What so special about running Windows and Linux under Parallels on M1 Mac?

[hajime]

Hi, I am trying to decide whether or not to buy Parallels for my M1 Mac. On YouTube tones of people have posted videos to show that using Parallels, their M1 Mac can run Windows. There are also many guides to teach how to install Windows on M1 Mac. The posters looked so excited that they were able to make Windows running on M1 Mac. However, we know that it is an Arm version of Windows and many x486 programs don't work. So what so special about being able to install a limited version of Windows on M1 Mac? Are these people not knowing the limitations or they are just trying to get more viewers?

Similarly, is Linux any better? As far as I know, it is also an Arm version of Linux that cannot run some programs that use some special Intel instructions sets.

 

[velocityg4]

While there's Windows programs which won't work. There's a lot of programs which will work. For people who need Windows for a few programs. As long as they do work in Windows for ARM when it's emulating x86. Then they won't have to dump macOS and go Windows only.

As for Linux. Technically any open source software for Linux could work. If you're willing to go through the work of recompiling and fixing the source code for ARM. If it isn't already available.

For both OSes. As Mac's can mean a huge infusion of ARM based computers in the ecosystem. Companies have more incentive to write native ARM and x86 software. Which then gives other companies more reasons to start making ARM based computers.

 

[bsamcash]

There's not really anything special about it yet. It's more a proof of concept for things to come. Currently, the ARM version of Windows runs better though Parallels on the M1 Macs then it does not Microsofts own ARM laptops.

 

[hajime]

I heard that the current M1 has no hardware compatibility with AVX. If I want to run programs that take advantage of AVX, do I have to go Intel or wait for Apple to come up with a new M1 chip that provides hardware support for it or wait for some company to make software emulation? Probably software emulation will not be fast enough to take advantage of AVX.

 

[bobcomer]

The only thing special about it is it allows you to run things that aren't available for MacOS, and it allows you to compartmentalize something so it doesn't interfere with your other work, and I for one need that capability for production, development, and testing.

 

[Gerdi]

I heard that the current M1 has no hardware compatibility with AVX. If I want to run programs that take advantage of AVX, do I have to go Intel or wait for Apple to come up with a new M1 chip that provides hardware support for it or wait for some company to make software emulation? Probably software emulation will not be fast enough to take advantage of AVX.

ARM CPUs will never support AVX. Currently the x64 emulation in Windows supports vector instruction sets up to SSE4.2 (minus 3DNOW). In addition i do not know of any program, which requires AVX - so technically you are fine with emulation.