[rollcat]

People are patching newer macOS's to run on older HW (like OpenCore), running older OS's on PCs as they see fit, all Macs allow downgrading (and 10.15 runs on the final 2019 models). I speculate that the community will settle around some version that strikes a decent balance between stability, features, and ease of patching.

[philistine]

Sure, but that community is interested in running the latest version of macOS on a PC. When Apple releases macOS 27 next year, they will have to think long and hard about their next move. Do I buy a Mac to keep my ability to run the latest version of macOS? Or do I tolerate that I'm running an old version of macOS, the first one with the new design that wasn't really finished in that version to boot?

I give it ten years until the websites of that community straight up disappear.

[rollcat]

There will be interest in running a stable and sensible version of macOS on Intel Macs as long as there any Intel Macs left around.

People still use PPC Macs to do work: <https://lowendmac.com/2025/skeuomorphic-icons-a-photoshop-pr...>.

People still write new software for System 6: <https://jcs.org/system6c>, <https://amendhub.com/jcs>.

Those are all hobby projects for 20-30yro machines, few of which are left around. There are millions of Intel Macs in excellent shape. Someone will carry the mantle.

[philistine]

We're not talking about Intel Macs. Those are here forever as collectables. I'm talking about the continuing relevance of hackintoshes. Those will soon join the Intel Macs in the annals of history, and disappear as a relevant community.