![]() Macs with the M1 chip have proven to be much faster than their equivalent Intel-based predecessors, with even the base model MacBook Air with the M1 chip outperforming a maxed-out Intel-based 16-inch MacBook Pro in benchmarks.Īpple is widely rumored to be planning redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models powered by a faster iteration of the M1 chip for later this year. For what it's worth, Google Earth has long offered an interactive 3D globe of the Earth on Intel-based Macs both on the web and in an app.Īpple is currently in the midst of a two-year transition from Intel processors to its custom Apple silicon chips in Macs, with the changeover slated to be completed by WWDC 2022. On the macOS Monterey features page, fine print indicates that the following features require a Mac with the M1 chip, including any MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac model released since November 2020:Īpple has not explained why any of these features are not available on Intel-based Macs. Looking at the PowerPC to Intel transition, we had PPC releases for 5+ years after the last PPC Mac was discontinued.Īnecdotally, the last security update for PPC (Snow Leopard) was in 2013, 7+ years after the last PPC Mac was discontinued. I think that's a tad alarmist, bordering on hyperbole. Personally, I remember when OS updates cost money, anywhere from $30-129 on the Mac, so a transition to free updates has undoubtedly put more emphasis on hardware, and Apple remains pretty candid that "efficiency" (i.e., Performance Per Watt) is far more important than raw CPU performance. I'm not trying to poke at people who are still on Intel (I still have an i7) but rather pointing out that it is not economically feasible to throw new money and resources at older equipment/designs. Additionally, the performance differential between the average and/or latest Intel-powered Mac and M1 silicon is palpable enough that we should consider making the feature(s) M1-only. ![]() For example, "Features X, Y, and Z" could run on Intel but the performance demands (e.g., higher clock speeds, higher heat, faster battery drain, etc.) necessary just for it to keep up with M1 and achieve acceptable performance (e.g., battery life, heat management, processor performance, RAM usage, etc.) are not feasible, especially when a fanless M1 on a base model Air can do it cooler, faster, and for longer. If we did make some items Intel-compatible, it would shorten the list of Macs that could run Monterrey, and less people could install/run the newer OS. We can invest the resources (e.g., money, staffing, time, etc.) to code 3-4 features for for older, obsolete x86 architecture that will be phased-out in the next 2-3 years, or we could bring more features to the newer, modern ARM architecture with the same budget and in less time.Ĭompatibility. However, albeit conjecturally, I think that conversation may have gone something like this.Įconomic. ![]() Now, could Apple draw most/all of these into x86-64? Absolutely! ![]()
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