It’s never a bad idea to update your version of Google Chrome.
And the new version, complete with its M1 chip support, could be that much niftier.
Google has released a new build of its Chrome web browser, complete with support for the Apple Silicon M1 processor.
The M1 chip is based on a different architecture than the Intel chips Apple has used since 2006, and while M1 Mac owners would be able to run Intel-based Chrome using Rosetta 2, Google has provided a version that runs natively on Apple Silicon.
When users navigate to the Google Chrome download page now, they’ll be prompted to choose between two versions of the browser: one for a “Mac with Intel chip,” and one for a “Mac with Apple chip.”
Apple Silicon support is among other new features emerging in the Google 87 update, alongside a reduction in CPU usage, a 1.25-hour increase in battery life, and a 25 percent faster opening time.
While it was possible to run the Intel version of Chrome on an M1-equipped Mac, some users ran into problems with it. As such, it’s recommended that M1 Mac owners opt for the appropriate Chrome build.
If you’ve had a chance to try Google Chrome 87 on an Apple Silicon-based Mac, please let us know about your experience in the comments.
Via AppleInsider and google.com/chrome