Think the m1 models will be supported for quite awhile yet.

[Onlyuseapple]

Since I have had my m1 MacBook Air now for about a week, and am really impressed with how stupid fast it is even with only 8g of ram, that I really think that it will be supported for quite a while longer, at least until macOS 28 or 29 and maybe even longer, as it seems very much able to handle it.

 

[baconcat_8964]

I think M1 will be supported until the M8 chip launch.

 

[maflynn]

Macs tend to enter Vintage mode in about 5 years and obsolete (completely unsupported) in about 7 years

 

[Digitalguy]

Macs tend to enter Vintage mode in about 5 years and obsolete (completely unsupported) in about 7 years

That's hardware support, does not necessarily match software support

 

[maflynn]

That's hardware support, does not necessarily match software support

Maybe, but using generalities, the support seems to line up with when apple stops supporting the hardware and I think its a useful rule of thumb

 

[Digitalguy]

Since I have had my m1 MacBook Air now for about a week, and am really impressed with how stupid fast it is even with only 8g of ram, that I really think that it will be supported for quite a while longer, at least until macOS 28 or 29 and maybe even longer, as it seems very much able to handle it.

Apple does not support devices based on how capable they are, but on when they are launched. Having said that, we won't know the Apple Silicon policy until M1 is discontinued. The earliest possible would be 28, since Intel will be discontinued with 27. But it could get an addition OS (29). I doubt anything after that, but we'll know in a couple of years. M1 pro will be supported for one year more since it came one year later.
And Neo could have a shorter support compared to M series Macs, just like base iPads get 5 OS updates vs other iPads, but again we'll only know when the first gen is discontinued software-wise (hardware support is different)

 

[Digitalguy]

Maybe, but using generalities, the support seems to line up with when apple stops supporting the hardware and I think its a useful rule of thumb

software support is based on OS of launch, while hardware is based on last year of sale at Apple, they can diverge, even widely, based on how long a device has no successor and is sold by Apple (hardware support can last a lot longer than software support)

 

[maflynn]

software support is based on OS of launch, while hardware is based on last year of sale at Apple, they can diverge, even widely, based on how long a device has no successor and is sold by Apple (hardware support can last a lot longer than software support)

I know but it does seem to fall into a similar 5 to 7 year window. Some situations will result in a shorter window, others in a longer time frame.

Its just my opinion, feel free to disagree, its just my perspective.

 

[Digitalguy]

I know but it does seem to fall into a similar 5 to 7 year window. Some situations will result in a shorter window, others in a longer time frame.

Its just my opinion, feel free to disagree, its just my perspective.

yes the window is very similar, that's a fact, so if a device is replaced the year after launch and no longer sold by Apple they tend to match

 

[pshufd]

Macs tend to enter Vintage mode in about 5 years and obsolete (completely unsupported) in about 7 years

The iMac Pro entered service in 2017, became vintage in 2021 and is now obsolete. The last operating system it received was Sequoia in 2024 so it received seven operating system updates beyond what it shipped with. Presumably it will receive an additional two to three years of macOS security updates so a total of 9-10 years of macOS operating system and security support.

I've no doubt that the base iMac Pro could run Tahoe given that it outperforms the base M1 in multicore and GPU so the end of operating system support can be arbitrary. I've also no doubt that the 2015 MacBook Pro, which also received seven years of macOS operating support could also handle Sonoma and Ventura.

I expect Apple Silicon to get at least seven years of macOS operating system updates because even the M1 was so capable.

What most Apple users want to know is if they will offer more than seven years of macOS system updates. And we won't know for another two years.

Edit: The 2015 MacBook Pro 15 received its last security update in September 2024 so it received a total of nine years of macOS operating system and security updates.

The 2013 Mac Pro received its last macOS security update in September 2023 so that's an example of a Mac that received a total of ten years of macOS operating system and security updates. The 2008 Mac Pro also received a total of ten years.

The longest support I could find was the 2010 Mac Pro which received its last update in autumn 2021 for 11 years of updates.

Google AI expects the iMac Pro to receive security updates until Fall 2027 which means I get another 18 months of use before I need to consider running Linux or Windows 12 on it.

 

[frou]

The thing to remember is that A* chips in iPhones/iPads are also 'Apple Silicon', so from Apple's perspective it's not a betrayal to leave Apple Silicon devices behind... they're already used to doing it all the time!

 

[MultiFinder17]

I expect the M1 machines to get macOS 27, I'd give them a fair shot of getting macOS 28, and a less than 50/50 shot of getting macOS 29. This is just based on Apple's history of support, though I can always hope that things will change with AS. Goodness knows my M1 machines still outperform for my needs, and even if they're dropped by 28 I look forward to several more years of use out of them.

 

[pshufd]

I expect the M1 machines to get macOS 27, I'd give them a fair shot of getting macOS 28, and a less than 50/50 shot of getting macOS 29. This is just based on Apple's history of support, though I can always hope that things will change with AS. Goodness knows my M1 machines still outperform for my needs, and even if they're dropped by 28 I look forward to several more years of use out of them.

I assume you're referring to the 2020 models. There were M1 Macs released late 2021 and in 2022 as well.

 

[maflynn]

You can still buy a M1 MBA from Walmart, so it could still be considered a current computer.

 

[pshufd]

You can still buy a M1 MBA from Walmart, so it could still be considered a current computer.

It seems to be based on launch date rather than the last date shipped.

