I bought my (late 2011) model before the Retina models were even announced, but it's showing no signs of slowing down.
I upgraded the RAM to 8gb myself, and will probably throw an SSD in it one of these days. I fully expect to get a LOT more life out of this computer. If something happened and I had to replaced, I'd probably get a 2012 model.
I use the ports on mine-including Ethernet and Firewire-often enough that I'm happy to not have to carry around extra dongles to make use of them. They're not every day requirements for me, but again used frequently enough that I appreciate them.
I also use the optical drive on a very regular basis-again, not daily, but several times a week.
The computer works for me. If someone handed me a blank check today to go out and buy a new computer, I'd probably go out and buy a mid-2012 as a replacement(actually I'd probably hunt down a 15" with a matte high-res screen, but that's another discussion).
BTW, I teach a freshman level chemistry class and have a fresh crop of about 300 students every semester. If what I see when I look out over the classroom is any indication, Apple is still selling a LOT of these things. I'd venture to guess that about half or a little more than half of the folks in my class I see with Apple laptops have the 13" Classic. The other half is probably 2/3 Airs(usually 13", with the occasional 11"), and the remainder 13" Retinas. There's also the occasional 15"-either Classic or Retina-thrown in. If what I see is any indication, Apple is still selling boatloads of these things.
