Apple’s Pilot Repair Program for Select Vintage Macs Expands Worldwide

Back in February, Apple launched a new pilot repair program in the U.S. and Turkey allowing Apple stores and authorized service providers to continue offering repair services for the 21.5-inch and 27-inch mid-2011 iMac and today, an internal Apple document has revealed that the initiative has now expanded worldwide (via MacRumors).

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The document, that has been distributed to Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers, also notes that 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air models released in Mid 2012 will be added to Apple’s vintage and obsolete products list on August 31, and will be included in Apple’s pilot repair program.

Apple products become vintage-obsolete five years after they are last manufactured, at which point they typically become ineligible for hardware service.

Normally, this would mean the 2012 MacBook Air is no longer eligible for hardware service, except where required by law. However, Apple has decided to include the notebook in its recently launched pilot program that allows for repairs to continue into the vintage period, subject to parts availability. 

If parts are unavailable for a specific repair for these vintage Macs, Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers are instructed to decline service. This is also a pilot program, to begin with, so it is subject to change or end at any time. 

The 2012 MacBook Air models were last sold over five years ago, but they’ll now receive almost eight years of repair support. 

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