Apple has marked the end of an era for its smallest laptop. The 11-inch MacBook Air (Early 2015), once prized for its ultra-portable design, has been declared obsolete alongside the 13-inch MacBook Pro (2017, 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports) and the 15-inch MacBook Pro (2017).

In Apple’s terminology, a device becomes obsolete when more than seven years have passed since it was last sold. Once on this list, Apple Stores and authorised service providers typically stop offering repairs, though MacBook batteries can sometimes be replaced for up to a decade, subject to parts availability.

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The 11-inch MacBook Air was discontinued in 2016 after Apple unveiled its redesigned MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar. However, given the timing of its addition to the obsolete list now, it likely continued to linger in select reseller channels until as late as 2018. Its compact footprint made it a favourite among frequent travellers, and its disappearance cemented the shift towards larger-screened MacBooks. Today, the Air is sold in 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch sizes — though rumours suggest a new 12.9-inch MacBook powered by the iPhone 16 Pro’s A18 Pro chip could revive the small-screen segment.

Alongside the Mac update, Apple has also added the iPhone 8 Plus (64GB and 256GB models) to its “vintage” products list.

Devices are classified as vintage once they have been off sale for more than five years, and they remain eligible for repairs — at least until they join the obsolete club two years later.

Launched in September 2017 alongside the radical iPhone X, the iPhone 8 line is now on its last legs and is likely to become obsolete soon.