Apple’s first Retina 5K iMacs, launched in late 2014, are officially considered vintage by Apple.
The Retina 5K, 27-inch iMacs were a game-changer for Apple. At the time, 27-inch iMacs were still relatively new, just a few years old. The 5K overhaul was an astonishing leap forward, however — making it one of Apple’s most compelling new Macs in years.
Here’s what David Pierce had to say in a 2014 review for The Verge:
“It only took about ten minutes of using Apple’s new iMac with Retina display to make me wonder how I’m ever supposed to go back. Back to a world where pixels are visible on any screen, even one this big. Back to only having enough screen space to do two things at a time. [And] back to dropped frames, spinning wheels, and waiting for files to copy from one place to another.”
Check out their unveiling below:
At the time, these Macs looked positively futuristic. Now, six years later, they’re nearing the end of their natural life. Here’s how Apple defines “vintage”:
“Vintage products are those that have not been sold for more than 5 and less than 7 years ago. Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Apple TV vintage products continue to receive hardware service from Apple service providers, including Apple Retail Stores, subject to availability of inventory, or as required by law.”
Joining Apple’s obsolete list
Along with the 5K iMacs, the late 2013, 21.5-inch iMac, late 2013, 27-inch iMac, 21.5-inch mid-2014 iMac, and mid-2015 5K, 27-inch iMacs have entered the vintage list. If you’re wondering why this spans such a wide range of years, it’s probably because — as noted — it’s based on when Apple stopped selling them, not when they launched. Some products are phased out quicker than others. That means that some older products, which continued to be sold, stay around for longer as supported products since someone could conceivably have bought them on the last day they were for sale.
Apple’s obsolete list, meanwhile, refers to products that it will no longer service. Obsolete products are ones whose sales were discontinued more than 7 years ago.
Usually new items joining the vintage and obsolete list makes me do a double-take at the way it highlights the terrifyingly rapid passage of time. However, this year — with the new Apple Silicon Macs — suddenly every Intel-based Mac I encounter (which includes my trusty MacBook) seems weirdly old-fashioned.
Did you own any of these newly vintage items? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: Apple
Via: MacRumors
