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Apple’s policy is to support all hardware models for at least 5 years, 7 in some jurisdictions.

• speed_spread 5y ago
  Considering that ten year old computers are still usable today, it means that the supported lifetime of Apple hardware is half of what it could be. And it's not just the computer itself but the whole ecosystem that gets the boot periodically. Last year I built a Linux-based 24 track digital studio on the cheap by buying Firewire soundcards that no longer worked on the latest Macs. Great hardware that otherwise still worked perfectly.
  • stalfosknight 5y ago
    It’s more that Apple is striking a balance between a reasonable hardware support timeframe and moving their software platforms forward with at a certain velocity without excessive legacy baggage. Waste is a legitimate concern and Apple has very convenient trade-in and recycling programs to address that.
    • speed_spread 5y ago
      We wouldn't have to recycle as much if it was easier to reuse the machines in the first place. It's still planned obsolescence.