How virtualisation came to Apple Silicon Macs

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Virtualization on Apple Silicon Macs is maturing quickly, with Apple’s frameworks powering tools like Docker and third‑party hypervisors, but users still hit sharp edges around x86 emulation, USB passthrough, and GPU acceleration—especially for niche workflows like FPGA development or running older macOS versions. Commenters contrast true virtualization with slower CPU emulation, noting that while QEMU and similar setups can run Intel operating systems, performance and compatibility are often poor for serious work. The thread also broadens into how these technical constraints shape buying decisions between Macs and iPads, and how projects like Asahi Linux and tools like OpenCore Legacy Patcher or Retroactive are used to extend hardware and software lifespans.

Meta and Article Reception

  • Several comments praise the Eclectic Light site and the design of the linked page.
  • Some meta discussion about prolific HN submitters, but no technical content there.

Virtualization vs. Emulation on Apple Silicon

  • Clear distinction is drawn:
    • Virtualization = same CPU architecture, near-native speed, uses hardware support.
    • Emulation = different CPU architectures, instruction translation, typically much slower.
  • Apple Silicon cannot virtualize Intel macOS; it can only emulate it (e.g., via QEMU), which people report as “usable only for terminal” or worse.
  • USB passthrough into macOS ARM VMs is currently limited (e.g., Parallels cannot attach generic USB devices to a macOS guest). Workarounds suggested: network shares or host paths.

Docker, Apple Virtualization Frameworks, and Tools

  • Docker Desktop on macOS already uses Apple’s virtualization frameworks; no major change expected from this article alone.
  • Alternative tools mentioned for various use cases: QEMU/UTM, OrbStack, VMware Fusion, and LiViable (the article author’s app).

x86 Linux / FPGA and Heavy Tools on M-Series Macs

  • Running x86_64 Linux VMs for FPGA and other closed-source tools is seen as possible but problematic:
    • Rosetta inside Linux VMs supports only 64‑bit x86 and lacks parts of the instruction set (e.g., AVX2), causing incompatibilities.
    • 32‑bit x86 support requires other emulators (e.g., FEX) with notable performance hits.
    • FPGA tools are CPU‑intensive and often poorly optimized, so performance is expected to be significantly worse than on native x86.
    • USB passthrough and proprietary drivers inside the guest are flagged as likely failure points.
  • Suggested alternatives: Docker/OrbStack containers when only shells/CLI tools are needed, or using a remote x86 machine.

iPad Pro, Virtualization, and “Daily Driver” Debate

  • Speculation that future iPad Pros, with OLED and new keyboards, could become high-priced, virtualization-capable “MacBook replacements”; others strongly doubt such large price hikes will happen.
  • Experiences with 12.9" iPad Pro diverge sharply:
    • Pro‑iPad side: with Magic Keyboard, Stage Manager, cellular, and long battery life, it can be a primary mobile computer for many non-dev tasks.
    • Skeptical side: iPadOS multitasking, keyboard shortcuts, aggressive app unloading, and “not a full OS” limitations make it frustrating for productivity; often relegated to media, note-taking, PDF markup, and remote desktop.
  • Comparisons with Surface tablets highlight the tradeoff: better tablet UX on iPad vs. more open “real OS” (and VM capability) on Surface, albeit with weaker hardware/app support in some cases.

Running Older macOS/iTunes and Newer macOS on Old Macs

  • For a 2015 MacBook Pro:
    • It can officially run up to macOS Monterey without hacks.
    • For older apps like iTunes, Retroactive is recommended to patch and run them on newer macOS versions.
    • For running the latest macOS on unsupported hardware, OpenCore Legacy Patcher (OCLP) is recommended, with strong warnings to fully back up and understand installation quirks (e.g., need for wired peripherals during install).
  • Some users prefer Mojave-era UI and iTunes’ unified media management and smart browsing over the newer Music/TV/Books apps, which are criticized for reduced power‑user features and inconsistent UI.

Linux on Apple Silicon: VMs vs. Asahi

  • One user wants Linux as a near-bare-metal daily driver via VM, with exclusive fullscreen and GPU acceleration and host UI fully out of the way.
  • Responses note:
    • Asahi Linux is progressing and “close” to daily-drivable, with requests for contributions.
    • Current macOS-hosted VMs are type‑2; no type‑1 hypervisors are known.
    • Apple’s frameworks can para‑virtualize the GPU, with claims of near‑native speed for supported guests.
    • VMware Fusion on ARM reportedly offers good fullscreen Linux with configurable routing of gestures and shortcuts, though macOS UI chrome still appears at screen edges.

Miscellaneous

  • A stray comment about a lofi/ATC site appears to be misposted from another HN thread and is corrected.