I'm curious about the future of using Docker on Apple Silicon Macs once Apple decides to retire Rosetta 2. Specifically, will I still be able to run Linux/amd64 images through Docker Desktop? Just trying to get a sense of what changes might be coming down the line.
3 Answers
Yes, you'll still be able to use them, but expect to see some performance hits compared to ARM versions. I've got Docker running via OrbStack on my M1, and even the amd64-only ElasticSearch image works, though I get some warning messages.
There are a couple of scenarios to consider. First, QEMU should still be around, which means you could run those images, albeit at a slower pace. Docker could easily implement it since other tools like Podman and Colima are already doing it. The second option would be a significant shift if Apple stops supporting Intel MacOS binary execution, but basic VM functionality should still persist.
I'd suggest trying OrbStack—it's way faster on Mac and has a better overall support for various platforms and stacks than traditional Docker. However, keep in mind that it also relies on Rosetta 2 for some operations.
True, but if Rosetta is gone, that could create problems for OrbStack users too.