Firstly Apple's new intelligence system is being heralded as a complex powerful AI app. However at this point in time, the specifics are vague as to the exact features. However Apple has been a bit more specific about the type of hardware that will be needed to run the app.
IPhone – The chip required will be an A17 Pro with iOS 18
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPad- The chip required will be an A17 Pro with iPad iOS 18
- 5th-gen M1 iPad Air (2022)
- 6th-gen M2 iPad Air (2024)
- 5th-gen M1 iPad Pro (2021)
- 6th-gen M2 iPad Pro (2022)
- 7th-gen M4 iPad Pro (2024)
MacBook – 2020 M1 chip onwards running Mac OS 15 Sequoia
- M1 MacBook Air (2020)
- M2 MacBook Air (2022)
- M2 MacBook Air (2023)
- M3 MacBook Air (2024)
- 13-inch Touch Bar M1 MacBook Pro (2020)
- 13-inch Touch Bar M2 MacBook Pro (2022)
- 14-inch and 16-inch M1 MacBook Pro (2021)
- 14-inch and 16-inch M2 MacBook Pro (2023)
- 14-inch and 16-inch M3 MacBook Pro (2023)
iMac - M1 chip onwards running Mac OS 15 Sequoia
- M1 iMac (2021)
- M3 iMac (2023)
Mac Mini, Mac Pro, Mac Studio - M1 chip onwards running Mac OS 15 Sequoia
- M1 Mac mini (2020)
- M2 Mac mini (2023)
- M1 Mac Studio (2022)
- M2 Mac Studio (2023)
- M2 Mac Pro (2023)
It seems from the hardware requirements it is very probable the Apple Intelligence app is going to be very resource-hungry. If you have an older Mac then your best alternative is to use one of the very powerful browser-based AI systems that use the cloud processing power rather than the machines.