Updated 20 aug. Article originally posted Aug 19
Apple’s move to ARM is a radical move for the Mac platform, but the very nature of the move will be enough for many to consider alternatives to the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. But why?
SHANGHAI, CHINA – 2020/01/12: US multinational technology company displays Apple logo on screen … [+]
Update Aug 20: Apple is obviously ahead with MacOS, and the latest beta of macOS 11 Big Sur has been released, as noted by July Clover over at MacRumors. The public realization of Big Sur is expected in early Q4 this year. This will be the first public version of macOS that will run on ARM hardware, when the hardware appears.
At present, there is no indication as to exactly how smoothly the OS is running, or how it handles a myriad of third-party applications. The only macOS ARM machines outside of Cupertino that we know of are the Developer Transition Machines that Apple has lent to a number of developers. The questions about how macOS will handle multiple platforms, and how the OS will evolve in the future, remain.
Apple is at the beginning of a two-year transition from Intel-based Processors in its Mac family of computers to ARM-based Processors of its own design. With the new MacOS on ARM laptops expected to go on sale at the end of the year, Apple’s focus will not only be on the new hardware, but also ensure that macOS on ARM delivers a great experience and compatibility with the countless legacy apps required by users.
What does that mean for today’s MacBook Pro and MacBook Air laptops? Apple has quietly stated that it will not suddenly drop support for Intel-powered machines, including the MacBook Air, but there are questions of just how strong that support will be. Intel and ARM are different beasts, and macOS will move more towards the benefits offered by ARM, The Intel machines will be retained, but will they flourish?
That’s before you consider third-party developers. Most Mac users have important applications that are necessary for their business or personal life. If support for those applications on older Intel machines disappears when they move to ARM, it does not matter how much support Apple offers.
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 2: A preview of the new Microsoft Surface Laptop after a Microsoft launch event, … [+]
On the other hand, you have Windows 10. While Microsoft is also working on an ARM version of the deskbound operating system (Windows 10 on ARM), Intel machines control the grid of multiple manufacturers. Microsoft’s focus will be primarily on Intel, with the project to move to ARM present, but not as much impact on the core product as Apple. The manufacturers themselves will also focus on Intel.
The ongoing support of Windows 10 is clearer and easier to understand. Apple’s future is less clear. If you are looking for a new machine, especially a laptop, the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro have a number of challenges ahead of them. How well they will be answered by Tim Cook and his team is not yet clear.
That makes buying a MacBook a difficult task at the moment.
Learn now how Chromebook makers must meet Apple’s ARM-driven ambitions …
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