Apple promises that iPhone, iPad, iPod and Mac products can get repaired by Apple Stores or authorized service providers for five years after the product is no longer manufactured. According to an Apple internal memo leaked to MacRumors, the products passing the five-year mark at the end of April 2020 are:

• MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2013)
• MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2013)
• MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2014)
• MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2014)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2014)

All these models will be listed as vintage, not obsolete.

Some Apple products are vintage, others are obsolete

macOS and iOS computers and peripherals are considered vintage five years after they were last manufactured. With this designation, they can still get serviced by Apple and authorized service providers, but that’s “subject to availability of inventory,” according to Apple.

Vintage Macs can even get operating system upgrades. The 2012 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models classified as vintage are also on Apple’s list of computers compatible with macOS Catalina, the latest version.

After two more years, products are labeled obsolete, which is the end of the line for authorized repairs. “Apple has discontinued all hardware service for obsolete products with no exceptions. Service providers cannot order parts for obsolete products,” notes the Mac maker.

While this sounds harsh, the “newer” MacBooks currently classified as obsolete were made in 2011.