Upgrading Your 10-Year-Old Mac: Why New is Usually Best and How to Choose

I recently had another customer call me at Spurdotech about replacing their trusty 10-year-old MacBook Pro. It’s a conversation I have regularly—and I completely understand the dilemma. I’ve got a 10-year-old MacBook Pro myself that’s been absolutely brilliant, but after a decade of loyal service, it’s natural to start thinking about what comes next.

Based here in Lewes, East Sussex, I’ve been helping people with their Macs for over 25 years as an Apple Certified Technician. Whether it’s MacBook screen repairs, iMac upgrades, or just honest advice about when to upgrade, I see the same questions come up time and again. So let me share some straight-talking guidance about replacing your old Mac—no sales pitch, just genuine advice from someone who’s seen it all.

The Big Jump: Intel to Apple Silicon

First things first—if you’re upgrading from a 10-year-old Mac, you’re almost certainly moving from an Intel processor to Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, or M4). This is genuinely exciting because the performance jump is enormous. We’re talking about Macs that are significantly faster, run cooler, have better battery life, and can handle tasks that would have made your old Mac struggle.

I’ve helped dozens of customers make this transition, and the reaction is always the same: “I can’t believe how much faster everything is!” So whatever route you choose, you’re in for a treat.

New vs. Refurbished: My Honest Take

When customers ask me about refurbished Macs, I give them a balanced view based on what I’ve seen over the years.

When Refurbished Can Work Well

I’ll be honest—there are some excellent refurbished Mac suppliers out there. Hoxton Macs in particular have been brilliant for several of my customers. They’re friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely care about getting people the right Mac. If budget is tight and you need something reliable, a well-sourced refurbished Mac can be a great option.

When I’m More Cautious

As someone who fixes Macs day in and day out, I do see the occasional refurbished machine with quirky issues that can be tricky to diagnose. Sometimes a Mac might have an intermittent fault that only shows up once a week—the kind of thing that passes a basic test but could frustrate you later.

This isn’t common, but it’s why I often lean towards recommending new Macs for most people, especially if you’re planning to keep it for another 10 years like your current one!

The Future-Proofing Factor

Here’s the thing about buying new—you’re getting the latest chip (currently M4), which means better performance and longer software support. Apple typically supports Macs for about 7-8 years with macOS updates, so a new Mac today should get updates until around 2032. That’s proper future-proofing.

Choosing Your New Mac: Keep It Simple

Right, let’s cut through all the marketing speak and focus on what actually matters. The good news is that it’s really hard to make a bad choice with today’s Macs—they’re all excellent.

Step 1: Know What You’ve Got

Before you start shopping, let’s see what you’re working with now:

Click the Apple logo (top left) → About This Mac
Take a screenshot (Cmd+Shift+3) or just jot down:
- How much memory (RAM) you have
- Your storage size and how much you’re using
- Your current screen size

This tells you the minimum you’ll need in your new Mac. No point getting something with less storage than you’re already using!

Step 2: Think About Your Actual Needs

Do you travel with your Mac? → MacBook Air 13” or 15”
Do you work from a desk most of the time? → MacBook Pro 14” or 16”, or consider an iMac
Do you do heavy creative work? (Video editing, 3D work, etc.) → MacBook Pro with more RAM
Just general use? (Web, email, documents, photos) → Any current Mac will be brilliant

Step 3: Storage and Memory Made Simple

Storage: Take your current usage and double it for future-proofing. If you’re using 250GB, get 512GB. Using 400GB? Go for 1TB.
Memory: 16GB is plenty for most people. If you’re doing professional creative work and budget allows, consider 32GB.

My Practical Advice

Here’s what I typically tell customers in your situation:

If money’s not too tight: Get a new MacBook Air or Pro with M4. You’ll get the latest everything, full warranty, and it’ll last you another decade easily.

If budget matters: Consider a refurbished M2 or M3 Mac from a reputable supplier like Hoxton Macs. You’ll still get that massive performance jump from your Intel Mac, just at a lower price point.

If you’re unsure: Visit an Apple Store and handle the different models. Screen size and keyboard feel are very personal—what looks perfect online might feel too big or small in person.

Getting Help with the Transition

Whether you buy new or refurbished, the actual switch can feel daunting. That’s where I come in. At Spurdotech, I help customers in Lewes and across East Sussex with:

Data migration: Getting everything from your old Mac to your new one safely
Setup and configuration: Making sure everything works just how you like it
Training: Showing you any new features and helping you feel confident with your new Mac
Ongoing support: Whether it’s AppleCare+ advice or just someone to call when things go wrong

I’ve done this hundreds of times, and there’s nothing quite like seeing someone’s face light up when they see how much faster their new Mac is compared to their old one.

The Bottom Line

Your 10-year-old Mac has served you well, but the jump to Apple Silicon is genuinely transformational. Whether you choose new or carefully-selected refurbished, you’re going to love the difference.

Don’t get bogged down in endless comparisons—pick something that fits your budget and needs, and you’ll be delighted with it. And if you need help making the transition smooth, you know where I am.

Ready to Make the Jump?

If you’re thinking about upgrading and want some personal advice, give me a call. I’m always happy to chat through options without any pressure—sometimes it helps just to talk it through with someone who’s seen every Mac combination imaginable.

Contact: support@spurdotech.co.uk or 01273 985310
Book a chat: /contact/book

More Mac tips and advice on my FAQ page or blog.

Neville Denness, Spurdotech, Lewes, East Sussex

Is it time to get that shiny Mac?