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Author | strongerHuang
WeChat Public Account | strongerHuang
This morning at 8:00, Apple released the latest generation of M3 chip Mac computers, which have significantly improved performance over the previous generation.
However, some attentive netizens compared it carefully with the M2 chip. Although the M3 has improved performance and technology, there are some areas where it has “reversed” compared to the M2, such as the number of performance cores and memory bandwidth of the M3 Pro.
Netizens exclaimed: Apple’s knife skills are very precise.
Of course, the Apple M3, as well as the Pro and Max chips, are indeed very powerful, but I just want to say: a powerful Mac is not suitable for embedded development.
As for why, just observe carefully the colleagues (classmates or friends) around you who are engaged in embedded software and hardware development, and you will find a phenomenon: very few people use macOS for embedded development.
Reason 1: Many software do not support macOS system
Have you ever had this doubt: Does Keil support macOS?
Many people have this doubt, including me in the early stages. As my knowledge broadened, I found that many software in the embedded field actually do not support macOS.
Here are a few common software in our field that do not support macOS.
This refers to the entire Keil product line, including Keil C51, MDK, C251, C166.
(Keil system requirements) Official address:
https://www2.keil.com/system-requirements/
The official requirement is that the latest version of the software must run on at least Win8 and above. Of course, Win7 can also be installed and run, but some functions may have compatibility issues (the latest version of the software does not support XP, but it seems that KeilMDKV5.18 still can run).
IAR is similar to the entire Keil product line, including many IAR products, such as: IAR EWARM, EWSTM8, EWMSP430, EWAVR, EW8051···
For example, EWARM V9.30.1 (latest version) system requirements:
Source Insight is also a commonly used editor tool for embedded software engineers, but it is a software that only supports Windows and does not support macOS.
(Source Insight system requirements) Official address:
https://www.sourceinsight.com/
Another hardware software, Altium Designer, is also a software that only supports Windows and does not support macOS.
(AD system requirements) Official address:
https://www.altium.com/cn/documentation/altium-designer/system-requirements
The latest version of AD software has relatively high system requirements, not only does it only support Windows, but it also requires 64-bit and has requirements for the graphics card, which should be used during 3D rendering.
There are many classic and commonly used software tools, such as: STC-ISP download burning software, STM32 ST-LINK Utility, etc. (There are many more, please feel free to leave comments to add).
Reason 2: Ecosystem, Compatibility, and Openness
There is no denying that the macOS system is very well done, but the macOS system cannot exert its advantages in the embedded field.
In fact, it is not only the embedded field, but there are many areas that are not suitable for macOS systems, such as: mechanical manufacturing, electrical automation, gaming, etc. (You rarely see someone buy a Mac to play games, right?)
Ecosystem, Compatibility, and Openness
Because the Windows system became popular earlier, many embedded development tools and resources are more dependent on the Windows system, leading to a better embedded development ecosystem on Windows.
You will find that many small tools for embedded development basically only have Windows versions, and individual developers can write some Windows versions of small tools. (For example: serial port, network debugging tools, CAN, I2C analyzers, etc.).
Again, the resources (materials) under the Windows environment are richer, and related problems can quickly find answers or solutions.
The reason why Windows is more suitable than macOS for embedded development is due to the ecosystem, compatibility, and openness of the Windows system.
Reason 3: Macs are Expensive
The reasons mentioned above may not be the main reasons.The main reason may still be that Macs are expensive
Macs are expensive, and the number of users is relatively small, so the embedded development ecosystem is naturally not perfect, and the supporting tools are lacking, resulting in fewer DIY or small tools developed on macOS.
After saying so much, some people may argue: macOS can run virtual machines, or Mac can also run Windows?
Indeed, the macOS system can also be used for embedded development, but it cannot exert its advantages and may lead to unnecessary “troubles”.
I often say that what suits you is the best. Some people say Keil is difficult to use, while others say Keil is very easy to use. Who do you think is right?
Finally, if you are not short of money and don’t mind the trouble, feel free to buy a Mac for embedded development, and then share your pitfall experience with everyone.
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● Column “Embedded Tools”
● Column “Embedded Development”
● Column “Keil Tutorial”
● Selected Tutorials from the Embedded Column
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