Apple MacBook Models That Will Become Obsolete Soon

A leaked memo reveals the devices that Apple will start considering as “vintage” and “obsolete” in the near future, which signals the need for users to upgrade in the next few months or years.

Apple is known for providing long-term support for its devices, allowing consumers to use years-old iPhones, iPads, Macs and other iDevices for many years to come. The iPhone 6S, for example, can still be upgraded to run on iOS 13 even when it was released in September of 2015 – almost five years not. That's the kind of support Cupertino gives to its users.

A leaked memo, however, reveals the MacBooks that Apple will consider “vintage” or “obsolete” in the near future. The memo, obtained by MacRumors, indicates that MacBooks manufactured in 2013 and 2014 will be added to the dreaded vintage and obsolete products list at the end of this month. These devices include the following:

• MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2013)
• MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2013)
• MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2014)
• MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2014)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2014)

The inclusion of these devices on the list doesn't mean that they will stop working or will become useless, Cult of Mac noted. It simply means that it will be difficult to get them serviced, or will be virtually impossible to have them serviced when some problems arise.

As per Apple, vintage products are those that have not been manufactured for more than five years ago, but less than seven years ago. These devices can still be serviced for hardware issues via Apple service providers and Apple Retail Stores. Service, however, will be based on the availability of needed parts or components.

While servicing vintage products could prove to be quite difficult, getting software upgrades is easy. The 2012 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, as well as the iMacs released late in 2012, for example, are already considered vintage but can still be upgraded to run on macOS Catalina, Apple said.

Obsolete products, on the other hand, are those that have not been manufactured, or discontinued, for seven years or more. Apple has stopped manufacturing parts and components for these devices, which means service providers will not be able to acquire parts for servicing.