Only six versions of the Mac can now run Netflix in 4K - has your MacBook survived the cull?


As technology continues to move forwards, some people are inevitably left behind. While this is often an understandable side effect of progress, it can still be annoying if you've only recently invested in a new toy.

Well, in this case, rather than this being to do with the PS5 or the Xbox Series X, it's actually about MacBooks.

As reported on by The Verge, there's a change coming in soon that will mean that only some Mac users will be able to watch Netflix in 4K HDR.

Here's everything you need to know.

Will your Mac be able to do Netflix at 4K?

Now then, this is all due to the macOS Big Sur, which is the upcoming Mac Operating System update.

The thing is, only a few MacBooks will actually be supported, at least when it comes to the hyper-pretty Netflix capabilities.

The following will all be fine, but everything else won't be able to do it:

  • iMac introduced in 2020
  • iMac Pro
  • Mac Pro introduced in 2019
  • Mac mini introduced in 2018
  • MacBook Air introduced in 2018 or later
  • MacBook Pro introduced in 2018 or later

So, congratulations if you've been waiting for this update and also own one of these. Bad news if you've been waiting for this update and don't own one of these. And, kind of apathetic news if you don't want or own or don't want and do own one of these.

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Why is this the case?

The whole reason that this is the case has nothing to do with the capabilities of the screens or processing power, but because of the T2 security chip.

There's no given reason for this at present, but The Verge posited that it could be that the chip also acts as a co-processor.

You can check whether or not your Mac has one by going to the Apple website.

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For more articles like this, take a look at our Hardware page.