Find Mac CPU Architecture - Lehigh Computer Science Docs (2024)

The central "brain" of a computer is the CPU or Central Processing Unit. This is commonly also referred to as the Processor, and sometimes is also referred to as a chip, chipset, or silicon as a reference to the base material used in construction of the chip.

Apple has undertaken a migration from Intel CPUs to an ARM-based processor of their own design under the names M1 and M2. While these newer chips can run Intel code through the Rosetta 2 translation layer, performance is better if an application is running binaries that were compiled for Apple silicon.

Note

In the case of the M1 and M2 processors from Apple, the GPUs or Graphics Processing Units are also part of the same silicon chip.

To ensure best performance and battery life, it's important to use software designed for the chip contained within the Mac being utilized.

To determine whether a Mac is running an Intel Processor or Apple ARM M1 or M2, click on the  Apple Menu and select 'About this Mac':

Find Mac CPU Architecture - Lehigh Computer Science Docs (1)

From the 'About this Mac' screen, on the 'Overview' tab, look for a line that indicates either 'Chip' or 'Processor'. If the line contains M1 or M2, the machine is running Apple Silicon. Alternatively, the word Intel indicates that the machine is running an Intel-based Core series processor.

Apple M1
Find Mac CPU Architecture - Lehigh Computer Science Docs (2) |

Note

An Apple M1 or M2 processor is also sometimes referred to by the architecture name of aarch64 or arm64. Given a choice between the aarch64 and arm64 architectures while downloading software, preference should be for aarch64 over arm or arm64.

Intel
Find Mac CPU Architecture - Lehigh Computer Science Docs (3)

Note

Intel processors are sometimes referred to by their architecture x64 or x86_64. Intel processors are backward compatible with x86 (which, when relating to software downloads, binaries, and compilation, is generally used to refer to 16 or 32-bit Intel-compatible code). Given the choice between x64 or x86_64 and x86 when downloading software, preference should be for x64 or x86_64 over x86.

Find Mac CPU Architecture - Lehigh Computer Science Docs (2024)

FAQs

How to check mac arm64 or x64? ›

ANSWER
  1. Open the Apple menu and select About This Mac.
  2. Click the System Report button. ...
  3. On the Hardware panel, under the Hardware Overview heading, focus on the line item(s) directly below the Model Identifier. ...
  4. If you're using a Mac with an Intel-based processor, you can use the chart below to identify your system type.
Feb 23, 2024

Does Lehigh have computer science? ›

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree programs are available to students through either the College of Arts and Sciences or the P. C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. Both programs are accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

How to check CPU architecture in Mac? ›

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen. Select About This Mac. Click the System Report button. On the Hardware tab, look for the Processor Name.

How to know ARM or ARM64 or x86 Mac? ›

To check which type of processor your computer uses: :
  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on the System icon.
  3. Click About on the left side menu at the very bottom.
  4. Under Device specifications on the right side, check the System type.

Is Lehigh a dry campus? ›

The presence of alcoholic beverages above 15% alcohol by volume ("ABV") is prohibited on any University property, organizational premises or at any event, except when served at an event by a licensed and insured third-party vendor.

How good is Lehigh for computer science? ›

As part of the overall rankings, Lehigh was also named:

No. 73 in Undergraduate Business Programs. No. 94 in Undergraduate Computer Science Programs.

What is Lehigh University computer science ranked? ›

31 position in the publication's 2021 ranking. Among the best undergraduate engineering programs in the National Universities category, Lehigh's P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science moved up three slots to No. 45, and its undergraduate computer science program moved up six places to No. 98.

How do I know if I have ARM64 or x64? ›

Step 2: In the CMD window, type systeminfo | findstr /C:”System Type” and press Enter. Then, you will get the related information. If it says x64-based PC, your CPU is 64-bit. If it says ARM-based PC, you have an ARM64-based processor.

Is Mac M1 ARM64 or x64? ›

An Apple M1 or M2 processor is also sometimes referred to by the architecture name of aarch64 or arm64.

Is ARM64 or x64 Mac M1? ›

Given that choice, the Apple Silicon M1 (and M2) chip is an AArch64 architecture. AArch64 is another name for ARM64, so it is an ARM architecture. The AMD64 architecture is what is also known as x86_64, x64 or even Intel 64-bit architecture.

Is Mac M1 ARM64 or x86_64? ›

The M1 is an ARM processor, not an x86 processor. It integrates more components than an Intel CPU. The Apple M1 also integrates RAM in the same package.

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