Apple Marks 2017 MacBook, iPad 6 and BeatsX Obsolete
Apple now lists the 2017 12-inch MacBook, both iPad 6 connectivity versions and BeatsX as obsolete. Here is what that changes for repairs and what it does not mean.
Direct answer: Apple now lists MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017), iPad (6th generation) Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular, and BeatsX as obsolete. Apple discontinues hardware service and providers cannot order parts for obsolete products, although an eligible Mac laptop may still receive battery-only repair for up to 10 years after distribution ended, subject to parts availability.
Obsolete is a repair-supply classification, not a remote shutdown command. It does not by itself mean that a working device stops turning on, loses every app or cloud service immediately, or must be discarded. Hardware service, operating-system support, app support and independent repair are separate questions.
Are the 2017 MacBook, iPad 6 and BeatsX now obsolete?
Yes. Apple's support list published on October 14, 2026 includes these exact rows under obsolete products:
- MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
- iPad (6th generation) Wi-Fi
- iPad (6th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular
- BeatsX
The connection type matters for the iPad entry: Apple names both the Wi-Fi and cellular versions. For the MacBook, the row is the 2017 12-inch Retina model, not every MacBook, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro with a similar age.
What does obsolete mean for Apple repairs?
Apple defines a product as obsolete after it stopped distributing that product for sale more than seven years ago. Once a product is obsolete, Apple says it discontinues all hardware service and Apple service providers cannot order parts for it.
That is the practical change for owners: an Apple Store or Apple-authorized provider generally cannot open a normal hardware repair using newly ordered Apple service parts for these models. A provider's ability to inspect a device, explain options or return it without repair should not be confused with Apple hardware-service eligibility.
Apple also says service and parts may be available for longer when required by law. Rules can therefore differ by market. The support list does not establish that every independent repair shop lacks compatible parts or is legally barred from working on a device.
Is obsolete the same as vintage?
No. Apple calls a product vintage when it stopped distributing it more than five and less than seven years ago. Service and parts may still be available during that stage, subject to parts and local rules.
Obsolete begins after more than seven years and has the stronger hardware-service consequence described above. That difference is why a vintage article about another device should not be used as if it described the MacBook, iPad 6 or BeatsX service position.
Can the 2017 MacBook still get a battery replacement?
Possibly, but it is not guaranteed. Apple states that Mac laptops may be eligible for an extended battery-only repair period for up to 10 years after the product was last distributed for sale, subject to parts availability.
The exception is narrow. It applies to a battery-only repair for an eligible Mac laptop; it does not reopen every hardware repair, guarantee that the correct battery can still be supplied, or promise service in every location. Owners should identify the exact model and ask an Apple-authorized service channel whether the battery exception is currently available in their market.
Does obsolete mean the device stops working or loses software support?
No automatic shutdown follows from the list change. A working MacBook, iPad or BeatsX can continue to operate within the condition of its hardware, battery, software and connected services.
Apple's obsolete list also does not, by itself, answer which operating-system releases, security updates, apps or online services remain compatible. Those timelines are set by separate software and service policies. Owners should check the exact OS version and the requirements of each important app or service rather than treating the hardware-service label as a universal software cutoff.
What should owners do now?
- Confirm the exact model in device settings or system information before relying on the list.
- Back up important data while the device is working; do not wait for a repair need.
- For the 2017 MacBook, ask specifically about the battery-only exception and parts availability.
- Check current OS and app requirements separately from hardware-service status.
- If Apple-authorized service is unavailable, evaluate reputable independent repair options and local consumer-law rights without assuming the same answer applies in every market.
The decision is therefore not simply “replace it now.” The useful question is whether the device still does its job safely and reliably, whether its software remains suitable for the owner's needs, and whether a realistic repair path exists if a component fails.