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

[Flint Ironstag]

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.

I'm unaware of any reason that OCLP wouldn't work on iMac Pro. And Proxmox certainly would.

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. 🤷‍♂️

This would absolutely be the right thing to do. Too many people are OK with corporate greed.

 

[throAU]

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

performance is pretty much nothing to do with it.

• The M1 is A14 series cpu instructions/feature set
• The A18 Pro in the Neo is 4 generations newer with updated CPU instructions including new security features.

The A18 Pro runs the exact same code as an M4 Max.

The M1 does not, and this is a major contributing factor that will dictate how long software support lasts for it. The Neo will get software support far beyond when the M1 gets cut off because it supports the newer CPU instructions and security features.

 

[Charlie Bonesx]

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

m1 will not be supported as long as neo

It’s 6 years older. That’s just not going to happen

 

[throAU]

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.

As above, sometimes the 1 year newer CPU is the cutoff. Due to either intel CPU support being terminated by intel, in the case of intel machines - or CPU features that Apple may require moving forward that are not in the older generation architecture (even if the CPU is higher spec and faster).

the SPEED of the chip generally has little to do with whether software will support it - its the version of the CPU family's instructions that it supports.

 

[throAU]

m1 will not be supported as long as neo

It’s 6 years older. That’s just not going to happen

Well, not quite.

The Air CPU is from 2020.

The NEO's CPU was first released in 2024.

 

[MultiFinder17]

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.

Asahi Linux

asahilinux.org

 

[Charlie Bonesx]

Well, not quite.

The Air CPU is from 2020.

The NEO's CPU was first released in 2024.

fair point, if anything that only lessens the Neo's support window, certainly doesn't extend m1

 

[subjonas]

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.

The thing is you never know if the last update is really the last update. Apple released a random update for the iPhone 5S just this year, something to do with updating a license. They also sporadically push security updates for old devices. I think it's just the most necessary ones. Major OS updates are more predictable, but after those end, it seems almost indefinitely Apple provides updates to keep their devices working safely at a base level. I think true hard line end of software usability is based more on when someone's required apps stop supporting OS versions.

 

[Charlie Bonesx]

The thing is you never know if the last update is really the last update. Apple released a random update for the iPhone 5S just this year, something to do with updating a license. They also sporadically push security updates for old devices. I think it's just the most necessary ones. Major OS updates are more predictable, but after those end, it seems almost indefinitely Apple provides updates to keep their devices working safely at a base level. I think true hard line end of software usability is based more on when someone's required apps stop supporting OS versions.

what you are describing may be the case for iOS, but it is not so for macOS

once os updates end it's two years of security updates period.

 

[tenthousandthings]

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.

This is right, I think. There is precedent. Even if we set the Intel era aside, there is little reason to think Apple will adopt a different pattern of software support for M-series silicon versus the longstanding A-series pattern.

macOS 27 seems the likely choice as the final M1 release. They will strip legacy Intel support -- macOS 26 is the true end of that era. macOS 27 will be the first macOS that is Apple-silicon only. The focus will be on establishing a stable foundation for the future. If the rumors are accurate, there won't be a lot of shiny new features (other than Apple Intelligence that was delayed). macOS 27 could receive a few extra years of security and browser updates, but 7 years plus 3 would then reassert itself as the norm.

 

[subjonas]

what you are describing may be the case for iOS, but it is not so for macOS

once os updates end it's two years of security updates period.

The 2012 retina MacBook Pro running Catalina received a security update this year in February.

Apple security releases - Apple Support

This document lists security updates for Apple software.

support.apple.com

 

[wonderings]

As above, sometimes the 1 year newer CPU is the cutoff. Due to either intel CPU support being terminated by intel, in the case of intel machines - or CPU features that Apple may require moving forward that are not in the older generation architecture (even if the CPU is higher spec and faster).

the SPEED of the chip generally has little to do with whether software will support it - its the version of the CPU family's instructions that it supports.

while support may be ended from Intel, it does not mean Apple has to stop its support from their OS. Windows has no issue with this, Apple has made this their decision. There are pros and cons to it of course. The con is you literally have a computer that will no longer work with certain things after a certain time period not because the hardware is incapable of it but because Apple has deemed it obsolete and are pushing you to upgrade. There is a reason Apple is one of the richest companies on the planet and it is not because of how much they charge for their microfibre cleaning cloth.... ok that might be one reason they are so wealthy.

 

[Charlie Bonesx]

The 2012 retina MacBook Pro running Catalina received a security update this year in February.

Apple security releases - Apple Support

This document lists security updates for Apple software.

support.apple.com

hmm

that is unusual

I stand corrected

 

[headlessmike]

while support may be ended from Intel, it does not mean Apple has to stop its support from their OS. Windows has no issue with this, Apple has made this their decision. There are pros and cons to it of course. The con is you literally have a computer that will no longer work with certain things after a certain time period not because the hardware is incapable of it but because Apple has deemed it obsolete and are pushing you to upgrade. There is a reason Apple is one of the richest companies on the planet and it is not because of how much they charge for their microfibre cleaning cloth.... ok that might be one reason they are so wealthy.

Apple could update the software for it, but any insecurities in the CPU would never be patched out of Intel had already dropped support.

