Apple is set to run Windows 10 on its new Macs

This year, Apple begins the transition of its computers from Intel processors to Apple Silicon processors, based on Arm technologies. While the previous models were equipped with Intel chips, the new Mac mini, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air that the Cupertino company presented this November use the M1 chip.

Thanks to this new component, Apple’s new computers benefit from a significant performance gain but also energy efficiency. The new computers run under MacOS Big Sur and can launch applications that have already made the transition, as well as those that have been coded for Intel processors, thanks to Rosetta 2.

And because Macs and iPhones now use the same architecture, Apple’s newer computers can also launch apps created for iOS or iPadOS. In addition, we learn from an interview of Apple officials with the Ars Technica site that if Microsoft wanted, Apple computers using the M1 chip could even run the Arm version of Windows 10.

It’s a decision that must be made by Microsoft

This was revealed by Craig Federighi, vice president of Apple. According to him, it depends on Microsoft. “We have the core technologies to do that, to run their ARM version of Windows, which in turn of course supports x86 user mode applications. But it’s a decision Microsoft has to make, to license this technology for people to run on these Macs. But Macs are certainly very capable of it ”, he explained.

Like new Macs, some Windows 10 computers are already using Arm processors instead of using Intel processors. This is possible thanks to a partnership between Microsoft and Qualcomm. And for these computers, Microsoft offers a version of Windows 10 specifically designed for Arm processors.

Windows 10 on the M1 processor, this would allow users of the Microsoft operating system to enjoy the exceptional performance of the new Macs, without having to switch to MacOS (some software available on Windows 10 may not be available on MacOS ). However, it is not certain that Microsoft decides to license Windows 10 for Apple computers.

Linus Torvald would like to use Linux on these computers

Otherwise, it should be noted that Linus Torvald, the main developer of the Linux kernel, would like new Apple computers to be able to run Linux. Like many people, he is impressed with the prowess of the M1 chip.

“I would absolutely love to have one, if it only worked on Linux. I have fond memories of the Macbook Air 11 ″ (I think 4.1) that I used about ten years ago ”, he said recently.