Apple’s long-term reliance on Intel to supply processors for its Mac computers will come to an end in November 2020, according to the company. At the One More Thing event on November 10, 2020, Apple unveiled their new M1 chipset, which would be used to replace the Intel processors now used in Mac computers. On the Apple Mac line of computers, the Apple Silicon (also known as Apple M1 Chip) is a System-on-a-Chip (SoC) hardware component that is supposed to provide greater performance and power management.
The design of the M1 Chip
It has eight cores, four of which are performance cores and four of which are efficiency cores. These cores are designed to work together to provide the highest performance possible, even when under extreme conditions. Power users can now expect a completely new level of involvement with their systems, as well as an incredible user experience. Powered by a powerful integrated 8-Core GPU, your PC will be transformed into a high-performance graphics monster that will outperform even the most sophisticated PCs. It will be able to perform up to 11 trillion operations per second because of its 16-core Neutral Engine. Before the introduction of the M1 Chip, Apple relied on several different processors to bring distinct capabilities to users. Now, all of these features, including the processor, security, I/O, and memory, are combined into a single chip, making it easier to use.
Can you expect a performance boost on macOS Big Sur?
Yes, without a doubt! The latest Mac operating system, macOS Big Sur, is designed to provide seamless performance when running on the latest M1 processor. With the intelligent power management feature of the M1 Chip, it is possible to divide diverse workloads between the chip’s efficiency and performance cores, resulting in the greatest possible overall performance. All Apple-designed applications have been tailored to run smoothly on the M1 processor. As a result of the move from Intel’s chip x86-64 architecture to ARM64 architecture, developers must optimize their applications for the M1 processor.
What are universal macOS apps?
Apple refers to programs that are optimized for both Silicon/M1 chip-based Macs and Intel processor-based Macs as “Universal.” On a technical level, apps that are optimized for both employ Rosetta translation on M1 Macs to run x86-64 instructions on their respective platforms. You may get information about Universal macOS apps in the Finder and the System Report (under About This Mac).
What is Rosetta 2?
When you run x86-64 instructions on a Mac with an M1 processor, Rosetta 2 as an emulator is immediately activated to assist you in running these applications. It is necessary to translate these applications for them to function properly. It makes it possible to run applications that do not have native support on the newest M1 processor. Rosetta 2 runs in the background and is a mechanism for giving time to Mac app developers so that they can create native apps for Mac models that use the M1 processor. However, it is not a replacement for native applications. Because Rosetta 2 is an emulator, you may experience some sluggish performance when running non-native applications.
Best Mac Apps for M1 Chip
In addition to the fact that all Apple applications are now M1 chip optimized, there are just a handful of third-party software developers who provide native support for this new architecture. The following are the top three main Mac applications from third-party software developers that have native support for the M1 chip:
1. CleanMyMac X
CleanMyMac X is an all-in-one Mac cleaning and optimization software that has now been tuned for the M1 processor. You may use this macOS Big Sur compatible program to make your Mac look even more amazing. Additionally, it may be used as a macOS cleaner, a system performance monitor, a virus remover, and other functions. CleanMyMac X is a powerful universal app with native support that provides a comprehensive solution for all of your cleaning and security needs.
2. Final Cut Pro X
Final Cut Pro X makes the post-production process as simple as possible for you. This sophisticated tool aids you in the areas of editing, audio, motion graphics, and presentation. Color grading, HDR capabilities, and ProRes RAW are just a few of the sophisticated features that can help you get better outcomes. The new Metal engine in the tool enables you to edit more complicated projects while working with larger frame sizes, greater frame rates, and more effects- all at breakneck speed thanks to the Metal engine.
3. Microsoft Office
Microsoft was one of the first companies to express interest in developing universal applications for the M1 microprocessor. With the beta version of the Universal build of Mac Office 2019, all key programs, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, will be compatible with the latest M1 chip architecture, according to the developer’s notes. This update is available to users who have chosen to equip their Macs with the Apple M1 processor.
Conclusion
Now that Apple is ready to deliver a smooth user experience with its new M1 chip architecture, you can expect to see an increase in the number of applications that are compatible with this newer chip. Things will undoubtedly change when more universal macOS applications become available. If you are getting ready for macOS Big Sur, don’t forget to download CleanMyMac X to free up more space on your Mac so that you can run the latest applications.
