Malcolm Owen
Apple will be placing its first models of MacBook Pro equipped with the Touch Bar to its list of vintage products at the end of July.
Apple regularly designates its hardware as "vintage" or "obsolete" over time, with a small list of much-loved products consigned to the vintage collection each year. For July 2022, the additions include the first Touch Bar-equipped products.
The list of products that will be vintage includes the 2016 editions of the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro, along with the 2016 12-inch MacBook, and the 2015 MacBook Air, an internal memo obtained by MacRumors states. The list also includes the 2015 21.5-inch iMac and 2015 Retina 5K 27-inch iMac.
Apple will also be deeming the 9.7-inch iPad Pro as vintage at the same time, the memo continued. All products will be designated as vintage on July 31.
A "vintage" classification is given to products five years after Apple stopped distributing it for sale. Vintage products aren't typically serviced as easily as non-vintage items, but it is possible for parts to become available and for servicing to occur in rare circumstances.
After seven years of unavailability, a product is deemed "Obsolete," and are not eligible for hardware servicing at Apple Stores or via authorized repair centers, with "no exceptions."
The addition of the MacBook Pro models to the list would be fitting for the Touch Bar, as it is a feature that Apple has almost completely distanced itself from in its current roster. Out of all MacBook Pro models available for sale, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is the last to use it.
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11 Comments
In Macbook history, butterfly keyboard and touch bar were forward looking features but overtime most customers started disliking them more. To me. Macbook/s with those features were vintage from the Day one.
Touch Bar and Butterfly are the worst implementations by Apple. They're horrible. I had them and as soon as Apple announced MacBooks with scissor style keyboard, I traded in for it.
Jony Ive's 'jump the shark' moment.
Also the 13” MacBook pro will not be getting Ventura.
I don't quite understand Apple's declaring models vintage. I have a 2011 11"MacBook Air, i7 processor, and it's still a remarkably usable computer. The cam has failed for whatever reason, but otherwise it's performance is more than adequate for my light duty tasks. And to be quite honest I find it's High Sierra operating system less buggy and more convenient than the Mojave OS on my M1 MacBook Pro.