Apple Adds Three More Macs to Obsolete Products List

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-01T01:05:15.465Z • Permanent link

Apple's decision to discontinue three more Mac models has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, leaving many professionals scrambling to adapt to the changing landscape. According to a statement from Apple's product management team, the 2018 Retina MacBook Air, the 13-inch 2018 MacBook Pro with four Thunderbolt 3 ports, and the 13-inch 2017 MacBook Pro with two Thunderbolt 3 ports have been removed from the company's website and are no longer available for purchase. This move comes hot on the heels of Apple's recent decision to discontinue the 2019 MacBook Air and the 13-inch 2019 MacBook Pro with four Thunderbolt 3 ports.

Industry insiders point to the rapid pace of technological advancements as the primary driver behind Apple's decision. "The tech industry is moving at a breakneck speed, and companies like Apple need to stay ahead of the curve to remain competitive," notes Rachel Haot, a tech industry analyst at Gartner. "By discontinuing these older models, Apple is freeing up resources to focus on developing new and innovative products that meet the evolving needs of its customers." Apple's decision is also seen as a strategic move to simplify its product lineup and reduce costs.

Economists at Goldman Sachs estimate that the discontinuation of these Mac models will have a minimal impact on the global tech market, citing the relatively small share of revenue these products account for. However, for smaller tech companies and startups that rely on these models for their own products and services, the decision could have more significant consequences. For example, the discontinuation of the 2018 Retina MacBook Air may impact the production and sales of laptops and accessories from companies that relied on this model for their own products.

The impact of Apple's decision on the AI & Tech Ecosystems domain will be felt far beyond the company's own product lineup. Researchers at universities and research institutions around the world rely on these older Mac models for their own research and development efforts, and the discontinuation of these products could put a significant strain on these institutions' budgets. "The discontinuation of these Mac models will have a ripple effect throughout the entire tech ecosystem," notes Dr. David Choe, a researcher at Stanford University. "It's not just about the Macs themselves, but about the entire ecosystem of products and services that rely on them.

For companies that rely on these older Mac models for their own products and services, the decision could also have significant consequences. For example, the discontinuation of the 2018 Retina MacBook Air may impact the production and sales of laptops and accessories from companies like Dell and HP, which have relied on this model for their own products. In response to the decision, these companies are likely to focus on developing new products and services that meet the evolving needs of their customers.

In contrast, companies that are already investing heavily in cloud-based solutions and mobile devices are likely to be less affected by Apple's decision. For example, Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform have already made significant investments in cloud-based infrastructure and are likely to continue to thrive in the face of this decision.