Apple Adds Last MacBook Pro With CD Drive to Obsolete Products List

Wednesday January 31, 2024 8:09 am PST by Joe Rossignol

Apple today added the Mid 2012 model of the 13-inch MacBook Pro to its obsolete products list worldwide, according to its website.

13 Inch MacBook Pro Mid 2012
Released in June 2012, this 13-inch MacBook Pro model was the last Mac with a built-in CD/DVD drive sold by Apple, and it remained for sale until October 2016 as a lower-priced option. Apple continues to sell an external SuperDrive for customers who need a CD/DVD drive, but a USB-C adapter is required to use it with modern MacBooks.

Apple considers a device to be "technologically obsolete" once more than seven years have passed since the company last distributed it for sale. Apple says MacBooks "may be eligible for an extended battery-only repair period for up to 10 years from when the product was last distributed for sale, subject to parts availability."

On the software side, Apple dropped support for the Mid 2012 model of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with macOS Big Sur in 2020.

Apple discontinued the 13-inch MacBook Pro entirely last year.

Tag: Vintage and Obsolete Apple Products

Related Forum: MacBook Pro

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Top Rated Comments

blazerunner

36 months ago

That was the last truly upgradeable laptop. Soldering the RAM to the motherboard after that was a giant middle finger to the consumer and force them to buy whole new laptops instead of a simple small upgrade. You just can't respect Apple for that... their 'environmentally friendly' claims are complete garbage.

That said, pro-consumer policies don't concern Apple which is why they're now worth 3 trillion dollars... by ripping off consumers. Nice.

Score: 66 Votes (Like | Disagree)

abatabia

36 months ago

Still the best MacBook ever made.

Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)

guzhogi

36 months ago

I have no problem with them soldering RAM, heck if they can have the RAM as part of SOC, it would be amazing. I will take performance over upgradability for Laptops. If I want upgradability I will buy a workstation, like my AMD/Nvidia workstation. Best of both worlds, capable compact MBP and an upgradable workstation.

Do what you like, but as someone in IT, I kinda hate the soldered/integrated everything. Yes, that's great for performance, but terrible for repairing. It's not even about upgrading for me (though it is nice). Plus for places like public schools, or non profit organizations, repairability is far better than having to replace the whole thing just because a single component failed. Plus more important than performance.

Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)

guzhogi

36 months ago

I know most music albums are on streaming services, but I also have many CDs, and DVD movies for that matter, that aren't available on streaming.

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

WarmWinterHat

36 months ago

Best (so-far) computer that I ever owned. Used it as my main and only computer from 2012 to mid 2020.

We'll see if my M1 Air holds out that long. I hope so!

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)