Back at WWDC 2020, Apple announced that it was going to make its own Mac processors, and the first question that popped into everyone’s head was, “When will they be released?” However, for many users, the second question that popped up was more important: “How much longer will Apple support the Intel Mac I’m currently using?”
Apple will soon launch its third generation M-series chips for Mac, so users are starting to ask this second question more frequently. Over at Ars Technica, Andrew Cunningham has done extensive research to determine when Apple might drop support for Intel Macs, and it might be sooner than you think.
Starting with the original iMac released in 1998, Cunningham tracked when each Mac model was released, when it was discontinued, how long those Macs continued to be supported by macOS, and how long Apple has continued to release security updates. With the data collected, Cunningham calculated how long Apple provides support for macOS, which may give an idea of when Apple might stop supporting Intel Macs.
Based on the data, a Mac gets about 6.6 years on average of macOS updates with new features and another two years of security-only updates. However, this average has declined in recent history; it had been over 7 years. So if you bought one of the latest Intel-based MacBook Pros in 2020, it might not get macOS updates in three years and security updates in five years.
And Apple can speed up that timeline now that Apple’s silicon transition is complete. With macOS Sonoma, Apple’s compatibility list stops at 2018 MacBook Pro, MacBook Air and Mac mini, Intel machines that are only five years old. With macOS next year, Apple will likely increase that list by at least a year, which means some Intel Macs sold just before Apple’s silicon transition began could lose support. So if you have an Intel Mac, either it’s timed out already or it’s running out.
Cunningham points out that Apple is extremely motivated to move beyond Intel processors as soon as possible, not just to be able to sell more Macs. Maintaining Intel code in macOS is labor intensive, and those are resources that Apple prefers to allocate elsewhere. Eliminating Intel code from macOS makes the software more efficient. But also, the Intel chips used are also reaching Intel’s “End of Service Life” and Intel itself will no longer provide support or updates.
Keep in mind that when Apple ends support for a Mac, it doesn’t mean you can’t use that Mac anymore. This means that Mac won’t be able to install the latest version of macOS, so you won’t be able to get the new features. Apple will also stop releasing security updates, so your Mac could be vulnerable to future exploits. If you take that old Mac to an Apple Store, you might not be able to get help.
Apple is still selling a MacBook Air M1, but that doesn’t necessarily mean Apple will extend its support cycle.
Foundry
Support for M-series Macs
Cunningham’s report addresses an interesting question: how long will Apple support its M-series Macs? On average, Macs get updates for about 5.5 years after Apple stops selling them, so with the MacBook Pro M1 and Mac mini, it looks like Apple might support it until 2027.
Cunningham points out that we won’t really know what Apple will do until 2026 or 2027, as the company hasn’t made any official announcements regarding support for macOS and its M-series chips. Cunningham’s data shows that even if Apple can sell a model longer than usual, it doesn’t necessarily get software updates any longer. Apple is still selling the M1 in the 13-inch MacBook Air for $999 and if you consider Apple’s carrier model, this laptop ends up being a worse deal than its price, performance, and features would indicate.
It is, however, possible that Apple will extend the period of macOS support for its M-series chips. It all depends on the technologies implemented in the chips and the dependency of future versions of macOS on this technology.
Wondering what your Mac’s processor, memory, and other specs are? We have a guide on how to check your Mac’s specs.
