Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) next week will bring significant updates to its hardware, including iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and MacBook Pro laptops. However, the company has decided to drop support for older Intel-based MacBook Pros starting from the launch of macOS 26.
Mark Gurman, writing for Bloomberg, has previewed the new software, which includes the next version of macOS. The update will refresh the operating system’s user interface across all platforms and introduce a new artificial intelligence (AI) framework that will be available to third-party developers.
The AI announcement is notable, but its performance requirements may not be compatible with older Intel processors, which could lead to limited support for older Macs. Apple has committed to supporting macOS 26 on the newer ARM-based MacBook Pro laptops and other devices, but it’s unclear how much software will be available for older, slower models.
The company’s decision is partly due to its shift from Intel to ARM-based architecture, which has brought significant performance improvements to new Macs. However, this move also means that Apple must support the older platform for a set period, in this case, until 2026 or 2027, depending on the specific model.
The impact of this decision will be most noticeable for consumers using third-party apps, as they may encounter “unsupported” error messages due to compatibility issues. Professional users who rely on older Macs in production environments may still receive security updates and support for a limited time.
While Apple’s support window is not always publicly disclosed, the company has typically offered six years of updates for its products. The move away from Intel-based laptops marks the end of an era, as the classic MacBook Pro that many users knew and loved will no longer be supported after macOS 26 launches.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2025/06/08/apple-macbook-pro-macbook-air-intel-apple-silicon-macos-tahoe-support