Apple silicon Archives

AppWizard

November 18, 2025

The ’80s and ’90s PC games unbelievably still being updated today

The life cycle of video games can vary greatly, with some experiencing rapid success followed by decline, while others remain relevant for decades due to dedicated players and ongoing developer support. As of 2024, several enduring games continue to thrive, having received updates since 2018. - Klondike: Developed on a Lisa computer, it has been maintained by Michael Casteel for 40 years, with updates including color in 1988, animations in 1989, and high-resolution cards in 2004. - NetHack: Launched in 1987, it has received updates as recently as February 2023 and has an active community with leaderboards available on nethack.alt.org. - Gemstone IV: Launched in 1988, it is one of the oldest MMORPGs, continuously updated by a dedicated team, and has a subscription model to maintain its player base. - Kingdom of Drakkar: Since 1989, it has evolved from a text-based game to a graphical RPG, maintained by creator Brad Lineberger. - Genesis: A MUD and fantasy RPG since 1989, it has expanded significantly and continues to receive updates. - UnReal World: Released in 1992, it is a roguelike RPG inspired by Finland's late Iron Age, with continuous updates since 2018. - Meridian 59: Released in 1996, it remains active with volunteer developers and annual updates, despite ownership changes. - Furcadia: Launched in 1996, it emphasizes user-generated content and was revitalized in 2016 after a successful Kickstarter campaign. - Ultima Online: Since 1997, it has maintained an active community and continues to receive updates and expansions. - Utopia: A text-based fantasy strategy game launched in 1998, it has seen ongoing development and community engagement. - Age of Empires 2: Released in 1999, it was revitalized by a Definitive Edition in 2019 and continues to receive expansions and updates.

Winsage

October 28, 2025

Tested: VirtualBox now supports Windows on M-series Macs, but it’s not for beginners

VirtualBox has extended its support to Windows applications on M-series Macs, allowing users to run Windows alongside macOS. This free virtualization software is suitable for users with technical expertise, as setting up a virtual machine can be complex. While it offers a robust platform for running Windows applications, beginners may find the setup process challenging compared to other options. VirtualBox is particularly beneficial for professionals who need Windows-only software and for those who frequently switch between operating systems, though it may not be the best choice for users seeking a more user-friendly experience.

Winsage

September 21, 2025

Windows 10 Upgrade Guide: How to delay, avoid or survive the switch to Windows 11

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, ceasing to provide new patches and security updates. Users can enroll in the Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates program to receive critical security updates for an additional year, until October 2026, for a fee. Alternatively, users can redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points for a free year of updates or use the Windows Backup App to qualify for the free updates. Upgrading to Windows 11 is free if the PC meets the system requirements. Users whose PCs do not qualify for Windows 11 may consider replacing their device or exploring other operating systems like macOS, ChromeOS, or Linux. Nearly half of all Windows PCs globally still run Windows 10, highlighting the potential security risks of remaining on an unsupported operating system.

Winsage

September 19, 2025

Microsoft celebrates Windows 11 on Arm progress as users now spend the majority of their time in natively compiled apps — compatibility is no longer a concern

Microsoft has reported that 90% of user engagement on Arm-based PCs is now with natively compiled applications for Windows 11 on Arm. The Arm app ecosystem is expanding, with native Arm versions available for apps representing 90% of total user minutes. Collaboration with Qualcomm, particularly through the Snapdragon X series of PC chips, has been crucial in this development. Major OEMs have adopted this technology, leading to new Arm-based PCs that compete with Apple Silicon. Adobe has released flagship applications like Photoshop and Premiere Pro in native formats. Notable applications now natively compiled for Windows on Arm include 7 Zip, Google Drive, Dropbox, Trello, Todoist, Libre Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Camtasia, Paint.NET, Djay Pro, CapCut, Figma, Apple TV, Apple Music, Google Chrome, Telegram, WhatsApp, Spotify, Davinci Resolve, Blender, and Luminar Neo. The current generation of Snapdragon X processors supports applications still reliant on emulation, with robust performance. Qualcomm's next-generation Snapdragon PC chips, likely named Snapdragon X2, are expected to enhance performance and efficiency further.

AppWizard

August 22, 2025

Google TV and Android TV to Transition to 64-Bit Apps, Promising Enhanced Performance

Google will transition to 64-bit app compatibility for Google TV and Android TV starting in August 2026. All new applications and updates submitted to Google Play for these platforms must support both 32-bit and 64-bit ARM architectures. Google will provide developers with tools to assist in this transition, including support for various Nvidia Shield models and a 64-bit Google TV emulator for macOS devices with Apple Silicon. 32-bit support will remain available for older devices during this transition.

