Amaya Tomanová Transition Appfrom Intel processors to custom chips Apple Silicon started in 2020, but its consequences are felt by owners of older MacThe effects are still felt today. Another trio of Intel laptops have now been added to the list of obsolete products Applu, which primarily means the end of official hardware service. So if any of these MacBookIf the car needs repair, its owners will have to turn to unauthorized repair shops.
It could be interest you
The new change applies to 13″ MacBookon the 2017 Pro with two Thunderbolt 3 ports, MacBooku Air s Retina with a 2018 display and a 13″ MacBooku Pro from 2018 with four Thunderbolt 3 ports. All three machines are a good illustration of how quickly the world is changing. Machas shifted over the last few years.
The oldest system is already far behind
The 13″ is the worst in terms of software MacBook Pro from 2017 with two Thunderbolt 3 ports. The last officially supported system for it is macOS Ventura, who Apple released in 2022. Of course, owners can continue to use the computer, from the point of view of the current macOS However, this model is several generations behind. It turned out a little better Retina MacBook Air from 2018. This model was a fairly fundamental step at the time, because Apple finally brought Retina display also to its most affordable notebook line. The latest supported system is macOS Sonoma.
The third newly obsolete model is the 13″ MacBook Pro from 2018 equipped with four Thunderbolt 3 ports. This one has held on to software the longest and can be officially installed on it macOS Sequoia. At the moment macOS However, Tahoe is no longer eligible.
Gallery
What the term "obsolete" really means
Apple distinguishes two important categories for older devices. Vintage refers to products that it stopped distributing more than five but less than seven years ago. Service may still be available for these, but it depends, among other things, on the availability of the necessary spare parts.
Once more than seven years have passed since the product was discontinued, Apple can mark it as obsolete. And it is precisely in this category that the now mentioned MacBooky fall under. In practice, this means that they can no longer be counted on for standard hardware service via Applu and its authorized service networks.
A broken display, motherboard problem, or other major defect may therefore mean a visit to an independent repair shop. And here a lot will depend on whether the necessary parts can be obtained and, above all, whether the repair still makes economic sense.
Intel Macy is slowly heading into history
It is this last point that is becoming increasingly important in 2026. Even an eight or nine year old MacBook It can still handle web browsing, office work, and simple tasks without any problems. However, in the case of a more expensive repair, the question becomes whether to invest a few thousand crowns in it or invest the money in a newer machine.
The difference between the last generations Macwith Intel and today's models with Apple Silicon It is significant not only in performance. The M series chips have brought significantly better energy efficiency, longer battery life and gradually also features that older Macy simply don't count.
The end of hardware support for the three other models is therefore mainly another reminder that Intel's chapter MacThese computers will of course not stop working overnight, and there is no reason to immediately throw away a working machine. However, once a more serious hardware problem occurs, the options for their owners will be significantly more limited.
Patrik Pajer 
