With a whole new raft of updates to everything from Apple’s iWork range of productivity apps to all the iOS flavours and macOS, the Apple world is reeling from the many new software changes popping up all over the place. However, moves are afoot on the hardware side too.
With Apple announcing its ARM-based Apple Silicon, Microsoft has also been producing new processors (the brains behind the computer) based on the latest ARM technology for their laptops.
Bear in mind that Apple’s machines are not available yet - hopefully some time around Christmas. If you are in the market for a new machine, whether it be one of Apple’s macOS laptops or possibly Microsoft’s Windows-based machines such as Surface Pro or Lenovo, you shouldn’t worry about which processor it has as long as it does what you need.
Note that at the moment, because the new ARM processors run faster and cooler than the current Intel versions, Apple are able to release these new engines so they provide enough power to “translate” your current apps to the new format on the fly. You don’t have to worry about getting a whole raft of new software, just bask in the knowledge that you’ve got all the functions you need!
For Windows users there is a specific range of ARM-based apps so you shouldn’t worry about not being able to run the software you’re used to.
A couple of things to note that have just come up, be cautious about the little devices that blank off your screen camera. Apple particularly have said that it has seen an increasing number of laptops in their workshops with screens damaged because these camera covers are too thick, so when you close the screen, there is undue pressure which can crack the screen itself. If you must have a camera cover, make sure it’s only paper thin and can be removed without any sticky residue, Note that the design of the camera prevents the camera being on without the little light showing. So if the camera is being used by you or anyone else, the green light will always come on.
The last little tip is to make sure that in these Covid-19 aware times, you don’t flood your keyboard with ant-bacterial fluid or very wet wet-wipes. You can do quite a bit of damage through over-zealous cleaning. Make sure your cloth is slightly damp and not dripping!