Microsoft Revealed How The Windows 11 Will Support To Apple's M1 and M2 Macs

The introduction of Apple's M1 chip in late 2020 marked a significant shift in the computer industry, with the chip offering a level of performance and efficiency that was previously unseen in laptops and desktops. This new technology, however, raised questions about how compatible the new hardware would be with existing software, including Microsoft Windows. In this article, we will explore Microsoft's support for the Apple M1 and M2 Macs and what it means for users.

Windows Mac Support: The Background

Apple's M1 chip is a custom-designed System on a Chip (SoC) that combines CPU, GPU, and other components into a single chip. The M1 chip offers a significant performance boost compared to previous Intel-based Macs while also being more energy-efficient. This has made the new MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini highly sought after by professionals, creatives, and regular users.

However, the M1 chip's architecture is different from that of traditional x86 processors, which have been the standard in the computer industry for decades. This difference makes it challenging to run software that has not been optimized for the M1 chip, including Microsoft Windows. Additionally, Windows runs on x86 architecture, and Apple's M1 chip uses ARM-based architecture, which makes it even more challenging to run Windows on these new machines.

Microsoft has not yet released an official version of Windows that is compatible with the M1 chip, but they have made some moves to support Apple's new hardware. In November 2020, Microsoft released a beta version of its Office suite that was optimized for the M1 chip. This optimized version provided better performance and energy efficiency than the previous version of Office.

Running Windows on M1 Macs

Currently, running Windows on an M1 Mac is not a straightforward process. Apple's Boot Camp, which allows users to install Windows on a Mac, does not currently support the M1 chip. This means that users cannot run Windows natively on their M1 Macs as they could on previous Intel-based Macs.

One option for running Windows on an M1 Mac is to use virtualization software, such as Parallels or VMware Fusion, which allow users to create a virtual machine to run Windows on their Mac. However, this solution has some limitations. For example, Windows virtualization software is not currently optimized for the M1 chip, which means that users may experience slower performance and less energy efficiency.

Another option for running Windows on an M1 Mac is to use a cloud-based solution such as Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure. These services provide virtual machines that users can access remotely and use to run Windows or other operating systems. However, this solution requires an internet connection, and users may experience some latency or lag.

Microsoft's Plans for Supporting M1 and M2 Macs

Microsoft has not yet made any official announcements regarding its plans for supporting the M1 and M2 Macs. However, in a recent interview, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella confirmed that the company is working on a version of Windows that will be compatible with ARM-based processors. This development could pave the way for a version of Windows that is optimized for the M1 and M2 chips.

In the meantime, Microsoft is encouraging users to use virtualization software or cloud-based solutions to run Windows on their M1 and M2 Macs. They have also made some moves to support the new hardware, such as releasing an optimized version of Office for the M1 chip.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Microsoft has not yet released an official version of Windows that is compatible with the M1 and M2 Macs. However, they have made some moves to support the new hardware, including releasing an optimized version of Office for the M1 chip. Running Windows on an M1 Mac is not a straightforward