Apple's Mac OS Mojave: A Great Update for Most Users, But Not So Much for Those with Nvidia Graphics Cards

Apple's Mac OS Mojave is a great software update for most users. However, it presents a significant challenge for those who have Nvidia graphics cards installed in their Mac Pro or external GPU enclosures. This limitation affects the performance and functionality of these systems, leaving users frustrated and disappointed.

The modular design of the Mac Pro, which was introduced until 2012, allowed users to easily swap out graphics cards to keep their system up-to-date with the latest graphics rendering technology and performance. However, those who opted for Nvidia graphics cards are now stuck with old Mac OS software, which can be infuriating. The fact that external GPUs have become increasingly popular in recent years, providing a boost to performance for tasks such as video rendering and gaming, only adds to the frustration of not having access to the latest drivers and features.

The 2018 Mac Mini is an example of a system with serious performance potential, thanks to its 6-core i7 processor. However, its portable size means that it cannot house a dedicated graphics card, leaving users who need the additional power to resort to external GPUs. Unfortunately, Nvidia drivers are not available for these systems, rendering them essentially useless.

So, why does Apple not provide support for Nvidia graphics cards in Mac OS Mojave? To understand this, we must delve into the history of Apple's relationship with Nvidia.

The first Mac to include an Nvidia graphics processor was released in 2001. However, Apple continued to use chips made by ATI, which was eventually acquired by AMD in 2008. In 2004, the Apple Cinema Display was delayed due to Nvidia's inability to produce the required graphics card. This delay highlights the difficulties that both companies faced in their early partnership.

In 2008, Apple's MacBook Pro shipped with Nvidia graphics chips, revolutionizing the laptop's performance by taking over the functions of the Northbridge and Southbridge controller hubs alongside actual graphics rendering. However, this marked a significant turning point in the relationship between Apple and Nvidia.

Intel filed a lawsuit against Nvidia, making things complicated for both companies. Apple was forced to admit that some 2008 MacBook Pros had faulty Nvidia processors, which led to a class-action lawsuit for Nvidia and resulted in lost profits for Apple due to MacBook Pro repairs.

The iPhone's release in the same year transformed the mobile computing market, meaning that phones now require GPUs. As a result, Apple decided to go with Samsung instead of continuing its partnership with Nvidia. This decision was likely made due to performance per watt issues, which were prevalent at the time.

Fast forward to 2016, when Apple said no to installing Nvidia processors in the 15-inch MacBook Pro. Instead, they opted for AMD, citing performance per watt issues as the reason. Since then, there have been no functional drivers available for modern Nvidia cards on Mac OS Mojave.

In October 2018, Nvidia issued a public statement stating that Apple fully controls the drivers for Mac OS and that they cannot release a driver unless it's approved by Apple. This statement highlights the lack of technical limitations that prevent Mac OS Mojave from working with Nvidia graphics cards.

So, what's behind this decision? For a long time, Apple's professional apps have been optimized for Open CL, which AMD cards run efficiently on. In contrast, Nvidia's proprietary framework has not been as widely adopted by Apple. As a result, Apple wants its apps to run better, and they're willing to prioritize compatibility with AMD chips over Nvidia.

On an Apple support page for installing Mojave on older Mac Pros, it's stated that the operating system requires a graphics card that supports Metal. The list of compatible graphics cards includes legacy and video cards, as well as new options from AMD. This means that users will not be able to install Mojave on systems with Nvidia graphics cards, including those with PCIe slots.

The news is not all bad, however. AMD's Vega 56 and 64 already support Metal, and a new version of the API called Vega 7 is coming soon to Mac OS. While this may provide some hope for users who need more powerful graphics cards, it does little to alleviate the frustration caused by Apple's decision.

To make matters worse, Apple is working on its own GPU technology, which is currently being developed for the iPhone. It's only a matter of time before this technology reaches the Mac, and when it does, Nvidia users may be left behind.

So, what can you do if you need Nvidia graphics cards in your Mac? One option is to downgrade to macOS High Sierra, which still supports older Nvidia drivers. However, this decision comes with its own set of risks and challenges.

