Apple added these MacBooks to its ‘obsolete list’: What it means for users

Apple has officially added the 2018 Retina MacBook Air, the 13‑inch 2018 MacBook Pro (four Thunderbolt 3 ports), and the 13‑inch 2017 MacBook Pro (two Thunderbolt 3 ports) to its obsolete products list. This means that the users of the above mentioned MacBook will not be able to receive hardware repairs. All three had previously been sitting on Apple's separate "vintage" list before being moved into the more restrictive obsolete category.How Apple's vintage and obsolete system worksApple's classification system runs on a fixed timeline. A product is added to the vintage list once five years have passed since Apple last distributed it for sale, and it graduates to obsolete status at the seven-year mark. The distinction between the two categories matters significantly for owners: vintage products can still be repaired at Apple retail stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers as long as Apple has the necessary parts on hand. Obsolete devices, by contrast, are generally no longer eligible for repair at all, and Apple stops manufacturing replacement components for them going forward.What it means for usersOwners of these devices should be aware of the following:* No official repairs for obsolete products like the iPad mini 4.* Limited service for vintage products like the 2017 MacBook Air, depending on parts availability.* Software updates are unlikely, which may affect app compatibility and security.* Third-party repair options may be the only alternative for maintenance.A look back at what made these models notableThe 2018 MacBook Air held a particular significance in the product line's history — it was the first Air model to include Touch ID and a Retina display, following earlier Air models that used a lower-resolution, less vibrant non-Retina screen. That same year also marked a broader redesign for the Air line, introducing smaller bezels and a thinner, lighter overall chassis.The 2017 MacBook Pro, meanwhile, ran on Intel's Kaby Lake processors and represented a fairly minor processor-focused update with few other significant changes. The following year's 2018 refresh added True Tone display support for the first time, along with a third-generation butterfly keyboard.Get the latest technology news and updates. Download the TOI App.