Apple’s original 12-inch MacBook is set to reach its technological end of life by June 30, as per a company internal memo secured by MacRumors. The declaration of obsolescence implies that the product will no longer be eligible for repair or service support at Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers, largely due to the discontinuation of spare parts.
The classification of ‘technological obsolescence’ by Apple generally comes into effect once a product has been off the market for over seven years. The initial 12-inch MacBook was officially taken off the shelves in April 2016 following the launch of its second-generation model, thereby recently hitting the seven-year threshold.
The 12-inch MacBook, introduced to consumers in March 2015, was lauded for its light and slim form factor, weighing a mere two pounds. It was also the first notebook from Apple’s line-up to boast a fanless design. The standard model, priced starting at $1,299, came equipped with a 1.1GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor, integrated Intel graphics, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD.
Key innovative features of the 12-inch MacBook included a single USB-C port serving both charging and data transfer functions, a novel Force Touch trackpad, and an innovative terraced battery design that enabled a larger capacity battery to be housed within the thin frame of the notebook.
However, the 12-inch MacBook also marked the debut of Apple’s much-debated butterfly switch keyboard design. Plagued with reliability issues, the design drew heavy criticism and was eventually phased out from the entire MacBook range after a series of customer complaints and legal disputes.
The final update for the 12-inch MacBook was released in June 2017, and the product line was officially discontinued two years later, in July 2019.