AppWizard

August 3, 2025

Cyberpunk 2077 Mac benchmarks show most Apple Silicon can run the game at over 30 FPS on medium settings — results vary from a smooth 130+ FPS to a cinematic 24 FPS

Cyberpunk 2077 has launched on macOS after over four years since its initial release on PCs and consoles, coinciding with patch 2.3. ComputerBase has initiated a community benchmarking effort to evaluate the game's performance on various Mac and MacBook models, following previous benchmarks in 2022. Participants are to test three presets (Medium, Ultra, Ray Tracing Medium) at resolutions of 1920 x 1200 and 2560 x 1600, with specific settings outlined for the benchmarks. The game is compatible with Apple M chips but is unsupported on iPadOS devices, even those with 16GB of memory. There is hope that CD Projekt Red and Apple may reconsider this limitation in the future.

AppWizard

July 16, 2025

Update 2.3 Patch Notes

Update 2.3 for Cyberpunk 2077 will be released tomorrow for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with a later release for Nintendo Switch 2. The update introduces four new vehicles, the AutoDrive feature for self-driving Delamain cabs, and enhancements to CrystalCoat™ and Photo Mode. It also adds support for AMD FSR 3.1 Frame Generation, Intel XeSS 2.0, and HDR10+ Gaming on PC. Cyberpunk 2077 is now available on Mac with Apple silicon, purchasable via the Mac App Store and other PC storefronts, with existing owners able to transition to compatible devices. The new vehicles include: - Yaiba ARV-Q340 Semimaru, unlocked through a new side job after completing The Hunt and The Beast In Me. - Rayfield Caliburn "Mordred," obtainable by completing side jobs including The Beast in Me: Badlands. - Yaiba ASM-R250 Muramasa, available after purchasing a Yaiba vehicle and completing specific tasks. - Chevillon Legatus 450 Aquila, purchasable through AUTOFIXER. AutoDrive allows players to relax while their vehicles navigate, with self-driving Delamain cabs available after completing the job Don't Lose Your Mind. Photo Mode enhancements include 27 new NPCs, outfit switching options, new Look-At Camera features, and additional stickers and frames. Quality of life improvements include automatic adjustments for inverted mouse settings and enhanced accessibility options for aiming controls. Gameplay fixes address various mission issues and improve overall performance. PC users will see enhanced graphics with AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 and Intel XeSS 2.0, while console players benefit from Variable Refresh Rate support and fixes for foliage interactions with weather conditions.

AppWizard

July 15, 2025

Can You Play Minecraft on Mac? Here’s What You Need to Know

Playing Minecraft on a Mac is feasible, with two primary editions available: Java Edition and Bedrock Edition. Java Edition runs natively on macOS and supports mods, while Bedrock Edition lacks official support for Mac and requires workarounds to run. To acquire Minecraft, users can visit minecraft.net, select Java Edition, download the installer, and launch the game. Mods function similarly on Mac as they do on Windows, with popular mod managers like Forge and Fabric supporting macOS. Hosting a Minecraft server on a Mac is possible but cumbersome, leading many to rent servers instead. In Java Edition, players can join IP-based servers and share addresses with friends. Performance can vary, with modern Macs generally handling the game well, but adjustments may be needed for base models. Minecraft Bedrock does not exist natively for Mac, and the Mac App Store version is the Education Edition. Compatibility issues with mods can arise, and local servers may be blocked by the Mac firewall.

Winsage

June 29, 2025

Windows seemingly lost 400 million users in the past three years — official Microsoft statements show hints of a shrinking user base

Windows currently powers over a billion active devices worldwide. Microsoft's annual report for 2022 indicated that over 1.4 billion devices were operating on Windows 10 or 11, suggesting a decline of around 400 million users over the past three years. Microsoft is encouraging users to transition to Windows 11 as support for earlier versions wanes. Despite the decline in Windows users, there has not been a corresponding increase in MacBook sales, which now contribute 7.7% to Apple's revenue. The market has many Chromebook options, particularly in educational institutions, which may lead future buyers to favor Google over Microsoft. The rise of free, web-based applications like Google Docs has prompted users to reconsider their loyalty to Microsoft.

AppWizard

June 13, 2025

Steam beta gets native Apple Silicon support — the only public Arm version of Steam

Valve has released an update to its Steam Client Beta, optimized for Apple Silicon, eliminating the need for Rosetta 2. This update enhances performance for both the Steam Client and Steam Helper on Apple computers. The transition to a native version is timely as Apple is ending support for Rosetta 2 with the upcoming macOS 27. Valve confirmed that macOS Tahoe will be the last update for Intel Macs. Users can upgrade to the new Steam version (1749753892 or higher) by navigating to Steam > Preferences and selecting the Steam Beta Update option. The update can be verified in the Activity Monitor, where it should indicate Apple in the Kind column.