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

[Yebubbleman]

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.

Parallels, last I checked, didn't use the Apple Hypervisor framework. However, apps like VirtualBuddy do and those might help. Though, I do believe that Apple does, occasionally, require hardware features to support virtualizing newer OSes. So, this strategy would probably work for a few versions. Still not the most practical. Plus, you still have many limitations in macOS VMs that would be show-stoppers for things like iCloud and the App Store. But, if you needed non-Mac-App-Store app compatibility with a newer macOS release, that'd hold you over for a couple extra years.

 

[throAU]

This might be a useful question but what would you consider to be an appropriate lifespan for your machine before you replace it?

We don't yet know when Apple will start pulling macOS support from Apple Silicon. We know Intel support will be dropped with macOS 27, so the earliest the M1 Pro/Max MBPs from 2021 could lose support is macOS 28 in 2027. (And even then I would be surprised by that).

Apple typically provides security updates for 2-3 years for a given macOS release, so it could be 2029-2030 by the time you lose security update support. You could extend that another 1-3 years by switching to a third party browser like Firefox, Brave, Vivaldi, or another privacy and security-focused option.

That could easily extend you to 2031 which would make the laptop 10 years old. That seems like a good extended lifespan for a device, and again that would be contingent on it losing OS support in 2027 as opposed to 2028 or even 2029.

I'd say this is bang on the money.

For some reason most people wonder "why" apple drops support for things ("why can't I run X, my hardware is capable?"). The reason is less technical and more political / strategic.

Keeping old platforms supported costs resources and limits what they can do with the OS moving forward.

No matter how fast/good you think your machine is, there are inevitably improvements and new instructions added over time to new models, and the ability to fully utilise those features means writing new code for them. Supporting old platforms means either not doing that or then maintaining TWO code paths - one with the new hardware support and one without.

That's a software maintenance nightmare, and apple are not willing to do that indefinitely.

7 years mainstream OS support, 3 years patch updates is pretty much it.

The M1 may seem special but it isn't, apple will likely announce the last OS for it in 2027/2028.

 

[Sh3ldon]

That's a software maintenance nightmare, and apple are not willing to do that indefinitely.

7 years mainstream OS support, 3 years patch updates is pretty much it.

The M1 may seem special but it isn't, apple will likely announce the last OS for it in 2027/2028.

And that's a real shame. Not everyone uses Apple products for professional purposes and needs increasingly powerful models. For use that doesn't require third-party software (by which I mean: browsing the web, streaming music, and editing photos with Apple's native application), the Mac offers well-built machines that work well.

I refuse to abandon a product that still works well just because it's no longer supported at the operating system level. As I've said in previous posts, I'll start using an updated browser, hoping Apple doesn't leave me alone by cutting off my iCloud and Apple Music services. I don't want to switch to Linux.

 

[bogdanw]

I was wondering last year, but the question remains "Will we get decent virtualization on Apple silicon this year?"
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...alization-on-apple-silicon-this-year.2455234/
Apple's Virtualization framework still doesn't support all USB devices and signing in to the App Store.

 

[throAU]

I refuse to abandon a product that still works well just because it's no longer supported at the operating system level. As I've said in previous posts, I'll start using an updated browser, hoping Apple doesn't leave me alone by cutting off my iCloud and Apple Music services. I don't want to switch to Linux.

Go for it, if it works for you.

Me? It's a hostile internet out there. I run my machines 3 years, hand off to the GF for the second 3 (her requirements are much less) and pretty much retire at 6.

 

[leifp]

Go for it, if it works for you.

Me? It's a hostile internet out there. I run my machines 3 years, hand off to the GF for the second 3 (her requirements are much less) and pretty much retire at 6.

When OSes switch to security updates only on my tech it’s time to hunt for a replacement. On occasion I’ve gone the distance to complete lack of support before replacing the hardware but I doubt I’ll do that again. As you say: it’s a hostile internet out there.

 

[throAU]

Yup, the above schedule works for us. Its mostly driven by my hardware budget/requirements, but it ensures she stays on a machine that still has updates support for things like

not getting hacked
iCloud still working
etc.

 

[Sh3ldon]

It means I'll be careful when browsing and update my browser. Overall, the Mac is inherently more secure than other systems, and I hope I'm not the target of a hacker attack. It's stronger than me: I can't bring myself to retire an old 2015 MacBook Pro. It works well.

 

[Sh3ldon]

..........even though I'm still dreaming that someone has the desire and ability to do a project similar to OCLP but for Apple Silicon processors...

 

[throAU]

..........even though I'm still dreaming that someone has the desire and ability to do a project similar to OCLP but for Apple Silicon processors...

Not happening due to code signing issues most likely.