Early adopters of the updated MacBook Pro lineup and the M3-powered iMac have reported an obstacle when attempting to install macOS Sonoma 14.1. Reports circulating through MacRumors indicate that certain new devices are blocked from updating to the latest Sonoma release. The issue appears on machines that originally shipped with macOS Ventura 13.5 pre-installed. When users initiate an update, the system sometimes presents a message stating that the most current macOS version is already installed on the computer. (MacRumors report)
While the underlying cause remains unclear, MacRumors notes that this error correlates with the production window for the new MacBook Pro and iMac, which began in the summer of 2023, aligning with the release of macOS Ventura 13.5. This temporal link has led some observers to suspect a staging or compatibility quirk tied to hardware that left the factory before Sonoma was finalized. (MacRumors report)
Independent software researcher Nicholas Alvarez discussed the matter on the MacRumors forum, suggesting a workaround for those affected. According to Alvarez, the only reliable method to install macOS Sonoma 14.1 on these fresh devices is to boot the installer from external storage. The proposed approach involves using the Setup Assistant to guide the initial setup after loading the Sonoma installer from an external drive. This technique bypasses the in-place update check that reports Sonoma as already present. (Forum post cited in MacRumors)
The launch of the new MacBook Pro and iMac occurred on November 7, 2023, positioning these models at the forefront of Apple’s silicon transition while introducing Sonoma as the intended operating system refresh. (Launch coverage cited by MacRumors)
In the interim, users are being advised to verify the compatibility of their hardware, prepare a reliable external installer if needed, and monitor official Apple support updates for any clarified guidance on Sonoma 14.1 installation on the latest devices. While some customers may encounter a straightforward update path, others could confront the obstacle described above, prompting conversations about firmware readiness, driver support, and post-release optimization for new hardware. (Apple support communications and community discussions cited in recap)