Highlights
- Apple has added nine older Mac models to its ‘obsolete’ list.
- Three Macs have been added to its ‘vintage’ list.
- Obsolete products are those last sold over seven years ago.
- Vintage products were discontinued between five and seven years ago.
Apple is all set to launch the new M4 Macs soon. However, before we get to see the new Macs, the Cupertino giant has decided to mark some of its older Macs obsolete. As per a recent MacRumors report, Apple has officially ended support for a range of older Mac models.
According to MacRumors, Nine Macs have now been added to Apple’s ‘obsolete products’ list. Meanwhile, three have been classified as ‘vintage’ in the Apple Catalogue.
But what does this mean for users?
On its support page, Apple explains, “Products are considered vintage when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 5 and less than 7 years ago.” This doesn’t mean that the device will stop working but it’s just that the shelf life is further refused when a user doesn’t get regular updates.
How Does Apple Define Obsolete and Vintage Products?
Apple defines obsolete products as devices that were last sold more than seven years ago.
And what it means to have a product marked obsolete.
Well, once an Apple product is considered obsolete, Apple no longer offers repairs. Also, third-party service providers can’t order replacement parts for these products.
However, battery replacements for Mac laptops are an exception to this rule. Although it largely depends on component availability, battery replacement may be available for up to 10 years.
Vintage products, on the other hand, are the products that were discontinued between five and seven years ago.
Vintage models are still eligible for repairs. However, components most of the time become harder to find over time.
Apple declaring products obsolete or vintage marks an important shift for users holding onto older Mac models. It becomes much more difficult to find support and repairs for these devices.
Latest Additions to Apple’s Obsolete and Vintage Lists
Apple has recently marked the following nine Macs ‘obsolete’ –
- MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, 2 TBT3)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, 4 TBT3)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
- MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015)
- MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
- iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2015)
- iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015)
- iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
All the Nine Macs were preciously in Apple’s vintage list. However, Apple will no longer provide repair support for these products.
Apart from this, the three Macs recently added to the vintage list are as follows –
- MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, 2 TBT3)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, 4 TBT3)
In case you have been holding on to one of your older Macs and now find that listed above, we suggest it is time for you to get your old machines checked. The best thing you can do is to make sure it is in the best possible condition and change any parts soon if needed.
FAQs
Q1. What does it mean when an Apple product is marked as ‘obsolete’?
Answer. When an Apple product is marked as ‘obsolete’, it means the device was last sold more than seven years ago. Apple no longer offers repairs or replacement parts for these products and third-party service providers can’t order replacement parts.
Q2. Which Macbook Pros have recently been added to Apple’s ‘obsolete’ list?
Answer. The following MacBook Pro models have recently been added to Apple’s ‘obsolete’ list:
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, 2 TBT3)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, 4 TBT3)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
- MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015)
Q3. What is the difference between Apple’s ‘obsolete’ and ‘vintage’ products?
Answer. Apple classifies products as ‘obsolete’ if they were last sold more than seven years ago. ‘Vintage’ products, on the other hand, are those discontinued between five and seven years ago.
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