# What is Apple silicon?

> Apple silicon is the family of Apple designed chips that replaced Intel processors in Macs. Learn how to tell which chip your Mac has and why apps care.

Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/apple-silicon/
Last updated: 2026-11-04

Published 2026-11-04.

Apple silicon is Apple's own line of chips for the Mac. It replaced the Intel processors that Macs used before, starting with models Apple introduced in 2020. Macs from before that change are called Intel Macs.

## How to tell which you have

Apple's instruction is to open About This Mac from the Apple menu. If the list shows a Chip followed by a chip name, the Mac has Apple silicon. If it shows a Processor followed by an Intel processor name, it is Intel based.

## Why it matters

The two kinds of chip run different machine code. An app built for only one of them either runs through a translation layer, see [Rosetta](https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/rosetta/), or does not run at all. An app built for both is a [universal binary](https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/universal-binary/).

## NotchStar and chips

NotchStar is a universal build, so it runs natively on Apple silicon and on Intel Macs. It needs macOS 14 or later, which means very old Intel Macs that cannot run macOS 14 are out of range whichever chip they have. The chip is also one of the fields in the anonymous version info you can choose to share, and nothing is sent unless you opt in. See [Is NotchStar safe](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/is-notchstar-safe/).

## Related

Check your Mac's live load with the [System tool](https://www.notchstar.com/features/system-stats/).

## Keep reading.

- [What is a universal binary on Mac?](https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/universal-binary/): A universal binary is one Mac app file that contains code for both Apple silicon and Intel chips, so it runs natively on either. Learn how to check one.
- [What is Rosetta on a Mac?](https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/rosetta/): Rosetta is Apple's translation layer that lets Intel apps run on Apple silicon Macs. Learn when macOS asks to install it and why a universal app avoids it.
- [Notch apps for Macs without a notch](https://www.notchstar.com/guides/notch-apps-for-macs-without-a-notch/): Do notch apps work on iMac, Mac mini or older MacBooks? Yes, often as a floating pill. Here is what to expect and how NotchStar handles it.
- [CPU, memory, disk, battery and network](https://www.notchstar.com/features/system-stats/): Live CPU, memory, disk, battery and network speed gauges in your Mac notch. Sampling only runs while the tab is open, so it stays light.

## More in Mac basics.

- [What is the MacBook notch?](https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/notch/): The notch is the cutout at the top of some MacBook screens that holds the camera. Here is what it is, which Macs have it and what it does to the menu bar.
- [What is the Mac menu bar?](https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/menu-bar/): The menu bar is the strip along the top of a Mac screen with the Apple menu, app menus and status icons. Learn how it works and how the notch changes it.
- [What is the safe area on a Mac screen?](https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/safe-area/): The safe area is the part of a screen where content is not covered by hardware such as the notch. Developers read it from NSScreen safeAreaInsets in AppKit.
- [What is AirDrop?](https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/airdrop/): AirDrop sends files wirelessly between nearby Apple devices. Learn what it needs, how to use it on a Mac and how a notch file shelf can start a send.
- [What is Universal Clipboard?](https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/universal-clipboard/): Universal Clipboard lets you copy on one Apple device and paste on another nearby one. Learn what it needs and how it differs from clipboard history.
- [What is a universal binary on Mac?](https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/universal-binary/): A universal binary is one Mac app file that contains code for both Apple silicon and Intel chips, so it runs natively on either. Learn how to check one.