Apple routinely phases out service eligibility for older devices, and this month it added nine more devices to the list.
Six MacBook laptops are now considered old, including a 12-inch MacBook from early 2016, a 13-inch MacBook Air from early 2015, and several MacBook Pro models from 2015 and 2016. There are also two desktop computers. iMac Office added to List of old Apple products (Opens in a new tab)And the Both are from late 2015. Finally, the 9.7-inch iPad Pro from 2016 is also too old to go forward.
Yes, it might be time to upgrade to one of the best MacBooks or the best iPads. But before you do that, here’s what booze means to you.
What does it mean that my Apple device is “old”?
Having a device that lasts forever is a good problem. I still haven’t had a smartwatch that lasts more than two years. Fortunately for Apple users, Apple devices often last for years due to the high level of build quality.
In fact, it can often last so long that Apple cannot maintain its hardware. Apple currently has four stages of service eligibility: in-warranty, out-of-warranty, old and obsolete. Old devices are devices that have not been sold by Apple in more than five years, but less than seven years.
If you have an old device, you are not completely disqualified for service. Apple still provides limited service and parts for these devices, although this is sometimes subject to local laws and regulations. For example, French Apple users who bought a new iPhone or MacBook after December 2020 can get parts and service for up to seven years due to French law.
The final wrinkle with respect to service eligibility is that select Mac laptops may be eligible for extended battery repair only for up to 10 years from the time Apple stops selling the product. However, when in doubt, consult Apple’s list of old and obsolete products regarding service eligibility.
Is there a difference between antique and antique?
The transition to Old Model is the third of the four stages of service eligibility for Apple products. Once a product is obsolete, it has at most another two years before it becomes “obsolete”.
An old Apple product is one that has not been sold by Apple for more than seven years. These products are not eligible for service or replacement parts from Apple or its third-party partners, with the sole exception of select battery repairs only on Mac laptops (as previously discussed). Additionally, all Monster-branded Beats products are outdated by default.
If you’ve had an Apple product nearing seven years old, it might be time to get a new one, even if your product still works just fine. Once the device is outdated, you have no choice but to go to a third-party non-Apple service provider, or have it repaired yourself. Fortunately, we have all the resources you need to find an alternative, including a guide to the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro to help you choose the right laptop for you and the best guide to MacBooks for college students. The last thing you want is a device that isn’t working.
