I’m a software engineer, a blogger (so, writing, photo editing, and video editing), and I play games on my computer. Sure, sometimes I have to boot Windows to do it, but my eGPU purrs along, giving me graphics performance unheard from in a MacBook. I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I recently ordered a MacBook Pro. Not an M1 MacBook Pro, mind you, the far more versatile 16-inch MacBook Pro. That might sound a bit crazy, but, I worry that Apple’s next update to the machine may be for Apple Silicon only, or, worse, optimized for Apple silicon and have thermal and battery life issues on Intel.
But why am I so stuck on Intel? Well, for Boot Camp and my beloved eGPU, it’s the only way. Apple’s M-Series Macs don’t support Windows, Boot Camp, or external graphics. Without a hub that dramatically increases latency, they can’t even drive more than one external monitor! But perhaps you don’t rely on Windows for some of your games. Maybe an eGPU isn’t your thing. You likely still use your Mac for a few apps, right? How do you know they’ll work on an Apple silicon Mac?
They might not. At least a few developer applications may not support these Macs for a while. Some may never. Many of the apps I use are old and no longer maintained. Some, like Android Studio, run poorly on Apple’s new Macs and can’t run Android emulators at all. How can you find out if your favorite apps will work on Apple’s latest Macs? Well, not there’s a (web) app for that.
Is Apple Silicon Ready?
The new website, isapplesiliconready.com, helps you search for apps to see if they’re compatible with Apple’s new processors. If you can’t find an app on the page, you can request one.
Many of the apps that don’t work have a developer focus, but some are consumer-oriented. For example, Matlab, which many students need for school (and likely professionals in math-related fields), has issues running under Apple’s emulation software, Rosetta 2. They are working on an Apple silicon version, so keep an eye on the page.
Discord’s another popular app with limited support. However, because there is an iOS version of the Discord app, you could try loading up the touch-based iOS version. It certainly won’t operate as well as a native app on macOS, but if you’re afraid of losing touch entirely, it’s an option.
Are You Ready?
Apple’s M1 Macs are first generation. They’re going to run into unexpected problems. People will find apps that work, some that don’t, strange bugs in apps they thought would work, and could find that many of their games simply don’t work anymore. Apple’s 64-bit-only mode actually disabled a number of my games, and that’s at least running on similar architecture!
If you buy an Apple silicon Mac now, you’re definitely signing up to be an early adopter, a sort of large-scale beta tester. For most people, especially those who mostly just use their computers for web browsing and email, you won’t even notice a difference. For others, especially those who use apps that have complex ties to hardware, peripherals, development, or emulation, now’s not the right time to upgrade. It may not be for several years. Apple did say this transition would take multiple years, so expect support for Intel Macs for years to come. There’s no rush to upgrade just yet. But if you’re thinking of it, this excellent resource could help.