Apple Silicon MacBooks: Are They Too Good for Their Own Good?

I can hardly believe I’m writing this, but Apple Silicon has been on the market for five years now. It feels like just yesterday when Apple announced its bold move away from Intel processors, but here we are. Over these five years, we’ve seen four generations of Apple Silicon chips, and every Mac in the lineup has either been redesigned or updated to accommodate these new processors. From the MacBook Air to the Mac Pro, every device now runs on Apple’s in-house silicon.

But as Apple enters its fifth year of Apple Silicon, the company faces a new kind of challenge. In the beginning, the goal was clear: convince Intel Mac users to upgrade. With major performance gains, better battery life, and sleek redesigns, it wasn’t hard to tempt Intel holdouts. But now, Apple’s mission has shifted. They’re no longer just trying to convert Intel users—they need to convince existing Apple Silicon owners to upgrade. And that’s proving to be a much tougher sell.

What Would It Take for You to Upgrade?

If you already own an Apple Silicon Mac—whether it’s the powerhouse M3 Ultra or the humble original M1 MacBook Air—what would make you want to upgrade? That’s the critical question Apple needs to answer. I’ve been thinking about it, and I even took to social media to get a sense of how current Apple Silicon users feel.

I ran a poll on Twitter asking Apple Silicon MacBook Pro owners if they were planning to upgrade. The results surprised me: 51% said they had no intention of upgrading, and only 13% said they definitely would. The remaining 36% were unsure. Curious for a clearer answer, I ran a second poll on YouTube, framing the question more directly: if a redesigned MacBook Pro launches next year, would you buy it? This time, a whopping 75% said either no or were leaning toward no.

The takeaway? Most people are happy sticking with their current MacBooks. It begs the question: have Apple Silicon Macs become too good for their own good?

Why People Hold Onto Their Macs Longer

Let’s step back for a moment and look at how long people typically keep laptops. A quick Google search tells you the average laptop lifespan falls somewhere between 3 to 8 years. That’s a pretty broad range, but Apple’s Macs—especially the ones powered by Apple Silicon—seem to be on the longer end of that spectrum.

Take the original 2020 M1 MacBook Air as an example. This machine is nearly five years old, but it doesn’t feel old. It still handles everyday computing tasks effortlessly. I even picked one up for under $400 recently, and it’s astonishing how capable it still is. There are only a handful of Intel Macs that could outperform it, and those are much more expensive.

For the average user—someone who just wants reliable performance, good battery life, and a solid build—there’s simply no compelling reason to upgrade. Their MacBook still works beautifully, and unless something catastrophic happens, they’re likely to keep it for years to come.

A Creator’s Perspective: Fewer Reasons to Upgrade

Speaking as a content creator, this longevity has changed the kind of content I can make. Before Apple Silicon, I had plenty of videos and articles about upgrading old Macs, swapping out parts, finding budget-friendly alternatives, and squeezing more life out of aging devices. But now? My advice has become incredibly simple: just buy an M1 MacBook Air. It’s that good.

This durability is great news for consumers, but it poses a challenge for Apple. How do you convince someone to spend $1,000 or more on a new Mac when their existing machine still feels perfectly capable?

Apple’s sales numbers reflect this reality. Looking at Mac revenue over the past few years, there was a massive spike in 2021 and 2022. That surge makes sense—2021 was the first full year of M1 Macs, and 2022 brought the powerful M1 Pro and M1 Max models. But after those initial releases, sales slowed down. 2023 and 2024 saw modest chip upgrades but no major redesigns—and fewer people felt the need to upgrade.

Interestingly, early sales reports for 2025 show a slight uptick again, likely thanks to new models like the M4 MacBook Pro and refreshed Mac Mini. These new devices offer meaningful performance gains, but it’s clear that many buyers are still former Intel Mac users finally making the switch—not people upgrading from an earlier Apple Silicon machine.

Two Types of Mac Users

From what I’ve observed, current Mac users fall into two distinct categories:

1. The die-hards still clinging to ancient Intel Macs, determined to use them until they’re completely unusable.

2. Apple Silicon owners with machines so good that upgrading doesn’t even cross their minds.

Take the 16-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro as an example. By the time the next MacBook Pro redesign arrives, this machine will be five years old. Yet it still feels fast, responsive, and premium. You can pick up a used one for around $1,000, and you’re getting one of the best displays ever put in a laptop, fantastic battery life, great speakers, an excellent keyboard, and a perfect mix of ports—including USB-C, Thunderbolt, HDMI, and an SD card slot.

Honestly, it’s hard to find fault with it. The only reasons people replace these machines are physical damage or battery failure. The software stays supported, the performance holds up, and the experience remains premium. Apple’s biggest competitor isn’t another brand—it’s their own previous devices that refuse to age.

A Good Problem for Consumers, A Challenge for Apple

This situation reminds me of what happened with the iPad Pro. The 2018 iPad Pro was so advanced that even years later, it still holds its own. Even with the launch of the new M4 iPad Pro, many people feel like the 2018 model is more than enough for their needs.

Apple might be facing a similar problem with MacBooks. When you make a product too good, too durable, too future-proof, it becomes harder to convince people to upgrade.

So what can Apple do?

Three Paths Forward for Apple

If I were Tim Cook, I’d be exploring three main strategies:

1. End software support earlier. This is the least consumer-friendly option and unlikely, given Apple’s track record of supporting old devices for years.

2. Focus on major chip improvements. We’ve seen this work with the M4 Mac Mini. By offering significant performance gains and keeping prices competitive, Apple can entice power users and professionals who need that extra horsepower.

3. Redesign the hardware. When performance improvements aren’t enough, design becomes the selling point. Rumors of a tandem OLED display in the next MacBook Pro hint at this direction. If Apple can’t sell you a laptop for its speed, maybe it can sell you one for its display quality, new form factor, or innovative features.

Why Consumers Win Either Way

From a consumer perspective, this is a win-win situation. Either you keep your current MacBook for 5, 6, even 7 years with no issues—or Apple introduces compelling new features that genuinely make upgrading worthwhile.

No matter what, Apple is under pressure to keep innovating. They can’t rely on incremental upgrades or minor spec bumps. They have to make each new MacBook genuinely better, not just marginally improved.

The Future of Apple Silicon Macs

As we look ahead, the big question is: what’s next for MacBooks? Will the rumored redesigns be enough to lure Apple Silicon owners into upgrading? Will tandem OLED displays, thinner bodies, or new AI-powered features make a real difference?

Personally, I think we’re entering an era where design and user experience will be Apple’s focus. The chips are already powerful enough for 95% of users. Now it’s about what’s wrapped around those chips.

It’s going to be fascinating to watch Apple navigate this new challenge. For now, though, if you own an M1, M2, or even an M3 MacBook, you’re in an excellent spot. You’ve got a machine that’s fast, reliable, and likely has years of life left in it.

Final Thoughts: Did Apple Make the Perfect Laptop Too Soon?

Apple’s engineers deserve credit—they created a generation of laptops so good that upgrading feels unnecessary. But for a company that thrives on year-over-year sales growth, that’s a tricky position to be in.

Is this a challenge for Apple? Absolutely. But for consumers, it’s the best possible scenario: great products that last longer than ever.

So next time someone asks if they should upgrade their MacBook, I’ll probably tell them: only if you need to. Otherwise, sit tight—you’ve already got one of the best laptops ever made.

What do you think?

Did Apple make MacBooks too good, too soon? Will they find a way to convince happy customers to upgrade? Or will we see more people holding onto their Macs for 5, 6, even 7 years?

Share your thoughts in the comments!