What does Apple M1 mean for your organization!

This is significant because these are the first Macs to feature Apple’s own developed chip instead of the Intel processors that have been used since 2006. Apple refers to the first Apple silicon chip as the Apple M1. In this blog, we will answer some questions that are relevant to your organization.

What is Apple silicon and the Apple M1 chip?

The transition to Apple silicon was announced during WWDC in June 2020. Apple silicon is an ARM-based System on a Chip (SoC) that will replace the Intel processors. Apple has stated that they are developing a “family of SoCs” for different types of Macs. The Apple M1 is the first SoC and is used in the new MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini.

The term SoC refers to the fact that many more hardware components are built into the chip, whereas they were previously separate parts. This includes the memory and the T2 chip for security. The chip has shorter “lines,” which allows for faster data transfer.

Why is Apple moving away from Intel processors?

Apple has over 10 years of experience in developing their own chips based on the ARM architecture for the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. These chips are fully optimized for these devices, resulting in optimal performance, battery life, and security. It is a logical step for Apple to use their own silicon in Macs as well.

Apple previously made a similar transition in 2006 when they switched from PowerPC to Intel, and they have gained a lot of knowledge and experience to make this transition as smooth as possible. According to their plans, every new Mac will be equipped with Apple silicon within two years, and the application landscape should be ready to run natively on ARM.

What are the advantages?

• Since Apple has developed the chip itself and tailored it to their own hardware, the Mac becomes more powerful, efficient, and secure.
• It becomes easier for developers to create apps for all Apple platforms, and it will even be possible to use some iPhone and iPad apps on the Mac.
• Thanks to Rosetta 2, apps for Intel can run on Apple silicon, and in some cases, even faster than on a Mac with an Intel processor.

What are the disadvantages?

• Many software applications have not been optimized for Apple silicon yet. In many cases, the app can still be used through Rosetta 2. Rosetta 2 translates Intel apps to the ARM architecture, allowing non-optimized apps to continue working. It is already known for many software applications whether they have been optimized for Apple silicon; you can check here
• Complex software with Kernel Extensions or that haven’t been updated for a long time may cause issues.

What are our initial experiences?

Based on initial customer feedback and a MacBook Pro with the M1 chip within Root3, we can say that many things work seamlessly, especially when it comes to widely used software from major developers. The chip is incredibly fast, and the battery life is impressive.

However, some things are not working well or not working at all. This includes apps that rely on Legacy Kernel Extensions, such as endpoint protection and virtualization software.

Should I choose a Mac with Apple silicon or Intel?

First and foremost, we advise every organization using macOS to purchase a Mac with Apple silicon and thoroughly test it.

If your organization mainly uses web applications, a Mac with Apple silicon will be a fantastic investment, as it will increase productivity due to its speed and battery life. This generally applies when using “standard” apps that are supported by major developers or known to be optimized.

If the organization relies on business-critical apps that are uncertain in terms of optimization or use features such as Legacy Kernel Extensions, thorough testing is necessary, and it may be better to choose Intel-based Macs for now.

MacBook Pro or MacBook Air?

We also believe that the Mac has become more “affordable.” By this, we mean that thanks to its speed, the new MacBook Air will be sufficient in many cases where a MacBook Pro was previously needed. The MacBook Air even eliminates the need for active cooling (a fan) and will not make noise during your video meetings! You can check all the differences here.

Is our MDM solution already compatible with Apple silicon? Most MDM solutions now offer support for Apple silicon, including Jamf Pro, MobileIron, and Microsoft Endpoint Manager (formerly Microsoft Intune). In some cases, Rosetta 2 needs to be installed to ensure that all apps work seamlessly.

For more information, please contact us at +31 85 400 30 30 or [email protected].