[News] Apple to End Intel Mac Support with macOS 27, Deepening Shift to In-House M-Series Chips

Apple will end support for Intel-based Macs with its latest operating system, macOS 27. According to EE Times China, citing MacRumors, Apple has officially confirmed that macOS 27, set to roll out in September, will only support devices powered by its in-house M-series chips, fully discontinuing support for Intel-based Mac architectures.

EE Times China notes that Intel-based models, including the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro, the 2020 27-inch iMac, and the Mac Pro, will not be eligible for the new operating system, with macOS 26 Tahoe set to be the final version supporting Macs equipped with Intel processors.

This move, as noted by EE Times China, reflects a strategic decision grounded in the advantages of Apple’s in-house chip technology and its closed ecosystem—using OS version requirements to drive user migration and advance an ecosystem transition across its installed base.

Apple Silicon Advances; M6 Launch May Slip to 2027

Apple’s self-developed chips continue to advance. EE Times China notes that, compared with Intel chips, the M5 Max delivers a dual breakthrough in performance and energy efficiency by leveraging ARM architecture. It also adopts a unified memory architecture, enabling the CPU, GPU, and neural engine to share high-speed memory while eliminating the need for data transfers across separate chips.

In addition, according to TechNews, supply chain sources indicate that this generation is built on TSMC’s N3P process and incorporates SoIC-MH advanced packaging technology.

As noted by EE Times China, these efforts have helped reduce Apple’s reliance on external chip suppliers while delivering meaningful cost and margin advantages.

Meanwhile, amid the continued progress of Apple’s in-house silicon, Wccftech, citing Bloomberg, reports that the M6, M6 Pro, and M6 Max series—originally expected in 2026—may be delayed until 2027. Apple is said to be facing production challenges tied to DRAM and NAND flash shortages, which could push back the launch timeline.

Apple Names John Ternus as CEO Amid Leadership Reshuffle

As its hardware advancements continue, Apple has announced that John Ternus, senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, will become the company’s next CEO effective September 1, 2026, while Tim Cook will transition to executive chairman of its board of directors.

As Reuters notes, Ternus, who joined Apple in 2001, has played a key role in revitalizing products such as the Mac. The leadership change comes at a pivotal time, as Apple has lost its position as the world’s most valuable company to AI chipmaker NVIDIA. Reuters adds that integrating AI into the iPhone may prove to be Ternus’ most significant challenge.

In addition, Apple announced that, effective immediately, executive Johny Srouji will assume the role of chief hardware officer, taking on an expanded position leading Hardware Engineering, previously overseen by Ternus.

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