William Gallagher
Apple's forthcoming macOS Sonoma will not support the same range of Macs as macOS Ventura, with a few models years chopped off the compatibility list.
It had been expected that macOS 14 would be a sufficiently minor update that it might well run on the same Macs as its predecessor, macOS 13. However, perhaps in order to support features across Macs, iPhones, and iPads, Apple has cut out some previously supported devices.
This means that macOS Ventura is now the final macOS that the MacBook will be able to run. Similarly, the 2017 iMac and 2017 MacBook Pro must remain on that OS.
The Macs confirmed by Apple to be able to run the new OS are:
- iMac 2019 or later
- iMac Pro
- MacBook Air 2018 or later
- MacBook Pro 2018 or later
- Mac Pro 2019 or later
- Mac Studio
- Mac mini 2018 or later
It's possible that Apple's list of compatible Macs will change as the final release of macOS Sonoma nears.
Malcolm Owen
Amber Neely
Andrew O'Hara
Christine McKee
11 Comments
It's no surprise, really, that Mac models from 2017 or earlier aren't on this list. That's how it goes with technology. There are two looming questions for which it will be years before we have answers:
- The first Apple silicon-based models arrived with the M1 chip in November 2020. When will M1-based Macs no longer be supported by a future version of macOS? 2025? 2026? Or I wonder if Apple silicon-based models, even the oldest ones, will have a longer-than-usual lifespan in terms of being able to run the newest macOS version. Will M1-based Macs be supported into, say, 2027 or 2028?
- The very last Intel-based Mac model was available for purchase through yesterday (June 4, 2023) … and it was the Mac Pro, obviously a model that cost anywhere from $5,999 all the way up to around $53,000 with every available option. How long will Apple maintain support for Intel-based Macs, including the Mac Pro? Given the high cost of this model (even at the entry level), some people will be quite vocal in their discontent if its software lifespan doesn't extend into perhaps 2027 or 2028.
This leaves WWDC2024 as the last Intel supported OS and WWDC 2025 will be the starting of Apple Silicon Only OS. I supposed knowing that, it will be a big release. Leaving out legacy Intel code like Kexts, etc.
Well I’ve been cut off for a while. My newest Mac is a 2012 mini.