Exploring a Variety of Dev Tools on iMac M1 (Apple Silicon): Much Improved Compatibility Now!

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React Native: Runs smoothly!

Docker with Node.js in a container: Smooth Sailing

Docker, Docker Compose, and an array of containers for Python, Postgres, Redis, Celery, ElasticSearch...

I've tested once before, but back then, many tools weren't compatible. Today, in July 2021, these tools are gradually being updated for Apple Silicon, and the compatibility of popular software development tools has improved significantly. This is part of my daily work routine, and I look forward to contributions from fellow developers.

React Native: Runs smoothly!

Currently experimenting with a React Native project to develop an app for both Android and iOS, and it runs smoothly. During the installation process, I encountered an error running Pod install, but it's easily fixed. Just copy the error message, paste it into Google, and you'll find plenty of tutorials, even on React Native's GitHub. After installing Xcode, Android Studio, and other necessary tools, the project runs as expected.

Certainly, the iOS emulator works seamlessly; Apple devices are designed to complement each other. Not to mention, Apple has emphasized the compatibility of Xcode with Apple Silicon, so no need to worry about this part.

The crucial thing to note is that my Android emulator doesn't connect to the dev environment. Therefore, when running the 'react-native run-android' command, the deployment process to the emulator fails. However, if I connect a physical Android device, it runs smoothly. Honestly, I'm not entirely sure if this issue is specific to Apple M1 machines because I've had trouble running Android apps on the emulator for a while now, even on my Intel-based MacBook. So, I've been testing Android apps using a real device. Just a heads up for you all.

In terms of app build speed, what the iMac M1 can achieve is on par with my 16' MacBook Pro. This aligns with various tests conducted by numerous YouTubers. Interestingly, the iMac is significantly more affordable, with a configuration at the most basic level.

Docker with Node.js in a container: Smooth Sailing

Docker is now set up flawlessly; as of the time of writing this post, there's an official version tailored for Apple Silicon. I remember the previous installation being a mess with countless errors, but now, it installs and operates no differently than on a Mac with an Intel chip.

Using a container running Node.js with Next.js inside, specifically for the Mytour homepage, and everything runs smoothly without any adjustments or fixes needed.

One notable difference I observed between the iMac M1 I'm using and my 16' MacBook Pro is the build time for each page in Next.js on the iMac, which is slightly longer. However, it's understandable; the iMac has base specs—8GB RAM, 256GB SSD—while the MacBook Pro 16' boasts a Core i9 CPU, 32GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD with high-end options. The price difference is substantial, with the iMac selling for around 33 million VND in our country, whereas the MacBook Pro 16' goes for a whopping 72 million VND.

Docker, Docker Compose, and an array of containers for Python, Postgres, Redis, Celery, ElasticSearch...

These containers run smoothly without any issues; I don't even need to tweak or rewrite any build files. Just take the entire code and run it. Blissful. Worth noting is that ElasticSearch version 7.13 and above support the arm64 architecture. If you're using an older version, errors might arise. The only upgrade I made in my dev environment was ElasticSearch, from version 7.3 to 7.13. After the upgrade, it runs seamlessly without any errors, and everything goes back to normal.

These are the toolsets commonly used by backend developers or data engineers, whether we switch our language preference to PHP, Go, Java, or Scala. The transition to Apple Silicon seems to be a non-issue at this point.

Oh, the other day, I read that the docker container for MySQL doesn't have an arm64 version yet. You can replace it with MariaDB; it offers similar functionality.

Just sharing with you that I used some docker containers in the past for running machine learning tasks (using TensorFlow, Keras, OpenCV…) and they all performed well on ARM CPU devices. I utilized them on a Raspberry Pi and NVIDIA Jetson Nano. I haven't tested these on the iMac M1 yet due to a lack of time, and I haven't revisited these projects lately.

Other tools related to the command line, docker, docker-compose… all run smoothly, without any issues. Even homebrew, which had various errors a few months ago, now completes its tasks flawlessly and is similar to Macs with Intel chips.

As of now, developers can confidently consider purchasing the Mac M1 or upcoming Apple Silicon devices for their work. If Apple releases a redesigned MacBook Pro 16' later this year, I'll definitely upgrade. There might still be some incompatible tools, so it's wise to Google the tools you frequently use for compatibility. However, for absolute peace of mind, if it's a 100% work scenario, stick with Intel for safety.

Hope these insights are helpful for you all. Wishing everyone a joyful journey in their endeavors.

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