M1 Macs nearing six years of use

Mac computers with Apple's M1 chips are approaching six years since their initial release, with some models still in use despite newer versions being available. These devices continue to perform well but face uncertainty about future support from Apple.

Apple's product lifecycle and updates

Apple typically phases out older products after six years, similar to how iOS updates are managed. For instance, the M1 Mac mini, introduced in 2020, was discontinued in 2022 and replaced by the M2 version. Other M1 models like the iMac and MacBook Pro also had shorter lifespans before being updated or discontinued.

M1 Pro and M1 Max chips phased out faster

The M1 Pro, M1 Max, and M1 Ultra chips were introduced later than the original M1 but were phased out more quickly. The M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pros, launched in 2021, were replaced in 2023, while the Mac Studio, released in 2022, received an update in 2023. The M2 chip is now the standard for newer models like the Mac mini and Mac Pro.

Apple's support for older Mac models

Apple currently supports Mac computers that are between five and eight years old, a wide range due to some models being sold for extended periods. However, the length of support has increased over time, with older operating systems like Mac OS X Panther (2003) only supporting Macs from 1998 with significant limitations.

M1 Macs remain functional in 2026

Despite being six years old, M1 Macs like the M1 Mac mini from 2020 are still usable in 2026, even with their original 8 GB of memory. While some consider this amount insufficient, the devices continue to function well for many users.

Future support for M1 chips

It is speculated that Apple may continue supporting M1 chips for at least one more year into 2026. The release of macOS 28 will end support for Intel applications, marking a shift toward Apple Silicon. However, Apple will continue updating macOS versions for M1 Macs, and applications will remain usable through universal binaries and Rosetta 2 until its removal.