Microsoft Edge for Apple M1 Macs is tantalizingly close
An M1-native version of Microsoft Edge is already available in beta channels
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Since the launch ofApple’s customM1 chip, which features in the latestMacBook ProandMacBook Air, software developers have rushed to deliver builds that run natively on the new silicon.
Having recompiled itsOffice 365suite to run on Apple’s new devices,Microsofthas turned its attention to its flagship web browser, Edge. After an M1-specific version released in early access last month, a full stable build is on the immediate horizon.
Edge for M1 devicesreleased to the Microsoft Insider Canary channel (which usually houses the most experimental features) on December 17, before graduating to Dev and Beta channels over the weekend.
“Starting today, you can download your Microsoft Edge Insider channel of choice with native macOS ARM64 support! Head to our Insider website to download Canary, Dev or Beta to see how it runs,”tweetedMicrosoft.
With Edge for M1 now available across all early access channels, a full public launch is imminent.
Microsoft Edge for Apple M1
While Mac owners can use an emulator (e.g. Apple Rosetta) to run applications that are not optimized for M1 chips, Edge fans will nonetheless celebrate the arrival of an M1-native build.
Although useful, emulation almost always results in a drop-off in performance, because computing resources must be set aside for translation. Given the central importance of web browsers to any modern computing experience, performance issues are likely to frustrate.
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Microsoft Edge is currently playing catch-up in this sense, with rival browsersGoogle ChromeandFirefoxalready recompiled to run onArm-based M1 chips.
According to therelease schedule, Microsoft Edge version 88 (the next stable build) is set to launch within the next week or so, although it is unclear whether a stable build of Edge for M1 will launch in lockstep.
Microsoft has not yet responded to our request for clarification, but the software’s arrival in Dev and Beta channels suggests a full launch is just around the corner.
Joel Khalili is the News and Features Editor at TechRadar Pro, covering cybersecurity, data privacy, cloud, AI, blockchain, internet infrastructure, 5G, data storage and computing. He’s responsible for curating our news content, as well as commissioning and producing features on the technologies that are transforming the way the world does business.
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