Apple Silicon Is on the Way: How to Support the New Line of High-Performance Machines

MSPs are already seeing Apple’s new line of high-performance machines in client environments. Even though these devices are delivering more power to end users, they’re still prone to malfunctions and vulnerable to the ever-evolving threat landscape (just like any other device in the market). Using the right platform to support these new machines is essential to an MSP’s survival in 2021 and beyond.

These high-performance devices are using Apple’s own processors. Announced by Apple in November 2020, M1, the first Apple Silicon system-on-a-chip (SoC) for Mac, includes a number of custom technologies developed by the tech giant. Prior to M1, PCs and Macs traditionally used multiple chips for the CPU, I/O, and security. 

All the technologies in the SoC — including Apple’s latest image signal processor (ISP) and Secure Enclave, a high-performance storage controller with AES encryption hardware, a Thunderbolt controller with support for USB 4 — can access the same data without copying it between multiple pools of memory. By combining these technologies, Apple significantly improved not only M1’s CPU performance but also efficiency. 

For Apple, its two-year transition to Silicon represents the biggest leap ever for the Mac. To drive the point home, Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, once said: “With its powerful features and industry-leading performance, Apple silicon will make the Mac stronger and more capable than ever. I’ve never been more excited about the future of the Mac.” 

While Apple’s excitement about Silicon is expected, what it means for MSPs is opportunities to provide better support. 

Keeping Apple devices secure, no matter the processor speed

Let’s face it: It doesn’t matter the type of hardware your clients are using. Every device your client owns should be properly protected from the ever-evolving IT threat landscape.  

Endpoint security is an absolute necessity to secure client devices. Apple device management in today’s world cannot be ignored by IT professionals. Luckily for them, there are platforms available in the market today that enable MSPs to quickly see what Apple devices are in all client environments.

For example, Addigy provides MSPs with the visibility into managed devices on your network, the foundation to knowing how to establish a secure environment, support BYOD policies, and understand your provisioning budget.

A truly secure network can only be achieved when your technicians have complete visibility into client environments. 

Faster and smoother remote support will be expected

Using remote access software to provide support isn’t always ideal for MSPs (in some cases, it’s necessary to make an on-site visit), but whatever solution for remote support your using should be able to keep up with the times. Even though it may seem unfair, clients are going to expect you to operate a lot faster, especially when the devices they’re using are performing at higher speeds (the eight-core CPU in M1 is the highest‑performance CPU Apple has ever built). 

Reacting issues in client environments is no longer an option for MSPs. If a Mac with Apple Silicon is malfunctioning, your client won’t want to wait until you solve the issue. IT downtime is costly to businesses. 

Using a comprehensive platform such as Addigy enables you to prioritize items before they’re fires with monitoring and automated remediation. The platform also gives you the ability to change or improve your processes by proactively managing upgrades and updates and generating operational efficiencies. 

Enroll and deploy new devices quickly to avoid downtime

With new Apple devices now available for purchase (Apple’s M1 powers the new MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini), some of your clients may want to swap out their older devices for new ones. Enrolling and deploying new devices quickly to avoid downtime is key.

For example, when it comes to bring your own device (BYOD), the Addigy platform provides MSPs with multiple device enrollment options to choose from, including Automated Device Enrollment, which allows MSPs to easily to capture BYOD devices in client environments. Then, MSPs can enroll settings and software to macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS devices quickly without disrupting the end users.

Managing devices on client environments should be fairly straightforward for MSPs operating in face-paced environments. The more complicated it is for you to enroll and deploy devices, the harder it is for your clients to return to business. Apple’s new line of high-performance machines shouldn’t deter MSPs, it should encourage them to reassess how they’re delivering support to clients.