M1 incompatibilities?

[applefan19]

I don't own an M1, but I am considering buying... Is the MB Pro M1 (13") worthwhile when there are still incompatibilities and unclear information on what is compatible? (In terms of apps not yet native to the M1 or even fully compatible via Rosetta. See https://isapplesiliconready.com) Considering purchasing an Intel MB Pro over the M1 because it would have much more compatibility already. (Plus there are discounts at the moment.)
EDIT: Thanks for info. Going to hold off on a purchase for now.

 

[digitalbreak]

Could you clarify what sort of incompatibilities and unclear information are you referring to?

 

[applefan19]

Edited OP

 

[LonestarOne]

Apps that are not yet native to the hardware or even fully compatible yet via Rosetta, such as Adobe and some printer drivers.

Which Adobe apps are not compatible with Rosetta? It’s difficult to answer your question when you are so vague.

 

[jdb8167]

Apps that are not yet native to the hardware or even fully compatible yet via Rosetta, such as Adobe and some printer drivers.

Your question is too general. If you have a bunch of must have applications then it would be better to research if those work with Rosetta. The vast majority of apps work fine with the M1 and Rosetta. Drivers are a different consideration. Apple pretty much only supports AirPrint printers right now.

 

[applefan19]

Edited OP for details.

 

[jdb8167]

From research, there are faults with Adobe via Rosetta use on the M1. Beyond that, other apps I currently use would work. However, I need the flexibility of being able to print to a non-Airprint device if I am out and can't control those devices. I plan to keep the computer for years, which may mean use during grad school and I don't know what apps I will need then. I only have a mid 2012 MB Pro.

Adobe has a lot of apps. Light Room and Photoshop apparently work since I've seen a bunch of YouTube videos testing them. I think Premier has problems. Other than that, what Adobe apps?

These problems will be resolved in a matter of months, not years.

 

[applefan19]

Adobe has a lot of apps. Light Room and Photoshop apparently work since I've seen a bunch of YouTube videos testing them. I think Premier has problems. Other than that, what Adobe apps?

These problems will be resolved in a matter of months, not years.

Adobe Acrobat. I'm using this list to compare apps: https://isapplesiliconready.com

 

[Joelist]

What are you doing with Acrobat? Are you referring to Acrobat Pro or Acrobat Reader? If Reader it is unneeded on MacOS.

 

[LonestarOne]

From research, there are faults with Adobe via Rosetta use on the M1. Beyond that, other apps I currently use would work.

There are “faults”?

People keep asking you for specifics, and you haven’t provided any.

Failing that, all I can say is that top men are working on it.

 

[applefan19]

What are you doing with Acrobat? Are you referring to Acrobat Pro or Acrobat Reader? If Reader it is unneeded on MacOS.

Reader. Online says there area also issues signing PDFs on the M1 with it since it is not fully compatible via Rosetta yet.

 

[applefan19]

There are “faults”?

People keep asking you for specifics, and you haven’t provided any.

Failing that, all I can say is that top men are working on it.

I said what apps are not fully compatible. I did not feel the need to write a book on what was not working in each app and gave the URL to where it describes what apps work. If it does not fully work, that is enough of a pause for me.

 

[jdb8167]

I said what apps are not fully compatible. I did not feel the need to write a book on what was not working in each app and gave the URL to where it describes what apps work. If it does not fully work, that is enough of a pause for me.

Then you have your answer. Wait until the apps that you need are fully compatible.

 

[digitalbreak]

Here is the thing though - if you are looking for a long term machine, you are better off getting an Intel-based MacBook Air/Pro as that is the safe bet for you now. M1 is still a first generation device and it may not suit your needs given that your first priority is app compatibility.

 

[LonestarOne]

I said what apps are not fully compatible. I did not feel the need to write a book on what was not working in each app and gave the URL to where it describes what apps work. If it does not fully work, that is enough of a pause for me.

You said “Adobe apps.”

I’ve run PhotoShop, Lightroom Classic, and Lightroom CC without problems.

Saying that a program (or an entire line of programs) is “not fully compatible” or has “faults” is meaningless. It’s like going to a doctor, telling him you aren’t feeling well, then refusing to describe your symptoms. There’s no way a developer, or a doctor, can take action on a vague, meaningless statement like that.

And now you’re going to play the victim card. “I did not feel the need to write a book on what was not working”? Sorry, but it doesn’t sound like you know what is or isn’t working. There’s a big difference between “writing a book” and submitting a proper bug report.

 

[applefan19]

You said “Adobe apps.”

