Which Macs Will Get the macOS 27 Update?
Apple has previewed macOS 27, also called macOS Golden Gate, and the compatibility list is more direct than many previous macOS releases. The update is for Apple silicon Macs only. In practical terms, that means Macs with Apple M-series chips, along with the MacBook Neo listed by Apple for this release.
This is a useful point to check before buying a used or refurbished Mac. Some older Intel Macs can still be good computers for basic use, but they will not receive the macOS 27 upgrade. If you want the newest macOS release, you should be looking at an Apple silicon model.
Macs compatible with macOS 27
Apple lists the following Mac models as compatible with macOS 27:
- MacBook Neo (2026)
- MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
- MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
- iMac with Apple silicon (2021 and later)
- Mac mini with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
- Mac Studio (2022 and later)
- Mac Pro with Apple silicon (2023)
The short version is that an M1, M2, M3, M4, or newer M-series Mac should be eligible, as long as it is part of one of the product lines Apple lists. The original M1 MacBook Air and M1 Mac mini from 2020 are included because they are Apple silicon models.
Intel Macs are not included
macOS 27 marks a clear break from Intel-based Macs. If your Mac has an Intel processor, it is not on Apple’s compatibility list for macOS 27. That includes some Intel models that were still able to run macOS Tahoe 26, such as late Intel MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac Pro configurations.
This does not mean an Intel Mac stops working. It means macOS 27 will not be the next upgrade path for that hardware. Many Intel Macs can continue to run their current macOS version, and some will still be suitable for browsing, documents, email, light office work, and media playback. The main limitation is future software support.
How to check whether your Mac has Apple silicon
The easiest way to check is through About This Mac. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen, then choose About This Mac. If the window shows a line labelled Chip with a name such as Apple M1, M2, M3, or M4, the Mac uses Apple silicon. If it shows Processor with an Intel processor name, it is an Intel Mac.
Apple also maintains a support page listing Mac computers with Apple silicon. That page is useful if you are comparing model years or checking a listing before purchase.
Feature support may still vary
Compatibility with macOS 27 does not mean every feature will be available on every supported Mac. Apple says Apple Intelligence support covers Mac models with M1 and later, but some newer features have separate hardware requirements. For example, Apple’s macOS 27 footnotes list some features as requiring Mac models with M3 and later and at least 12GB of unified memory.
For most buyers, the first question is whether the Mac can install macOS 27 at all. The second question is whether the specific features you want need a newer chip or more memory. If you are buying mainly for everyday use, an M1 or M2 Mac may still be enough. If you want the longest runway for new Apple Intelligence features, a newer M-series model with more memory is the safer choice.
What this means when buying a used Mac
If you are buying used, check the exact model before focusing on price. A lower-priced Intel Mac can still be a reasonable option for simple work, but it should be priced with its software limits in mind. If macOS 27 support is part of your buying criteria, look for Apple silicon.
For MacBook Air buyers, the M1 MacBook Air from 2020 is the oldest MacBook Air generation on Apple’s macOS 27 list. For MacBook Pro buyers, the 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro from 2020 and later Apple silicon MacBook Pro models are included. For desktop users, the M1 Mac mini from 2020, Apple silicon iMac models from 2021 and later, Mac Studio models from 2022 and later, and the Apple silicon Mac Pro from 2023 are included.
If you are comparing replacement options, browse our used computers collection and check each Mac listing for the chip, model year, RAM, storage, battery condition for laptops, and included accessories.
Final thoughts
macOS 27 has a simple compatibility rule: Apple silicon Macs are in, Intel Macs are out. The main supported groups are MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models with Apple silicon, Apple silicon iMacs, Mac mini, Mac Studio, Apple silicon Mac Pro, and MacBook Neo.
Before upgrading or buying a used Mac, check About This Mac and confirm whether the machine shows a Chip line or an Intel Processor line. That one detail will usually tell you whether macOS 27 is available for the Mac.