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

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chown33 said:
Here's Apple's list of vintage and obsolete products:

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

Learn about your options for getting service and parts for Apple devices that are past their warranty period.
support.apple.com support.apple.com

The iPhone 12 is not on the vintage list. Yet.
Click to expand...

The iPhone 12 will probably end up like the iPhone 11, meaning it won't be on the list for another few years. But the 11 Pro/Max are already vintage. Base models get assembled for developing markets well after it stops being sold at the Apple Store.

But again, this has no bearing on software support. Will iPhone 11 get extra long software support just because it's still being sold somewhere? No chance.
 
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JPack said:
The iPhone 12 will probably end up like the iPhone 11, meaning it won't be on the list for another few years. But the 11 Pro/Max are already vintage. Base models get assembled for developing markets well after it stops being sold at the Apple Store.

But again, this has no bearing on software support. Will iPhone 11 get extra long software support just because it's still being sold somewhere? No chance.
Click to expand...
Pro phone models only last one year before being discontinued. The iPhone 11 lasted 3 years on the official Apple site - they just kept selling it as a cheaper model.

Yes there was a life for the 11 at third party retailers after the Apple Store discontinued it. And it still happens at big name stores for recently discontinued iPhones.

I think in the iPhones case the 11 pro gets longer support because the regular 11 hung around so long.
 
Well when they launched the M1 Studio then made a big song and dance about 10 years.

When bought it in person then the sales person trotted out the spiel about being set for next 10 years so asked if would get Mac OS support for 10 years as main thing is FCP X and tnat usually requires latest or just one back.

Not sure if that has changed but didn’t seem to happy at the question.
 
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sublunar said:
Pro phone models only last one year before being discontinued. The iPhone 11 lasted 3 years on the official Apple site - they just kept selling it as a cheaper model.

Yes there was a life for the 11 at third party retailers after the Apple Store discontinued it. And it still happens at big name stores for recently discontinued iPhones.

I think in the iPhones case the 11 pro gets longer support because the regular 11 hung around so long.
Click to expand...

We should clarify if we're talking about software or hardware support. Hardware support depends on when Apple stops distributing it, while software support depends on when Apple started selling it.

iPhone XR: 2018-2021
iPhone XS: 2018-2019

Both only support iOS 18, which was 6 years after launch. The XS didn't get longer support because the XR hung around longer. The XS even has an extra GB of RAM.

So all these dreams about M1 getting longer support because Walmart sells it or because M1 is a special processor is moot. Apple gives their products 6-7 years of major software support and that's it.
 
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pshufd said:
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
Click to expand...
Is anything technical stopping it compared to a Mac Pro 7,1? Or just Apple being itself and trying to force those folks to buy a new computer.
 
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JPack said:
We should clarify if we're talking about software or hardware support. Hardware support depends on when Apple stops distributing it, while software support depends on when Apple started selling it.

iPhone XR: 2018-2021
iPhone XS: 2018-2019

Both only support iOS 18, which was 6 years after launch. The XS didn't get longer support because the XR hung around longer. The XS even has an extra GB of RAM.

So all these dreams about M1 getting longer support because Walmart sells it or because M1 is a special processor is moot. Apple gives their products 6-7 years of major software support and that's it.
Click to expand...
I don’t think Apple had anything formal written down for software support. But hardware support is a legal thing in California (and Turkey) so they write it down as 5 years (6 for EU and Turkey).

In terms of software over the years they do something very similar but there are exceptions - Mac mini 2014 for example. Or non retina MacBook Pro 12” 2012. Both of those sold officially for years after introduction and ended up with a users who had their purchase being supported for fewer years in the end.
 
maflynn said:
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
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The Apple TV A8 is obsolete now we shall see how long they support the software on the Apple TV A8...
 
Onlyuseapple said:
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.
Click to expand...

I think you are stating what you want for you, while ignoring Apple is a business with its own plans. And has been pointed out, those plans are based on timing not capability. They exist to sell new machines, not support old ones. This is not a criticism, it's a business reality. Apple is not your big brother. They produce great products, yes, they have figured out to care about the customer increases their own value yes, but in the end, they are a company. They will stop software support more or less on schedule. Maybe one more year. no more.
 
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maflynn said:
You can still buy a M1 MBA from Walmart, so it could still be considered a current computer.
Click to expand...
Yes, and as I mentioned in a separate thread with @ignatius345, Apple may still be selling the M1 MBAs on their refurbished site, although that may end sooner than later. I've seen them on the Apple Japan site as recent as last night (gone now, though). Probably still a hot item, even with the Neo available. The M1 MBA even outperforms the Neo in some areas, although obviously not in all.
 
avro707 said:
Is anything technical stopping it compared to a Mac Pro 7,1? Or just Apple being itself and trying to force those folks to buy a new computer.
Click to expand...

