So, while Apple's own apps like Safari, Pages, FinalCut Pro, and Logic Pro are updated to run on these chips, apps from third-party developers need to be updated to run natively on Apple silicon.īrowsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Opera have been updated alongside many commonly used apps like Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, DaVinci Resolve, VLC, Slack, and Discord. Since Apple silicon chips are based on a completely different architecture, programs need to be rewritten for them to run on the new models. If you're curious to know more about the differences, check out our guide on Apple silicon chips. In contrast, we're likely to see more and more software that doesn't work on an Intel chip, meaning you need an Apple silicon Mac instead. Some software won't work on Apple silicon chips, meaning you need an Intel Mac. Why Should You Check if Your Mac Uses Intel or Apple Silicon?Īside from the faster processing speed, longer battery life, and better performance for intensive tasks like graphic design and video editing, knowing what chip your Mac uses is essential when checking the hardware requirements for different software. Right next to the label, you'll find more details about the Intel processor or Apple silicon chip that's powering your Mac-for example, M1 Pro, Intel Core i7, etc.Mac computers with Intel processors will show an item labeled Processor, while Mac computers with Apple silicon will show an item labeled Chip.Choose About This Mac from the dropdown menu.Click on the Apple logo in the macOS menu bar.

If you're keen to check which chip your Mac uses-no matter which model you've got-just do as follows: However, many of these models also have counterparts running on Intel chips, not to mention it's often difficult to tell which Mac model you own just by looking at it. How to Check If Your Mac Uses Intel or Apple SiliconĪt the time of writing, Apple has released several Apple silicon Mac models:

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