The iMac Pro was sold by Apple up until March 2021. Apple wholesales to retailers after they stop selling models themselves. I recall M1 Studios for about % off at Costco for the M1 Max Studio and the M1 Ultra Studio.

 

[Onlyuseapple]

I have a feeling they will be supported until macOS 29, and hopefully maybe even longer, don't see any reason to change the laptop as long as it stays performing as it is. the M1 chip is already stupid fast, and really do not see any internet providers at least in the Chicago metro area doing much to increase the internet speeds to where a new machine would make that much of a difference.

 

[ignatius345]

Since I have had my m1 MacBook Air now for about a week, and am really impressed with how stupid fast it is even with only 8g of ram, that I really think that it will be supported for quite a while longer, at least until macOS 28 or 29 and maybe even longer, as it seems very much able to handle it.

I think the release of the Neo also means Apple (and other developers) will have to keep users with 8GB of RAM in mind for future updates -- which IMO bolsters the case for continued viability of the M1 Air.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Maybe, but using generalities, the support seems to line up with when apple stops supporting the hardware and I think its a useful rule of thumb

That’s not always true though.
Look at the 2007 iMac, or the iPad Air2, or the iPhone 6S.
All supported way, way longer with software than hardware support.

 

[Digitalguy]

I think the release of the Neo also means Apple (and other developers) will have to keep users with 8GB of RAM in mind for future updates -- which IMO bolsters the case for continued viability of the M1 Air.

I have to disagree on this, I don't think it will matter in the slightest. Apple has probably decided how long they are going to support Apple Silicon for a while already and specs don't matter. 8GB, 16GB or 24GB won't matter.
What matters is the OS of launch and sometimes the product category (for instance with iPads, the air, pro and mini have the same support, but the base iPad has 2 years less). We could have for instance 7 OS updates for the regular M Macs, 8 OS updates for M pro and max and 5 or 6 OS updates for the A series.
We will know once each products stops receiving OS updates (security updates past the last OS updates are a different story, they are generally only for the most important security issues, so not full, and generally continue for a couple of years after end of software support).

 

[4sallypat]

I think the release of the Neo also means Apple (and other developers) will have to keep users with 8GB of RAM in mind for future updates -- which IMO bolsters the case for continued viability of the M1 Air.

I have both the 8GB M1 Mini and Neo.

Both are going to work longer than I expect them (+7 years).

My 2017 rMB 8GB is almost 10 years old and still going strong.

 

[Bungaree.Chubbins]

My old 2012 MacBook Air is a bit creaky and no longer at its peak, and it’s stuck on Catalina, but it’s still soldiering on. Apple builds great machines. Sure there’s the occasional misstep, but so many old machines are still going strong!

 

[Digitalguy]

My old 2012 MacBook Air is a bit creaky and no longer at its peak, and it’s stuck on Catalina, but it’s still soldiering on. Apple builds great machines. Sure there’s the occasional misstep, but so many old machines are still going strong!

Totally many people use Macs way past the end of software support. My 2 Retina MacBooks are still serving me on Moneterey and I don't plan to stop using them, and for as long as Apple does not make a similar Apple Silicon Mac.

 

[sublunar]

You can still buy a M1 MBA from Walmart, so it could still be considered a current computer.

Apple determine 'current' to be whatever they are officially selling in their own stores though.

It's probably the reason why Apple wanted to have an alternative that Walmart could switch to selling at the $599 price point. Either Walmart (and other third party resellers) were able to secure remaining stocks from the 'channel' or Apple tacitly allowed third party sales to continue (and manufactured them specifically for these 3rd party retailers) despite being officially discontinued from the Apple Store.

I think the general software support that Apple will provide is based on 5 years after the model is discontinued from the (official) Apple Store. There are exceptions of course and their policy might change as they've never put it in writing - we just have to wait till WWDC each year to find out which models support the next macOS.

In this respect some of the recent Walmart buyers of the M1 Air might be disappointed going forward if they only bought recently.

While the old Intel Macs could be potentially switched to Linux after Mac support ended (T2 chip notwithstanding) there has to be a worry over what becomes of M1 series Macs once security updates cease. Big door stops?

I'd be quite disappointed if I spent a lot of money on an M1 Max MacBook Pro (or Mac Studio). There is hope on the horizon as the M1 Max Mac Studios were only discontinued in June 2023 - so in theory Apple could be generous and continue general M1x support with official releases till 2028 with a couple years of security updates after that. Or they could be strict and go on a model by model basis based on whatever criteria suits them.

 

[pshufd]

While the old Intel Macs could be potentially switched to Linux after Mac support ended (T2 chip notwithstanding) there has to be a worry over what becomes of M1 series Macs once security updates cease. Big door stops?

Old, unsupported Mac minis can make nice home media servers.

If you absolutely needed a supported operating system, you could run a Windows virtual machine. I don't know if you can do that with Linux or not.

 

[JPack]

You can still buy a M1 MBA from Walmart, so it could still be considered a current computer.

You can still buy an iPhone 12 brand new from Walmart. Does that mean it's a current iPhone?

Apple can't control when some random retailer around the world sells its last unit of stock. They can only control product launch date, which is what Apple uses to determine the length of major OS updates.

Straight Talk Apple iPhone 12, 64GB, Black - Prepaid Smartphone [Locked to Straight Talk] - Walmart.com

Buy Straight Talk Apple iPhone 12, 64GB, Black - Prepaid Smartphone [Locked to Straight Talk] at Walmart.com

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