At today’s WWDC event, Apple announced that it will be ditching Intel processors for Apple-created ARM processors similar to the ones used in iPads and iPhones. The transition will start with a model later this year and continue over two years when all Macs will be updated.
During that time, and for some years after, macOS and apps will support both Intel and ARM processors. Developers will be able to deploy Universal apps that run on both old and new Macs, and Rosetta 2 will be used on new ARM Macs to emulate Intel processors to allow old software to run.
The move to Apple-created processors will allow Apple to develop and release new Mac models without needing to wait for Intel to come out with new chips. It will also allow Macs to run iPhone and iPad apps.