Will Parallels be the new OCLP for Apple Silicon models when they are no longer supported?

[Sh3ldon]

I have a 2021 MacBook Pro 16 M1, and it's still supported by Apple. Since I don't want to convert it to a Linux machine when it's no longer supported, do you think using a virtualization program like Parallels could extend the life of my MacBook? It's already possible to install a Tahoe virtual machine on Monterey (this isn't currently possible with OCLP, at least until version 3.0 is released) and I hope it will be possible to install a newer version of macOS even when only Apple Silicon will have the limelight. Are there any drawbacks to this solution? Ultimately, purchasing virtualization software would be cheaper than buying a new machine.
Thanks to anyone who takes the time and care to respond.

 

[Bigwaff]

I have a 2021 MacBook Pro 16 M1, and it's still supported by Apple. Since I don't want to convert it to a Linux machine when it's no longer supported, do you think using a virtualization program like Parallels could extend the life of my MacBook?

Apple Silicon Secure Enclave is the rubicon. Asahi Linux supports M1/M2 but with serious caveats.

Fedora Asahi Remix - Asahi Linux

asahilinux.org

When you say "extend the life of my MacBook", you are really talking about the time past when whatever version of macOS is the last officially supported for your model.. that time is measured in years past the last supported version. Your M1 MBP won't stop working just because some future version of macOS isn't supported. Come back with this question years into the future.

It's already possible to install a Tahoe virtual machine on Monterey (this isn't currently possible with OCLP, at least until version 3.0 is released) and I hope it will be possible to install a newer version of macOS even when only Apple Silicon will have the limelight.

Again, Apple Silicon Secure Enclave is the rubicon. Unlikely OC will crack that nut, which makes OCLP unlikely for Apple Silicon. Even Intel T2 security chip not supported w/ OC/OCLP yet. We can always hope.

Are there any drawbacks to this solution? Ultimately, purchasing virtualization software would be cheaper than buying a new machine.

Even virtualization won't let you install unsupported version of macOS. If you are going to daily drive macOS 26 Tahoe, why would you install in VM on Monterey host when your M1 Pro/Max support Tahoe natively? Rhetorical.

 

[Sh3ldon]

Thanks for the reply @Bigwaff. What I'm trying to say is that, since OCLP won't work with Apple Silicon processors, once the MacBook M1 is no longer supported, I'll have to consider two options: the first (which is the most likely and the one I prefer) is to continue using the M1 with an updated browser when Safari becomes obsolete; the second (but this is where I could be wrong) would be to install a virtualization program like Parallels on the now-defunct MacBook M1, which would allow me to use the new, updated version of macOS. For now, this isn't a problem; I was just curious.

 

[Bigwaff]

the second (but this is where I could be wrong) would be to install a virtualization program like Parallels on the now-defunct MacBook M1, which would allow me to use the new, updated version of macOS.

Unlikely a newer, unsupported macOS version will ever run in VM on Apple Silicon macOS host regardless of virtualization product… but you never know.