Would it be worth it to get EV3 and expect them to last (software wise)?

A LEGO robotics enthusiast and student recently raised important questions about the long-term viability of the classic LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 system after discovering that their school district upgraded to newer Spike Prime equipment. The student, who has been experimenting with unused EV3 kits and hopes to purchase them from the district, specifically inquired about the platform's future software support after noticing official listings indicate support ending in the summer of 2026.

The core concern centers on whether the EV3 software will completely stop functioning or become obsolete once the official support window closes in 2026. While LEGO provides robust programming environments for its robotics lines, approaching end-of-life dates for legacy software often spark worries among hobbyists and educational users regarding hardware compatibility with modern operating systems and future updates.

For students and robotics fans looking to invest in older hardware or set up a home lab, ensuring long-term usability is crucial. If you plan on building and programming complex robotic creations with legacy or current kits, you might want to keep your workspace organized with a LEGO storage box to keep all your sensors, motors, and cables sorted.