Apple has recently added the original iPad Air and the Thunderbolt Display to its list of obsolete products. This means that these devices are no longer eligible for repairs or other hardware services at Apple Stores or Apple Authorized Service Providers.
Thunderbolt Display
The Thunderbolt Display was introduced in 2011 and was the last Apple-branded monitor until the Pro Display XDR launched in 2019. It featured a 27-inch screen with 1440p resolution, a 720p camera, three USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire 800 port, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a Thunderbolt port. The monitor was priced at $999 in the U.S. and was discontinued in 2016. This resulted in years without an Apple-branded external display. Its modern-day successor is the Studio Display, released alongside the Mac Studio last year.
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Original iPad Air
The original iPad Air was launched in 2013 and was equipped with a 9.7-inch display and an A7 chip. It was advertised as being 20% thinner and 28% lighter than the fourth-generation iPad. The device was also the first iPad to feature the “Air” branding. This has since been used for subsequent iPad models. The original iPad Air was discontinued in 2016.
Obsolete Products
Apple classifies a product as obsolete once more than seven years have passed since the company stopped distributing it for sale. Apple discontinues all hardware services for obsolete products, and service providers cannot order parts for obsolete products. Both the Thunderbolt Display and the original iPad Air were discontinued in 2016. This is why they are now considered obsolete.
Conclusion
The original iPad Air and the Thunderbolt Display were both significant products in the history of Apple. The iPad Air is the first iPad to feature the “Air” branding which the company has been using for newer products. The Thunderbolt Display is the last monitor with Apple-brand until the Pro Display XDR hit the market in 2019. While these devices are now obsolete, they will always hold a special place in the hearts of Apple fans.
