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POLL: Which Intel models will MacOS 15 still support?
- Thread starter padams35
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Mac Mini 2018 was still being sold brand new by Apple all the way into January 2023, so macOS 15 will be a great case study for whether that factor tilts the scales.
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I'm guessing Late 2019 and later. Would have picked the 2020 Intel models only if there was a choice. That puts the oldest machine at 5 years old when MacOS 15 launches. Shorter machine lifecycles than the past but Apple wants to get off Intel ASAP.
Last sale date isn't reliable. The Apple Watch Series 3 was still being sold until September 2022, the same month WatchOS 9 was announced, but WatchOS 8 is the final version for those watches.
Last sale date isn't reliable. The Apple Watch Series 3 was still being sold until September 2022, the same month WatchOS 9 was announced, but WatchOS 8 is the final version for those watches.
In what alternate universe does Apple choose to support the last 13" Intel Macbooks but drop support for the last 16" Intel Macbook? Maybe Apple pulls an evil and drops both to make it Apple Silicon only, but I don't see a clean 2020 or newer line getting drawn.
Also assuming an October public release the November/December 2019 MacbookPro/MacPro will still technically only be 5 years old.
Yes, it's anyone's guess what Apple will do. But it's notable that the 2019 iMac is the only Sonoma supported model without a T2 chip. If they make the T2 mandatory with MacOS 15, then all of the models you listed are eligible except the late 2017 Mac Pro and 2019 iMac.
The decision they make will be based on other technical, arbitrary, or capricious requirements.
Exactly, and that's why a policy for macOS isn't actually written down anywhere: so that they can drop whatever hardware they feel like each time a year rolls around.
I think one key to supported models will depend on how far Apple will push/implement AI in MacOS 15. This seems to be the direction they're going.
Apple Silicon are the first processors with the Neural Engine. That said, I don't think Apple would have the chutzpah to drop all Intel Macs this year.
Unlike the private sector, Apple sells alot of Macs into the Education market (local schools and universities). Many of these institutions purchase computers with a 5 year life cycle. Apple has to be careful not to harm its biggest customer base when discontining Intel support.
Well if we’re going off the PPC to Intel transition… My brain really wants to say none, that Intel Macs will be dropped completely. I’m actually surprised they haven’t dropped them already.
But I’m hoping we’ll get another year. My 2009 Mac Pro is still running strong with Sonoma and Windows 11.
But I’m hoping we’ll get another year. My 2009 Mac Pro is still running strong with Sonoma and Windows 11.
I fully expect Apple to improve support for older models, and if my 2011 iMac isn't supported, I will go to the MacRumors Forums and whine a lot, as is to be expected. 👻
My guess is PR. Although, Apple is running out of wiggle room as macOS 14 already has the cutoff at 2018. Therefore, I think, macOS 15 will be a 2019 cutoff — again, only chopping a year to save face. macOS 16 will probably be Apple Silicon only.
Computer and OS advancements were much greater back in 2009 when Snow Leopard got released. I'm not surprised we are still seeing Intel Macs being supported this far into Apple Silicon, especially since so many more got sold than PowerPCs.
I’m surprised Apple just didn’t rip the proverbial bandaid off and said no more Intel support.
But they know how many Intel machines are still active and probably have a percentage number chosen when to finally say goodbye.
Either way it will be a PR firestorm for a while.
But they know how many Intel machines are still active and probably have a percentage number chosen when to finally say goodbye.
Either way it will be a PR firestorm for a while.
Yeah but it still was too early. Snow Leopard should’ve been the last one. It even runs good on PPC, the beta builds we’ve been able to get running that is.
Very confident Intel will get one more year.
Best case: Late 2018 and newer. (If this happens we might hope for MacOS 16 Intel support)
Expected case: 2019 and newer (plus late 2018 mini).
Worst case: Late 2019 and newer (plus late 2018 mini).
Oddball case: Late 2018 and newer... with Metal 3 graphics. Polaris GPU drivers removed. Mid 2019 13" MBP is supported, but Mid 2019 15" MBP gets dropped.
Best case: Late 2018 and newer. (If this happens we might hope for MacOS 16 Intel support)
Expected case: 2019 and newer (plus late 2018 mini).
Worst case: Late 2019 and newer (plus late 2018 mini).
Oddball case: Late 2018 and newer... with Metal 3 graphics. Polaris GPU drivers removed. Mid 2019 13" MBP is supported, but Mid 2019 15" MBP gets dropped.
True. I remember being able to use computers that were running Tiger well into the early 2010s too, because software support was still abundant. It feels like more companies drop older hardware/software faster than in those days now.
That has basically zero relevance on software support life. Not sure why the myth of "discontinue date" and "education" keeps getting passed around. It's been proven to be false time and time again.
If some uninformed educator actually bought 2017 iMac in 2021, they would have realized it was no longer supported just 2 years later in September 2023 (Sonoma).
Apple Discontinues Intel-Based 21.5-Inch iMac
Apple has quietly discontinued the Intel-based 21.5-inch iMac, which had remained available as a low-end configuration suitable for educational...
www.macrumors.com