Apple has recently updated its inventory of obsolete and vintage devices, which now includes 12 models of MacBook and iMac. For those unfamiliar with the terminology, vintage Apple products are those that have not been sold for over five years but less than seven years. In contrast, a product is classified as obsolete once seven years have elapsed since it was last sold.
Below are the newly categorized devices:
Vintage | Obsolete |
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It’s essential to understand the critical distinction between vintage and obsolete Apple products. Obsolete devices no longer qualify for official repairs, as Apple has halted providing replacement parts for these models (this exclusion does not include MacBook batteries). Conversely, vintage device owners can still have their products serviced and repaired at Apple Stores and through authorized service providers for up to two additional years, as long as parts are available.
Interestingly, some of the vintage Apple computers are still receiving software updates. For instance, the 2018 13-inch MacBook Pro continues to get the latest macOS Sequoia update, although the feature set is limited.
The oldest Apple computer capable of running macOS updates is the 2017 iMac Pro, which aligns closely with Microsoft’s Windows 11 upgrade policy, which mandates using a device from 2017 or later. Similarly to Windows 11, there are ways to install newer macOS on unsupported Macs.
You can view the comprehensive list of obsolete and vintage Apple products on the official Apple support website (via MacRumors).
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