Some MacBook Pro, MacBook Air & Mac mini models will become obsolete next month, lose Apple repair support

Apple will add certain MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini models to its list of vintage and obsolete products starting next month, which means the products will lose official Apple repair support through the company’s retail stores and authorized resellers.

Kicking in on December 31, 2016, the MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011) and MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011) will become vintage and obsolete in all markets where applicable, while the Mac mini (Early 2009) and MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009) will become obsolete worldwide on the same date.

Apple maintains a list of vintage and obsolete products on its website, but it doesn’t typically notify customers otherwise. Apple usually begins the process for models 5-7 years after manufacturing has been discontinued, at which time parts are no longer available to repair staff. That means that if you need a repair done on your machine, you won’t be able to go through Apple’s official channels to do so.

Vintage status applies to California and or Turkey where limited support for certain products is available for two years after products become obsolete elsewhere. So other than Turkey and California for the MacBook Pro models noted above, the other products will be obsolete in Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe (except for Turkey), Latin America, Japan, and Apple Retail Stores (except in California).

Apple last added products to the list back in October when the iPhone 4, Late 2010 13-inch MacBook Air, 3rd-generation AirPort Extreme and 2nd-generation Time Capsule became obsolete.

Macintosh Vintage in the U.S. and Turkey / Obsolete in AP/CN/EU (except Turkey)/JP/LA and Apple Retail Stores:

• MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011)
• MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011)

Macintosh Obsolete in AP/CN/EU/JP/LA/U.S. and Apple Retail Stores:

• Mac mini (Early 2009)
• MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009)