This is ... kind of bad.
Bad for Mac users, bad for PC users, bad for competition.
Because this is essentially killing the Mac as a viable platform. arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/0…
Bad for Mac users, bad for PC users, bad for competition.
Because this is essentially killing the Mac as a viable platform. arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/0…
Here's why:
Your current Mac is based on an x86 CPU. It's the same CPU in just about every Windows PC as well.
x86 CPUs can only directly run x86 code. That's a broad simplification, but that's the gist of it.
Your current Mac is based on an x86 CPU. It's the same CPU in just about every Windows PC as well.
x86 CPUs can only directly run x86 code. That's a broad simplification, but that's the gist of it.
All modern Mac software is written for x86. Final Cut. Photoshop. Everything. It's all based on functioning with an x86 processor.
Apple shifting to ARM processors throws all your software in the garbage. All of it. All. Of. It.
Apple shifting to ARM processors throws all your software in the garbage. All of it. All. Of. It.
ARM CPUs are the same type that run in your tablets and phones. They use a very different instruction set than x86 processors.
All Mac software will need to be rewritten to work with ARM.
And ARM? ARM is not nearly as good as x86.
All Mac software will need to be rewritten to work with ARM.
And ARM? ARM is not nearly as good as x86.
ARM is slower. Not as powerful. The focus for ARM CPUs for decades has been to increase their power efficiency to function in phones without killing the battery.
ARM is not up to the task of rendering video. Even if you build a brand new massive ARM CPU, it won't be good.
ARM is not up to the task of rendering video. Even if you build a brand new massive ARM CPU, it won't be good.
Now, this won't mean all your software will be useless. They'll do what Apple did when they transitioned from PowerPC to x86: EMULATION!
Except that will mean all your software will be useless, because emulation sucks.
Except that will mean all your software will be useless, because emulation sucks.
In computer terms, emulation is building a software equivalent of another computer. You might have seen game consoles being emulated on a PC before, and that's how it works.
It's a virtual version of a different kind of computer, using code instead of silicon.
It's a virtual version of a different kind of computer, using code instead of silicon.
When you're emulating an NES or a PS2 or even a Switch on a PC, it's not even a problem. Those are comparatively much weaker computers than an x86 based PC. You won't even notice a loss of speed.
But ARM is weaker than x86.
But ARM is weaker than x86.
Getting an ARM-based system to emulate an x86 CPU so you can run older Mac software?
It will be slower. For some things, like Safari, you probably won't notice.
But emulating Final Cut? Or Photoshop?
Oh yeah. You'll notice. A lot.
It will be slower. For some things, like Safari, you probably won't notice.
But emulating Final Cut? Or Photoshop?
Oh yeah. You'll notice. A lot.
Why is Apple doing this?
So it's no longer beholden to Intel as a supplier.
Simple as that. They don't want to depend on another company to make their CPUs.
You know, like every other PC maker in the world does.
So it's no longer beholden to Intel as a supplier.
Simple as that. They don't want to depend on another company to make their CPUs.
You know, like every other PC maker in the world does.
The idea is if they control everything, they make more money.
And true to Apple fashion, they don't care if this will interrupt your workflow, or cost you money, or make your user experience worse.
You take what they give you and you like it.
And true to Apple fashion, they don't care if this will interrupt your workflow, or cost you money, or make your user experience worse.
You take what they give you and you like it.
Now, for most people? Your Facebook Grandpas and your office drones? This will be fine. It'll browse the web. It'll Zoom. It'll open Excel.
All of those functions are so basic your fridge could do them. (Literally).
But for creatives? Coders, video editors?
End of the line.
All of those functions are so basic your fridge could do them. (Literally).
But for creatives? Coders, video editors?
End of the line.
Any application that demands a powerful CPU will be undercut by a transition to ARM.
For much less money, people could get an Intel or AMD-based CPU that will blow the doors off an ARM-based Mac.
Thank you for supporting the Mac platform for decades, creatives.
Now fuck off.
For much less money, people could get an Intel or AMD-based CPU that will blow the doors off an ARM-based Mac.
Thank you for supporting the Mac platform for decades, creatives.
Now fuck off.
(That doesn't even cover the fact that people who dual-boot their Macs to Windows for stuff like games on Steam will be completely shafted, because without an x86 CPU that won't work anymore.)
The Mac essentially giving up its creative base means less competition in the PC space.
You get one kind of Windows PC, or another kind of Windows PC. Maybe Linux. Maybe. Edge case.
But the move to ARM relegates Mac to "content consumption" only.
You get one kind of Windows PC, or another kind of Windows PC. Maybe Linux. Maybe. Edge case.
But the move to ARM relegates Mac to "content consumption" only.
They honestly don't care if professional creatives stay loyal or not, because they've come to represent such a small overall share of Mac use.
Over the last 20 years Apple has notoriously ceded the professional space to Windows and Intel.
Over the last 20 years Apple has notoriously ceded the professional space to Windows and Intel.
OH YEAH THIS ALSO INCLUDES HARDWARE I FORGOT
Do you use an audio interface with a Mac? Something to plug your mic into or even a webcam or a printer?
TOO BAD.
All of that hardware will need new ARM drivers. And if the manufacturer doesn't want to write them, you're screwed.
Do you use an audio interface with a Mac? Something to plug your mic into or even a webcam or a printer?
TOO BAD.
All of that hardware will need new ARM drivers. And if the manufacturer doesn't want to write them, you're screwed.
Let's say you have a USB mixer on Mac. You've used it for years and years and have no reason to replace it.
Well, Soundcraft or Behringer or whoever made the mixer? They're not writing new drivers for ARM. It's not worth it for them. Hardware's too old.
Buy new stuff or GTFO.
Well, Soundcraft or Behringer or whoever made the mixer? They're not writing new drivers for ARM. It's not worth it for them. Hardware's too old.
Buy new stuff or GTFO.
Almost everything you plug into a USB port will need new ARM drivers. The only likely exceptions will be mice and keyboards.
If the manufacturer won't write new drivers to work on ARM, then you'll have a bunch of useless electronics.
Which, admittedly, is typical Apple style.
If the manufacturer won't write new drivers to work on ARM, then you'll have a bunch of useless electronics.
Which, admittedly, is typical Apple style.
Oh no. They're making a simple computer for users who don't game, don't code, don't edit, don't do much beyond browse the web and watch movies.
They'll still sell plenty. They're just abdicating the professional sphere.
They'll still sell plenty. They're just abdicating the professional sphere.
