Will we be able to install Ventura on MBP M3s?

davidec

macrumors 6502
I'm guessing the answer will be no, but as an audio pro I need to run Ventura as many of the majors don't yet support Sonoma. Anyone have any thoughts or similar concerns? I just ordered and M3 Max and am hoping for a solution. Otherwise it's of limited use until audio software companies catch up.
 
No. You *MIGHT* be able to run an older version in a virtualized machine, like Parallels. VM Ware doesn't allow the creation of MacOS Machines on M1 systems. VirturalBox is still too rough around the edges.
 
The short answer is no. The slightly longer answer is that Apple explicitly block older OS with new hardware, so, for instance, the new M3 iMac has been released in the Sonoma era, and Ventura won't have the drivers etc for the new hardware, therefore they block install. If you have a specific piece of software that you want to run that requires Ventura, presuming you have enough RAM to support it, you can virtualise Ventura using VMWare Fusion (free these days) or Parallels (not free) or other hypervisors and run that application within a virtual environment. Personally have found Sonoma to be far more robust than Ventura in any case, it's been so since the early(ish) betas too, on my MBP M1 Pro.
 
My two cents
Sonoma is a great OS even with the silly widgets and stage manager.
and down the road every M-chip Mac will need this for "security purposes" when  stops support for Ventura.

I'm telling this statement myself over and over.
oh how I would love to go back to Monterey on both Macs......but too time consuming.
 
My two cents
Sonoma is a great OS even with the silly widgets and stage manager.
and down the road every M-chip Mac will need this for "security purposes" when  stops support for Ventura.

I'm telling this statement myself over and over.
oh how I would love to go back to Monterey on both Macs......but too time consuming.
I agree that Sonama is decent. I disagree about the widgets though, as I use one to monitor my Tesla, and keep an eye on connected devices. Helps that I have a load of screens so my main screen is uncluttered by anything unnecessary. I don't use Stage Manager. For me it's ALL about stability, and other than an occasional (non-fatal) window server error, which seems to have cleared since the last update, it's been rock solid.
 
I agree that Sonama is decent. I disagree about the widgets though, as I use one to monitor my Tesla, and keep an eye on connected devices. Helps that I have a load of screens so my main screen is uncluttered by anything unnecessary. I don't use Stage Manager. For me it's ALL about stability, and other than an occasional (non-fatal) window server error, which seems to have cleared since the last update, it's been rock solid.
My aplogies
I am using widgets now, on a Mac Mini not the MacBook air
the "silly" was the name, not purpose and i should have clarified that.
personally him in the habit of swiping down to the dock to switch programs.


how remarkable is Sonoma or even BigSur?
im typing on the MacBook Air while this forum is activated on the Mac mini!
That handoff or universal feature is amazing!
I was using a cheap Ancer BT keyboard that had a 5 minute shut of and a usb a wired mouse.
later this week a new BT mouse and keyboard will arrive.
 
I'm guessing the answer will be no, but as an audio pro I need to run Ventura as many of the majors don't yet support Sonoma. Anyone have any thoughts or similar concerns? I just ordered and M3 Max and am hoping for a solution. Otherwise it's of limited use until audio software companies catch up.
Cancel the order, look around for a good deal on a M2 Max or even Ultra, with a good amount of RAM and SSD space.
Use it for two years or more and, then get An M3 after all of the audio related hardware/software companies have updated. Sounds good to me.
 
Many one day software companies will realize that Apple provides betas so they can test new OS releases ahead of time and not let their end-users hanging...
 
Many one day software companies will realize that Apple provides betas so they can test new OS releases ahead of time and not let their end-users hanging...
To be fair it would be nice if AU3 and VST3 Integration was not affected with updates. Why is that architecture being changed? and AU is an AU, a VST is a VST.
 
To be fair it would be nice if AU3 and VST3 Integration was not affected with updates. Why is that architecture being changed? and AU is an AU, a VST is a VST.
Did anything actually break or is OP simply being overly cautious?
 
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My husband just got a MBP M2 yesterday, I’m the one who will set it up.
The first thing I did it was to check if it came with Sonoma or still Ventura and we were lucky enough that still had Ventura 13.4. We thought quite a bit about returning it and get the M3 but we agreed that is fast enough for him and he still has some apps that will have issues with Sonoma .
What we really don’t like is the lid opening and starting the computer 😖every time. I already checked around but could not find any solution yet.
Does anyone know what are the two grooves on the bottom plate for?
 
What we really don’t like is the lid opening and starting the computer 😖every time.
How many times have you opened the laptop without the intention to use it?
Or to put it another way, would you just stare at the black screen if you could find a way to disable that function?
I have a difficult time understanding your preference for a manual "on" button or the like, and the extra effort that would entail. :confused: I would guess that most people open the computer in order to use it. Simple as that sounds.
 
