M1 MacBook Air Defers Upgrades for Millions, With Support Potentially Lasting Until 2031
Updated
Updated · Computerworld · Jun 2
M1 MacBook Air Defers Upgrades for Millions, With Support Potentially Lasting Until 2031
3 articles · Updated · Computerworld · Jun 2
Nearly 6 years after its 2020 debut, Apple’s M1 MacBook Air still handles everyday work, photo editing and web use fast enough that many owners have little reason to replace it.
The laptop’s longevity stems from the M1 chip’s big leap over Intel Macs in speed, battery life and efficiency, creating a machine that remains competitive for mainstream users.
Apple’s newer M5 MacBook Air delivers about 2x M1’s multi-core performance and 50% better single-core speed, but the gap may be hard for typical office users to notice in daily tasks.
That longer replacement cycle may still help Apple by boosting customer satisfaction, resale value and spending on other devices and services rather than forcing a 3-year PC-style upgrade.
Intel Macs lose support with macOS 27 this year, while the M1 Air—sold until 2024—could remain supported until 2030 or 2031, extending its useful life toward a decade.