Big Sur - macOS Goes to 11 and Apple Moves Away from Intel
For long time Apple customers, you know that Apple follows a pattern of revolution followed by evolution. This pattern has served Apple well, both in the release and refinement of world-changing products but also in the smaller decisions regarding the components and features included in their products. These moves are not always met with open arms as we can all recall the panic over removal of the floppy, removal of the optical drive, and even the removal of Ethernet. Apple’s guidance has proven to be prescient time and time again.
In the chaos and uncertainty that will define 2020, Apple is both evolving and starting a revolution. On the evolution front, macOS 11 Big Sur is the continued refinement of the Mac operating system. However, Apple is starting a revolution with the anticipated introduction of Apple Silicon based Macs on November 10th. This move will replace Intel processors with Apple’s own A class ARM processors. The new processors should push the Mac to performance and efficiency levels never before seen on the Mac. The beauty of this revolution is that Apple has been working toward it for a decade.
We have been here before, many times. Moving from 68k to PPC; from PPC to Intel; and from 32-bit to 64-bit. Now from x86 to ARM. In each of the prior transitions, Apple was gambling by moving to a processor class that was either new to the industry or new to the platform. Some of those moves were riskier than others, were required for Apple to stay relevant while taking the chance that developers and customers would follow. This migration is different. Apple is migrating to a technology they have been selling and refining for the last ten years. They released their first A class chip in 2010 with the introduction of the first iPad and the release of the iPhone 4. Apple knows how to get the most out of this processor and there are thousands of developers with software products already running on ARM. This is a transition this in essence has already happened. It has been developed over a decade and should set the stage for the next one to come.
New operating systems and new processors are exciting. The key is understanding where these changes will take us. When we look at the Mac lineup over the last few years; we have always felt as though we were just a step or two behind, especially when compared to the features available in iOS devices. Could the coming of Apple Silicon be the opportunity to reach parity across Apple’s platforms? Imagine a Mac with cellular connectivity built in. (I for one want this very badly! - For our corporate customers imaging the benefits to automated device enrollment as Macs will work just like iPads). How about Wi-Fi 6 and 6e support without waiting more than a year? (I mean honestly, WiFi 6 was ratified in 2019 and all iPhones and iPads support it, yet the flagship 16” MacBook Pro does not?).
Possibly more vital than anything else is better battery life on a Mac laptop, instant on responsiveness, and unparalleled performance. These are features we are accustomed to on the iPhone and iPad product lines but on the Mac side we have been accepting inferior options for years. The promise of Apple Silicon based Macs is overwhelming… if Apple brings these features to the Mac. Here is to hoping that Apple has the wisdom to deliver another insanely great product. This is not the time to play it conservatively.
Despite the excitement of the new hardware, software is key. Transitioning to a new processor is a physical action on the device. Convincing developers to come along for the ride is another challenge. Apple hit one out of the park by publicly demonstrating Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop already compiled for Apple Silicon during June’s World-Wide Developer Conference! Imagine what we will get when Apple uses a processor tailored for the Mac and developers embrace the platform and the frameworks. The future is bright. The developers must get on board in order to make this work well. Expect a period of transition but demand from your software vendors that they embrace Apple’s move.
With new hardware and a new operating system on our doorstep; what does this mean for Carbon’s customers? In a market with a pandemic running rampant, offices closed, everyone working from home, and the future of many businesses uncertain. Carbon, as usual, recommends patience and careful planning. For many customers, the right move is to wait. Maximize your existing investment and let the market stabilize. Protect your workflows so you can stay productive. There is nothing wrong with the current Intel devices and Apple is committed to supporting them for years to come. For customers on lease agreements, consider extending or triggering the buy-out option. This can push a refresh decision to when we can evaluate the new Macs based on Apple Silicon. However, if the new devices are as powerful and capable as we hope (and expect), there will be a strong desire to relegate the Intel era to the trash bin of history.
As for the operating system update, Carbon says it every year. There is no award for being the first to upgrade to a new OS. At this point in time, you do not want to make drastic changes. There may be workflow disruption and application incompatibility. The wise advice is to wait. Let third party developers release updates for their products. Give Apple a chance to stabilize the operating system, no release is ever perfect and it takes time for Apple to fix all the bugs. Let others suffer from “early adopter syndrome.” Big Sur will be there when you are ready, and not because Apple presents it as an option in Notification Center.