A new group of desktop Macs will soon become obsolete. Is yours listed? | Mashable.
When will your Mac desktop computer become obsolete?
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| Credit: Olly Curtis/MacFormat Magazine/Future Via Getty Images |
Apple is rumored to be launching a few desktop lines and new models this year and, with that, support for some of the older computers has got to go. Is your Mac about to become obsolete? Or does Apple still consider it to be "vintage?" What does any of this mean?! What about your old iPhone that's barely hanging on.
Fret not! Mashable will help break it all down for you and let you know if you should start thinking about upgrading your Mac soon.
Obsolete desktop Macs
When a Mac becomes obsolete, that's the end of the road for that particular Apple product. Apple typically supports products for a minimum of five years from when it was last distributed by the company. Parts, if they are available, can also be obtained by Apple for up to seven years as required by law.
However, after that seven-year period, your Mac is totally on its own. Apple will no longer service it or provide parts for that product.
Now, note, it's not more than 7 years since you bought it. Apple products are obsolete if it's been more than 7 years since Apple stopped officially selling them. So, even your old Mac probably has a pretty healthy lifespan if you bought it fairly close to launch, as Apple will likely continue selling the model for at least a few years after its release date.
But, still, maybe you have an obsolete Mac. Here are some of the desktop models that have recently been put out to pasture.
iMacs released in late 2012 and earlier
Mac Minis released in late 2012 and earlier
Mac Pros released in mid-2010 and earlier
Apple also lists extremely old lines like the Power Mac, eMac, and even the original Apple computer as obsolete. It should go without saying that these products are no longer supported by the company.
Vintage desktop Macs
If your Mac isn't on that list, don't celebrate just yet. You might have what Apple calls a "vintage" Mac. Apple products are considered vintage if they fall between that five and seven year stretch between now and when Apple stopped selling them.
This means that these Macs are on their way to being obsolete so perhaps start saving up for a new one.
iMac (21.5-inch, Early 2013)
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013)
iMac (27-inch, Late 2013)
iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2014)
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014)
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Mid 2015)
Mac Pro (Mid 2012)
It can be sad (especially for your wallet) to see your trusty Mac computer become obsolete. Apple discontinues these products because, according to the company, its technologically become out-of-date hardware-wise. And, honestly, since the M1-powered Macs were released, it's true. Apple's own M1 chip is lightyears ahead of these old Intel-powered Macs in speed and processing power.
If you see your Mac on this list and are looking for a new, affordable desktop computer, I highly recommend the Mac Mini M1.
The moment you buy one.
ReplyDeleteRandy Potter you’re thinking of Windows and all its subsidiary programs, needed a big fix and a security patch.
Deleteyea ok enjoy your last gen hardware.
DeleteDon't know what it is with Apple, one thing they like to push the enviro-woke stuff when they sell limited use throwaway computers, music players, tablets, and phones.
ReplyDeleteA follow-up story, or at least a mention of how to properly dispose of the old Mac, would be appropriate here.
ReplyDeleteit to a place that recycles electronics. There ya go.
Deleteyes am concerned about the fact that it just died and I wasn’t able to erase the info. So, there’s that. Not sure what to do. Also some places do not accept larger electronics.
Deletemaybe you should contact Apple instead of posting about it on Facebook?
Deletemaybe you could just keep on scrolling.
Delete🤣🤣🤣
Deletegood luck.
My iBook still works.
ReplyDeleteMy 2006 Cheese Grater is running just fine thank you
ReplyDeleteIf you buy it on a Tuesday, probably on Wednesday?
ReplyDeleteyou’re thinking of Windows and all its subsidiary programs, needed a big fix and a security patch.
DeleteLast year apple hopes.
ReplyDeleteI’m still running my 27” from 2015. I fear it won’t make the cut soon
ReplyDeleteI saw a 2010 one with a recent operating system so I’m guessing it was a crack of some sort
ReplyDeleteIt is. Graphics card failure recently. Machine is a 27 inch brick. And the old imas with a dvd drive is a heavy beast.
ReplyDeleteKudos to Apple for recycling for me and returning the HDD. the mach8)e was 10 years old.
Every two years.
ReplyDeleteWhen they forcefully implant a chip in to your head .
ReplyDelete2 weeks after you turn it on!!!
ReplyDeleteI switched to windows years ago, never going back 🥂
ReplyDeleteLol when I no longer need or want it 😉
ReplyDeleteTired of everything becoming obsolete before it’s broken. Soon we will become obsolete.
ReplyDeleteSoon as the video card goes bad again.
ReplyDelete5 years if the hardware doesn’t fail… whcih happens literally at the five year mark of buying it
ReplyDeletemy last two Mac‘s both survived 10 years each. Only had to replace them because you can no longer update the software.
