Intel iMacs were sold until March 2022, and there is speculation about how long they will continue to receive software support. While there may not be a specific law mandating that the latest software be available for these devices, consumer laws in regions like the EU and UK require Apple to provide repair services for about five to six years following the last sale. This implies that Apple should maintain a supported operating system for that duration, even if it does not include the latest features. There is concern that dropping support for Intel-based Macs could pose challenges, especially if it means customers could become locked out of essential services and updates.
Apple could theoretically reduce the support timeframe from the norm of 14 years down to five years. To do so, they would need to ensure that the last version of macOS that supports Intel retains backward compatibility with current peripherals and services. Some believe that Apple will likely continue offering support for Intel Macs until at least two years after their last sale. Given this, the general consensus is that we won’t see Intel support drop until at least macOS 17.
Despite this, Apple retains the option to adopt a long-term support policy for these devices, which could prove beneficial. It is worth noting that the most recent macOS releases have limited many new features to Apple Silicon Macs. Because of this trend, the idea of a long-term support version for the last compatible Intel version could be valuable, as it would provide users with continued access to necessary capabilities without being forced to upgrade hardware.
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