Apple Designates These 12 Macs as Vintage and Obsolete

Out with the old and in with the new, as they say. Apple has recently refreshed its lists of vintage and obsolete products, assigning new classifications to a total of 12 Mac models. If you're sporting an older Mac, this update might just include your beloved machine.

Classification Changes

On September 23, 2024, Apple made significant changes to its product support listings. Out of the 12 models highlighted, three have been added to the vintage products list, and nine have been reassigned to the obsolete products list. Let's break down what this means for you and your trusty Mac.

Vintage Products

First, let’s take a closer look at the models that have been designated as vintage:

• MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, 2 Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
• Another unspecified model, further details are included in the full Apple announcement.

So, what does vintage actually mean? Typically, this classification applies to products that were discontinued more than five years ago but less than seven years ago. Vintage Macs may still receive limited support from Apple or Apple Authorized Service Providers, depending on the availability of parts. This status can be a bit of a mixed bag—while it confirms your Mac is no longer in its prime, it also means there's still some life left in it for those lingering hardware issues.

Obsolete Products

Nine other Mac models haven't been as lucky and have transitioned from the vintage list to the obsolete category. Obsolete Macs are those that were discontinued more than seven years ago. They're no longer eligible for any hardware service or parts from Apple or Apple Authorized Service Providers.

Moving to the obsolete list means these models won't get any formal support from Apple anymore. This is a critical point for users who rely heavily on Apple’s service ecosystem.

Implications

If your Mac is on the vintage list, you might still find some respite if you run into hardware issues, but remember, this is subject to parts availability. If it's on the obsolete list, however, you're pretty much on your own. While this might seem daunting, it can also be a nudge towards exploring Apple's latest innovations.

Keeping an eye on these updates can help you make informed decisions about your tech investments. Whether it means budgeting for a new MacBook coming soon or becoming more self-reliant in terms of repairs and maintenance, knowing where your device stands is invaluable.

Conclusion

Apple's periodic updates to its vintage and obsolete lists are a reminder of the company's forward-moving strategy. For users, staying updated on these changes helps ensure that you’re never caught off guard when service needs arise. If your Mac has found its way to the vintage or obsolete list, it might just be the perfect excuse to start thinking about an upgrade!

Check Apple’s full article for a detailed breakdown of every affected model, and stay tuned for their next wave of innovative products!