Updating to Sequoia OS on an 'old' iMac

Old Toad wrote:

The 2017 iMac can't run Sequoia because it requires a Silicon based CPU.

That is not accurate. There are several Intel-based Macs that can run Sequoia, including the

• iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019)
• iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019)
• iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020)

macOS Sequoia is compatible with these computers - Apple Support

The 27" 2020 iMac can even run Tahoe. But Apple announced at their developer's conference that Tahoe is the last major version of macOS that will run on any Intel-based Mac.

Apple typically supports hardware with major software upgrades for at least 5 years, sometimes more and usually up to 7 years or more with security patches. Hardware is 'vintage' 5 years after Apple stops selling it, and 'obsolete' 7 years after Apple stops selling it.

“We” are users like you and have no power to implement any suggestions or speak for Apple. To have Apple consider your feedback, submit it here:

Feedback - macOS - Apple

All cpus use the mineral silicon at this point in time. That's the basis of cpu chips. I assume you mean Apple Silicon, which is also incorrect, as both Sequoia and Tahoe currently support some Intel Macs.

Tahoe will apparently be the last macOS version to support Intel CPUs though.

The issue is, the 2017 iMac is just too old to run the newer macOS versions. Not the intel chip in and of itself or the lack of Apple Silicon.

So what you re saying is Apple can see the future and knows 6, 7 or 8 years into the future which operating system the Mac they are releasing will not be able to update to?

No, Apple does not build in redundancy. When the time comes for a new version of macOS they check responsiveness and requirements for Macs to see which ones can run the new OS correctly. There is no way for Apple to magically predict what OS will not run on a Mac years before they even being to develop that version.

Thinking that is just silly.

The 2017 iMac can't run Sequoia because it requires a Silicon based CPU. As you've already been told support is for 5 - 7 years for security updates and 3 new system releases for bug fixes. We're now on Tahoe 26 which is 3 systems since Ventura.

You can still use your 2017 iMac. It won't stop working because it's been designated Vintage by Apple. As long as you follow the guidelines in these two user tips you'll be fine from a safety point of view: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community and Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support.  

And remember we're not Apple. We're end users like yourself who volunteer to help others with problems to the best of our ability.

I have the following Macs:

2010 Macbook Air

2013 Macbook Air

2015 iMac

2019 MacBook Pro

2021 iMac M1

2023 MacBook Pro M3 Max

All the above models from 2019 on can run Tahoe. But all the others are constrained to an older version of MacOS. As you might guess, I have been something of a student for when Apple caps the version of MacOS for a given model.

What I have found as I have researched this is that typically a Mac is denied an upgrade for MacOS when its hardware cannot handle new features of the new MacOS. This is often tied up in graphics chips and new visual features of the new MacOS. In a few instances, I have seen an upgrade not permitted because the result would be an intolerably slow Mac.

In the case of the 2017 iMac, I suspect (do not know for sure) that it won't run Tahoe due to some combination of the new Liquid Glass features and possible new AI features that might not be compatible with the 2017 iMac.

haveitnot wrote:

[...] You claim you do not build in redundancy, but you do!

I believe the word you wanted to use here is 'obsolescence'.

It isn't built in, but it is inevitable.

Yeah, well, old PCs can’t run Windows 11 either. Time marches on. So don't claim this is unique to Apple.