With the release of a new operating system, some older Macs age out and no longer receive the newest software. With the release of macOS Tahoe 26, the list of compatible Macs has been pared back a little.
The offical list of macOS Tahoe 26 compatible Macs is:
- MacBook Air: 2020 or newer — only Apple Silicon models
- MacBook Pro 16-inch (Intel): 2019 or newer
- MacBook Pro 13-inch (Intel): 2020 (four Thunderbolt 3 ports) or newer
- MacBook Pro (Apple Silicon): all models
- Mac Mini: 2020 or newer
- iMac: 2020 or newer
- Mac Pro: 2019 or newer
- Mac Studio: all models
The list of Intel-powered Macs that are compatible is pretty slim. All that’s left are some 16-inch MacBook Pro models, a subset off the 2020 MacBook Pros that were sold that year and the 2019 Mac Pro.
All other compatible models are running Apple Silicon.
If you’re looking for a low-cost Mac it might be tempting to pick up a late0model Intel-powered unit. But it’s unlikely that machine will run macOS Tahoe 26 unless it’s one of the few MacBook Pro models or Mac Pro with an Intel CPU.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.