20 years of Intel Macs: Why Apple switched, and why it switched again

Key Points:

• macOS 27, releasing this fall, will mark the end of official support for Intel Macs, with macOS 26 Tahoe being the last version fully compatible with Intel models; security and Safari updates will continue for two more years on those last Intel Macs.
• Apple's transition from PowerPC to Intel processors began as a side project called "Marklar" in 2000 due to PowerPC performance and thermal issues, and was publicly confirmed by Steve Jobs in 2005, leading to the first Intel Macs shipping in early 2006.
• The Intel era enabled significant innovations, including the MacBook Air's ultra-thin design and Retina displays, but Intel's slowed chip development and manufacturing challenges in the 2010s prompted Apple to begin designing its own processors.
• Apple introduced the T1 and T2 chips in Intel Macs as bridge technologies to enhance security and functionality, signaling the eventual shift toward Apple Silicon, which was officially announced by Tim Cook at WWDC 2020 to enable better product performance and innovation.
• The Intel Mac era, spanning about two decades, was transformative for Apple but ultimately gave way as Apple sought greater control over hardware design to meet its evolving product ambitions.