Time moves fast in the tech world, and Apple is no exception. The company has just designated several notable devices as ‘vintage,’ including the 2013 Mac Pro, 2019 13-inch MacBook Air, 2019 iMac, 2018 11-inch iPad Pro, 2018 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and the 128GB version of the iPhone 8. Additionally, some older products previously labeled vintage have now moved into ‘obsolete’ territory.
Most of those devices remain relatively popular – I still have a 2018 iPad Pro, and know multiple family members still rocking an iPhone 8. It’s a stark reminder of how quickly tech can become outdated.
What ‘vintage’ means for you
In Apple’s terms, vintage products tend to be those discontinued more than five years ago. You can still get these serviced at Apple Stores or Apple Authorized Service Providers, but only as long as parts remain in stock. Once supplies run out, repairs become increasingly difficult.
Consider this a warning from Apple that these products are on their way out, but not fully out the door just yet.
Moving beyond vintage, several niche Apple products have now entered ‘obsolete’ status: AirPort Express (2nd Generation), AirPort Time Capsule (2TB and 3TB), and AirPort Extreme (802.11ac).
What ‘obsolete’ means for you
Apple defines devices as obsolete once they’ve been discontinued for more than seven years, meaning the company no longer provides any hardware servicing at all. Users of obsolete devices must turn to third-party repair services or aftermarket suppliers.
If you’re still holding onto one of these aging products, now’s a good moment to consider upgrading. Apple’s newer lineup offers significant improvements in speed and security. But if you prefer to stick with your existing gear, you might want to stock up on spare parts or seek out reliable third-party repair options before they disappear altogether.