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The End of an Era: Apple’s Original 12-inch MacBook Marked Obsolete

In the fast-paced tech industry, the lifespan of a device is often short-lived. Apple, a company at the forefront of innovation, is no stranger to this cycle. The company’s original 12-inch MacBook, once a game-changer in the market, is the latest product to join the list of Apple’s obsolete devices. An internal memo revealed by Macrumors that Apple plans to classify this model as obsolete by the end of June 2023.

Launched in 2015, the original 12-inch MacBook was a noteworthy entry in Apple’s line of notebooks. It was a pioneer in fanless notebook design, resulting in a device that weighed a mere two pounds. In addition, the notebook introduced several unique features that distinguished it from other models.

Among these innovative features was the inclusion of a single USB-C port, which served as a charging point and data transfer hub. Another significant addition was the Force Touch trackpad, a novel concept at the time that added a new dimension to user input. Apple also introduced a terraced battery design with this model, a design choice that cleverly maximized the internal space of the slim notebook, enabling a larger battery to nestle comfortably within the sleek chassis.

However, not all innovations are met with applause. The original 12-inch MacBook was also the first model to debut Apple’s butterfly switch keyboard design. Intended to provide a more responsive and comfortable typing experience, this design quickly became infamous due to a series of reported failures. This led to widespread user dissatisfaction and several lawsuits, ultimately resulting in Apple phasing out the butterfly keyboard from its entire MacBook lineup.

Apple’s policy is to classify a product as obsolete once it has been off the market for over seven years. The original 12-inch MacBook, discontinued in April 2016 with the launch of a second-generation model, recently crossed this threshold, leading to its classification as obsolete.

The implications of this classification are significant. Once a product is marked obsolete, Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers will no longer provide repairs or services for the product due to a lack of available parts. Thus, the end of June marks the official end of the road for the original 12-inch MacBook.

Despite its eventual controversies and its short lifespan, the original 12-inch MacBook left a significant mark on Apple’s line of notebooks. Its innovative features and design elements have influenced subsequent MacBook models. As we bid farewell to this groundbreaking device, we also look forward to the next wave of innovation that Apple will undoubtedly bring to the table.

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