Regarding software incompatibility issues on MacOS and M-series processors

This article will address the incompatibility of some software between MacOS and Windows and provides some insight on the matter.

1 Background
2 Compatibility List
3 Virtualization
4 Compatibility Layer

Background

Some applications, namely some development applications from Microsoft, Engineering software, and accounting software do not have official installer provided by the developer for MacOS. This means that Mac users will need to run a virtualized Windows system or utilize translation layer application like Wine or CrossOver to install the software.

To add to the complication, in 2020, Apple have transitioned their MacBook processors to use their in-house ARM-based system chip from the Intel-based CPU. These ARM-based processors are under the M-series chip and the instruction sets is not directly compatible with the Intel-based x86_64 processor. To ease the transition, Apple have created the translation layer called Rosetta 2 that allows user to install and run x86_64 applications. Still, it is not perfect as some software such as Microsoft SQL Server will still fail to run due to other hardware limitations.

The use of virtualization (running ARM-based Windows) and emulation (running x86_64 version of Windows) can help solve some of the frustration of the compatibility issue, however it does come with the drawbacks of lowered performance and lack of graphical support, which is important in graphic-intensive applications. Using translation layer like Wine is unstable (CrossOver may be more stable but it is proprietary) and will not guarantee that all function in the application will run properly.

Due to the above complications and the low co-operation between Apple and other software developers in ensuring compatibility, Mac user continue to face issue with running applications that is required for their learning process.

Compatibility List

Below is quick reference guide on some software and its compatibility based on research and experience by the Technology Services.

Please note that running software using alternative is not supported by our technical team. We cannot provide any further assistance should there be any error or difficulties using the alternatives.

Should there be any difficulties setting up the alternative applications, consider using our lab machines or VirtualLab@APU instead.

Supported - Installer available to install the exact software.
Unsupported - No installer available for this software, nor alternative is provided.
Equivalent Exists - Software providing nearly identical functionality can be installed as an alternative.

Software	Native	Virtualized
Software	MacOS	Parallels, VMware Fusion, UTM
Microsoft SQL Server + SSMS	Equivalent Exists Azure SQL Edge + Azure Data Studio	Unsupported¹
Visual Studio IDE	Equivalent Exists Visual Studio for Mac (No support for C, C++) Visual Studio Code (Some support for C, C++, C# via Extension)	Supported
SQL Server + Visual Studio (For C# project)	Equivalent Exists Visual Studio Code with C# Extension, Azure SQL Edge + Azure Data Studio	Unsupported¹
IBM SPSS Amos	Unsupported	Supported
SOLIDWORKS	Unsupported	Supported²
Microsoft Project Microsoft Visio	Unsupported	Supported
SQL Accounting SQL Payroll	Unsupported	Supported
Sage UBS Accounting Sage UBS Inventory and Billing Sage UBS Payroll	Unsupported	Supported
TASM (or any assembler)	Unsupported³	Unsupported

¹There is an unofficial script exists to install and bypass checks for Microsoft SQL Server and SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). Tested working on UTM environment. However, no information on any broken feature.

²No evidence or information on any feature missing or broken when running on ARM64 environment.

³TASM assembler can be emulated (Chinese article) via DOSBox using a Visual Studio Code extension. No information on any missing instruction set.

Virtualization

Following table are a list of commonly used virtualization software:

Application	Cost	Advantages	Disadvantages

Application	Cost	Advantages	Disadvantages
UTM (Recommended)	Free	Relatively simple to configure, installation guideline is provided. Allows Emulation. Provides advanced configuration for power users.	Not as integrated as Parallels.
Parallels	$49.99/yr	Very easy to configure and install OS. Intergrate Windows with MacOS very well.	Subscription payment.
VMware Fusion	Free	Perfectly fine for running a Windows virtual machine.	Not a lot of configuration options.
Oracle VirtualBox	Free	Highly customizable.	Virtualization still in Beta version for M-series chips.

Compatibility Layer

Application	Cost	Advantages	Disadvantages

Application	Cost	Advantages	Disadvantages
Whisky (Wrapper)	Free	Wrapper using Wine and Apple Game Porting Toolkit (GPTK) to allow more compatibility in graphical application. Easy to install and use.	Compatibility stability same as Wine.
CrossOver	$64	Stable and polished.	Paid application.
Wine	Free	Well-known compatibility layer to install and run Windows application on Mac.	Not stable. Many new software is not tested by community. Sometimes require intensive workaround to get an app to work.
Rosetta 2	Free	Built-in. Relatively good performance.	Does not work with application written for Windows (.exe).

In case of further inquiry, please open a ticket with the Virtual Help Centre. Alternatively, you may choose to access APSpace > More > Help Centre for further guidance and support. This guideline is designed for you to help you in the process of opening a ticket.