Is the electoral college obsolete?

NO! If the election was determined by popular vote the urban vote in the largest cities would take on greater importance. Candidates would pander to them at the expense of the rest of the population. Large parts of the country would be ignored. You may say that is done now with the candidates' frequent visits to battleground states but these states are well represented around the country many with large urban centers as well as rural areas. From New Hampshire to Ohio to Florida to Colorado and Nevada all over the country different folks with different outlooks makes for a better election.