At WWDC 2020 this week, Apple announced that it would be switching its range of Macs over to its own Apple Silicon processors which are ARM based.
This will be done over the next two years and we are expecting to see the first new Mac, an iMac with Apple Silicon processor later this year.
Transition to Apple Silicon
Apple’s new Macs with these ARM-based processors will share the same architecture as the iPhone and iPad. This architectural alignment means that iPhone and iPad apps will work seamlessly on these new Macs. This is a significant shift from the Intel processors that Apple has been using in its Mac lineup for the past 15 years. The transition to Apple Silicon is expected to bring a number of benefits, including improved performance, better energy efficiency, and tighter integration between hardware and software.
Apple recently announced in its developer portal that iPhone and iPad apps will be made available to these new Macs through the Mac App Store. This will happen automatically, and developers will have to choose if they do not want these apps made available on the Mac. This automatic availability is expected to significantly increase the number of apps available on the Mac platform, providing users with a richer and more diverse app ecosystem.
Benefits of Apple Silicon
One of the key benefits of Apple Silicon is its performance. Apple has a long history of designing high-performance chips for its iPhones and iPads, and it is bringing this expertise to its Mac lineup. The new processors are expected to deliver significant performance improvements over the current Intel processors, making the new Macs faster and more responsive.
Another important benefit is energy efficiency. Apple Silicon processors are designed to be highly energy-efficient, which means that the new Macs will have longer battery life. This is particularly important for laptops, where battery life is a critical factor. With Apple Silicon, users can expect to get more done on a single charge, making the new Macs more convenient and portable.
In addition to performance and energy efficiency, Apple Silicon also offers better integration between hardware and software. Because Apple designs both the hardware and the software, it can optimize the two to work together seamlessly. This tight integration is expected to result in a smoother and more reliable user experience, with fewer bugs and crashes.
Impact on Developers
The transition to Apple Silicon also has significant implications for developers. Apple has provided developers with a range of tools and resources to help them transition their apps to the new architecture. This includes a Developer Transition Kit, which consists of a Mac Mini with an A12Z Bionic chip, the same chip used in the iPad Pro. This allows developers to test and optimize their apps for the new processors.
Apple has also introduced Universal 2, a new binary format that allows developers to create a single app that runs on both Intel-based and Apple Silicon-based Macs. This means that developers can continue to support their existing user base while also taking advantage of the new capabilities of Apple Silicon.
In addition, Apple has announced Rosetta 2, a translation layer that allows apps designed for Intel processors to run on Apple Silicon. This ensures that users will be able to continue using their existing apps during the transition period, even if those apps have not yet been updated for the new architecture.
Overall, the transition to Apple Silicon represents a major shift for Apple and its users. With improved performance, better energy efficiency, and a richer app ecosystem, the new Macs are expected to offer a superior user experience. At the same time, the transition presents challenges for developers, who will need to update their apps to take full advantage of the new architecture. However, with the tools and resources provided by Apple, developers are well-positioned to make the transition smoothly and successfully.
Source MacRumors
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