Apple has updated its official product pages to clarify that Apple Intelligence, the company’s upcoming suite of AI-powered features, will only work on Mac models equipped with M2 chips or later. The change, made quietly on Apple’s website, has now put an end to previous speculation about the minimum hardware required to run the highly anticipated AI system.

Earlier Ambiguity Around M1 Support Removed

Until the recent update, Apple’s documentation had suggested that the M1 series of chips might support certain Apple Intelligence functions, leading to confusion among users and developers. The new compatibility descriptions remove any such references, confirming that no M1 Mac—regardless of model—will receive Apple Intelligence capabilities.

Performance Requirements Cited as Key Factor

According to industry observers, Apple’s decision likely stems from the computational intensity of on-device AI tasks such as advanced language modeling, image generation, and personalized assistance.
The M2 chip offers significantly higher neural engine performance, improved memory bandwidth, and GPU gains over the first-generation M1—elements Apple cites as critical for handling real-time AI processing.

Millions of M1 Mac Users Affected

The shift will impact a large user base, as the M1 MacBook Air, M1 MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and 24-inch iMac remain widely used devices. While these machines continue to receive macOS updates, users will not gain access to Apple’s flagship AI features unless they upgrade to M2-powered hardware.

Apple’s Broader AI Strategy Comes Into Focus

Analysts believe this requirement signals Apple’s intention to create a tightly optimized environment for Apple Intelligence, leaning heavily on the capabilities of second-generation and newer Apple Silicon. The move may also drive future sales, as AI becomes a core part of the user experience across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Rollout Expected in Early 2025

Apple Intelligence is currently in limited rollout as part of the macOS Sequoia test builds and is expected to expand with incremental updates throughout early 2025. With the new requirements now confirmed, Mac users evaluating AI-powered workflows may need to consider hardware upgrades sooner than anticipated.