M1 MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini Not Compatible With eGPUs

[richinaus]

E-GPU supported videocards that are 2-5-10X faster than the M1 GPU, plus they supported 8-16GB of dedicated video memory. The new machines are limited to 8Gb or 16GB of total memory, so no, they didn't stop the support because the integrated GPU was better for everyone.

It certainly isnt and ít made a macbookpro a viable desktop replacement for me [using both Nvidea in bootcamp, and an AMD W5700x in mac]
Egpu allows desktop performance on graphic intensive task [I am talking 100% utilisation in my pro apps].
it also took any heat out the laptop and helped it run cool.

Really though I learned my lesson in life finally in the last year. Laptop for mobile - desktop for heavy lifting. It seems Apple want us to follow that rule.

Those who think this integrated GPU will be fine for everyone, really don't know what everyone does.

But for consumer use, these machines will be great [I dont include gaming for consumer use on a mac as there are no AAA games].

 

[mrhick01]

My dream was a 16" MBP with NVidia, but Apple went in the opposite direction.

Re-establishing a relationship with Nvidia isn't going to happen...until conditions change and such a relationship would be an asset to Apple.

Nvidia wants to guide users to use, need their CUDA cores. Apple wants control. Apple doesn't need NVidia, although enthusiasts and a small slice of gamers wish they would.

 

[torncanvas]

Hopefully the compatibility list is the correct source. Apple is actually in a good position if they supported eGPUs, simply because the new AMD RDNA2 cards have bested Nvidia's Ampere. And they have more RAM, which is now desperately needed on the Mac Mini.

It does suck to leave behind Nvidia, though, CUDA is still 12+ months ahead in terms of maturity of using the GPU for processing, and therefore has so much more support/adoption for using it in software.

 

[richinaus]

Hopefully the compatibility list is the correct source. Apple is actually in a good position if they supported eGPUs, simply because the new AMD RDNA2 cards have bested Nvidia's Ampere. And they have more RAM, which is now desperately needed on the Mac Mini.

It does suck to leave behind Nvidia, though, CUDA is still 12+ months ahead in terms of maturity of using the GPU for processing, and therefore has so much more support/adoption for using it in software.

apple have lost $10k from me recently because of Nvidia support and lack of bootcamp In AS.

it will be interesting to see if RDNA 2 egpu does get support or not.

 

[UK-MacAddict]

Indeed, would not have expected these machines to support eGPU, not the existing ones anyway.

All of these machines used to support eGPU so users are actually losing functionality from this upgrade. Also the RAM being limited to 16GB is another downgrade.

 

[hot-gril]

I think in the next 3 year the new Macs with Apple silicon will be great at gaming.
In the next year i hope apple will release an Apple TV pro with an a15x or something, and it will evolve in a platform next to playstation, X-box and PC with blockbuster console games instead of just good mobile games.

It would be the next logical step for apple . Console gaming is a huge market, and apple is missing out.

I think they're killing the ATV off. I agree Apple is missing out.

AS is a big advantage for gaming, not because of the performance but because of the compatibility with iOS games.

 

[ani4ani]

No Windows Bootcamp support, no egpu support... This gets less and less appealing to gamers.

Can you get less than zero appeal?

 

[UK-MacAddict]

I’ve been running a 13” MBP with eGPU since before apple offically supported eGPUs. Prior I had my MacBook and a gaming rig. I was really excited to be able to combine them into one machine. If the Apple GPU can outperform discrete mobile GPUs like they implied then I’m cool with a lack of eGPU support. But I haven’t seen the numbers or heard the stories yet so I’m nervous for the moment that my one machine life is coming to an end.

I don't think Apples GPU solutions are anywhere near to matching dedicated graphics cards yet. None of the games they show off to demonstrate graphics performance are ever AAA gaming titles.

 

[jonnysods]

Boy am I glad I read this. Was looking at getting the Mini with an eGPU and then the new 13” as my travel companion.

 

[dr4kez]

Black Magic eGPU on the apple store page shows support for mac mini M1https://www.apple.com/us_epp_55499/...23c64fe07140be99a602ff5d75b6c8426632a18d30161

 

[twistedpixel8]

Limitation I guess, but do many people actually use these? Honest question... nobody I know of does.

Professionals do. But the machines announced today are not intended for professionals. Well, not the professionals that need eGPU support anyway.

 

[richinaus]

Professionals do. But the machines announced today are not intended for professionals. Well, not the professionals that need eGPU support anyway.

I wonder though how this bodes for the other computers as it makes no sense to not support in today’s release but in more pro models.
Don’t forget they did just upgrade a ‘pro’ model even though low end

 

[ginkobiloba]

I see eGPU mentionned here about gaming. I dont think gamers are the main target for that ( they already use PCs , considering many games aren’t even available on Mac ).

