Apple has updated its vintage and obsolete products list, and this time it affects several widely used devices, including the Apple TV HD, iPad mini 4, and an older MacBook Air model, which means some users will now face limited or no repair options depending on their device.
Apple revised its official support document and moved multiple products into different lifecycle categories based on when they were last sold, not when they first launched.
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Devices are now obsolete/vintage
Apple added the following devices to its lists:
- Obsolete products:
- Apple TV HD (32GB)
- iPad mini 4 (Wi-Fi)
- iPad mini 4 (Wi-Fi + Cellular)
- Vintage products:
- MacBook Air (13-inch, 2017)
Apple uses clear timelines to define these categories, and the company explains:
“Products are considered vintage when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 5 and less than 7 years ago. […] Products are considered obsolete when Apple stopped distributing them for sale more than 7 years ago.” — Apple Support
That definition directly affects how long devices receive official service support, and it explains why even relatively newer models can already fall into the vintage category.
Vintage devices still qualify for repairs through Apple and authorized service providers, but availability depends on whether spare parts remain in stock, which often becomes a challenge as devices age.
Obsolete devices no longer receive any hardware service from Apple, so users must rely on third-party repair options or consider upgrading.
The MacBook Air (13-inch, 2017) stands out here because it marked the final pre-Retina design before Apple redesigned the lineup in 2018, and now it joins other older models as repair support starts to phase out.
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