The update will run only on a handful of Intel Macs released in 2019 or 2020, and it’s curtains for every Intel-based MacBook Air and Mac mini. Any fanboy  clinging to a 15-inch MacBook Pro, a 13-inch Pro with two Thunderbolt ports, or a 2019 iMac in 4K or 5K flavour will find themselves left out in the cold.

While Job’s Mob hasn’t declared the Intel era officially over, the latest compatibility list makes it crystal clear that App;e would prefer Intel die quietly in a dark cupboard full of dongles and broken promises.

The cull is nothing new. Apple has been more ruthless with Intel Macs than it ever was with PowerPC boxes, typically giving machines six years of macOS updates and another two years of security scraps. MacBook Airs have fared worst, getting the boot faster than their Pro siblings.

If your machine’s stuck on macOS 15 Sequoia, you can still expect two more years of Safari and security band-aids. Those still clinging to macOS 14 Sonoma get a reprieve until 2026. Anyone still on macOS 13 Ventura should start planning their funeral arrangements, as updates are expected to stop within a few months.

The Tame Apple Press is doing its best to put a brave face on the transition, talking up efficiency and performance gains of Apple's new home-brew silicon. But for many users, this looks a lot like being shoved off the edge after a couple of years of slow abandonment.