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iOS version or Intel?

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SegNerd

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 28, 2020
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I have come to realize that there are some apps that have a macOS-Intel version, and they also have an iOS version with roughly the same functionality. What they don’t have is a macOS version optimized for Apple Silicon.

So that leaves me with the choice of running the iOS version on my Mac or the Intel version on my Mac. Am I correct in thinking that the iOS version is generally the better choice? I don’t think iOS apps require emulation to run on Apple Silicon.
 
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jdb8167

macrumors 601
Nov 17, 2008
4,859
4,599
If they have trial software or are free (with or without In-App purchases) then try both obviously. But otherwise, using the Intel macOS is much more likely to be a good experience. Most iOS & iPadOS apps that I've tried on my M1 MBA are just not very good on macOS and Intel applications running under Rosetta 2 are indistinguishable from their Apple Silicon counterparts for the most part.
 
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Juicy Box

Juicy Box

macrumors 604
Sep 23, 2014
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If the app is completely identical between the Mac and iOS version, then I would just use the iOS version.

If the app has better functionality for the x86 Mac version, meaning the UI is better for a computer and not a touchscreen/handheld, then try the Intel one.

Being that most Mac apps would probably be designed to use on a Mac, it probably makes to just get the Mac version.
 
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I

Isamilis

macrumors 68020
Apr 3, 2012
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Since intel based Mac will be deprecated, if you buy intel version, higher probability you get free update to silicone version, compared to iOS to silicon version.
 
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bobcomer

macrumors 601
May 18, 2015
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Intel Mac apps would be better because they were designed to run under the MacOS UI. There's also one bad thing with iOS apps, there's just not a lot of them that are allowed to run on the M1 Mac's, as the author needs to allow it specifically, and that isn't happening much. I'm VERY disappointed in how many iOS apps there are that can be installed. It's one of the main reasons I bought an M1 Mac to begin with. :(
 
J

jdb8167

macrumors 601
Nov 17, 2008
4,859
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bobcomer said:
Intel Mac apps would be better because they were designed to run under the MacOS UI. There's also one bad thing with iOS apps, there's just not a lot of them that are allowed to run on the M1 Mac's, as the author needs to allow it specifically, and that isn't happening much. I'm VERY disappointed in how many iOS apps there are that can be installed. It's one of the main reasons I bought an M1 Mac to begin with. :(
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"The food here is terrible and the portions are so small!"
 
Toutou

Toutou

macrumors 65816
Jan 6, 2015
1,082
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Prague, Czech Republic
SegNerd said:
I don’t think iOS apps require emulation to run on Apple Silicon.
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Actually, neither do Intel apps. Rosetta 2 translates x86 binaries before running them for the first time, and for most software there isn't any noticeable performance hit. I'd go with the Mac version and not care about the architecture.
 
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Tagbert

Tagbert

macrumors 603
Jun 22, 2011
6,259
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Seattle
bobcomer said:
That's a weird thing to say, but yes, I'm quite disappointed with my MBA and what it can run.
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What software are you running into problems with? I‘ve found few apps that will not run under Rosetta and many that have already recompiled for M1.

This site is good to see which apps are fully M1 ready, which still need Rosetta, and which still don’t work.

Is Apple Silicon ready?

The Complete Guide to MacOS Apps Optimized for Apple Silicon Macs and the M1/M2 Processors
isapplesiliconready.com
 
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bobcomer

macrumors 601
May 18, 2015
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Tagbert said:
What software are you running into problems with? I‘ve found few apps that will not run under Rosetta and many that have already recompiled for M1.

This site is good to see which apps are fully M1 ready, which still need Rosetta, and which still don’t work.

Is Apple Silicon ready?

The Complete Guide to MacOS Apps Optimized for Apple Silicon Macs and the M1/M2 Processors
isapplesiliconready.com
Click to expand...
Other than system crashes about once a week, no application problems with Mac apps other than IBM Notes, just things I can't run because they aren't available. Some iOS apps that I very much prefer over web apps, and no way to run x86 Windows in a VM. Windows on Arm in a VM just doesn't cut it for various reasons.
 
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bobcomer

macrumors 601
May 18, 2015
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chabig said:
You bought a Mac and are disappointed because it runs all software written for Macs?
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The MBA M1 isn't my only Mac, and yes, I'm quite disappointed. Part of the M1 Apple event was it running iOS apps, and that's one of the reasons I bought it for.

As for Windows in a VM, I knew that one may take time, but it does limit the MBA in what ways I can use it and it's my only computer that is limited like that. (This is more Microsoft's fault I agree, but it also was in the presentation...)

