Apple Says Thunderbolt Display and Original iPad Air Now Obsolete

[MacRumors]

Apple today added the Thunderbolt Display and the first-generation iPad Air to its obsolete products list, meaning the devices are no longer eligible for repairs or other hardware service at Apple Stores or Apple Authorized Service Providers.

Apple classifies a product as obsolete once more than seven years have passed since the company stopped distributing it for sale. Apple discontinues all hardware service for obsolete products, and service providers cannot order parts for obsolete products. Both the Thunderbolt Display and the original iPad Air were discontinued in 2016.

Introduced in 2011, the Thunderbolt Display featured a 27-inch screen with 1440p resolution, a 720p camera, three USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire 800 port, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a Thunderbolt port. Priced at $999, the Thunderbolt Display was the last Apple-branded monitor until the Pro Display XDR launched in 2019.

The original iPad Air launched in 2013 and featured a 9.7-inch display and the A7 chip. It was advertised as being 20% thinner and 28% lighter, and having 43% narrower display bezels, compared to the previous-generation iPad.

Apple also classified the fifth-generation entry-level iPad as vintage. Apple considers a product to be vintage once more than five years have passed since the company stopped distributing it for sale, but repairs and service may still be available until the product becomes obsolete in two more years, subject to parts availability.

Article Link: Apple Says Thunderbolt Display and Original iPad Air Now Obsolete

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

I didn't know displays could be "obsolete"

 

[RayK]

I thought this was years ago.

 

[crsh1976]

I didn't know displays could be "obsolete"

As in they no longer offer updates, support or repairs for it - it still works, but you're on your own.

 

[canadianreader]

Just in time for xrOS virtual 4k, 5k monitors 🤔

 

[msackey]

I didn't know displays could be "obsolete"

well...just like human eyes can develop glaucoma, so too can displays become obsolete. LOL.

I have an Apple Thunderbolt display. It's running usually mostly well but very occasionally has a high frequency whine. I hope this display lasts me another 2 decades!

 

[Yorkieray]

I still occasionally use my iPad Air and that will continue, until it stops working.

 

[blazerunner]

Thunderbolt was always obsolete. It's been over a decade since thunderbolt has been on the market and I've still NEVER seen anyone use it.

 

[Deedlez]

😢 The Thunderbolt display was awesome - shameApple's latest screens are too pricey, even compared to the TB display!

 

[McWetty]

Sounds like a great time to offer a newer version of the Thunderbolt Display that’s cheaper and less SoCs than the Studio Display.

 

[antiprotest]

So is Tim Cook but he keeps chugging.

 

[msackey]

Thunderbolt was always obsolete. It's been over a decade since thunderbolt has been on the market and I've still NEVER seen anyone use it.

I've used Thunderbolt. It's not an Apple-only port. It's an industry standard and I have seen others use it. It's not as common as USB. The latest version of Thunderbolt now uses the same USB C plug and port that you're familiar with. Apple came out with a Thunderbolt adapter that allows the older style plug to be compatible with the newer Thunderbolt 3 port which is the USB C port.

One place one would have more likely have seen Thunderbolt ports and plugs is in the video editing industry.

 

[bsbeamer]

This is the biggest issue with the latest Apple monitors that run a version of iOS and require firmware updates. Once they're "obsolete" they'll likely be left unsupported. Probably isn't an issue for the average person at home, but is an issue for businesses and government.

 

[cpnotebook80]

Still have my cinema display (2013) with mini display port and been working fine for a long time as my secondary monitor. I do not remember if these monitor have firmware updates or if they were, not sure how they were updated.

 

[alexandr]

I thought this was years ago.

Right? I thought this happened already..

 

[xxray]

Does anyone know where I can get that Thunderbolt Display wallpaper?

 

[gsurf123]

This is the biggest issue with the latest Apple monitors that run a version of iOS and require firmware updates. Once they're "obsolete" they'll likely be left unsupported. Probably isn't an issue for the average person at home, but is an issue for businesses and government.

It’s an issue fir the home user if their product stops working because of not getting firmware updates. When you buy a monitor you expect it to last until it dies just like the thunderbolt monitors I purchased in 2011. They just keep working.

 

[ignatius345]

😢 The Thunderbolt display was awesome - shameApple's latest screens are too pricey, even compared to the TB display!

The Thunderbolt Display came out in 2011 priced at $999. That's close to $1400 in today's dollars. The Apple Studio Dispay sells for $1600. So, it's gotten about 15% more expensive to buy a big Apple display. I'd say that's worth it given the increased resolution alone.

Everyone seems to somehow forget about inflation when saying Apple's products are "too expensive." Fact is, Apple's products have always been expensive -- and in a lot of cases they actually used to cost a lot more. Go back and check the prices of Apple laptops with an inflation calculator open. Puts in into perspective.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Does anyone know where I can get that Thunderbolt Display wallpaper?

Google image search is your friend: nebula-forming-in-the-blue-sky-dt_en-US-91332.html

 

[scsskid]

Does anyone know where I can get that Thunderbolt Display wallpaper?

Every Default macOS Wallpaper - in Glorious 6K Resolution - 512 Pixels

Every major version of Mac OS X macOS has come with a new default wallpaper. As you can see, I have collected them all here. While great in their day, the early wallpapers are now quite small in the world of 5K and 6K displays. If you want to see detailed screenshots of every release […]

512pixels.net

 

[oneMadRssn]

I wish someone would make an all-in-one adapter to modernize the Thunderbolt display. It would need a USB-C with PD on one end, and Thunderbold 2 and Magsafe on the other end.

I know you can frankenstein it using a Thunderbolt 2 to USB-C adapter, a Magsafe to USB-C adapter, and USC-C hub with USB-C PD input, but that's a mess.

 

[alexandr]

Still have my cinema display (2013) with mini display port and been working fine for a long time as my secondary monitor. I do not remember if these monitor have firmware updates or if they were, not sure how they were updated.

Me too — still work on my 30". It's just beautiful.

 

[crsh1976]

Thunderbolt was always obsolete. It's been over a decade since thunderbolt has been on the market and I've still NEVER seen anyone use it.

A company I worked at 2011-2014 had bought about 100 of them for our open space, best monitor I ever used at the time too - admittedly we all used Macs already, so it just worked flawlessly.

But TB2 is dead tech, 1440p is no longer a top-end resolution by any stretch, not to mention those thick borders that look awful now.

If you still have a working one today it's perfectly usable, but otherwise there's much better out there nowadays.

 

[Longplays]

Does not meant you have to stop using them. It only means it won't receive further Security Updates.

 

[GeoStructural]

well...just like human eyes can develop glaucoma, so too can displays become obsolete. LOL.

I have an Apple Thunderbolt display. It's running usually mostly well but very occasionally has a high frequency whine. I hope this display lasts me another 2 decades!

My display is showing some discoloration around the corners and the cable is giving away too, the other day my cat moved it a little bit and it got disconnected. I have had it since 2013 or 2014, so I think it is ok, they do have a working life and that’s completely normal.