Tag: Apple M1

  • Apple Ends Software Support for Intel Macs with macOS 27

    Apple Ends Software Support for Intel Macs with macOS 27

    Key Takeaways

    1. macOS 26 Tahoe is a free update introducing new features like real-time phone call translation and advanced Spotlight search.
    2. The new update is compatible only with a limited number of Intel Macs, marking the end of support for Intel-based Macs.
    3. Future macOS updates will only be available for Macs with Apple M1 or newer ARM processors.
    4. Security updates for macOS 26 Tahoe will be provided for several years, but new features will require an ARM-equipped Mac.
    5. The update includes gaming enhancements with Metal 4 and a competitor to Nvidia’s DLSS Frame Generation.

    On Monday, Apple introduced macOS 26 Tahoe, the newest version of its operating system designed for MacBooks, iMacs, and other devices. This update will be available for free starting this fall. Along with Apple’s new Liquid Glass design, this version brings a range of productivity and AI enhancements, including real-time phone call translation and an advanced Spotlight search that can perform shortcuts directly. Gamers will find this update appealing too, thanks to the gaming app Metal 4 and a competitor to Nvidia’s DLSS Frame Generation.

    Compatibility Concerns

    It’s important to note that macOS 26 Tahoe is only supported on a limited number of Intel Macs, like the Mac Pro (2019), MacBook Pro 16, MacBook Pro 13 (2020), and iMac. Surprisingly, the operating system will not work on any MacBook Air or Mac mini models that use Intel processors. Apple recently confirmed at its Platforms State of the Union during WWDC that macOS 26 Tahoe signifies the end of software support for Intel-based Macs, as macOS 27 will be offered only for Macs with Apple M1 or newer ARM processors next year.

    Future Updates

    Typically, Apple is expected to provide important security updates for macOS 26 Tahoe for several years. However, users wanting to access new features in the future will need to upgrade to a Mac equipped with an ARM chip. This implies that certain Macs will receive software support for only about five years, which is rather brief even for Apple’s usual standards. Following this announcement, it’s likely that more third-party software will be created exclusively for ARM Macs.

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    Apple Ends Software Support for Intel Macs with macOS 27

     

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  • Palworld for Mac Launches After November Delay by Pocketpair

    Palworld for Mac Launches After November Delay by Pocketpair

    Key Takeaways

    1. Palworld has finally launched for Macs after a delay, priced at $29.99 in the Mac App Store.
    2. The game requires a Mac with an Apple M1 chip and takes up 22.8 GB of storage.
    3. The Mac version includes latest updates, but dedicated servers and cross-play features are still not available.
    4. Palworld remains in early access over a year after launch, with ongoing content updates despite legal issues with Nintendo.
    5. The game’s daily player count on Steam is between 40,000 and 50,000, indicating a dedicated player base despite criticisms.

    After delaying its launch originally set for November 2024, Palworld is now finally released for Macs. The game, which focuses on creature-taming and survival, has had its fair share of controversies since its early 2024 release. Yet, it still has a dedicated following on PC and consoles, except for the Switch. Pocketpair is optimistic that the game’s appeal will resonate with Apple users.

    Pricing and System Requirements

    At the moment, Palworld can be found on the Mac App Store for $29.99, which might not please those who are more accustomed to Steam. To play smoothly, users will need a Mac equipped with an Apple M1 chip. Furthermore, for those with compatible systems, the download will take up 22.8 GB of storage space.

    Updates and Features

    The bright side is that the Mac version comes packed with the latest updates for Palworld. However, players will have to hold on until mid-March for the option to set up dedicated servers. Another drawback is that, similar to other platforms, the long-promised cross-play feature is still absent. This means that Mac players might find it difficult to connect with a larger network of fellow creature hunters.

    Game Status and Community

    More than a year post-launch, Palworld remains in early access, and there’s no clear timeline for a final version. Nevertheless, Pocketpair keeps on adding new content, despite facing a lawsuit from Nintendo over patent issues. In response to the legal troubles, the developers modified the game’s capture animations, which some argue could have hindered the game’s progress or resulted in the absence of features like cross-play.

    Though some critics label Palworld as a fading game, its daily player count on Steam still reaches between 40,000 and 50,000. While this is significantly lower compared to its January 2024 figures, these numbers do not account for console support. Now that Mac players can enter the Palworld community, they can determine if the wait was worthwhile.

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    Palworld for Mac Launches After November Delay by Pocketpair
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  • AMD Surpasses Intel in Desktop CPU Market Share, Faces Laptop APU Challenges

    AMD Surpasses Intel in Desktop CPU Market Share, Faces Laptop APU Challenges

    The well-known PassMark CPU benchmark database has refreshed its market share charts for the first quarter of 2025. The initial graph on the site, which encompasses all CPUs, shows Intel holding a significant lead with 59.5%. In contrast, AMD is performing quite well with a market share of 38.8%. Apple and Qualcomm also appear, but their shares are quite small, at 1.2% and 0.2% respectively. Nonetheless, the upcoming Snapdragon X series chips may boost Qualcomm’s market presence soon.

    Desktop CPU Insights

    The second graph provides a more captivating insight into the desktop CPU market. One might expect Intel to be the clear leader, as AMD has only achieved greater market share a couple of times—once in 2021 and earlier in 2006 when the Athlon 64 and Athlon 64 X2 were popular. Surprisingly, AMD now holds 50.1% compared to Intel’s 48.5%. This shift began in the latter half of 2024, largely due to the positive reception of the Granite Ridge Zen 5-based Ryzen 9000 processors. An impressive 880 samples of the Ryzen 9 9950X, which is currently priced at $589.99 on Amazon, have been tested, while Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K has only seen 319 samples benchmarked.

    Laptop Market Trends

    However, the laptop market share graph tells a different story for fans of AMD. Although this data is drawn from SKUs assessed on the site, PassMark asserts that over one million CPUs have been evaluated, providing a realistic view of the CPU landscape. Intel remains overwhelmingly dominant in the laptop segment, holding a substantial 73.6% market share, having peaked at 92.2% in Q2 2017. Although AMD made headway in gaining market share with its Zen microarchitecture iterations, its growth has stagnated since late 2020.

    In 2020, Apple introduced its silicon with the M1 chip to disrupt the market, achieving an 8.5% share by the end of 2021, mostly at Intel’s expense. In Q1 2024, Apple struggled again, facing off against Intel while AMD remained steady at around 20-22%. Noteworthy Ryzen 4000 laptops with non-PRO Zen 2 Renoir APUs, like the Acer Swift 3 SF314-42 and the Schenker XMG Core 15, have encouraged consumers and OEMs to explore AMD’s mobile chips due to their exceptional performance and efficiency. However, factors such as supply shortages, heightened competition, OEM deals, and Intel’s long-held dominance have left AMD Ryzen laptops somewhat sidelined, despite the strong processors they contain.

    PassMark’s updated graphs reveal the shifting landscape of the CPU market, with Intel still leading but AMD making notable inroads, especially in desktop CPUs. The laptop segment, however, still largely favors Intel, highlighting the challenges AMD faces in that arena.

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    AMD Surpasses Intel in Desktop CPU Market Share, Faces Laptop APU ChallengesAMD Surpasses Intel in Desktop CPU Market Share, Faces Laptop APU ChallengesAMD Surpasses Intel in Desktop CPU Market Share, Faces Laptop APU Challenges

     

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