HomeWinBuzzer NewsWindows 10 Could Come to Apple's M1 MacBook’s despite Early Software Troubles

Windows 10 Could Come to Apple’s M1 MacBook’s despite Early Software Troubles

Apple M1 MacBook’s are facing early software compatibility issues as the company says Windows 10 on ARM support is possible.

-

Earlier this month, launched its next generation MacBook laptops running the new M1 processor. This is important silicon because it is Cupertino's first ARM chip. More importantly, Apple's launch boasts suggest the M1 will solve many of the issues associated with ARM computing.

However, the early signs suggest Apple's early confidence may have been premature. Still, there is a good chance 's will one day run on M1 machines.

We are already familiar with the benefits of ARM computing, improved battery life and better performance. It is clear the M1-powered 's deliver on this in a way Microsoft's own ARM Surface Pro X could not. In fact, better than any device.

Apple also promised the M1 could run any app, including x86 applications, better than Intel processors. Here's the thing with Apple, the company usually delivers on its launch claims but sometimes one or two mistakes will creep through the cracks.

Remember when the company introduced the original iPhone as a game change? Little did the crowd know that the handset's software was unfinished and messy. Few remember the first iPhone was as much software failure as it was hardware success.

Software Issues

So, is the M1 one of those broken Apple promises? Well, it's too early to tell but a flood of users reports suggest there is a lot of software that is not compatible with the new chip. Analyst Patrick Moorhead went on a long Twitter threat listing software that would not work on his new MacBook.

The non-functioning software includes Microsoft Edge, Adobe Reader, Acrobat DC, as well as peripherals and hardware software. Moorhead has been joined by many users with similar problems.

Apple is a marketing king and knows hype arguably pays more than results. Just by hyping up the M1, the company has developers hustling to ensure their software is compatible. All software will work eventually, such is developer support for Apple devices, but let's not forget Apple was discussing app support as an out-of-the-box thing.

Windows Integration

One of the questions following the launch of the M1 has been whether the chip will allow Windows 10 to run on Macs. Of course, throughout the Intel generation of MacBook's (which are still available, by the way), Boot Camp would handle running Windows 10 on macOS.

When Apple confirmed its entry into ARM computing at WWDC earlier in the year, Microsoft suggested Windows 10 won't run on the M1 laptops on the basis Apple would need access to Windows 10 on ARM:

“Microsoft only licenses Windows 10 on ARM to OEMs. We have nothing further to share at this time.”

While Microsoft's comment seems final, Apple appears to believe there is still room for negotiation. Although, the company is putting the ball firmly in Microsoft's court. Craig Federighi, SVP of Software Engineering, for Apple says it is up to Microsoft to allow Windows 10 support:

“That's really up to Microsoft,” he said. “We have the core technologies for them to do that, to run their ARM version of Windows, which in turn of course supports x86 user mode applications. But that's a decision Microsoft has to make, to bring to license that technology for users to run on these Macs. But the Macs are certainly very capable of it.”

Last Updated on January 4, 2021 12:35 pm CET by Markus Kasanmascheff

Luke Jones
Luke Jones
Luke has been writing about all things tech for more than five years. He is following Microsoft closely to bring you the latest news about Windows, Office, Azure, Skype, HoloLens and all the rest of their products.

Recent News