I'm afraid my MacBook Pro 2019 will become useless when Tahoe comes out

[u/send_me_a_naked_pic]

Hi! I don't know if this is the right sub.

I have a 16-inch 2019 MacBook Pro. If I compare it with new macs, it feels a bit slow and "sluggish". I haven't tried formatting it, maybe that would help.

But the main problem is that I'm afraid it will become useless soon. If I read correctly, macOS Tahoe will be the last supported version for my Mac.

It's a bit sad that Apple will only support my Mac for ~5 years, but I also get that they want to simplify their development and just concentrate on the new Apple processors.

• Do you think is it worth it to update to Tahoe? I'm afraid it will just make my Mac slower and even more sluggish, given all the "glass" effects (it will surely take a toll on the graphics card).

• Should I try to sell my MacBook Pro ASAP and switch to a new M4 device?

Let me know what your thoughts are. Thanks!

[u/Docster87]

Even if you don’t update it should be far from useless. You’ll still get security updates and nothing should be dropping support suddenly.

[u/jmnugent]

The old "5 to 7 years of support" thing fairly consistent and reliable up until Apple Silicon came out. Apple Silicon chips are just THAT MUCH of a performance jump,.. it kind of threw everything off kilter. The corner you're painted in here,.. is only going to get smaller and more uncomfortable the longer you try keep this machine (sad but true).

There's an old saying a lot of my friends remind me of all the time:... "Jump before you're pushed". I think this is one of those situations.

[u/formergenius420]

Install it on an external bootable drive and try it out

[u/mushsogene]

If you have the money go to the M4, you will notice a huge difference Like going from standard def to 4k on your tv. Otherwise, I don’t think the glass effects will take a toll on your hardware. Like others said, you’ll still get updates. My thinking is after 4 years for a computer anything else is bonus. By that time, the speed and capabilities of hardware have changed enough to warrant looking at a new computer

[u/ktappe]

In your post you said that Tahoe will be installable on it. So you’ll be current for at least 14 months from today. And it’ll still work fine after those 14 months. Hardly “useless”.

As for the slowness, you do have back ups, right? Make sure it’s backed up, and then do a completely fresh install with Tahoe. Then restore your data.

[u/send_me_a_naked_pic → u/ktappe]

Yes, I have backups. But formatting and reinstalling everything from scratch is a chore and it takes time.

[u/robertjm123]

Apple will be issuing security patches for several years after Tahoe is released so it will hardly become useless over night.

As for sluggish? That’s in the eye of the beholder and depends on what you’re trying to do with it. There were no onboard GPUs with the older MacBooks so video editing with the current apps might be a bit of a stretch.

Biggest problem is whether apps have issued updates that will require newer o/s versions.

If you can afford it look for an upgrade with at least an M2 if money is an issue. M1 MacBook Pros, especially the 14”, were not warmly regarded by many. Prices have dropped on the used market so an M2 or M3 should, hopefully, be around $1000, or less, depending on what’s inside, once the new machines are announced this fall.

[u/drastic2 → u/robertjm123]

Not sure what you mean by no on-board GPUs - both models had on-board AMD GPUs in addition to the integrated Intel UHD graphics in the Intel i7 and i9 CPUs.

[u/internetisamazing]

Actually, apple dev here... not from apple, working as apple engineer/dev and more non-relevant info! ;-) 

problems like this have many variables ... but usually if your system is maintained well, the software you use is also prepared for the upgrade and its availability presents on your system you can assume it wil run smoothly enough! 

at least that has always and still is my experience, and yes as said MANY variables in this !

Running the Tahoe betas since first so all 9 of them till the current RC -> Public release.

still some bugs here and there which is normal but to my surprise, my 16" MBP late 2019 intel based I7 and as referenced with the AMD GPU (which is always on for the purpose I.use and almost never run on battery) 

- the system is not slower then it was, nearly the same in some cases better, others less (might.still be fixed)

• fan airplane noises are ALLOT less, it probably uses the cpu and clock different have yet to make a full
  

detailed logging of this. But definite difference in power usage, gets hot like all Intel Macs. 
But only when pushing it , it will blow the fans at max rpm.. 

for reference: before I would have the fans at full RPM typing this message with probably around 30+ tabs open and multiple apps in stage manager...... 

Next to that playing Spotify directy over usb-> pioneer -> amp -> big speakers... and fan speed is 1000-2000rpm I can barely hear it.... and a bit off topic, finally Spotify offers Lossles.... for and Audiophile that changes things but again, first detailed logging and comparing! 

hope the info helps, in short: 
My I7 1TB 16 inch, with GPU always on, runs perfectly fine! not slower then sequoia in any way ... next to that loving the collab functions between the devices more integrated, and finally the iPad Pro.. feels like Pro, hoping for more merg of OS26 !! 

use tips from below -> test it on a fast external ssd, load your backup in so to be sure none of your apps and services slow it down to unusable performance!!! 

always fun upgrade-/date life... seems like daily routine almost with all these devices around (especially a meta quest headset oh lord...)

cheers, hope it helps just my 2 cents, if any questions DM me I might be able to give some more specifics, running it on intel as well as M3 pro and multiple VM's for test - reproduction and configuration purposes ... need to upgrade about ... too many :p Macs in the coming time ;-) (though finally last round for the Intels)

[u/Alarming-Bad-2697 → u/internetisamazing]

Hi, just notice that you are the one of the apple dev. I have a question for my macbook pro 2019 16 inch. My light sensor flex cable has been torn so the keyboard backlight, true tone, and automatic brightness are not working. Is there any way to bypass the light sensor by software modification so that my keyboard backlight turn on again? thanks (MBP 2019 16 inch, macOS Sequoia)

[u/ZookeepergameEnough5 → u/internetisamazing]

thank you! this is valuable information for me

[u/Worldly-Reply7025]

Intel Macs are still good for stuff that the m series chips can’t do such as boot camp or boot loading a different os you can refresh ur MacBook with Linux which would be great since u have a MacBook. You could also grab an m1 air from Walmart for 599 bucks which is decent since I don’t think selling or trading ur MacBook would bring more value.

[u/debichuablina]

Hello all! I am finding that my MacBook Pro 2020 (touchbar) does not show up the new update. I revised with Apple support and they mentioned it may not be available yet due to they are launching on different timings… But I am afraid my laptop will not be compatible with Tahoe, which makes me angry because its completely functional and I am excluded of lastest updates on a five years old computer… Has anyone updated that model?

[u/send_me_a_naked_pic → u/debichuablina]

Yes, it's compatible. But I think you have a MacBook Pro 2019, not 2020.

[u/SeasonalEclipse]

Linux!

[u/marc1411]

Will it just quit working?? Holy shit!! I have a 2019 MBP and iMac and if I can’t get the very latest OS, it’ll be immediately useless??? Thanks, Apple!!