important question I believe you should ask yourself, when making this decision, is how the Mac has been working for you. When a computer reaches a certain age, it’s inevitably going to face compatibility issues. Whether it won’t work with your brand new mobile device, or certain applications cease in their ability to be updated, causing further compatibility issues with things like websites or file formats. These compatibility issues should definitely be a considered factor when making your decision.
Like I said, your individual budget is the most important when deciding whether to repair or replace your Mac, but it’s always good to take these conditions into consideration when making such a big decision.