Apple drops Intel Mac support with AI-focused macOS 27 Golden Gate

Additional Context

The official deprecation of Intel support follows Apple's 2025 announcement that macOS 26 would be the final version compatible with the legacy architecture. Hardware tracking data from MacRumors (April 2026) suggests Apple's Mac market share grew to 9.5% in early 2026, largely driven by the adoption of M5-series processors. Since the transition began in 2020, Apple has steadily integrated its on-device 'Apple Intelligence' features, which increasingly rely on the unified memory and NPU capabilities found only in M-series chips. Per iClarified (June 2026), several advanced on-device AI features now require at least 12GB of unified memory and an M3 processor or higher, further separating the legacy Intel install base from new software capabilities. Simultaneously, the visionOS 27 update announced at the same event brings 'Visual Intelligence' and spatial Siri integration to the Vision Pro. According to AppleInsider (June 2026), these updates include spatial panoramas and curved app windows for Apple TV Multiview, allowing content to wrap around the user's field of view. By aligning the macOS and visionOS release cycles, Apple is positioning the Vision Pro as a high-performance secondary display for Mac-based video editors. This strategy appears intended to bolster the utility of the headset amid reporting from 9to5Mac (June 2026) regarding slow overall sales compared to traditional hardware lines. The integration of high-bandwidth Wi-Fi 6E mirroring specifically addresses long-standing professional complaints regarding virtual display latency in complex production environments.