OS X Yosemite runs on same Macs as Mavericks, but iOS 8 drops support for iPhone 4

Any Mac currently running Mavericks will be able to install OS X Yosemite, hardware requirements released by Apple show. But the launch of iOS 8 this fall will mean the end of support for the iPhone 4, first released in 2010.

The system requirements for Yosemite listed by Apple are identical to those for Mavericks, which means that the following systems will be able to run OS X 10.10:

MacBook Pro: mid-2007 or newer
MacBook Air: late 2008 or newer
iMac: mid-2007 or newer
Mac mini: early 2009 or newer
Mac Pro: early 2008 or newer
MacBook: late 2008 aluminum, early 2009 or newer
Xserve: early 2009

That means the hardware requirements for Apple's latest Mac operating system have been unchanged for two years, as last year Apple did not change the requirements from the upgrade to Mountain Lion to Mavericks.

But this fall's debut of iOS 8 will leave the iPhone 4 in the dust, finally retiring support for Apple's A4 chip. The oldest phone that will be supported by iOS 8 is the iPhone 4S, which is powered by Apple's A5 CPU.

That same A5 chip is also found in the iPad 2 and first-generation iPad mini, both of which are also capable of running iOS 8. That means that all iPads that were capable of running iOS 6 and iOS 7 7 will be able to install the iOS 8 upgrade. Apple retired support for the first-generation iPad and its A4 chip with the launch of iOS 6 in 2012.

Both iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite will be free upgrades for Apple device users coming this fall. Continuity between the two platforms has been a key focus for Apple in their development.

71 Comments

blackbook 1360 comments · 13 Years

About 10 years ago

The best news is that iOS 8 won't be hobbled on any of Apple's older iPhones in the way that iOS 7 was limited on the iPhone 4. Every iPhone will get the full iOS 8 experience.

paxman 4729 comments · 17 Years

I am still using a Late 2008 MB at work. I replaced the HD with an SSD and I have no speed issues at all. Looks like I'll be keeping it for a while longer. Color me impressed. A 6 year old lap top running the latest OS without a problem. Runs all the apps fine inc PS6 (not for heavy lifting).

saarek 1578 comments · 16 Years

I hope the features between iOS 8 and 10.10 will be available on all handsets, tempted to keep my iPhone 4s another year but really want to use my Mac to answer my phone whilst it's on charge etc.

wood1208 2932 comments · 10 Years

Thanks to Apple who still willing to support over 3 generations old iphone, ipads, Macs, etc. AND big NO thanks to Google android and those selling android phones which hardly supports last year's models. I am waiting for my LG Optimus e970 for kitkat update. Samsung dropped galaxy s3 from kitkat update and the list go on and on and on. I am sorry, it is big list to list here but you know what I am saying if you are android smartphone user.

Thanks to Apple who still willing to support over 3 generations old iphone, ipads, Macs, etc. AND

Big NO thanks to Google android and those selling android phones who hardly care to support last year's models with year old kitkat android 4.4 version. I am waiting for my LG Optimus e970 for kitkat update. Samsung dropped galaxy s3 from kitkat update and the list go on and on and on. I am sorry, it is big list to list here but you know what I am saying if you are android smartphone user.