Reaktor 6.5.0: Beta phase has started

Meh, I just go for whatever is the best option at the time I need to build a new rig. Last time it was Intel, time before it was AMD. Maybe Apple's move to ARM will mean that by next time, ARM based PC solutions will be a realistic option.

Apple's anti-repair policies, and their industry lead as planned obsolescence pioneers just make them a no go for me.

I think it was more a complete lack of inflexibility when it came to their design intentions.

Apple kept designing high performance laptops and putting those CPUs in a chassis that was more akin to an Ultrabook. The only time an i9 would perform acceptably in a laptop, is in a PC Gaming laptop form factor. The machine needed more aggressive thermal management and a roomier chassis to facilitate better heat dissipation - especially in machines with dedicated graphics.

This is why I always avoided Intel MacBooks. The design didn't make sense when juxtaposed against the hardware they put in them.

We didn't get suitable High Performance CPUs for Laptops in that form factor until AMD Renoire (Ryzen 4000 series APUs). Apple got there around the same time AMD did, so that's not really problematic.

The issue is more the design of the machines themselves. PC Laptops with suitable designs still run their i9s better than the MacBooks at release, years later, because the manufacturers were not generally trying to create a "Designer Bag Laptop."

Moreover, there is no real need to switch from x86 to ARM on Win. AMD CPUs have similar computing power per watt results like M2. So, why would anyone bother to switch to ARM and have so many problems during transition. Not speaking about finances to be spent by SW developers. It would be insane step.

And I put aside that it seems like x86 develops and improves faster than ARM. Apple will have troubles, if it will not speed up. Fast! M3 will show, whether Apple is able to be competetive for longer time.

What do you mean with "Mx"? All Reaktor ensembles should be compatible.

ARM is only really interesting for small and portable devices. My 11th gen mid tier Intel i5 is faster than Apple's M1 processor, the only thing which sets them apart is power consumption. Which, again, is interesting for portable devices, but not for stationary computers. Desktop PC's will always be much more powerful than any mobile device.

So, I doubt that Windows on ARM will become a big thing any time soon. Apple can do it, because they're the ones manufacturing the hardware, and, when some CEO snips his finger and says it's time for ARM, then they will do it. But, the world doesn't centre around Apple.

thanks for the 6.5 Update :)

I would do that as well, if a significant amount of my clientele is affected.

It's been a while since Apple decided to go all ARM though. And, I don't see NI retreating from their other work, just to develop ARM versions of their software.