The tech community recently expressed significant concern when Microsoft unveiled stringent compatibility requirements for its Windows 11 operating system. These new stipulations rendered many PCs, some as young as six or seven years, ineligible for security updates and upgrades to the latest OS version. Interestingly, this move mirrors a long-standing practice by one of Microsoft’s oldest rivals, Apple, whose update policies for MacOS are comparably restrictive.
One reason for the absence of widespread petition drives against Apple is the complexity of its support policies. Unlike Microsoft, which offers clear Support Lifecycle pages, Apple’s approach requires users to piece together information from various sources, often discovering that their systems have been left behind only after a new MacOS version is released. When a new version arrives, older systems may suddenly find themselves unable to upgrade, and security updates cease after a few years.
Understanding Apple’s Update Cycle
In Cupertino, the process unfolds annually:
- Apple introduces a new version of MacOS each year, with the next release, MacOS 26 Tahoe, anticipated this fall, likely in September.
- Security updates are provided for the three most recent MacOS versions. Consequently, when Tahoe launches, MacOS 13 Ventura will no longer receive updates.
- Due to hardware compatibility requirements, some older Macs currently running Ventura will be unable to upgrade, effectively leaving them unsupported and without security updates.
This scenario may sound familiar to many. Fortunately, the end-of-support dates are documented on independent sites like endoflife.date, while Macworld maintains an authoritative compatibility list for MacOS. This list identifies older Macs that will not be able to upgrade to MacOS 14 Sonoma, leaving them stuck on Ventura. Unsupported models include any MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or Mac Mini from 2017 or earlier, as well as iMac and Mac Pro models from 2018 or earlier.
To simplify this somewhat convoluted landscape, a chart has been compiled based on data from Macworld’s compatibility list. The critical column, “Platform year,” does not correspond to the year of purchase but rather to the generation of silicon within the device, indicating when the core components were released.
When Will Your Mac Stop Getting Security Updates?
Not every Mac receives an update each year, which can complicate matters for consumers. For instance, if you purchased a MacBook Air in June 2022, your only option was the original M1 model released in 2020. Had you waited a month, you could have opted for the 2022 model.
Apple and third-party resellers frequently offer older models at discounted prices. As of mid-2025, for example, Apple continues to sell 2021 model iMacs through its Refurbished Mac store, while Amazon features “brand new, factory sealed” Mac Minis from late 2018 at significant discounts compared to newer models.
To determine the platform year of your Mac, navigate to the Apple menu, select “About This Mac,” and review the model information displayed. For a more precise identification, copy your serial number from this section and paste it into Apple’s Check Coverage page, which will provide the necessary details. If the chart indicates a “No” for your Mac’s year, it will be running a MacOS version that ceases to receive security updates by the end of this year.
When Will Your Windows PC Stop Getting Security Updates?
For Windows PCs, the process of determining compatibility with Windows 11 is notably more intricate. The variety of CPUs from manufacturers like Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm complicates matters. Generally, if your PC features a CPU released in 2019 or later, compatibility with Windows 11 is likely. Intel’s 8th Generation Core CPUs, released in 2017 and 2018, may also qualify, although some budget-oriented processors from 2018 might not meet Microsoft’s criteria.
While it may seem daunting to sift through this information, the Microsoft PC Health Check app simplifies the process by checking for compatibility issues directly.
For Windows PCs built with CPUs from 2015 to 2018, the chart may indicate “Maybe” due to the complex compatibility landscape. Most of these PCs can pass compatibility tests, but the CPU may present a challenge. In many cases, enabling the TPM in the firmware menu resolves the issue, as Microsoft mandated that all PCs sold with Windows preinstalled after mid-2016 include a TPM.
Moreover, Microsoft has provided a registry setting that allows users to bypass the CPU check and install Windows 11, a fact the company may prefer to downplay. Additionally, Windows 10 users have the option to pay for security updates for up to three years following the official end of support in October 2025, a choice not available to Mac owners.
In summary, whether you own a Mac or a Windows PC, anticipate receiving security updates for eight to ten years post-release date, rather than purchase date. While opting for models based on older designs may save money, it also risks reaching the end-of-support date sooner than expected.
