Since 2020, Apple has started the transition from Intel processors to its own processors based on the ARM architecture. It was a decision that brought about major changes in the technology industry and marked a new chapter in the history of Mac computers. Even though the performance of the new chips is quite good, there is growing frustration among users regarding the compatibility of applications such as Desktop ChatGPT for Intel Macs.
Most Mac software manufacturers, including Apple, release compatible applications for both Apple's new Silicon chips and Intel's Macs. However, if you bought an Intel-based iMac computer in late 2020, you'll find that some apps, or even some top features of the macOS operating system, won't be available. That's as long as your Mac works very well, has top-notch features, and had a not inconsiderable price. After not even 4 years, this very good performing iMac will not be compatible with Apple Intelligence technology, nor with the official ChatGPT app for Mac.
This is also my situation, being a user of Apple devices for more than a decade. In December 2020, I bought an iMac Retina 5K, 27-inch with 3.8 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i7 processor, AMD Radeon Pro 5500 XT 8 GB video card and 16 GB 2667 MHz DDR4, which will not be compatible with Apple Intelligence and many other features of the macOS Sequoia operating system. Incidentally, according to OpenAI officials, there will be no official Desktop ChatGPT app for Intel Macs.
Related: What is Apple Intelligence and on what iPhone models is compatible
It is not coming to intel as there are current and future features that require Apple Silicon.
OpenAI Developer Forum
Fortunately for me, this year I also had the opportunity to buy a MacBook Pro with an M3 Pro chip, on which all the applications are still running. Besides, I don't really need the Desktop ChatGPT app for Intel Macs anyway, but I admit I'm a bit nervous about what's to come. I'm not convinced that for this November 2023 MacBook Pro M3 Pro device, I'll still get the next-generation features that macOS Sequoia will introduce after the MacBook Pro M4 release, which is expected this fall.
So, is it worth buying a high-end Mac? The answer is clearly, NO. If until the release of Apple Silicon chips and the advent of artificial intelligence, you could buy a Mac computer that you could rely on for 5-7 years, or maybe more, Apple's strategy in recent years shows that it is no longer profitable at all.
If you won't have the official Desktop ChatGPT app for Mac Intel or Apple Intelligence, I'm sure there are alternative solutions or features and apps that won't affect your day-to-day work.
