When Apple released macOS Monterey in 2021, some key features required Macs with Apple silicon. This was the case with macOS Ventura in 2022, and then again with the release of macOS Sonoma the following year. Now that macOS Sequoia has been released, there are again some new features that are not available to Intel Mac owners.
Apple says macOS Sequoia is compatible with the same Macs as macOS Sonoma, except for the 2018 and 2019 MacBook Air, but Apple's fine print reveals that some of the new features won't work on Intel machines that are otherwise compatible with macOS Sequoia. If you're still on an Intel Mac, here's what you won't have access to.
Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence, a deeply integrated, personalized AI feature set for Apple devices that uses cutting-edge generative artificial intelligence to enhance the user experience, won't be available on Intel Macs. Apple says the advanced features require its M1 chip or later, so if your Mac was released before November 2020, it's unlikely for you. Apple is expected to start adding Apple Intelligence features to macOS Sequoia in the macOS 15.1 update coming in October.
Live audio transcription
Live Audio Transcription lets you record audio sessions within Notes in Apple Notes and create live audio transcriptions that can be searched through or combined with other documents, checklists, or documents. According to Apple, support for live audio transcription in the Notes app is limited to machines powered by Apple silicon.
What else?
Surprisingly, nothing! Apple isn't offering any other new features in macOS Sequoia, which means users with supported Intel Macs will be able to enjoy things like the ability to schedule messages to send later, Reminders integration with Calendar, a new standalone Passwords app, window tiling, and more. Even Apple's latest Continuity feature, iPhone mirroring, works on Intel-based Mac computers that have the T2 security chip. For all the details, be sure to check out our macOS 15 roundup.