Apple's Intel Era Ends: Macs Go All-In on Silicon

Apple's journey with Intel processors has officially concluded, marking the end of an era initiated by the secret 'Project Marklar.' This clandestine initiative began in 2000, aiming to compile Mac OS X for Intel hardware, a move that surprised even CEO Steve Jobs initially.

The significant shift to Intel processors was publicly announced at WWDC 2005, a decision driven by the need for more capable hardware for future Mac systems. This transition not only kept Apple's laptop development on track but also solidified Intel's dominance for over a decade.

In 2020, Apple began its pivot to Apple Silicon, introducing the M1 chip family. This move paralleled Apple's ecosystem growth with iPhone and iPad, challenging Intel's position and opening doors for ARM processors in the PC market.

The Apple M1 chips delivered exceptional performance and battery life. By 2022, the M1 Ultra combined two Max processors, rivaling workstation hardware. Apple's embrace of SoC architecture and unified memory has also positioned Macs as leading platforms for on-device AI models.

As of September 2026, the last Intel-based Macs are losing support. The upcoming macOS 27 ("Golden Gate") will be the final operating system for x86 hardware, with macOS 26 ("Tahoe") being the last to support Intel processors. Legacy machines now miss features like Metal 4 graphics and Apple Intelligence, facing an end to security patches and repairs.