What are the brand new macOS options you’ll be able to’t entry on an Intel Mac?

Apple first introduced its intent to transition the complete Mac lineup to its in-house Apple Silicon processor household back in 2020. It took a few years for the swap away from Intel-based chips to fully ramp up, however today, each new Mac product ships solely with an M sequence processor.

After all, Apple nonetheless helps older Intel-based Macs with software updates and safety patches, and can possible proceed to take action for a pair extra years. With the latest launch of macOS 15 Sequoia to the general public, plenty of older pre-Apple Silicon computer systems are actually receiving the free over-the-air replace.

What macOS Sequoia options are lacking on Intel-based Macs?

Not as a lot is lacking as you may anticipate

The principle lacking macOS Sequoia function that will not be making its strategy to pre-Apple Silicon Mac computer systems is, in fact, Apple Intelligence. Apple has been clear from the start that solely M sequence Macs will profit from the corporate’s first main foray into the world of synthetic intelligence.

Apple Intelligence is a broad time period that encompasses plenty of AI-related capabilities and capabilities. Generative picture creation, textual content modifying and rewriting instruments, sensible summaries, and a extra useful Siri are all high billing for when the function set lastly hits appropriate units within the coming weeks and months.

Apple’s picky nature with regards to its merchandise that help Apple Intelligence extends far past the Mac — the brand-new iPhone 16 sequence and final 12 months’s iPhone 15 Professional and 15 Professional Max are the one iPhone fashions slated to obtain the AI remedy, for instance.

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  iPhone 16

  This 12 months’s iPhone 16 line blurs the road between the “Professional” and the base-level iPhone by providing a brand new digital camera button and the Motion Button, alongside the A18 chip.

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  iPhone 16 Plus

  This 12 months’s iPhone 16 line blurs the road between the “Professional” and the base-level iPhone by providing a brand new digital camera button and the Motion Button, alongside the A18 chip.
   

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  iPhone 16 Professional Max

  Apple’s iPhone 16 Professional line options just a few notable upgrades over final 12 months’s iPhone 15 Professional, together with a devoted digital camera button, a brand new A18 Professional chip, a much bigger display, and a number of other AI-powered Apple Intelligence options.

• 

  iPhone 16 Professional

  Apple’s iPhone 16 Professional line options just a few notable upgrades over final 12 months’s iPhone 15 Professional, together with a devoted digital camera button, a brand new A18 Professional chip, a much bigger display, and a number of other AI-powered Apple Intelligence options.

The one different macOS Sequoia function that is unavailable on Intel-based Mac {hardware} is Live Audio Transcription. The function robotically generates transcriptions in actual time, which is probably helpful when recording voice memos, notes, interviews, and extra. Reside Audio Transcription is Apple Intelligence-adjacent, so it isn’t stunning to see Intel Macs lacking out on the performance.

Rejoice: the marquee iPhone display mirroring function is offered on Intel Macs

Nonetheless, there’s only one small catch

Apple

In a considerably uncharacteristically Apple transfer, the corporate has gone forward and allowed older Intel-based Macs to faucet into the brand new iPhone screen mirroring function. This functionality is arguably the headliner of macOS Sequoia, letting you remotely mirror your iPhone’s show as a window instantly in your Mac’s desktop.

Contemplating Apple’s proud and frequent boasting with regards to its unified ecosystem and its vertical integration of each {hardware} and software program, I might’ve assumed that the corporate would’ve swept iPhone mirroring totally below the rug with regards to any and all Intel Macs. Fortunately, this is not the case.

There’s one catch, nonetheless — Intel-based Macs that lack a devoted T2 safety chip will not have the ability to entry iPhone display mirroring in any respect. “The Apple T2 Safety Chip is Apple’s second-generation, customized silicon for Intel-based Mac computer systems,” the corporate states.

Apple has a support website page devoted to itemizing Intel-based Macs that function its T2 chip, which is a good reference device. The next Intel-based Macs with help for macOS Sequoia embody the T2:

• MacBook Professional from 2018 and onward
• iMac from 2020.
• Mac mini from 2018
• Mac Professional from 2019

Which means that sure fashions just like the 2017 iMac Professional, the 2019 iMac, and the 2020 MacBook Air will not have entry to the function, which is a bummer certainly.

In any case, it is stunning (and fairly spectacular) to see Apple proceed to help years-old laptop computer and desktop {hardware}, particularly after having transitioned away from its competitor’s chip designs. The period of help for non-Apple Silicon Macs will possible be coming to an finish over the course of the subsequent couple of years. For now, nonetheless, you’ll be able to nonetheless run the newest model of macOS on an Intel-based MacBook from 2018.

FAQ

Q: Which Intel-based Macs help the macOS 14 Sequoia replace?

The next Intel-based Mac computer systems might be up to date to macOS Sequoia:

• MacBook Professional (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports), MacBook Professional (13-inch, 2020, 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports), MacBook Professional (16-inch, 2019), MacBook Professional (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports), MacBook Professional (15-inch, 2019), MacBook Professional (13-inch, 2019, 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports), MacBook Professional (15-inch, 2018), MacBook Professional (13-inch, 2018, 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020)
• iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020), iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019), iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019), iMac Professional (2017)
• Mac mini (2018)
• Mac Professional (2019)

For extra granular info, Apple has a useful macOS compatibility web page, which might be discovered on its official website.

Q: How do I test if my Intel-based Mac has a T2 safety chip?

To see whether or not your Mac has an Apple T2 chip, comply with these steps:

1. Click on on the Apple menu.
2. Click on on System Data.
3. Click on on Controller on the sidebar positioned on the left-hand aspect of the appliance.
4. In case your Mac has a T2 chip, it will be listed below Controller Data.