Apple Releases macOS Monterey Build Specifically for M2 Macs

17 JUNE 2022 - By the time you get this, there’s a good chance that the M2-powered 13-inch MacBook Pro will be available to buy. While folks won’t be able to handle the machine until a week from now, the operating system for the laptop is already out. No, I don’t mean macOS Monterey, though - in fairness - that is out. I’m talking about the version of Monterey Apple released yesterday with next week’s machine in mind.

MacRumors says Apple on Thursday “released a new build of macOS Monterey 12.4 that's designed for the upcoming M2 Macs…” No point looking for it yourself. Since it is for M2-powered machines and since nobody has those, it will not show up as an update for you.

So why’s it out? My guess is people actually do have it. Hands on reviews will likely be posted mid-week next week, ahead of next Friday’s release. You don’t want them reviewing on janky software.

Or maybe somebody just finished early.

Orders start (or started) today at 5AM Pacific/8AM Eastern. The new machines “will begin arriving to customers, and will be in select Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers, on Friday, June 24,” according to Apple.