macOS Tahoe It is Apple's new operating system for its computers, whose official launch is scheduled for the fall of 2025. With this generational leap, Apple introduces a series of visual and functional changes that affect both the appearance and performance of the system, in addition to marking a definitive turning point for computers with Intel processors.
The presentation of macOS Tahoe at WWDC 2025 also meant the official announcement that this will be the last version that Macs with Intel chips will receive, This means the end of official support for these computers and the Hackintosh universe. Starting with the next update, only Macs with Apple Silicon chips (at least M1) will be able to access the new versions and improvements that Apple continues to implement.
A profound redesign: the Liquid Glass era
The aesthetics of macOS Tahoe revolves around the concept Liquid glass, a translucent, reflective effect that modernizes the system's graphical interface. Windows now display more rounded edges, bright backgrounds, and graphic elements that change color based on the content and background, providing a fresher and more coherent visual air with iOS and iPadOS.
The menu bar has become completely transparent, enhancing the feeling of more screen space. Elements such as the Dock, sidebars, controls, and even app icons have received this treatment, which seeks to reduce distractions and allow the user to focus their attention on the truly important content.
This new design, while attractive, includes some decisions that may not convince everyone, such as the transparency of the icons in the Dock, which can make them difficult to differentiate. However, it is possible disable this option for those who prefer a more traditional display.
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Spotlight: The Core Engine of Productivity on Mac
Spotlight on macOS Tahoe receives its biggest update in years, going from being a simple search tool to a advanced control center. It is now possible to run complex actions directly from Spotlight, such as sending emails, creating notes, starting podcasts, organizing calendar events, or running Shortcuts without opening any additional apps.
The new interface brings smart filters (applications, files, actions and clipboard) and introduces the much-requested integrated clipboard managerFor the first time, users will be able to access a history of copied items (text, images, etc.) and paste any previous items without relying on third-party tools. For privacy reasons, this history is automatically deleted after eight hours.
Another important innovation is the function Quick Keys, which allows you to assign letter combinations to common actions, thus speeding up the workflow for advanced users.
New apps and features: Phone, Live Activities, and more
macOS Tahoe adds and updates several key applications. Of note is the arrival of a phone app for Mac, which allows you to make and receive calls using your paired iPhone. It includes features such as Call Screening (unknown call filtering) and Hold Assist (automatically put on hold and receive notification when served). While some reliability issues have arisen in the beta versions, these are expected to be ironed out before the final release.
Live activities is another iOS-inspired feature that displays real-time information about orders, flights, sporting events, and more, right in your Mac's menu bar, synced with iPhone integration.
In addition, the app Journal Shortcuts is also coming to the Mac, encouraging daily personal tracking, although for now it has more limited features than its iPhone version. In terms of productivity, Shortcuts can now run automations based on context, time of day, or specific events, and integrates with Apple's artificial intelligence and ChatGPT to offer advanced actions such as summarizing texts or generating images.
Compatibility: Last days for Intel Macs
Apple has provided the list of devices compatible with macOS Tahoe, highlighting that It will be the last major update for Intel Macs. The system will continue to receive basic security updates for a while, but will no longer implement new features.
Macs with Apple Silicon (at least M1) will enjoy all the latest features, including new Apple Intelligence tools, automation, and graphics improvements. This confirms the definitive end of the Hackintosh era, given that without support for Intel processors, it won't be possible to install recent versions of macOS on non-official hardware.
- iMac (2020 and later)
- Mac mini (2020 and later)
- MacBook Air with Apple Silicon (2020 and later)
- MacBook Pro (M1/2020 and later)
- Mac Studio (2022 and later)
- Mac Pro (2019 and later, including latest generation Intel)
More advanced features, such as Apple Intelligence, real-time translation, and smart automations, will only be available on models with Apple processors.
Hassle-free clipboard management and automation
One of the most requested improvements was the inclusion of a native clipboard manager. Until now, those who wanted to store more than one copied item had to resort to external utilities, but with macOS Tahoe, Apple simplifies this process and makes it accessible to everyone, even without additional installations. While it offers fewer options than specialized apps, it covers the basic needs and ensures privacy by deleting the history after a certain period of time.
The integration of Shortcuts with artificial intelligence It allows you to create more flexible and contextual automations, making it easier for any user to customize their routines on the Mac. For example, actions can be scheduled based on the time, the sender of an email, or a device connection.
Limitations, challenges and community reaction
Change to Apple silicon and the end of Intel support mark a new era. For many DIY and Hackintosh enthusiasts, this marks the end of years of experimentation, as Apple Silicon's closed architecture and security measures make it impossible to install future versions of macOS on unofficial hardware.
Although reactions have been mixed, the community recognizes that current Macs offer far superior performance and that the capabilities of Hackintoshes have been significantly reduced. The exclusive features for Apple Silicon make official devices the most advisable option to take full advantage of the operating system's potential.
This platform advancement sets a new course for the Mac ecosystem, with a visual redesign, greater integration, and a focus on productivity and automation, but it also means leaving behind a significant part of the platform's history to focus on its future evolution.