In conclusion, Apple's Mac OS Mojave presents a significant challenge for those who have Nvidia graphics cards installed in their Mac Pro or external GPU enclosures. The company's decision to prioritize compatibility with AMD chips over Nvidia has left users frustrated and disappointed. While there may be hope on the horizon with new technology from AMD, it's unclear when or if Apple will change its stance on this issue.

This has been a video by Apple Insider. Make sure to subscribe for more videos like this one, and hit that like button if you enjoy our content.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enApple's Mac OS Mojave is a great software update for most users but not so much for those who are using an Nvidia graphics card in their Mac Pro or inside an external GPU enclosure Mac OS Mojave simply dropped support for new and video graphics drivers except for a couple of chipsets included in still supported Apple laptops which are all outdated anyway the beauty of the modular Mac Pro up until 2012 is that you were able to swap out the graphics cards to keep the Mac Pro up to date with the latest graphics rendering technology and performance but those who opted for NVIDIA cards are stuck with old Mac OS software and this can be infuriating not only that but in the past couple of years external GPUs have been on the rise helping Mac's with otherwise low graphics performance get a boost for things like video rendering and gaming for example the 2018 Mac Mini has serious performance potential with a 6 core i7 processor that outperforms even the best CPU in the 2018 macbook pro however it's portable size means that it can't house a dedicated graphics card so for those who need the graphics performance they have to resort to an e GPU and with Nvidia drivers not seeing support in Mac OS Mohave those who already own Nvidia cards are out of luck now it's just an expensive paperweight so why is there no support for Nvidia drivers what caused this and what can you do about it well tell you what you can do in just a minute but let's go back in time and see how Apple and Nvidia's relationship fell apart the first Mac to include an Nvidia graphics processor was released in 2001 but Apple was still using chips made by ATI the company that was eventually bought out by AMD in 2008 in 2004 the Apple Cinema Display was delayed reportedly because of Nvidia's inability to produce the required graphics card then in 2008 Apple's MacBook Pro shipped with Nvidia graphics chips that revolutionized the MacBook by taking over functions of the Northbridge and Southbridge controller hubs alongside actual graphics rendering because of it intel filed a lawsuit against Nvidia making things a bit complicated for Apple not only that but Apple had to admit that some 2008 MacBook Pros had faulty Nvidia processors which led to a class-action lawsuit for Nvidia and lost profits for Apple due MacBook Pro repairs around the same time the iPhone transformed the mobile computing market and meant phones now needed GPUs and Apple decided to go with Samsung instead at this time Nvidia believe that its own patents also apply to mobile GPUs so they filed patent infringement suits against Qualcomm and Samsung trying to get them and possibly Apple to pay license fees in 2016 Apple said no to putting Nvidia processors in the 15-inch MacBook Pro and instead went with AMD publicly because of performance per watt issues and now in 2019 there aren't any functional drivers for modern Nvidia cards in Mohave at all in October of 2018 Nvidia issued a public statement stating that Apple fully controls drivers for Mac OS and that they can't release a driver unless it's approved by Apple basically there's no giant technical limitation that causes Mac OS Mohave to be incompatible with Nvidia graphics cards so when an apple simply doesn't want to support Nvidia drivers possibly because of relational issues from the past for the longest time Apple's professional apps were optimized for open CL which AMD cards run efficiently and not CUDA their proprietary framework that Nvidia focuses on Apple wants Apple apps to run better it's as simple as that on an Apple support page for installing Mohave on older Mac Pro's Apple states that Mojave requires a graphics card that supports metal within the list of compatible graphics cards you'll see two legacy and video cards and quite a few new options from AMD so from the looks of it until Nvidia and Apple relent and decide to meet the other halfway there won't be an vidya support for EGP use or any mac pro that may or may not have PCIe slots and with AMD's Vega 56 and 64 already supporting metal and Vegas 7 support coming soon to Mac OS it doesn't look like Apple isn't a negotiating mood further complicating matters Apple is working on its own GPU technology it looks like it's already in the iPhone and it's just a matter of time until it makes it to the Mac if you need Nvidia you can always downgrade to high sierra and hope that the two companies come to their senses for the users sake this has been a video with Apple Insider thanks for watching and make sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on more videos like this one if you enjoy this video like it and hit that subscribe button also check out a price guide which makes it extremely easy to find the best deals and Apple products updated daily be sure to follow us on social media and we'll see you in the next videoApple's Mac OS Mojave is a great software update for most users but not so much for those who are using an Nvidia graphics card in their Mac Pro or inside an external GPU enclosure Mac OS Mojave simply dropped support for new and video graphics drivers except for a couple of chipsets included in still supported Apple laptops which are all outdated anyway the beauty of the modular Mac Pro up until 2012 is that you were able to swap out the graphics cards to keep the Mac Pro up to date with the latest graphics rendering technology and performance but those who opted for NVIDIA cards are stuck with old Mac OS software and this can be infuriating not only that but in the past couple of years external GPUs have been on the rise helping Mac's with otherwise low graphics performance get a boost for things like video rendering and gaming for example the 2018 Mac Mini has serious performance potential with a 6 core i7 processor that outperforms even the best CPU in the 2018 macbook pro however it's portable size means that it can't house a dedicated graphics card so for those who need the graphics performance they have to resort to an e GPU and with Nvidia drivers not seeing support in Mac OS Mohave those who already own Nvidia cards are out of luck now it's just an expensive paperweight so why is there no support for Nvidia drivers what caused this and what can you do about it well tell you what you can do in just a minute but let's go back in time and see how Apple and Nvidia's relationship fell apart the first Mac to include an Nvidia graphics processor was released in 2001 but Apple was still using chips made by ATI the company that was eventually bought out by AMD in 2008 in 2004 the Apple Cinema Display was delayed reportedly because of Nvidia's inability to produce the required graphics card then in 2008 Apple's MacBook Pro shipped with Nvidia graphics chips that revolutionized the MacBook by taking over functions of the Northbridge and Southbridge controller hubs alongside actual graphics rendering because of it intel filed a lawsuit against Nvidia making things a bit complicated for Apple not only that but Apple had to admit that some 2008 MacBook Pros had faulty Nvidia processors which led to a class-action lawsuit for Nvidia and lost profits for Apple due MacBook Pro repairs around the same time the iPhone transformed the mobile computing market and meant phones now needed GPUs and Apple decided to go with Samsung instead at this time Nvidia believe that its own patents also apply to mobile GPUs so they filed patent infringement suits against Qualcomm and Samsung trying to get them and possibly Apple to pay license fees in 2016 Apple said no to putting Nvidia processors in the 15-inch MacBook Pro and instead went with AMD publicly because of performance per watt issues and now in 2019 there aren't any functional drivers for modern Nvidia cards in Mohave at all in October of 2018 Nvidia issued a public statement stating that Apple fully controls drivers for Mac OS and that they can't release a driver unless it's approved by Apple basically there's no giant technical limitation that causes Mac OS Mohave to be incompatible with Nvidia graphics cards so when an apple simply doesn't want to support Nvidia drivers possibly because of relational issues from the past for the longest time Apple's professional apps were optimized for open CL which AMD cards run efficiently and not CUDA their proprietary framework that Nvidia focuses on Apple wants Apple apps to run better it's as simple as that on an Apple support page for installing Mohave on older Mac Pro's Apple states that Mojave requires a graphics card that supports metal within the list of compatible graphics cards you'll see two legacy and video cards and quite a few new options from AMD so from the looks of it until Nvidia and Apple relent and decide to meet the other halfway there won't be an vidya support for EGP use or any mac pro that may or may not have PCIe slots and with AMD's Vega 56 and 64 already supporting metal and Vegas 7 support coming soon to Mac OS it doesn't look like Apple isn't a negotiating mood further complicating matters Apple is working on its own GPU technology it looks like it's already in the iPhone and it's just a matter of time until it makes it to the Mac if you need Nvidia you can always downgrade to high sierra and hope that the two companies come to their senses for the users sake this has been a video with Apple Insider thanks for watching and make sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on more videos like this one if you enjoy this video like it and hit that subscribe button also check out a price guide which makes it extremely easy to find the best deals and Apple products updated daily be sure to follow us on social media and we'll see you in the next video\n"