The target are mostly 3D artists , as they’ve been massively migrating towards PCs for many years. I don’t think there’s any high-level 3D artist/animator that still uses a Mac, as almost all 3D software is heavily optimized for GPU ( Mac’s weakness) rendering and specifically NVIDIA . The push to eGPUs is an attempt by Apple to regain some of that market.

 

[Freeangel1]

WOW. another reason these RISC or ARM processors are np good for PC. let alone you lost ability to run Windows 10 and boot windows 10. forget rosetta . its a crappy simulation.

If you wanna believe APPLE that their integrated GPU is good enough for film editing go right ahead

Losing the ability to connect INTEL compatible graphics cards externally thru a breakout box is as big a loss as not being able to boot windows

Face it. on the CPU integrated graphics SUCK. and no way to upgrade

So these new ARM Macs are Underpowered , NON Upgradable, and Cant run or boot windows.

OH BOY! I WANT ONE!

 

[richinaus]

I see eGPU mentionned here about gaming. I dont think gamers are the main target for that ( they already use PCs , considering many games aren’t even available on Mac ).

The target are mostly 3D artists , as they’ve been massively migrating towards PCs for many years. I don’t think there’s any high-level 3D artist that still uses a Mac, as almost all 3D software is heavily optimized for GPU ( Mac’s weakness) rendering and specifically NVIDIA . The push to eGPUs is an attempt by Apple to regain some of that market.

Yep, vastly better on a pc than Mac for most 3D apps.
Tbh egpu aren’t that great anyway and sort of a compromise.

Anyone who is cranking on their machines should be using a desktop - it’s a far better experience.

 

[k1121j]

Limitation I guess, but do many people actually use these? Honest question... nobody I know of does.

I do

 

[tivoboy]

somewhat understandable, but BUNK nonetheless..

 

[vipergts2207]

I think they're killing the ATV off. I agree Apple is missing out.

AS is a big advantage for gaming, not because of the performance but because of the compatibility with iOS games.

I don’t see Apple killing off the ATV. We had 3 years between the 4 and 4K and in that span Apple added 4K and HDR. Comparatively what is there to add with a new ATV at this point? HDMI 2.1? There’s no “killer app” requiring a new ATV at the moment. Maybe when 8K becomes a little more mainstream. The A/V market’s relative lack of innovation is the reason we’re stilling waiting on an ATV.

 

[jrlcopy]

I guess if you need an eGPU you wouldn’t start out with a MacBook Air, low end pro or the mini anyway. Assume the more high end arm models will support it

This pro uses a mini + egpu, and a ton do. Having said that I believe 0 of our apps are ready for the M1 chip. Nor do we want to be beta testers, so I just hope it's not going away permanently.

 

[Macaholic868]

Hope the macbook pro's will support it, as that could be a dealbreaker for me personally

I think there’s a reason Apple is saying the transition will take two years.

They’ve got to have better solutions than “we don’t support that” for Pros or users purchasing higher end systems.

Even though these new systems would otherwise be fine, for me no way to run Windows in a VM is a show stopper for all three of them. I dislike Windows but need to run some Windows based apps for work. I’m sure I’m in a small minority of Mac users but I can’t justify the Apple Tax on desktops and laptops if I can’t use those devices for work related things when I’m on the go or working from home.

I’m sure solutions for most of these kinds of things are in the works. There’s a reason these first chips are appearing in their least expensive systems first. I think only a small minority of users interested in them care about running Windows, lack of eGPU support, etc. For those that do you can still grab recent Intel based models that support these things.

 

[citysnaps]

********. Absolutely ********. I'm definitely not buying.

Thanx for sharing!

 

[portland_bill]

Less ports, no eGPU, downgraded Ethernet port... you’ll need to think hard if you want this to replace a current gen workhorse connected to 10Gbps network. 😳

 

[BaltimoreMediaBlog]

As Steve Jobs would say, "IT'S A FEATURE!"

They still sell the Intel versions. But if you are a gamer, why consider a Mac?

Maybe I just know Macs are better and just happen to like some cool games?
Do you tell your other friends what to do also? LOL

 

[ronf129]

Anyone who expected these to still work isn't paying attention. These are ARM based, (i'm guessing) closer to architecture to the iPad/iPhone than intel-based Macs.

Doesn't mean they can't get them to work EVENTUALLY, but no chance they're working now. You also notice that none of the macs released even support discrete graphics?

 

[hot-gril]

I don’t see Apple killing off the ATV. We had 3 years between the 4 and 4K and in that span Apple added 4K and HDR. Comparatively what is there to add with a new ATV at this point? HDMI 2.1? There’s no “killer app” requiring a new ATV at the moment. Maybe when 8K becomes a little more mainstream. The A/V market’s relative lack of innovation is the reason we’re stilling waiting on an ATV.

The killer app would be ATV+, which they ended up allowing to run on all the competing hardware along with AirPlay, and third party games, which didn't really happen. I mean the TV area is all about ecosystem lock-in, not real innovation. Apple also kept changing the UI around as if they don't really know what they want.