Apple Adds Three More Macs to Obsolete Products List

Apple has expanded its list of obsolete Mac products, adding three new devices to the roster. The 2018 Retina MacBook Air, the 13-inch 2018 MacBook Pro with four Thunderbolt 3 ports, and the 13-inch 2017 MacBook Pro with two Thunderbolt 3 ports are now considered obsolete. Previously, these three models were part of the vintage list, but have since been moved to the more restrictive obsolete category.

Apple designates a product as vintage after five years since its last sale, and obsolete at the seven-year mark. Vintage Macs can still be repaired at Apple retail locations and by authorized service providers, provided parts are available. Devices classified as obsolete, however, generally do not qualify for repair, and Apple ceases production of repair components.

For Mac laptops, Apple maintains a battery-only repair policy for up to ten years post-last sale, meaning 2017/2018 MacBook Pro and 2018 MacBook Air owners may still be able to receive battery replacements. The 2018 MacBook Air was the first in the Air series to feature Touch ID and a Retina display. Earlier MacBook Air models possessed non-Retina displays with lower resolution and less vivid colors.

The 2018 MacBook Air marked a redesign with thinner, lighter chassis and smaller bezels. The 2017 MacBook Pro employed Intel's Kaby Lake processors, representing a minor processor update with few other changes. The 2018 refresh introduced True Tone display support and a third-generation keyboard with butterfly keys.