One thing that does influence apple support (that needs to be considered) is support from the OEM for the hardware contained in it.

If the CPU in the iMac Pro has gone end of support from intel, then Apple have no way they can continue to support it for say, unforeseen newly discovered security issues that require CPU microcode update.

With A and M series it is entirely up to Apple, but for machines that contain third party components (CPU/GPU/Network adapter or wifi adapter chips, etc.) - Apple will not officially support them if the OEM has stopped support, as they themselves need upstream OEM support to update it.

So yeah, AMD no longer support VEGA discrete GPUs - so anything containing a Vega discrete GPU in either PCs or Macs will no longer have support. That rules out the iMac Pro; Apple can't do new features on metal, etc. that may require driver programming support for Vega as AMD has EOLed it.

The Mac Pro 7,1 is also going end of support because its CPU is out of support (ditto for iMac Pro as it is older).

e.g.,

Intel® Xeon® W-3223 Processor (16.5M Cache, 3.50 GHz) - Product Specifications | Intel

Intel® Xeon® W-3223 Processor (16.5M Cache, 3.50 GHz) quick reference with specifications, features, and technologies.
www.intel.com www.intel.com

end of intel product support for the 7,1 Mac Pro CPU was June 30 last year.

Which means any catastrophic security bug discovered in it that needs microcode updates will not be provided by intel - and Apple can't create those themselves.

"Support" from Apple in terms of software, etc. means they will generally patch or otherwise mitigate security problems. In the above two cases for example, they simply can not guarantee that.


It remains to be seen how Apple will treat M series. The initial M1 processors are not yet 7 years old which has generally been the beginning of the end for software updates in the past (with a few exceptions).

They've been pretty good with A series chips lately (iPhone X still getting updates/support!). The ability for Apple to provide ongoing software support is totally up to them.


Some of these (older, non apple) parts will continue to run on Windows, as Microsoft usually don't actively block hardware (though this is starting), the driver support is left to the OEM; if your old Vega GPU works with Windows 12 for example (e.g., maybe using a legacy Windows 11 driver for example), all good. If it doesn't, you need to cry to AMD for a driver, it's not Microsoft's problem.
 
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throAU said:
One thing that does influence apple support (that needs to be considered) is support from the OEM for the hardware contained in it.

If the CPU in the iMac Pro has gone end of support from intel, then Apple have no way they can continue to support it for say, unforeseen newly discovered security issues that require CPU microcode update.

With A and M series it is entirely up to Apple, but for machines that contain third party components (CPU/GPU/Network adapter or wifi adapter chips, etc.) - Apple will not officially support them if the OEM has stopped support, as they themselves need upstream OEM support to update it.

So yeah, AMD no longer support VEGA discrete GPUs - so anything containing a Vega discrete GPU in either PCs or Macs will no longer have support. That rules out the iMac Pro; Apple can't do new features on metal, etc. that may require driver programming support for Vega as AMD has EOLed it.

The Mac Pro 7,1 is also going end of support because its CPU is out of support (ditto for iMac Pro as it is older).

e.g.,

Intel® Xeon® W-3223 Processor (16.5M Cache, 3.50 GHz) - Product Specifications | Intel

Intel® Xeon® W-3223 Processor (16.5M Cache, 3.50 GHz) quick reference with specifications, features, and technologies.
www.intel.com www.intel.com

end of intel product support for the 7,1 Mac Pro CPU was June 30 last year.

Which means any catastrophic security bug discovered in it that needs microcode updates will not be provided by intel - and Apple can't create those themselves.

"Support" from Apple in terms of software, etc. means they will generally patch or otherwise mitigate security problems. In the above two cases for example, they simply can not guarantee that.


It remains to be seen how Apple will treat M series. The initial M1 processors are not yet 7 years old which has generally been the beginning of the end for software updates in the past (with a few exceptions).

They've been pretty good with A series chips lately (iPhone X still getting updates/support!). The ability for Apple to provide ongoing software support is totally up to them.


Some of these (older, non apple) parts will continue to run on Windows, as Microsoft usually don't actively block hardware (though this is starting), the driver support is left to the OEM; if your old Vega GPU works with Windows 12 for example (e.g., maybe using a legacy Windows 11 driver for example), all good. If it doesn't, you need to cry to AMD for a driver, it's not Microsoft's problem.
Click to expand...
I was going to add a comment similar to yours. In the Intel years, Apple would always drop support for hardware after Intel EOLed the CPU in said Macs. People always like to blame Apple for planned obsolescence when they leave machines out from a new OS release, but for a long time the call wasn't entirely in their hands.

