How do you decide when it’s time to replace your Mac (or switch from a PC)? Which one do you choose? What other questions are wise to ask to determine what model and configuration makes the most sense?

These are only the first questions to answer when thinking about replacing your Mac. Many more are below as I help you design a path forward toward upgraded technology.

Which Mac and Why?

When consulting with a client about choosing a new Mac, here are some of the initial questions I ask:

  1. Timing: Are you in a rush for a new Mac today? In this time, it may not be feasible to go to an Apple Store to buy a computer. If you need a custom configuration, a new Mac may take 2–3 weeks to ship. A refurbished Mac, if available, ships right away.
  2. Desktop or Laptop: Do you need it to be portable? Will you only ever use it at one desk or table? Would you benefit from using it in various rooms or traveling with it?
  3. Usage: What applications do you use? Is there anything new you aspire to do with a computer in the next 6–10 years? (Yes, it might really last that long.)
  4. Storage: How much storage are you using on your current Mac? Over what period of time have you accumulated that? Based on your answer to #3, how much more space might you need during the life of this new Mac?
  5. Budget: How much can you imagine spending? Can you afford something new or do we need to seek a used option? There are a few reliable websites with their own refurbished options and warranties that we could consider.

Semi-Stationary Option

Some clients want the flexibility of a large display when they’re home or at their desk and the ability to take their Mac to other locations, too. This is definitely an option and one many folks miss in their consideration.

You can choose a laptop with an appropriate amount of performance and connect it to an external display, keyboard, and mouse or trackpad. At your desk, the Mac can serve as a second display to increase your screen real estate or you can run it in clamshell mode (closed).

I can recommend a display that balances your needs for adjustment (tilt, swivel, height, rotation), screen quality/resolution, and cost, as well as help you decide on other peripherals.

New vs. Refurbished

A new Mac either ships from Apple’s small inventory or straight from the factory, and only the latter if you custom configure it. I only recommend buying new if the model you want isn’t available refurbished.

Does the thought of “refurbished” make your squirm? Here’s the accepted wisdom: We never know why a Mac might have been returned after being sold as new, but refurbished means it has been thoroughly tested, repaired, and certified by an Apple technician.

Certified refurbished Macs, only sold on Apple’s website, come with the same warranty as new Macs and are eligible for AppleCare as well, which I recommend. They are not custom configurable so you may need to wait for the one you want to become available. Generally, a Mac model will become available refurbished about three months after its initial release.

Finally, since a refurbished Mac was already sold once at retail, Apple cuts 15 percent off the sticker price. Besides having a friend who works for Apple, this is consistently the best deal you can get on a new Mac.

Have you or your family been using your Mac more than ever before because you’re stuck at home all the time? Is it time to consider an upgrade because your Mac is getting old and slow?

I’m here to walk through the process of choosing the right Mac for you and your needs, assist with migrating your data, and empower you to be as self-sufficient as is comfortable. We can work in person or remote, even if you’re across the country or around the world.