For three years, we’ve analyzed data to answer two questions about Apple’s support for older Macs using Intel chips. The first question revolved around whether updates and software support were decreasing as the company transitioned to its own Apple Silicon lineup. The second question focused on how long users could expect to receive updates for their Intel-based Macs.
Apple has provided a clear answer: macOS 26 Tahoe will be the final version of the operating system supporting Intel chips, except for a limited period. Although this may seem like special treatment, it’s actually in line with Apple’s standard policy of providing security updates for up to two years after the latest version is released.
This decision has been met with some praise, as it offers users predictability and clarity on when support will end. Historically, Apple hasn’t been transparent about its plans, but this move demonstrates a shift towards greater openness.
Our analysis uses an extensive spreadsheet tracking every PowerPC or Intel Mac Apple has ever released since the 1998 iMac. This dataset includes the introduction and discontinuation dates for each model, as well as the macOS version initially shipped and the final supported version.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/06/one-last-look-at-software-support-as-macos-26-tahoe-winds-down-the-intel-mac-era