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Apple to Obsolete Select 2009 to 2011 Macs at End of Year

macduke said:
I had an early 2011 15" MBP that I replaced with the retina 2012 model. They aren't significantly different hardware wise. That 2011 model was and still should be pretty powerful. It has a quad-core i7 and SSD with a graphics card plenty powerful enough to drive a non-retina display. Can't remember, does this mean it won't get macOS updates either?

We're coming into a weird age where computers aren't getting much faster each year but companies are still having to obsolete older ones despite the fact that they still run fine. It's weird and seems wasteful.
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Agreed...this does seem really odd and premature. I have 3x 2011 mac minis (all with SSDs) and one 2011 15" MacBook Pro, also with an SSD. They are used daily and all run exceptionally well. The performance of the latest 2016 machines is probably only around 2x better for many tasks.

It also seems odd that the 2011 15" MBPro is placed on the vintage list, but not the 2011 mac mini. They share exactly the same quad core processor range. If anything the MBPro is more powerful since it has a dedicated graphics card on board...
 
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840quadra said:
2011 feels a bit rushed TBH, but I guess that is still a good run for HW support. Hopefully OS support is continued for a considerable time.
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I think it's unlikely these models will be getting the next year's macOS upgrade. And I think that's reasonable. If people want to be taking advantage of all the great features and innovations in the newest versions of macOS then they really need to help support Apple by buying new systems. 5 years is long enough.
 
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macduke said:
I had an early 2011 15" MBP that I replaced with the retina 2012 model. They aren't significantly different hardware wise. That 2011 model was and still should be pretty powerful. It has a quad-core i7 and SSD with a graphics card plenty powerful enough to drive a non-retina display. Can't remember, does this mean it won't get macOS updates either?

We're coming into a weird age where computers aren't getting much faster each year but companies are still having to obsolete older ones despite the fact that they still run fine. It's weird and seems wasteful.
Click to expand...

Most likely no updates. And no service at all from Apple. I couldn't even buy replacement rubber pads for my MacBook pro because it was "obsolete" even though current model pads fit just fine. The apple genius told me they couldn't service it and "couldn't" sell me just the part...

Had to order it online for $4.
 
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TimCookMustGo said:
I have an early 2011 15" MBP. I have yet to find a worthy replacement worth my money. Apple, this is a problem. I waited all this time to have the following:

Weak, under-powered machine
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Is that so? How long have you spent using it?

TimCookMustGo said:
Dongles are required
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Required for what? They aren't required to just use it as a laptop. Dongles are optional to the extent you want to use your legacy peripherals.

TimCookMustGo said:
Gimmicky Touchbar
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Is that so? How long have you spent using it?

TimCookMustGo said:
$2,400 Starting Price
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Standard Apple pricing. Apple has always been priced high.

TimCookMustGo said:
No Function Keys
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There are function keys.

TimCookMustGo said:
16gb RAM cap
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Yep. Same as every other comparable laptop of similar weight, size, and battery life.
 
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BornAgainMac said:
For people that like old hardware from 2011, Apples sells the vintage 2013 Mac Pro that still sold in the original packaging that you might want to check out.
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The way the Mac Pro is being treated in today's Tim Cook Apple where old hardware is sold as new, it sarcastically makes one wonder if Apple will obsolete the trash can Mac Pro while they continue to still sell it :rolleyes:
 
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TimCookMustGo said:
I have an early 2011 15" MBP. I have yet to find a worthy replacement worth my money. Apple, this is a problem. I waited all this time to have the following:
  • Weak, under-powered machine
  • Dongles are required
  • Gimmicky Touchbar
  • $2,400 Starting Price
  • No Function Keys
  • 16gb RAM cap
Let's get Tim out of there. Please. Seriously.
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Thanks for the bold bullet points, it makes it less painful reading the same thing over and over again on MacRumors
 
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Zaren said:
5 years has always been Apple's standard cutoff for support, so this is nothing new. Nobody made a big deal about this previously.
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As was mentioned, these computers are lasting longer because of the law of diminishing returns. The 2011 MBP models had the ability to update the RAM, optical drive, and the hard drive. Also, with all the graphics card issues that have reared up (they replaced mine just last year on a mid-2011 MBP), it would be nice to be able to pay for it to get fixed if it gets messed up again. They replaced mine for free, but the cost of replacement is about $300. I don't think you can get a new MacBook for anywhere near that amount.

Regardless of whether it has been their policy in the past, they like to brag about their solar panels these days while at the same time obsoleting 5 to 7 year old computers that still run fine and also making their new computers nearly impossible to repair. As someone said, it is wasteful and far from being a "green" company that cares.
 
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CarlosQG said:
The 17" MacBook Pro was an extraordinary machine!
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And it will be SORELY missed. I was kind of hoping Apple would've reintroduced a new once since there aren't many high end workstations in their lineup.

Sadly though, this means that the last heavy iron Mac Pro will be obsolete soon and the cMP may be in another two years if Apple doesn't hurry it up with the updates.
 
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dumastudetto said:
I think it's unlikely these models will be getting the next year's macOS upgrade. And I think that's reasonable. If people want to be taking advantage of all the great features and innovations in the newest versions of macOS then they really need to help support Apple by buying new systems. 5 years is long enough.
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1) They have billions to spare and don't need help!
2) They have to listen a little better to what people want and do with their machines.

There once was a guy who kind of knew (and was mostly correct) and then pushed
the Apple users into that direction.
But, that person with a vision is no longer at Apple.

The current crop of executives claims to be courageous, but are far from it.

Sorry, can't support Apple at the moment.

They get my money again when they deserve it.
 
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oneMadRssn said:
For all the complainers - I challenge you to get a replacement logic board for a 2010 Dell/Acer/Asus/HP/Lenovo directly from the OEM. It's pretty much impossible.
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Finally, somebody who's actually experienced the alternative and knows what they're talking about.

Just try get a replacement mainboard for a 2013 one (let alone 2010) and you'll be SOL. The Lenovo G505s are already EOL.
 
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Uofmtiger said:
Regardless of whether it has been their policy in the past, they like to brag about their solar panels these days while at the same time obsoleting 5 to 7 year old computers that still run fine and also making their new computers nearly impossible to repair. As someone said, it is wasteful and far from being a "green" company that cares.
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How is it green to keep manufacturing parts for a 5-7 year old computer? It's totally wasteful to do that. If you want to repair a 5-7 year old Mac, there is a huge stock of refurbished and used parts, from companies like ifixit and various sellers on ebay.

If you truly cared about being green, you'd buy a used or refurbished circuit board rather than demand a new one from Apple. Save one from going into a landfill, and save an unnecessary manufacturing of a new one.
 
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iapplelove said:
Guess my mid 2012 classic MBP is on the endangered species list.
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I'm not so sure - they just stopped selling it only a few months ago.

It will be a shame when they retire that model. My mid 2012 with the 2.9 i7 has been great. Not to mention I have not even maxed out the RAM yet. It really has thrown everything that I have at it and some. It's been a great computer.. especially with when I upgraded to a SSD.
 
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Might as well put the entire computer product line on the list now. That would be a more honest way to warn people not to buy their products as they are all being discontinued at an alarming pace.
 
TimCookMustGo said:
I have an early 2011 15" MBP. I have yet to find a worthy replacement worth my money. Apple, this is a problem. I waited all this time to have the following:
  • Weak, under-powered machine
  • Dongles are required
  • Gimmicky Touchbar
  • $2,400 Starting Price
  • No Function Keys
  • 16gb RAM cap
Let's get Tim out of there. Please. Seriously.
Click to expand...
He can take Ivy with him
 
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