Apple should make macOS as the "Mac" app for Vision Pro

[senttoschool]

Since the Vision Pro has an M2 SoC, RAM, and SSD, why can't it just run macOS in an app container/window? Just call the app "Mac". You can launch "Mac" like you would for Photos or Notes or Phone. Except it loads a full macOS instance.

Basically, visionOS would still a locked-down OS similar to iOS and iPadOS and Apple can still enjoy being the gatekeeper. But it can have macOS installed as an "app".

The reason I'd want this is that I'd like to travel with just the Vision Pro for work. I don't always want to bring my heavy Macbook Pro 16". Bringing both is even more weight and bulk.

It'd be pretty dumb to look at a Mac Mini, then use the Vision Pro as the display when the Vision Pro has all the hardware the Mini has and can run macOS without it.

Yes, the iPad Pro has Apple Silicon, RAM, SSD, and a 13" display. So why doesn't Apple put macOS on the iPad Pro? It's because macOS is meant to be used with a mouse. The eye tracking + finger gestures replace the mouse better than touch controls. In addition, iPad Pro 12.9" is the only iPad with a large enough screen to use macOS comfortably so it doesn't make sense to only do it for one iPad. But every Vision device will have unlimited screen space for macOS.

Yes, it'd still make sense to only use the Vision Pro as a macOS display if you have a Pro/Max/Ultra Mac because the Vision Pro isn't as powerful.

But I don't see why Apple can't eventually put macOS in there as an app other than the fact that doing so would destroy Mini and Air sales and Apple wants to keep the platform locked down as much as possible.

In my opinion, the first killer app for Vision Pro is "Mac".

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Why not just recompile apps and run them directly on visionOS? It is likely trivial, short of the interface changes, since the OS' are likely 99% similar on the backend.

Having macOS run in a window on the Vision doesn't make much sense, short of some quick work using display sharing from your work computer.

 

[senttoschool]

Why not just recompile apps and run them directly on visionOS? It is likely trivial, short of the interface changes, since the OS' are likely 99% similar on the backend.

Having macOS run in a window on the Vision doesn't make much sense, short of some quick work using display sharing from your work computer.

Because macOS is its own beast. It's not just about the apps. What about terminal access for developers? What about *nix commands? What about the countless macOS apps that developers won't want to rebuild, create a brand new AR UI for?

 

[mectojic]

Would be nice if everything could just run the one OS, when desired. For instance, I would love to run a low-power MacOS on an iPhone at work. iPhones already support display mirroring and bluetooth, so hooking up a monitor, keyboard and mouse wouldn't be a problem.

 

[retroneo]

Yes, the iPad Pro has Apple Silicon, RAM, SSD, and a 13" display. So why doesn't Apple put macOS on the iPad Pro? It's because macOS is meant to be used with a mouse.

iPadOS has had full mouse support for a while. Look at it though and you'll see why Vision Pro is shown with a trackpad when using the Mac Screen Sharing feature.

The eye tracking + finger gestures replace the mouse better than touch controls.

The mouse cursor in iPadOS is a huge circle. The smallest clickable size recommended in visionOS is similarly 60 points.

Eye tracking or multi-touch won't play well with Mac OS sized small click areas.

Still, I think both visionOS and iPadOS should have Mac virtual machines.

 

[senttoschool]

iPadOS has had full mouse support for a while. Look at it though and you'll see why Vision Pro is shown with a trackpad when using the Mac Screen Sharing feature.

I'm aware. But people generally don't use iPadOS with a mouse. Sure, it can tether a Bluetooth mouse when in macOS mode, but there's some friction here. But the primary reason is probably the display size and Apple wants to keep iPad as a casual work device.

 

[subjonas]

Oh boy here we go. “We need macOS on iPad” threads, move over—here come the “We need macOS on Vision” threads!

 

[Kazgarth]

They won't, because they want it to have App store like iPhone/iPad where they can control the app release and ensure collecting 30% cut of all app/game sales.

 

[senttoschool]

They won't, because they want it to have App store like iPhone/iPad where they can control the app release and ensure collecting 30% cut of all app/game sales.

The "Mac" would just be an app you download from a locked-down app store inside VisionOS. It'd be the first killer app for VisionOS.

But regardless, I think Apple would be nervous about running macOS directly on VisionPro even if it's just an "app".

 

[Longplays]

I expect 68K, PPC, Intel and other emulators in the future.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

Since the Vision Pro has an M2 SoC, RAM, and SSD, why can't it just run macOS in an app container/window? Just call the app "Mac". You can launch "Mac" like you would for Photos or Notes or Phone. Except it loads a full macOS instance.