Deleteawesome l. My last 4 macs had to be repaired under applecare under the 5 year mark. Battery problems mostly. The last one logicboard
DeleteIt is as soon as you buy it !
ReplyDeletenever owned one, I guess. Five years at minimum.
DeleteWell, the last 2 iMac’s I’ve owned lasted 10 years each. Only needing to replace them because I can no longer update the software. Which is total BS! Same as my laptop. It’s infuriating that you can’t upgrade after 10 years of the computer working flawlessly. It still works and I have to throw it away. Welcome to the throw away culture.
ReplyDeleteObsolete chips and design flat can’t handle eventually technological changes. Can’t expect backward compatibility forever. I would be thankful for the 10 years of use you got demo your machines.
DeleteHmmm, I can upgrade all my other computers. And I am thankful for 10 years of ease. They should easily be able to upgrade a working station. I’ve built computers since the 80’s.
Deleteyou can’t upgrade the software because your technology is out of date just like every tech becomes eventually not longer able to run new programs 🤭
Deletethrow away culture is at least able to be avoided by using Linux on a computer that loses support
Deletetotally agree I get 10 plus out of mine also….
Deleterun Linux on it, I'm porting my 2011 Mac mini to Ubuntu studio whilst the 2015 maxed model can handle the big boy stuff.
DeleteI agree 💯# ‼️
Deleteand you can upgrade old technology if they’re not Mac’s proprietary protected rights.
Deletewell I’m not sure what the problem is I have a 27” iMac, iPhone 13pro, iPhone X, iPad from 2011, iPad 2022 9th generation and a Mac air from 2016 and they all are used 🤷🏽♂️
Deletewhat year is the iMac? iPhone 13 is still new. iPhone X still new. iPad from 2011 is the only thing that will be out of date for software upgrades soon. Your browser won’t work right. And then Comcast will send you notices that your system software needs to be upgraded. You can no longer upgrade 10 year old software.
DeleteI replaced my workhorse 2007 iMac in 2019. Only because I went from Adobe 6 to CC.
ReplyDeleteMacs, LOL.
ReplyDeleteSoftware: 10 years
ReplyDeleteHardware: before you bought it 🤣
Macs will work for a lot longer than Windows computers, and the OS upgrades are smooth and very backward compatible. In fact, a Mac will present the problem that you want to buy a new Mac, but the old one just won't die.
ReplyDeleteBefore you buy it, anyone with half a brain would build a PC instead.
ReplyDeleteI’m poor I can’t afford a cheeseburger let alone a Mac computer. I guess I’m learning a lesson in life?
ReplyDeleteWay longer than a windows machine, which would become bloated and slow
ReplyDeletethats a myth, mac or PC if you reinstall operating system or upgrade hardware it runs like new again for regular stuff
Deletehaving used both I canon honestly say that a Mac OS hans onto its soeed way longer than a windows machine. But yes of course a reinstall will sort the issue.
DeleteI've used many versions of linux, mac and windows. Theres too many variables to say that one can "last longer" than the other, like differences in CPU, ram, storage speed, programs installed ect ect Regardless of what OS you use, hardware upgrades and a fresh OS install always will bring it back to how it was when new
DeleteI had to buy a new Apple laptop, because my old one would not work with TurboTax any longer.  I hit the end of the road with operating system updates on it. 
ReplyDeleteWhen you buy it. They are overpiriced crap.
ReplyDeleteLinux always can give life to obselete mac
ReplyDeletesometimes. Apple really made that harder 2016+
DeleteI have a 2011 27” iMac and it’s still working fine.
ReplyDeleteI've got a 2007 iMac, it's rather slow but it still works.
ReplyDeleteMy Mac from 2008 is still working, the Os became end of support after 3 years, but with Linux, it's still usable. I didn't buy an M1-M2 because they don't support Linux yet.
ReplyDeleteSux if you are running legacy software that is incompatible with newer OSs. 😕
ReplyDeleteOn the next firmware update
ReplyDeleteProbably when they stop upgrading their OS.
ReplyDeleteBuy a PC, you'll thank me later 👍
ReplyDeleteThe day you buy it 😂
ReplyDeleteDEFINE "OBSOLETE ." I PLAN TO SEND MY AIR MAC BY BALLOON IN MY WILL INTO SPACE WHEN MY BODY EXPIRES ON EARTH.
ReplyDeleteMY AIR MAC IS WORKING 24/7 AFTER 12 YEARS I HAVE NOW REPLACED THE BATTERY ITS BEEN WITH ME WOLRDWIDE I PLAN TO USE IT UNTIL I DIE IN CENTRAL AMERICA MY DRIVING LICENCE HAS ONLY GIVEN ME 2033 ON IT
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