[Update: According to MacRumors, the 2012 15″ MacBook Pro vintage date has been pushed back to Dec. 31, 2018]
Apple adding a six-year-old Mac model to its “vintage” list shouldn’t come as a surprise. However, it might feel premature considering the latest addition is a Retina model that still performs admirably for many owners.
According to Apple’s Vintage and Obsolete Products page, the mid-2012 15” MacBook Pro with Retina display – its first-ever Retina Mac model – has been added to the list as a vintage product. Vintage products are those that have not been manufactured for more than 5 and less than 7 years ago, meaning Apple is no longer obligated to provide hardware service or replacement parts in most locations.
The MacBook Pro with Retina was first unveiled in June 2012 at WWDC. Later that year, a 13” model was released, however, that model is not yet on the vintage or obsolete list. In addition to a new display, the 2012 MacBook Pro also removed the optical drive and Ethernet port, and featured Thunderbolt, USB and an SD card slot.
If you own the 2012 15” MacBook Pro with Retina display, OWC can help you make it far from “vintage”. Visit our My Upgrades page to find out which upgrades you can take advantage of to make your MacBook run like new.
By upgrading your “vintage” or “obsolete” Mac, you’ll not only bring a new world of performance possibilities, you’ll also avoid unnecessarily creating electronic waste. You can even purchase Used Macs from OWC and get a new-to-you Mac while saving money. Used Macs from MacSales.com are OWC Warranted and backed by OWC’s expert support team.
What is the best printer to go with 2012 model Mac Pro Book OS X
6 years old, 2 newer models available, no surprise here!
The 2012 Mac mini will be on the list next when the new model comes out.
I bet they cannot wait to do the same to the 2013 MBP-ret and close out the books on the 4 worst years of Laptop defects. My company has sadly had many of these models and no longer think that highly of Apple. Repairs were simply replacing the logic board with another logic board which may or may not one day develop the same issue. http://www.apple.com/ca/support/macbookpro-videoissues/
Would I be correct in assuming that the non-Retina MacBookPro9,2 (13-inch, Mid 2012) model released at the same time as the Retina model not only remains supported, but will remain so until 2023 because it remained on sale until 2016?
That’s the 13-inch that still has the built in DVD/CD drive, right? If I remember correctly, that’s been one of the of the best selling models for a long time running. Parts for that should be available for a long time.
Warren, last yr I went out for a new Mac laptop and discovered that the mid-2012 Pro is maybe the last upgradable on the list – RAM, batt., drives, etc.
At a cost < $1,000 I couldn't pass it up – threw in SSD and I'm a happy camper. Now, if I traveled much I'd want one a the impossibly light ones – but my phone, with iCloud/Files does just about all . . Tom