What happens when Apple decides that M1 Macs are a bit long in the tooth and it's time to obsolete them? Will they throw a kill switch in macOS to make them unbootable to macOS? This is the importance of native ARM based Windows 11 and Linux.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple M1 kill switch
- Thread starter dogslobber
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Why would they do anything like that?
New version of MacOS will no longer be available for install. That's it. Same as for old Intel models.
New version of MacOS will no longer be available for install. That's it. Same as for old Intel models.
Which iOS devices have they done this to?
They didn't do this with the 68K to PPC transition, nor with the PPC to Intel transition. why would they do that? Apple makes the hardware, if they really wanted to obsolete it, they could prevent users from booting Linux or WoA too. However, I don't see why they would. The negative press alone would be a strong deterrent.
During the last two transitions, Apple has demanded developers who got DTKs to return them, but that's about the closest I can remember.
During the last two transitions, Apple has demanded developers who got DTKs to return them, but that's about the closest I can remember.
Legacy hardware stops getting updates, but they still are usable, Currently, my oldest is a TiBook running Leopard and it still works ok.
Apple will treat M1 devices the same way they treat Intel Macs and other Apple devices that are determined to be obsolete. There will be a point in the future where Apple declares the M1 Macs as obsolete. At the point, the Mac's will no longer receive OS update. Thats it. Same with Intel models. There is no "kill Switch" or anything else. No such thing exists.
That Mac will always boot up and can still be used until the end of time. If it's a MacBook, then keep in plugged in 24/7 to a monitor and your good to go for years.
Windows computers are the same. There is no "kill switch". A Windows XP laptop doesn't just no longer boot at some random date. I still have a 10+ year old laptop with Windows XP that still works and I use it for bookkeeping and MSFT Office.
That Mac will always boot up and can still be used until the end of time. If it's a MacBook, then keep in plugged in 24/7 to a monitor and your good to go for years.
Windows computers are the same. There is no "kill switch". A Windows XP laptop doesn't just no longer boot at some random date. I still have a 10+ year old laptop with Windows XP that still works and I use it for bookkeeping and MSFT Office.
My point is that once Apple stops supporting M1 based macOS then these systems are suddenly unprotected and how will Apple react then. Intel Macs are orthogonal as those can run Bootcamp or Linux permanently. There is no solution for unsupported M1 Macs.
Last edited by a moderator:
A "kill switch" implies that Apple will disable the hardware and that ASi Macs would stop running at some point. I would say it's the same with older Macs, they'll still boot and run the last supported OS as long as the hardware holds out. I know someone who has an old 512K Mac and it still boots just fine.
There is a project underway to bring Linux to M1.
There is a project underway to bring Linux to M1.
I’d guess that the number of users that run an alternative OS on an old Mac is close enough to zero to be completely dismissed from any meaningful discussion. There are still people who run 10 year old Macs (albeit not with the newest software), so that’s more or less what you will get. Altogether, not any different from other obsolete hardware that stopped receiving driver updates.
Last edited by a moderator:
The final version of MacOS compatible with the device should be usable for awhile, but yes, at some point (7+ years) the device will become obsolete. They have no incentive to put in a magical kill switch, but will likely establish a more robust trade in program for older Macs so that 1) people stay in the Mac ecosystem and 2) the products are recycled properly.
Apple have been slowly extending the support timeframes for their devices, I wouldn't be surprised if they aim for 10 years with M series macs. Hopefully also with another couple of years of legacy OS security updates, 12 years is a very good run for a computer. Yes some people make a hobby of daily driving things longer, but I think that's going to get exponentially harder with the hermetically sealed and fully soldered Macs from 2016 onwards, to virtually impossible for the SoC era of Apple Silicon. A lot of what are currently ~10 year old machine have been kept going by RAM upgrades, new batteries, SSD replacements, swapping out logic boards between chassis etc etc. Once a component goes or is no longer sufficient for use there's no changing it on a 2016- Intel or Apple Silicon machine, this is going to be an acute problem with the glued in batteries once they fall off Apple's hardware service rota.
I really doubt Apple will kill Macs, but I bet it will be hard to go past unsupported OS's like PPC and Intel Macs. Just a guess
The Air at least has a replaceable battery, adhered with stretch tape. Not replacing consumables is a far worse situation than not upgrading.
Jeeze Louise, folks, just relax and enjoy your M1's. They're probably good for another 5-7 years at least. Why not worry about in-screen touch ID for iPhone 13 instead. By the way, I'm looking forward to upgrading my 6 year old Lenovo Yoga 3 to Windows11 in the near future. Should be fun!(it originally was on Windows 8)
How do you plan on doing that? 7th-gen Kaby Lake is what you'll need to upgrade to Windows 11.
I dunno mate, my several 2009-2010 Macs running Big Sur would disagree with you there
Yes, the Mac doesn't stop working. But you will no longer receive security updates for macOS.
On Intel Macs, you can install Windows or Linux in this case and still have an up-to-date operating system with security updates.
With Apple Silicon Macs this is not possible according to the current status (Linux on Apple Silicon lacks drivers etc.). From this point of view, the lifespan of an Apple Silicon Mac is probably shorter than that of an Intel Mac.
With macOS in insecure form.
For Windows and Linux, on the other hand, security updates are longer available.
I don't mean to be funny, but if I were happy with running Windows or Linux why on earth would I buy a Mac?
How's that going to help me with running my Logic X studio?
This is an option you have but don't have to use. You no longer have this option with Apple Silicon (at least at the moment).
The alternative is to continue using the Mac without security updates or ditch it. So I don't understand you question...
In all seriousness, how many people go “my 10 year old Mac is not receiving macOS security updates anymore, guess I will install windows and continue using it. So lucky I have this option!”. Exactly, nobody.
I mean, it’s great to discuss options and all, but let’s also not forget about a certain measure of relevance. The simple fact is that a Mac - any Mac - has a limited software support span. If that is something that bothers a potential customer, that customer should simply keep away from Macs.
Exactly.
My 2010 27” iMac can only install Windows 7 as there’re no drivers for Windows 8 or Windows 10. Installing Linux is not an option as well, as I don’t think I can get drivers for it. The iMac is still serving me well tho. So I’ll just live with an unsupported OS until I get too frustrated and it’ll be recycled.
There are Macs with shorter macOS support. The hardware is often still okay and does its job (depending on the tasks).
From an IT security perspective, this is the worst choice.
For home use, it’s an acceptable trade off.
I see it differently for me and many of my data.
But I can already see that there is no point in further discussion.
Btw.
"The old Mac still works, but no longer receives updates? Then extend its life with Linux."
https://www.heise.de/ratgeber/Alte-...-mit-Manjaro-Linux-wiederbeleben-6135929.html (Well known German computer magazine)