Microsoft has gotten more strict in their hardware support as well for the same reason of avoiding unpatched hardware bugs, with Windows 11 requiring a CPU from 2018 or newer.

 

[subjonas]

hmm

that is unusual

These additional updates are very random and rare, and therefore they go by unnoticed. This was the only update since Catalina stopped receiving regular updates in 2022. The only reason I know of this specific example is because I still own my 2012 rMBP.

 

[headlessmike]

These additional updates are very random and rare, and therefore they go by unnoticed. This was the only update since Catalina stopped receiving regular updates in 2022. The only reason I know of this specific example is because I still own my 2012 rMBP.

Almost all of the updates in the last few months for unsupported OS's has been to renew certificates needed for iCloud authentication, so things like iMessage and FaceTime will continue to work. For the most part they have not included security patches.

 

[MayaUser]

performance is pretty much nothing to do with it.

• The M1 is A14 series cpu instructions/feature set
• The A18 Pro in the Neo is 4 generations newer with updated CPU instructions including new security features.

The A18 Pro runs the exact same code as an M4 Max.

The M1 does not, and this is a major contributing factor that will dictate how long software support lasts for it. The Neo will get software support far beyond when the M1 gets cut off because it supports the newer CPU instructions and security features.

You are thinking from technical point of view, but if apple removes the m1 and not neo…basic loyal customers that are not techy since they buy the air or neo, will trash apple

 

[CloudChief]

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).

Unfortunately, I agree. I hope the M1 Air is supported for as long as the Neo is supported, but I think it might be based on release date. Or they'll get us on some obscure hardware accelerator that only the Neo has. Or maybe they'll pull an iPad stage manager and design their software so that only certain devices can run it.

 

[Digitalguy]

Well, not quite.

The Air CPU is from 2020.

The NEO's CPU was first released in 2024.

Software support is not based on the CPU/SOC, but on the OS of launch of product itself and on the number of OS updates for that category of products. In the past Apple has had different end of OS updates for the same SOC on iPad vs iPhone.
So support of the iPhone 16 pro and Neo may be different.

 

[Digitalguy]

Unfortunately, I agree. I hope the M1 Air is supported for as long as the Neo is supported, but I think it might be based on release date. Or they'll get us on some obscure hardware accelerator that only the Neo has. Or maybe they'll pull an iPad stage manager and design their software so that only certain devices can run it.

Another thing with software support is that a given number of OS updates does not mean that every device will get every feature, so they could give 7 OS updates but limit a lot the features (often based on hardware specs like NPU and RAM, as happened for instance with some iPad pros in the past). That hasn't happen much with M series Macs, but now that we have A series chips everything is possible.

 

[JPack]

Apple could update the software for it, but any insecurities in the CPU would never be patched out of Intel had already dropped support.

Microsoft has gotten more strict in their hardware support as well for the same reason of avoiding unpatched hardware bugs, with Windows 11 requiring a CPU from 2018 or newer.

Patches rely on BIOS microcode updates. And there is no requirement for motherboard manufacturers to issue them. Windows does not check BIOS versions.

Basically, whether Intel “supports” a CPU or not is irrelevant.

 

[JPack]

Unfortunately, I agree. I hope the M1 Air is supported for as long as the Neo is supported, but I think it might be based on release date. Or they'll get us on some obscure hardware accelerator that only the Neo has. Or maybe they'll pull an iPad stage manager and design their software so that only certain devices can run it.

The classic test case has been iPad Pro 10.5 vs. iPad 7.

• iPad Pro 10.5: Launched in 2017 with A10X and 4GB RAM. Latest support is iPadOS 17.
• iPad 7: Launched in 2019 with A10 and 3GB RAM. Latest support is iPadOS 18.

When the above happened, it was as clear as day Apple only cares about launch date, not specs or anything else. Anyone who believes M1 will be supported for an extended period really has to believe Apple will break its own rules.

Apple is selling iPhone, iPad, and Mac as package which includes time-limited hardware, software, and support. They are not selling individual parts, which is why "specs" don't matter. At the end of the day, Apple wants people to replace their devices so they make money.

 

[Tyler O'Bannon]

The M1 is in its sixth year. Will be complete late this year and begin year 7. This is a great question. I wonder if M1 wil lose support before pro and max do. MAYBE the overall general power of the chips will hit 7-8 years of support

 

[G5isAlive]

Apple is selling iPhone, iPad, and Mac as package which includes time-limited hardware, software, and support. They are not selling individual parts, which is why "specs" don't matter. At the end of the day, Apple wants people to replace their devices so they make money.

You know I agree. Just as you are aware (so I am adding this for those that aren't away) that in addition the cost of any device and hence profit margin takes into account so much more than raw materials, it includes R&D, costs of returns, and yes, support. Support costs Apple. Period. So people thinking Apple will just support M1 in perpetuity because its such a good chip, are ignoring that the user/benefit ratio shrinks for ever year as people do move on, so the cost of supporting M1 starts becoming disproportionately large. In other words, as you point out, it's a business decision. No reason to believe Apple will change their model.

 

[sdfox7]

x86 support ends this year

They no longer sell x86 computers so why keep coding for them

x86 support ends in 2028, when Tahoe goes EOL