Intel-based Macs’ days
Apple revealedmacOS Tahoe 26during its big keynote atWWDC 2025, and it will now be the final major update for Intel-based Macs.
DuringApple’s Platforms State of the Unionevent, it announced that macOS Tahoe will be the final release for Intel Macs. When macOS 27 arrives next year, only Macs with Apple Silicon, its M-series chips, will get the update.
This was inevitable, as every annual macOS update has older Macs drop off, and they’re all packed with Intel chips. This is across all of Apple’s PCs, including MacBook, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Pro and Mac Studio.
“If you’ve not done so already, now is a great time to help your users migrate to the Apple Silicon versions of your apps,” Apple’s Senior Director of Developer Relations, Matthew Firlik, told developers.
Many Intel Macs are already getting left behind with macOS Tahoe, such as the2020 MacBook Airand2020 MacBook Prowith two Thunderbolt 3 ports. But there are still a few that are getting support (more on this later).
However, these Macs don’t get the full breadth of features as those with Apple Silicon. As the Cupertino tech giant states in the small print, only Macs with M1 or later get access to all the latestApple Intelligence features.
It’s important to note that just because Intel Macs will stop getting support for macOS updates doesn’t mean they’ll be useless, as they will still get security updates.
Macs ending support in 2027
(Image credit: Apple)
Apple is dropping 7 Macs in the move to macOS Tahoe, meaning they’ll be stuck inmacOS Sequoialimbo. If you’ve got these PCs and want to get further updates, you’ll want to think about grabbing one of thebest MacBooksor others as an upgrade.
- 2020 MacBook Air
- 2020 MacBook Pro with two Thunderbolt 3 ports
- 2018 MacBook Pro (15-inch)
- 2019 iMac (4K 21.5-inch)
- 2019 iMac (5K 27-inch)
- 2017 iMac Pro (5K 27-inch
- 2018 Mac mini
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The rest of the Intel-based Macs won’t see next year’s macOS 27 update. This includes the following:
- 2019 MacBook Pro (16-inch)
- 2020 MacBook Pro (13-inch, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
- 2020 iMac
- 2019 Mac Pro
From 2027, Apple will transition away from its Intel offerings and focus on providing major updates to its suite of Apple Silicon-based Macs.
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And, well, judging from the power that these chips deliver, and how MacBooks are some of thebest laptopsaround, it isn’t surprising for Apple to leave Intel behind.