Upgrading from an Older Intel Mac to Apple Silicon
Apple Silicon is the biggest leap in Mac performance in two decades. The transition deserves a little care.
Quick answer
Upgrading from an Intel Mac to Apple Silicon is a large real-world gain in speed, battery life, and heat. Most apps run natively or through Rosetta, but Intel-only kernel extensions, old drivers, virtualization setups, and legacy 32-bit software need to be checked and replaced before you switch.
Most apps run beautifully on Apple Silicon thanks to Rosetta 2. But some legacy software, especially older Adobe versions and any app with kernel extensions, won't make the jump. Inventory your critical apps and check each vendor's support page before you migrate.
Boot Camp doesn't exist on Apple Silicon. If you've been running Windows on your Intel Mac with Boot Camp, you'll need Parallels or VMware Fusion plus a Windows for ARM license going forward.
External devices that worked fine on Intel sometimes need driver updates for Apple Silicon. Audio interfaces, scanners, and older printers are the usual suspects.
Battery life on M-series MacBooks is genuinely transformative. Expect 12 to 18 hours of real work between charges. After your first day on a new MacBook Air or Pro, you'll wonder how you tolerated the Intel era.
Frequently asked
Will my old Mac apps work on Apple Silicon?
Most will, either natively or via Rosetta 2. The exceptions are kernel extensions, hardware drivers, some pro plug-ins, and anything long abandoned.
Should I use Migration Assistant from Intel to Apple Silicon?
Yes for files and settings. Reinstall major applications fresh rather than carrying over their Intel versions where you can.
Can Apple Silicon Macs run Windows?
Only ARM Windows inside virtualization such as Parallels — not Boot Camp. If you depend on x86 Windows, verify your workflow before upgrading.
Need a hand?
Local, on-site Apple help in the foothills.
If reading this guide didn't fully solve it, I come to you. Grass Valley, Nevada City, and surrounding areas.