How many times have you opened the laptop without the intention to use it?
Or to put it another way, would you just stare at the black screen if you could find a way to disable that function?
I have a difficult time understanding your preference for a manual "on" button or the like, and the extra effort that would entail. :confused: I would guess that most people open the computer in order to use it. Simple as that sounds.
Well, when he travels ✈️ for example he needs to have it off. Just to be able after a 18 hours flight to still have the battery able to operate and not having a place to charge it.
When he needs to rearrange the keyboard cover- not my choice- but it’s there
Having the lid or the cable charging or any key pressed to turn the computer on is not his choice and I have to agree with him that is not convenient. When one of the kids touches it…you see all that should be off.
Good for you if you like it. We don’t and for all what you pay Apple , Tim should give us an option
 
OP wrote:
"I'm guessing the answer will be no, but as an audio pro I need to run Ventura as many of the majors don't yet support Sonoma. Anyone have any thoughts or similar concerns? I just ordered and M3 Max and am hoping for a solution. Otherwise it's of limited use until audio software companies catch up."

No. It will be Sonoma.

If you are still using and relying on apps that take time to get updated -- and audio software is notorious for this -- then it's probably a mistake to buy an m3 Mac right now. Chances are that software you depend upon isn't going to work for a while.

I don't know for sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if most studios that use Macs and audio production software are usually running "an OS version or two back". This ensures that their software will work -- and they don't upgrade OS's until they KNOW that everything they have (software-wise) will run.

It's possible that your existing software will work with Sonoma.
You won't know until you try it.
But... from your position, I would expect that at least a few things might NOT run, until they're updated.

Perhaps you ought to consider cancelling the m3 order, and going with an m2 (which can still run Ventura)...

Just my thoughts.
 
Cancel the order, look around for a good deal on a M2 Max

Ha! But I want the Space Black please Santa!

Did anything actually break or is OP simply being overly cautious?

Not sure I understand but I am travelling for a while and will have my M3 with me so I am being overly cautious,

It's possible that your existing software will work with Sonoma.
You won't know until you try it.

Exactly and thanks for your advice. I do run a music studio and we have about 20 Macs. All of them on Ventura and of course we will not upgrade them for a while. TBH, Ventura hasn't been great. There have been more consistent issues with Ventura than many of the great OS' that came before it. I have heard Sonoma is better and most of the major audio companies have said there stuff is compatible so should be good.
 
The short answer is no. The slightly longer answer is that Apple explicitly block older OS with new hardware, so, for instance, the new M3 iMac has been released in the Sonoma era, and Ventura won't have the drivers etc for the new hardware, therefore they block install. If you have a specific piece of software that you want to run that requires Ventura, presuming you have enough RAM to support it, you can virtualise Ventura using VMWare Fusion (free these days) or Parallels (not free) or other hypervisors and run that application within a virtual environment. Personally have found Sonoma to be far more robust than Ventura in any case, it's been so since the early(ish) betas too, on my MBP M1 Pro.
I don't think VMWare Fusion can make Mac OS Virtual Machines. I know Parallels can.
 
How many times have you opened the laptop without the intention to use it?
Or to put it another way, would you just stare at the black screen if you could find a way to disable that function?
I have a difficult time understanding your preference for a manual "on" button or the like, and the extra effort that would entail. :confused: I would guess that most people open the computer in order to use it. Simple as that sounds.
Well here's a twist..
Every now and then, not very often but it does happen, I have to hold the on/off button down to force the computer to shut down. As I said it rarely happens, but when it does I am thankful I've got the ability to physically shut the computer down.
So what happens for instance, if there is no on/off button and the keyboard and mouse are not working for whatever reason?
 
I don't know for sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if most studios that use Macs and audio production software are usually running "an OS version or two back". This ensures that their software will work -- and they don't upgrade OS's until they KNOW that everything they have (software-wise) will run.
Absolutely correct. I am running about 45 ProTools Macs in our studio and we were working with Mojave until a few months ago, when we were forced by security policies to upgrade to Monterey.
More problems than ever since then. Thank you, Avid...
 
Well here's a twist..
Every now and then, not very often but it does happen, I have to hold the on/off button down to force the computer to shut down. As I said it rarely happens, but when it does I am thankful I've got the ability to physically shut the computer down.
So what happens for instance, if there is no on/off button and the keyboard and mouse are not working for whatever reason?
If the keyboard and/or mouse is not working (or the trackpad if it's a laptop), then it's malfunctioning (broken) so call Apple or take it in for repair. Simple.
 
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