MacOS 26 TAHOO: Last release for Intel, Launchpad says Tschüss

With MacOS 26 alias Taoe, the Intel age ends at Apple. This was confirmed by the iPhone Group on its “Platforms State of the Union” keynote on Monday evening. Accordingly, the operating system that appears in autumn is the last MacOS that supports Intel-Macs. In addition, their number was reduced again. MacBook-Air models with Intel chip from 2020 fall from support as well as Intel MacBook Pro machines from 2018, 2019 (exception: 16-inch model) and 2020 (exception: 13-inch model with four TB3 ports), which are currently still supporting MacOS 15 alias Sequoia. IMAC 4K and 5K from 2019 also fly out, as well as iMac Pro (2017) and Mac Mini from 2018. All previous machines are no longer supported anyway.

Concentration on ARM processors

From MacOS 27, which will be released in autumn 2026, only one Apple-Silicon-Mac can be supplied with the latest MacOS. It is unclear whether Apple then begins to remove earlier Apple-Silicon machines from support, and there is currently no evidence. Apple had launched the first Macs with ARM chip, the Apple M1, in November 2020. The youngest processor is the M4, which was first published in 2024. Apple would like to concentrate entirely on the development of software for Apple-Silicon machines. There should be a little longer for security updates, although the group usually does not fix all gaps in old versions.

The presentation of the next Apple silicone chip, the M5, is expected in autumn. MacOS 26 alias Tahoe will also be released in autumn. Developers have been able to test a beta version since this week, one Public beta follows in July. The new operating system comes with a new “Liquid Glass” look, which, among other things, has new, rounded windows, brings various new icons and operating changes. The Spotlight search function has been greatly expanded and rebuilt, there are new short commands and more AI functions as part of Apple Intelligence.

Strong conversions on the surface

The innovations also include that Apple turns off its launch pad that has not been revised for a long time. This enables apps to be started and found quickly, regardless of dock and Spotlight. In MacOS 26, the surface has been completely converted and becomes a “application” feature that is fundamentally similar to the app library in iOS.

Apps are sorted here according to various criteria, such as productivity or tools. The new launchpad is said to be part of the Spotlight renovation. Users will have to prepare for some changes. Apple has also brought Mac, iPhone and iPad closer together with its new liquid glass surface.