Apple has introduced macOS 27 Golden Gate. And while it includes major features like Siri AI and an improved Liquid Glass interface, the biggest change comes for people who can’t even run it.

When the new OS arrives this fall, it will no longer support Intel Macs. This isn’t surprising when only a handful of Intel-based Macs ran macOS 26 Tahoe, but it does mean you’ll have to give up legacy x86 apps (including many games) if you want to try the latest features.

Is your Mac compatible with macOS 27?

Apple silicon is the key

Operating System

macOS

CPU

Apple Silicon M5

RAM

16 or 24GB

Storage

512GB or 1TB

Display (Size, Resolution)

14 or 16 inches

Colors

Space Black, Silver

The 2025 MacBook comes with the powerful M5 chip, plus everything else you’ve come to know and love from Apple.

The decision to drop Intel Mac support makes compatibility with macOS 27 easy to decipher: if your computer has Apple silicon inside, it can run the new software. That includes the MacBook Neo, Apple’s first computer based on an iPhone chip.

macOS 27 Golden Gate is compatible with the following devices:

• MacBook Neo (2026 and later)
• MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
• MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
• Mac mini with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
• iMac with Apple silicon (2021 and later)
• Mac Studio (2022 and later)
• Mac Pro with Apple silicon (2023)

The move cuts off support for the remaining four Intel-powered Macs that supported macOS 26 Tahoe, including the 16-inch MacBook Pro from 2019, a 13-inch MacBook Pro model from 2020, the 2020 iMac, and the 2019 Mac Pro.

Apple is still committed to providing security updates for Intel Macs through 2029, so your computer likely won’t face major vulnerabilities during that period. You just won’t get the improvements that come with major OS updates.

The most advanced Siri AI features will require a more powerful Mac. You’ll need at least an M3 chip or newer with 12GB of memory. This rules out the MacBook Neo and all other Macs with 8GB of RAM, so you’ll have to buy a new system if you want full capabilities.

New features in macOS 27: Siri AI and Liquid Glass fixes

Apple Intelligence and overall device performance also get upgrades

Where Tahoe focused on the Liquid Glass interface redesign, macOS 27 centers on Apple Intelligence upgrades headlined by the newly renamed Siri AI.

Where Siri was previously limited compared to other assistants, Siri AI uses Google Gemini roots to provide advanced capabilities, reportedly without compromising on Apple’s privacy focus. It’s much more capable, with natural-sounding conversations, more control over apps, and the ability to draw on both “world knowledge” (the internet) and personal context that includes your screen.

Voice dictation is more accurate and works across apps, while you can now use Siri to write in virtually any app while reflecting your voice and delivering feedback.

Some Siri AI capabilities are reserved for Macs and iPads. You can right-click (or control-click) to get actions through contextual menus. With the new helper built into Spotlight, you also don’t have to go to the dedicated Siri app to ask questions.

Apple Intelligence has received some wider improvements with more powerful image editing, smart tab grouping in Safari, and near-automatic fixes for weak or compromised passwords. You can even create new Shortcuts just by describing them.

For some, Apple’s plans to fix both Liquid Glass and performance may be the most important upgrades. New refractions, buttons, and icons make content more legible by default, and you can adjust the tinting with a slider. You can also expect more consistent round window corners, and sidebars that extend to the edge with less confusion.

Apple is also vowing performance improvements that include faster AirDrop sharing, quicker network file browsing, and reduced load times for Safari’s start page. Your MacBook Neo won’t suddenly become quicker, but you might not have to worry about it slowing down.

When will macOS 27 and Siri AI be available?

Coming to a device near you

Credit: Apple

Apple says it will release macOS 27 in all regions this fall. Siri AI will launch in beta for English users “later this year,” the company says. Apple Intelligence improvements are coming to every country and language where the technology is already available.

Siri AI will be available on Macs in the European Union from the outset, which is notable, as the mobile Siri AI rollout won’t occur in the EU until sometime after iOS 27’s launch date. Apple pins the split release on the need to address privacy and security concerns in the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple claims the DMA requires that it grant “direct access” to private data and apps without transparency or control.

Whether or not you accept Apple’s take, you won’t initially get the same Siri AI experience on your iPhone or iPad as you do on your Mac. You may have to use macOS 27 for advanced requests until Apple and the EU can find common ground.