Apple's Secret Intel Switch: Project Marklar Revealed

Apple's monumental shift from PowerPC to Intel processors in 2005 began as a highly secretive initiative codenamed Project Marklar. This clandestine effort, spearheaded by engineer JK Scheinberg, involved compiling Mac OS X for Intel hardware, effectively creating early Hackintosh systems. Software vice president Bertrand Serlet discovered the project approximately 18 months into its development, leading to a crucial purchase of a Sony Vaio PC to demonstrate OS X running on Intel.

At WWDC 2005, CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the transition, citing Apple's inability to develop future computers with PowerPC. This strategic move not only ensured Apple's laptop development roadmap but also significantly bolstered Intel's standing as a leading chipmaker for over a decade.

In 2020, Apple initiated another major transformation, phasing out Intel chips for its in-house designed Apple M1 family. This pivot, driven by the success of its mobile ecosystem, positioned Apple Silicon as a powerful alternative. The M1 chips demonstrated remarkable performance-per-watt and enabled extended battery life, with subsequent iterations like the M1 Ultra and M5 further pushing boundaries.

As of 2026, the last Intel-based Macs are nearing the end of their lifecycle. The upcoming macOS 27 ("Golden Gate") will cease support for Intel processors, making macOS 26 ("Tahoe") the final operating system for x86 hardware. Legacy Intel machines are already missing out on features like Apple Intelligence and Metal 4 graphics, and will soon face the discontinuation of security patches and official repairs, marking the definitive end of the Intel Mac era.