Two Decades, Two Transitions: The Intel Mac's Rise and Fall

Apple's closure of Intel Mac support with macOS 26 marks the end of a 20-year era that fundamentally reshaped the computing landscape. This transition demonstrates how even successful technology partnerships can become constraining, compelling Apple to pursue architectural changes aligned with evolving user demands. The Intel Mac story illustrates critical industry lessons about processor strategy, ecosystem compatibility, and the costs of maintaining legacy support.