Microsoft Volterra vs Apple Mac Mini: A Developer's Perspective
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Microsoft Volterra and Mac Mini
Recently, I had the chance to test out a new development kit from Microsoft known as the Volterra project. This device, however, belongs to one of my clients, who preferred that I refrain from taking photos. Respecting their request, I still want to share my impressions of the device from a developer’s viewpoint. I utilized the latest version of Parallels on a Mac to compare the Volterra against a Mac Mini running a virtualized Windows environment.
Section 1.1: Apple's Transition to ARM
Apple's shift to ARM architecture has proven to be highly successful, capturing significant market attention. In contrast, the adoption of Windows on ARM has not gained as much traction.
Subsection 1.1.1: Performance Testing Overview
The tests I conducted focused on the web speed and Python project performance. It is crucial to note that the Volterra project targets developers, while the Mac Mini is designed for a broader audience, including casual users and developers alike. Prior to the Mac Mini's M1 release, Apple provided a development kit based on the A12 chip.
In my benchmarks, Speedometer 2 indicated that the Mac with the virtualized setup was approximately 30% faster. Notably, I conducted these tests in the Microsoft Edge browser, ensuring both devices were using the same browser version.
Section 1.2: Disappointing Results in Motion Mark
In the Motion Mark test, the results were disappointing. Windows on ARM demonstrated a significant lack of optimization; while the Mac Mini running macOS scored around 2300 points in Safari, the virtualized Windows environment barely reached 1000 points. The Volterra project fared even worse, achieving only 600 points.
Chapter 2: Evaluating the M1 Mac Mini for Developers
The first video titled "Windows on Arm - Does Project Volterra Solve the Performance Problem?" delves into the performance challenges faced by Windows on ARM devices, offering insights relevant to this comparison.
This lack of performance luck prompted me to switch to Google Chrome on macOS for another test. Surprisingly, even Chrome couldn't push the base M1 beyond 800 points. This raises the question: is it truly a Windows issue, or does the Chrome kernel simply lack optimization for ARM?
As a developer seeking an effective development device, I would suggest steering clear of the Volterra project. Instead, consider spending an additional $100 to acquire a basic Mac Mini. This choice would provide you with superior service, allowing you access to both macOS and the capability to run Windows on ARM. Stay tuned for more insights on how Volterra performs with Python in future updates.
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The second video titled "Volterra vs M1 Mac Mini | Visual Studio" compares the two devices in a practical development environment, shedding light on their respective strengths and weaknesses.