On November 10, 2020, Apple introduced their own computer processor called M1. It is produced by Apple and will replace Intel's processors in Apple computers over the next two years. M1 processors started shipping in 2020 13" MacBook Pros, MacBook Airs, and Mac Minis.
While the processor's performance looks promising for the future, there are some limitations during this transition period from Intel to M1 that you should be aware of.
Do I Have an M1 Processor?
To check if you have an M1 processor in your Mac, click on the Apple in the top-left corner of your screen and select About this Mac. It will say "Apple M1" next to the Chip label.
Known Issues
Application Compatibility
Check isapplesiliconready.com for information on applications that are compatible with an M1 processor.
Some applications that are not optimized to run on M1 are able to run via a compatibility tool from Apple called Rosetta 2. This tool will take a few seconds to run when the application is first started on the Mac and will then function seamlessly when the application is started in the future.
If an application is not M1 optimized and cannot run via Rosetta 2, it will not open on the Mac. You will need to wait for the developer to release an update for the application or look for an alternative if the application is crucial to your work.
Boot Camp
A Windows Boot Camp partition is no longer supported. Windows 10 is not currently compatible with Apple's new M1 chip.
However, companies like Parallels, VMware, and VirtualBox are working on updating their applications to run Windows in a virtual machine within macOS.
External Display Limit
Only 1 external display can be connected to an M1 MacBook Air or MacBook Pro with a standard display adapter or dongle. To connect more than 1 external display, you will need a DisplayLink adapter or dock.
The Computer Store currently sells HP DisplayLink docks. Please contact them directly for more information about cost and availability.
Excessive Reads/Writes On Internal Storage
As of March 2021, there are reports that computers with the M1 chip are reading and writing more data to their internal storage in the background than before. Given that the storage components have a finite number of reads and writes and cannot be easily replaced on the computer, this could shorten the lifespan of the device.
More information is still coming out about this issue. It could potentially be addressed with a software patch, or there could just be an error with the reporting tools. However, if you can, it would be a good idea to wait until this issue is addressed to buy an M1 Mac.