Revit on Mac M1: What You Need to Know

As Apple continues to transition away from Intel processors in favor of their own Apple Silicon, many users are wondering how popular software like Revit will fare on these new machines. While there is no native version of Revit available for the M1 processor, users and developers have been experimenting with using Rosetta 2 to run Intel-based applications on Apple Silicon.

One such application is Rhino, a popular CAD and modeling software that relies heavily on OpenGL for many tasks. However, as Apple has chosen to abandon OpenGL in favor of their own Metal pipeline, it's unclear how well Rhino will perform on M1 processors. While some users have reported positive experiences with Rosetta 2 translating Intel applications to run on Apple Silicon, others have noted that performance gains may not be significant.

In the meantime, Revit for Mac is supported on Apple Silicon Macs running macOS Big Sur 11.3 and later. However, it's important to note that this support comes through Rosetta 2, which is a translation environment rather than a native implementation. This means that while Revit may run on M1 processors, it won't be optimized for the new hardware.

For those considering purchasing an Apple Mac with an M1 processor, there are several factors to consider. While Intel-based machines are still available in certain products like the 27' iMacs and Mac Pro, these models will eventually be replaced by Apple Silicon-powered machines. Going forward, all new Apple laptops and desktops will be built on Apple Silicon processors, including variations of the M1 CPU.

Ultimately, whether or not to choose an M1-based machine for Revit depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you're looking for a seamless experience with native support, an Intel-based machine may still be the way to go. However, if you're willing to experiment with Rosetta 2 and don't mind potential performance limitations, an M1-based machine could be a viable option.

Regardless of which route you choose, it's clear that Apple is committed to transitioning away from Intel processors in favor of their own technology. As the company continues to develop its Apple Silicon ecosystem, we can expect to see more native applications and optimized experiences for users who make the switch.

Revit on mac m1