Several Mac models from 2009 to 2011 joins Apple's list of vintage and obsolete models starting Dec. 31 this year.
Joining the list would mean the products and devices will make the items ineligible for any official repairs or upgrades. Vintage products are identified as having been discontinued as of five to seven years ago while obsolete products have stopped being manufactured for over 7 years, according to AppleInsider.
The list of obsolete products this year includes the 2009 Mac Mini and 13-inch MacBook models. On the vintage list are early 15 and 17-inch MacBook Pros from 2011. According to 9 to 5 Mac, Apple maintains a list of vintage products but does not necessarily notify customers.
Here is the detailed list of the products that will generally be considered vintage or obsolete in the United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region come Dec. 31, 2016:
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011)
- MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011)
- Mac mini (Early 2009)
- MacBook (13-inch, mid 2009)
Those who own any of the devices listed above are advised to consider upgrading as these products will no longer be eligible for most official repairs.
iOS devices, and PCs that are no longer repairable at the resellers including the Apple Store are regarded as "vintage" or "obsolete." This is because parts for these devices can no longer be ordered anywhere or are no longer in production. Apple last updated the list of vintage and obsolete products back in October when it added the iPhone 4, 13-inch MacBook Air from late 2010, the 3rd-generation AirPort Extreme and the 2nd-generation Time Capsule.
The status of Apple devices varies from region to region. To cite an example, Apple still provides support for certain "vintage" products in California and Apple service providers in Turkey. However, "obsolete" products are no longer eligible for any support or official repairs anywhere.
