Apple's macOS 27 Golden Gate is now rolling out, but it marks a clear break from the past: Intel-based MacBooks are not supported. The update requires Apple silicon, so machines with Intel processors will remain on macOS 26 Tahoe. This is the first macOS release to be exclusive to Apple's own chips, capping a transition that began in 2020.
For businesses and individuals with Intel Macs, the immediate impact is limited. Apple has committed to providing security updates for Tahoe for two more years, through September 2028, giving users a defined window to plan hardware refreshes. Most Macs from 2021 onward can upgrade, and the 2020 M1 MacBook Pro and Air are notable exceptions that remain eligible.
The move reinforces Apple's strategy of unifying its ecosystem around its silicon, and it signals that even generous support timelines eventually end. For those holding onto older Intel machines, the message is clear: the upgrade clock is ticking, but there is still time to make a deliberate transition.