Now, the transition to ARM shifts more of the control to Apple even though there are still many third party chips in their devices. I wouldn't be surprised if Apple somewhat arbitrarily draw a line in the sand after 7 version of macOS (or something along those lines), kind of like how they do with iOS, but I could also see them use this as their opportunity to show the world that their chips are so superior that they can keep up with the latest software for longer, say, a decade. Macs tend to have longer lifetimes than iPhones, so their software support should be longer too.
 
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i think what a lot of people lose focus on is that just because apple will stop "supporting" a product, most likely M1 products in the next few years, it doesnt mean it will all of a sudden stop working. you will still be able to get many years of usage out of it you so wish.

vary rarely do widespread apps (i dont know what OP runs on their machine) require the latest OS to run. Chrome for example, the latest version currently requires MacOS 12, released in 2021. using this example, if an M1 mac stopped getting updates this year, which im guessing it wont, its reasonable to assume that Chrome would still be supported for this OS for the next 4-5 years.

firefox still runs on Catalina! (released 2019)
 
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Personally I'd be disappointed (though maybe not surprised) if they didn't at least modestly extend support of AS products over Intel ones, now everything's in-house. Either with OS upgrades, or even extending the regular security updates to whichever old macOS version the M1s get left behind on beyond the current ~2 years. 🤷‍♂️
 
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JPack said:
The iPhone 12 will probably end up like the iPhone 11, meaning it won't be on the list for another few years. But the 11 Pro/Max are already vintage. Base models get assembled for developing markets well after it stops being sold at the Apple Store.

But again, this has no bearing on software support. Will iPhone 11 get extra long software support just because it's still being sold somewhere? No chance.
Click to expand...
Maybe I need to know the difference between vintage and obsolete in Apple terms.

Because iPhone 11/Max still is fully supported by Apple's major software updates as it has iOS 26.

But yeah, that could change with 27.
 
Manatlt said:
Maybe I need to know the difference between vintage and obsolete in Apple terms.

Because iPhone 11/Max still is fully supported by Apple's major software updates as it has iOS 26.

But yeah, that could change with 27.
Click to expand...
It really only has to do with whether Apple will repair damaged hardware or not.
  • Vintage products are one that haven't been sold by Apple in more than five years and where service is offered if they have parts available. Some regions, like France, require service to be offered for up to seven years, in which case Apple will oblige there.
  • Obsolete products are ones that haven't been sold in the last seven years and where Apple no longer provides any hardware service.
While the software support broadly follows the same timespan (7 years), Apple does occasionally still provide software updates for obsolete hardware, and conversely, Apple has cut software support before products have been classified as obsolete. An example is the iPhone 6S which is still classified as vintage for variants with 16GB, 64GB, or 128GB of storage (but not 32 GB). These are considered vintage and not obsolete as they were sold in India until July 2019.
 
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JulianStaples said:
Personally I'd be disappointed (though maybe not surprised) if they didn't at least modestly extend support of AS products over Intel ones, now everything's in-house. Either with OS upgrades, or even extending the regular security updates to whichever old macOS version the M1s get left behind on beyond the current ~2 years. 🤷‍♂️
Click to expand...
I think Apple is so pleased with AS that the base M1 will get 7 OS updates total.

I could also see them giving pro and max chips one more year than the base model.
 
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Since the neo was just released and is around the same in sc..then m1 should be supported as the neo so another 3-4 years or supported forever and you take the hit on slowing your machine with every macOs version
 
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Hardware does not seem to matter to Apple for support with OS updates. I have a 2014 5K iMac maxed out. There was a year newer Mac mini with worse hardware that was supported for an OS release that the 5K iMac was not, so it is not really about the computer specs but more so when Apple arbitrarily decides you cannot update anymore. I completely understand when changing a chip set that there has to be an end date, that happened with the transition from the PowerPC chips when Apple switched to Intel and same will happen when Intel chips are no longer supported at all with a Mac OS release.
 
wonderings said:
Hardware does not seem to matter to Apple for support with OS updates. I have a 2014 5K iMac maxed out. There was a year newer Mac mini with worse hardware that was supported for an OS release that the 5K iMac was not, so it is not really about the computer specs but more so when Apple arbitrarily decides you cannot update anymore. I completely understand when changing a chip set that there has to be an end date, that happened with the transition from the PowerPC chips when Apple switched to Intel and same will happen when Intel chips are no longer supported at all with a Mac OS release.
Click to expand...

Sometimes, during x86 at least, it was about specific instruction sets. So it may have had “worse” hardware but a newer cpu generation
 
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