Apple discontinued 2012 13-inch non-Retina MacBook Pro in October 2016 after remaining in production for four years and four months, but has still not listed it on the Apple article "Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty". Since the company has not sold such a machine for more than five years and less than seven years, could it be considered "vintage" nowadays?
Earlier Mac models
Generally Apple fully supports computer hardware for five years after it has been discontinued, then it becomes "Vintage" for the next two years where hardware repairs can be performed only as long as the necessary parts are still available. Seven years after an Apple computer has been discontinued, then it becomes "Obsolete" where there is no longer any hardware support. Sometimes Apple may assist you with some issues after that time, but support can vary by location. AASPs may attempt to assist people with "Obsolete" hardware, but again this can vary by AASP.
Considering Oct. 2016 + 7 years = Oct. 2023 before it becomes "Obsolete".
Seems Apple has not properly updated their "Vintage/Obsolete" article for this model laptop.
FYI, keep in mind any repairs performed while a Mac is considered "Vintage" may not have a full 90 day warranty because you may get the last available part installed during the repair, or the Mac becomes "Obsolete" during that 90 day period. It is one of the risks of having a Mac repaired while it is "Vintage". Most Apple replacement parts will be fine, but once in a while a part may fail prematurely. Just keep this in mind if you are considering any official repairs.
Generally Apple fully supports computer hardware for five years after it has been discontinued, then it becomes "Vintage" for the next two years where hardware repairs can be performed only as long as the necessary parts are still available. Seven years after an Apple computer has been discontinued, then it becomes "Obsolete" where there is no longer any hardware support. Sometimes Apple may assist you with some issues after that time, but support can vary by location. AASPs may attempt to assist people with "Obsolete" hardware, but again this can vary by AASP.
Considering Oct. 2016 + 7 years = Oct. 2023 before it becomes "Obsolete".
Seems Apple has not properly updated their "Vintage/Obsolete" article for this model laptop.
FYI, keep in mind any repairs performed while a Mac is considered "Vintage" may not have a full 90 day warranty because you may get the last available part installed during the repair, or the Mac becomes "Obsolete" during that 90 day period. It is one of the risks of having a Mac repaired while it is "Vintage". Most Apple replacement parts will be fine, but once in a while a part may fail prematurely. Just keep this in mind if you are considering any official repairs.
Apple has recently added this model to the list of obsolete products, see the link to Apple Support article "Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty" in my original post above.
By contacting Apple Support, and asking them.
Apple doesn’t have a “vintage or obsolete?” hotline.
Let us know the answer, too.
Based on what information is available from Apple, that McBook Pro model is supported.
If you want to confirm that, check with Apple.
..ET_Wobbles_Bay..
An Apple Authorized Service Provider likely could still repair the model
in question. One of the hallmarks of remaining support is repair access.
A similar series build year MacBook Pro 13-inch, in my possession;
runs Mojave 10.14.6 and does OK. Browser support from Brave &/or
Firefox versions are adequate for online use. ~An issue with mine is
the presence of a blade-type SSD; it's much like newer OEM apple,
but is not available. Yet maybe OWC has some reverse match?
How do I contact Apple regarding support status of that MacBook Pro model?
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) being "vintage" nowadays?