Basically, visionOS would still a locked-down OS similar to iOS and iPadOS and Apple can still enjoy being the gatekeeper. But it can have macOS installed as an "app".

The reason I'd want this is that I'd like to travel with just the Vision Pro for work. I don't always want to bring my heavy Macbook Pro 16". Bringing both is even more weight and bulk.

It'd be pretty dumb to look at a Mac Mini, then use the Vision Pro as the display when the Vision Pro has all the hardware the Mini has and can run macOS without it.

Yes, the iPad Pro has Apple Silicon, RAM, SSD, and a 13" display. So why doesn't Apple put macOS on the iPad Pro? It's because macOS is meant to be used with a mouse. The eye tracking + finger gestures replace the mouse better than touch controls. In addition, iPad Pro 12.9" is the only iPad with a large enough screen to use macOS comfortably so it doesn't make sense to only do it for one iPad. But every Vision device will have unlimited screen space for macOS.

Yes, it'd still make sense to only use the Vision Pro as a macOS display if you have a Pro/Max/Ultra Mac because the Vision Pro isn't as powerful.

But I don't see why Apple can't eventually put macOS in there as an app other than the fact that doing so would destroy Mini and Air sales and Apple wants to keep the platform locked down as much as possible.

In my opinion, the first killer app for Vision Pro is "Mac".

The primary reason for this is that Apple will not allow you to use a Mac unless you've bought a Mac.

Just as you don't get to use MacOS on an iPad, but they will let you pair and screen mirror MacOS and iPad through SideCar and Universal Control.

That part is about getting you to buy two devices at $1000-$2000 instead of one $3000-$6000 that most consumers would struggle to pay for.

Post-iPhone Apple doesn't do devices with multiple OSs, never has, never will -Each device has its own OS and you have to buy each separate device to use each of the separate OSs, MacOS, iPadOS, iOS, WatchOS, VisionOS.

The upside to this is that Vision Pro sets no limitations for the hardware specs on the Mac you "pair" it with. The downside is that you'd have to spend both $3499 and then add the price of whatever Mac you want to use through Vision Pro. So that's at least $3499 for Vision Pro + $599 for an M2 mini (assuming that this doesn't work with anything other than Apple Silicon. Idk).

Second reason is that all the Vision Pro hardware, besides the battery pack, is contained inside the headset itself and requires much more in terms of power and hardware than we probably think.

I expect there to be some headroom for more demanding workflows. But considering that you can run several many high definition apps while Vision Pro is also doing all the AR/VR sensor stuff to put you inside this (supposedly) very convincing 3D "spatial computing" experience, I highly doubt there's enough hardware headroom left to also run a full MacOS experience inside a dedicated app window.

Having MacOS run on a dedicated Mac and stream MacOS and the Mac's performance over Wifi/AirPlay(whatever they use) makes more sense considering how power hungry the Vision Pro hardware has to be already.

No way you'd get to that 2 hour mark with the battery pack if the Vision Pro is also doubling as a Mac inside an app window.

Do your self a favor and stop daydreaming about Apple doing these multi-OS devices.

Apple just put out subscription-only versions of Final Cut and Logic for iPad which cements what any sensible Mac enthusiast has known for years.

-We're never ever getting MacOS on anything other than Macs. End of story.

 

[ForkHandles]

A Mac runs off main power or dirty great firkin batteries. It has been written to be powerful and strong and to use all power available.

All other devices are battery powered therefore their operating systems have to be incredibly refined to preserve the batteries.

They could put an M2 in a big Apple Watch. macOS would eat the battery in seconds.

Like wise for goggles. macOS would simply render it useless in seconds. It would find the dozens of cameras, repeatedly ask what they were and then collapse.

 

[Brandon42]

I think the simple answer is that the M2 in the Vision Pro already has its hands full. The R1 isn’t doing all the work itself. Apple didn’t throw it in there just because they could. I’d imagine most of its resources are in use powering the Vision Pro. Yes there would be some headroom to run apps but a lot less than an M2 inside a Mac.

 

[anselpela]

Since the Vision Pro has an M2 SoC, RAM, and SSD, why can't it just run macOS in an app container/window? Just call the app "Mac". You can launch "Mac" like you would for Photos or Notes or Phone. Except it loads a full macOS instance.

Basically, visionOS would still a locked-down OS similar to iOS and iPadOS and Apple can still enjoy being the gatekeeper. But it can have macOS installed as an "app".

