What are the brand new macOS options you possibly can’t entry on an Intel Mac?

Apple first introduced its intent to transition the whole 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 lately, each new Mac product ships completely with an M collection processor.

In fact, Apple nonetheless helps older Intel-based Macs with software updates and safety patches, and can probably proceed to take action for a pair extra years. With the latest launch of macOS 15 Sequoia to the general public, a variety 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 count on

The principle lacking macOS Sequoia function that will not be making its method to pre-Apple Silicon Mac computer systems is, in fact, Apple Intelligence. Apple has been clear from the start that solely M collection 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 a variety of AI-related features and capabilities. Generative picture creation, textual content modifying and rewriting instruments, good summaries, and a extra useful Siri are all prime billing for when the function set lastly hits suitable gadgets within the coming weeks and months.

Apple’s picky nature on the subject of its merchandise that assist Apple Intelligence extends far past the Mac — the brand-new iPhone 16 collection and final 12 months’s iPhone 15 Professional and 15 Professional Max are the one iPhone fashions slated to obtain the AI therapy, 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 digicam 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 digicam button and the Motion Button, alongside the A18 chip.
   

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  iPhone 16 Professional Max

  Apple’s iPhone 16 Professional line options a couple of notable upgrades over final 12 months’s iPhone 15 Professional, together with a devoted digicam button, a brand new A18 Professional chip, an even bigger display screen, and several other AI-powered Apple Intelligence options.

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  iPhone 16 Professional

  Apple’s iPhone 16 Professional line options a couple of notable upgrades over final 12 months’s iPhone 15 Professional, together with a devoted digicam button, a brand new A18 Professional chip, an even bigger display screen, and several 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 mechanically generates transcriptions in actual time, which is probably helpful when recording voice memos, notes, interviews, and extra. Dwell Audio Transcription is Apple Intelligence-adjacent, so it is not shocking to see Intel Macs lacking out on the performance.

Rejoice: the marquee iPhone display screen mirroring function is out there 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 immediately in your Mac’s desktop.

Contemplating Apple’s proud and frequent boasting on the subject of 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 beneath the rug on the subject of 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 be capable to entry iPhone display screen 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 software. The next Intel-based Macs with assist for macOS Sequoia embrace 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 shocking (and fairly spectacular) to see Apple proceed to assist years-old laptop computer and desktop {hardware}, particularly after having transitioned away from its competitor’s chip designs. The period of assist for non-Apple Silicon Macs will probably be coming to an finish over the course of the subsequent couple of years. For now, nonetheless, you possibly can nonetheless run the most recent model of macOS on an Intel-based MacBook from 2018.

FAQ

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

The next Intel-based Mac computer systems could 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 helpful macOS compatibility web page, which could 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, observe these steps:

1. Click on on the Apple menu.
2. Click on on System Info.
3. Click on on Controller on the sidebar positioned on the left-hand aspect of the applying.
4. In case your Mac has a T2 chip, it’s going to be listed beneath Controller Info.