I’ve run PhotoShop, Lightroom Classic, and Lightroom CC without problems.

Saying that a program (or an entire line of programs) is “not fully compatible” or has “faults” is meaningless. It’s like going to a doctor, telling him you aren’t feeling well, then refusing to describe your symptoms. There’s no way a developer, or a doctor, can take action on a vague, meaningless statement like that.

And now you’re going to play the victim card. “I did not feel the need to write a book on what was not working”? Sorry, but it doesn’t sound like you know what is or isn’t working. There’s a big difference between “writing a book” and submitting a proper bug report.

I simply wanted to know if people though it was worthwhile to purchase since not all apps are compatible at this rate. I don't own an M1 and can only go based on what is online for info.

 

[Joelist]

Reader. Online says there area also issues signing PDFs on the M1 with it since it is not fully compatible via Rosetta yet.

Okay. Reader is unneeded on MacOS as the OS itself natively implments PDF. You use Preview to read PDFs.

To sign:

Fill out and sign PDF forms in Preview on Mac

In Preview on your Mac, you can add text or a signature to a PDF form.

support.apple.com

DocuSign (the biggest eSignature tool) is browser based and has no M1 issues.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

If you absolutely positively *MUST* use a feature in an app that doesn't work right yet, then you have your answer.

It sounds from this thread like you're just arguing to argue, though. People asked for details, and it took multiple back-and-forths to get you to actually list a real reason why you might run in to issues, and you have been presented with workarounds.

"Not all apps are compatible" - that's true of anything on any system. People run in to random incompatibilities with Intel Macs running Catalina. Running Big Sur on an Intel Mac has some incompatibilities.

Most of the Apple Silicon-related ones will be resolved by the software vendors soon enough, and the ones that are actually deal-breaking for major uses have essentially all been resolved already.

Even e-signatures in Adobe Acrobat works, it just has visual glitches that are only on the system it is being signed on - the actual signature gets added just fine.

 

[deeddawg]

Your question is too general. If you have a bunch of must have applications then it would be better to research if those work with Rosetta. The vast majority of apps work fine with the M1 and Rosetta. Drivers are a different consideration. Apple pretty much only supports AirPrint printers right now.

FWIW my network-attached Brother HL-4150CDN is working fine with my M1 MBP.

 

[deeddawg]

I simply wanted to know if people though it was worthwhile to purchase since not all apps are compatible at this rate. I don't own an M1 and can only go based on what is online for info.

You did kinda start out negatively with the "there are still many incompatibilities and unclear information on what is compatible" statement.

Check out this wiki/thread - https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/universal-and-native-apple-silicon-apps.2267176/

FWIW, everything I've used with my M1 MBP has been compatible.

Oh, actually my Lenovo USB-C dock isn't compatible. Though since it's also incompatible with Intel Macs that's not an Apple Silicon thing.

 

[applefan19]

You did kinda start out negatively with the "there are still many incompatibilities and unclear information on what is compatible" statement.

Check out this wiki/thread - https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/universal-and-native-apple-silicon-apps.2267176/

FWIW, everything I've used with my M1 MBP has been compatible.

Oh, actually my Lenovo USB-C dock isn't compatible. Though since it's also incompatible with Intel Macs that's not an Apple Silicon thing.

Thanks. I was not trying to be negative, but I realize how that may sound to people already using their new workhorses. I am planning to keep my computer for many years, so it's just a big decision and browsing is limited due to the pandemic... My current computer is a mid-2012.

 

[deeddawg]

Thanks. I was not trying to be negative, but I realize how that may sound to people already using their new workhorses. I am planning to keep my computer for many years, so it's just a big decision and browsing is limited due to the pandemic... My current computer is a mid-2012.

Then you don't want to be buying an Intel Mac at this point - based on past transitions, I wouldn't expect more then 2-3 years of feature updates to macOS for Intel although they'll likely continue security patches some years beyond that. How long (and to what degree) app developers continue to support Intel remains unseen as well.

My suggestion is sit down and list your important apps you must know work fine -- then post here or in those app's user communities and see what other people are experiencing. See what the developers say - noting that "not supported" doesn't mean the current version doesn't work, it just means they won't help you if you have an issue. Likely 'cuz they'd be focused on testing the next version they're working on releasing so they can say they support Apple Silicon.

*IF* you find software you must have an Intel system for, then I'd suggest buying a 2-3 year old used system and plan on just keeping that 3-4 years tops. As you might guess the used market is going to see plenty of Intel Macs.