Close-up of Macs using ARM chips that Apple doesn’t want users to know about
- Tram Ho
At WWDC 2020, Apple announced that it would stop using Intel chips on its Mac, but instead use chips made by the company. Because Apple’s chips are based on ARM architecture rather than x86 like Intel, so programmers will need to recompile their applications if they want it to run on Macs later.
To give programmers the chance to prepare in advance, Apple has launched the Developer Transition Kit (DTK). This is a machine created for programmers, supporting them to develop ARM applications for Macs. To get DTK, besides being a programmer, users will have to spend 500 USD. However, this amount of 500 USD is not to “buy off”, but only Apple to lease. At a certain time, Apple will conduct a DTK recall and the developer will be required to return it.
DTK was announced by Apple at WWDC 2020
In addition, programmers will have to adhere to strict requirements from Apple. Specifically, Apple does not allow developers to use it for purposes other than application development, which includes running benchmarking software. Programmers will also not be able to “dissect” this machine, even share information about it on social networks. And finally, they are not allowed to lend or transfer DTK to anyone else. In short, Apple wants the absolute security programmer about this DTK.
But for an influential company like Apple, it’s hard for programmers to be “silent” on DTK. Recently, AppleInsider has posted clear photos and videos about DTK, plus some benchmark results about this device. Shortly after being posted, the article and video on AppleInsider page suddenly disappeared, indicating that Apple is serious about “stamping” DTK information sources.
DTK bears the appearance of a Mac mini, identical to the Intel version that is being marketed by Apple, including packaging.
The inside of DTK’s box only includes the device and the power cord.
However, some accompanying documents are a little different. “The future of the Mac is waiting for you to write,” “Congratulations, you are one of the first to develop applications for Macs using Apple silicon chips.”
As mentioned above, DTK has the same overall design as the Mac mini. However, the fact that DTK still has a difference that users can recognize, is the absence of Thunderbolt 3 port. DTK still includes some ports such as 2xUSB-A, LAN, HDMI, headphone jack. like Mac mini; However, if the Mac mini has 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports, the DTK only has 2 USB-C ports (does not support TB3).
DTK runs macOS 11 Big Sur for ARM. The machine is equipped with configuration including A12Z Bionic chip, 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. A12Z Bionic is also the chip being used by Apple on the latest iPad Pro.
However, DTK’s Geekbench benchmark scores poorly compared to the iPad Pro. This comes from two reasons: (1) Apple has “pinned” the performance of the A12Z chip on DTK, when it was only enabled 4/8 cores and ran on lower clock speeds and (2) Geekbench tool on DTK Because there is no version for ARM, it has to run in x86 “emulator” mode, causing a loss of performance.
Rosetta 2 is a tool that Apple created to allow x86 applications to be able to run on the ARM platform. As seen above, this process will cause a performance loss, but it is a temporary solution required when ARM applications on macOS are not available.
Source : Genk