My MBA is quite a nice machine otherwise...
 
Leon1das

Leon1das

macrumors 6502
Dec 26, 2020
285
214
bobcomer said:
Intel Mac apps would be better because they were designed to run under the MacOS UI. There's also one bad thing with iOS apps, there's just not a lot of them that are allowed to run on the M1 Mac's, as the author needs to allow it specifically, and that isn't happening much. I'm VERY disappointed in how many iOS apps there are that can be installed. It's one of the main reasons I bought an M1 Mac to begin with. :(
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Just sideload any iOS app you need...
Beware not to use 3rd party AppStores - but use iMazing or AppSync to grab the IPA files you need from you iphone. They double click them on M1 and they will install...
 
dmccloud

dmccloud

macrumors 68040
Sep 7, 2009
3,142
1,899
Anchorage, AK
bobcomer said:
The MBA M1 isn't my only Mac, and yes, I'm quite disappointed. Part of the M1 Apple event was it running iOS apps, and that's one of the reasons I bought it for.

As for Windows in a VM, I knew that one may take time, but it does limit the MBA in what ways I can use it and it's my only computer that is limited like that. (This is more Microsoft's fault I agree, but it also was in the presentation...)

My MBA is quite a nice machine otherwise...
Click to expand...

So you're disappointed with Apple because the iOS developers haven't made all of their apps available on the M1 Macs. How is that Apple's responsibility to begin with?

There are already people running WoA (Windows on ARM) via Parallels or other virtualization tools on the M1 Macs. The big issue is that since Microsoft still does not officially support that use case, full driver support is somewhat lacking.
 
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B

bobcomer

macrumors 601
May 18, 2015
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Leon1das said:
Just sideload any iOS app you need...
Beware not to use 3rd party AppStores - but use iMazing or AppSync to grab the IPA files you need from you iphone. They double click them on M1 and they will install...
Click to expand...
That I wont do, it's gotta be an apple approved way of doing things, and sideloading has been coming and going for weeks and 11.3 can't do it at all.
 
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bobcomer

macrumors 601
May 18, 2015
4,949
3,699
dmccloud said:
So you're disappointed with Apple because the iOS developers haven't made all of their apps available on the M1 Macs. How is that Apple's responsibility to begin with?

There are already people running WoA (Windows on ARM) via Parallels or other virtualization tools on the M1 Macs. The big issue is that since Microsoft still does not officially support that use case, full driver support is somewhat lacking.
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Yes, I'm disappointed with Apple, *their rules, their game* when it comes to the Mac.

I'm one of those running WOA via Parallels -- it sucks to put it mildly, only about 3/4 of the stuff I need to run, runs. Apple's Arm support for MacOS is way better.
 
S

SegNerd

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 28, 2020
307
308
I know some iOS software is blocked from being installed on an M1 Mac. There are some developers that do let you have the choice though, and I had hoped it would be clear that I was only asking about those apps. I mean, I wouldn't be asking for advice about a choice if I didn't have a choice, right? :)

Thank you for the feedback.
 
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bobcomer

macrumors 601
May 18, 2015
4,949
3,699
darngooddesign said:
It is if you want them to be aware of increased demand. Otherwise, have fun waiting.


Apple made the feature available and easy to implement...they can't force devs to use it.
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I think it's stupid not support their apps on the M1 Macs, they're missing out on more income, but wait, no, I don't have to wait, I'll just use my iOS devices.

No, they can't force it, but they can encourage it more.
 
D

darngooddesign

macrumors P6
Jul 4, 2007
18,366
10,123
Atlanta, GA
bobcomer said:
What waiting? Like I said I'll use my iOS devices for those and my M1 just sits there doing nothing. Stupid me for buying it on a promise...
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You bought it based on Apple including a feature that they can't force devs to use. And devs won't implement the feature until they think there is demand, but you're too stubborn to tell the devs you'd like the feature.

So enjoy your M1 just sitting there.
 
B

bobcomer

macrumors 601
May 18, 2015
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3,699
darngooddesign said:
You bought it based on Apple including a feature that they can't force devs to use. And devs won't implement the feature until they think there is demand, but you're too stubborn to tell the devs you'd like the feature.

So enjoy your M1 just sitting there.
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LOL, that was only 1 reason I bought the M1, it disappointed me in other ways that make it less useful too. As for talking to the developers -- it's not one or two or three apps that I want, I want the whole ecosystem, so how do you propose I talk to all the developers? That's something Apple can do, not any individual.

As for my M1, Yep, big mistake, but there's nothing I can do personally about it. Maybe it'll become more useful in the future. It's not like I don't have other hardware that fits what I need better.
 
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