The reason I'd want this is that I'd like to travel with just the Vision Pro for work. I don't always want to bring my heavy Macbook Pro 16". Bringing both is even more weight and bulk.

It'd be pretty dumb to look at a Mac Mini, then use the Vision Pro as the display when the Vision Pro has all the hardware the Mini has and can run macOS without it.

Yes, the iPad Pro has Apple Silicon, RAM, SSD, and a 13" display. So why doesn't Apple put macOS on the iPad Pro? It's because macOS is meant to be used with a mouse. The eye tracking + finger gestures replace the mouse better than touch controls. In addition, iPad Pro 12.9" is the only iPad with a large enough screen to use macOS comfortably so it doesn't make sense to only do it for one iPad. But every Vision device will have unlimited screen space for macOS.

Yes, it'd still make sense to only use the Vision Pro as a macOS display if you have a Pro/Max/Ultra Mac because the Vision Pro isn't as powerful.

But I don't see why Apple can't eventually put macOS in there as an app other than the fact that doing so would destroy Mini and Air sales and Apple wants to keep the platform locked down as much as possible.

In my opinion, the first killer app for Vision Pro is "Mac".

That accomplishes nothing. I want the Mac apps running in the unlimited real estate canvas that Vision Pro apps get. Short of that, I could not possibly care less. Running "Mac" in 1 virtual window does nothing.

 

[EmotionalSnow]

Because macOS is its own beast. It's not just about the apps. What about terminal access for developers? What about *nix commands? What about the countless macOS apps that developers won't want to rebuild, create a brand new AR UI for?

Huh? I really want to see you using a terminal on the Vision Pro without an external keyboard, which isn't that much more bulk than just bringing that MBP with you in the first place.

 

[klasma]

Huh? I really want to see you using a terminal on the Vision Pro without an external keyboard, which isn't that much more bulk than just bringing that MBP with you in the first place.

Maybe Apple will add an accessibility feature that allows your eyes to blink morse code.

 

[lympero]

Because battery life would be 10 mins?

 

[huge_apple_fangirl]

Apple will never make an “open” device again. It’s a shame, because Vision would be a much more compelling product if it was a real computer that could run pro apps. But then again, so would the iPa.

 

[wrcousert]

I'd like to see them release a battery powered Mac Mini. There's no need for a laptop screen if you are going to use it exclusively inside the Vision Pro. Make it small and light enough to clip on to your belt if you need to take it with you.

 

[Longplays]

I'd like to see them release a battery powered Mac Mini. There's no need for a laptop screen if you are going to use it exclusively inside the Vision Pro. Make it small and light enough to clip on to your belt if you need to take it with you.

M2 is the SoC of the Mac mini that is installed on the headset.

 

[tomtad]

Post-iPhone Apple doesn't do devices with multiple OSs, never has, never will -Each device has its own OS and you have to buy each separate device to use each of the separate OSs, MacOS, iPadOS, iOS, WatchOS, VisionOS.

The only thing separating visionOS and iPadOS is the branding. They are essentially the same thing just with a fancy frosted glass effect when viewed through a headset.

 

[wrcousert]

M2 is the SoC of the Mac mini that is installed on the headset.

The M2 is also used in the latest iPad Pro, but the iPad Pro can't run MacOS apps.

 

[bkkcanuck8]

Apple will never make an “open” device again. It’s a shame, because Vision would be a much more compelling product if it was a real computer that could run pro apps. But then again, so would the iPa.

Buy the device in europe where it will (along with iPhone/iPad) likely have to allow sideloading. I do expect this to eventually become the norm worldwide, but it may take time.

 

[wrcousert]

Buy the device in europe where it will (along with iPhone/iPad) likely have to allow sideloading. I do expect this to eventually become the norm worldwide, but it may take time.

If an American were to import an Apple device from Europe, couldn't Apple prevent it from getting updates while in the US?

 

[bkkcanuck8]

If an American were to import an Apple device from Europe, couldn't Apple prevent it from getting updates while in the US?

Apple would have to be very sure the person holding it was an American -- and not a European travelling...
But the way Apple deals with the App Stores has always been based on region, i.e. where you bought it is where it is considered domiciled. I have three different user ids for App Stores in US/Canada and Thailand (though Thailand is where all my software is bought from - well except for one App I had in Canada that I managed to discount upgrade in app across stores - so it joined all the other apps). In the end it just would not be a big enough issue to take a sledgehammer to it... I expect sooner or later they will implement gatekeeper for iPadOS worldwide (not sure about phone iOS though).