---
title: Apple silicon - Concepts
description: This page explains all the concepts related to Apple silicon
tags: apple-silicon apple-m1 m1 availability-zone mac-mini-m1 mac-mini vnc
---
import RegionAndAz from '@macros/console/region-and-az.mdx'


## Apple silicon

Apple silicon is Apple's own design of processor. It is the basis of Mac computers, as well as many other Apple products.

## Apple silicon as-a-service

Scaleway Apple silicon as-a-Service uses [Apple Mac mini](#mac-mini) hardware. These devices rely on the power of Apple's [silicon](#apple-silicon) technology, ensuring exceptional performance and energy efficiency.

Apple silicon as-a-Service is tailored for developing, building, testing, and signing applications for Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads, Mac computers, and more. The Mac mini boasts a sophisticated neural engine that significantly enhances machine learning capabilities.

## Asahi Linux
Asahi Linux is a Linux distribution designed for Apple silicon Mac minis. It enables running a native Linux kernel on the ARM64 architecture, with low-level hardware support for Mac components. The M2 Pro Mac minis configured for Asahi Linux are dedicated to running this operating system and are accessible remotely via SSH.
The integrated GPU provides accelerated support for graphical environments and 3D applications, thanks to actively developed open-source drivers. However, there is currently no open-source driver available for AI hardware acceleration (NPU). Asahi Linux brings full [Fedora Linux](https://www.fedoraproject.org/) experience to Mac hardware.

<Message type="note">
  Asahi Linux is currently in experimental status and we cannot guarantee seamless user experience using this distribution on a Mac mini.
</Message>

## Commitment plan

The commitment plan for Apple silicon is a flexible pricing option that allows customers to choose between fully flexible pay-as-you-go pricing or a long-term monthly commitment period for their Apple silicon servers.

By committing to a plan, you can enjoy better rates than pay-as-you-go pricing. The initial commitment is for one month from the server order. At the end of your initial commitment period, the commitment is automatically renewed every month on the anniversary date unless you choose to delete the machine, in which case the deletion will take effect on the anniversary date of the commitment.

It is important to note that the commitment applies only to the server. Options, such as the VPC option, remain without commitment but benefit from lower prices when used with a committed server. [Learn how to manage a commitment plan.](/apple-silicon/how-to/manage-commitment-plan/)

<Message type="important">
  Currently, it is not possible to switch from a monthly commitment to hourly billing.
</Message>

## Dev OS

Dev OS is a developer-optimized operating system based on a recent version of macOS. It is pre-configured with a set of development tools, runtimes, and dependencies, aligned with the software stack used in [GitHub Actions runner images](https://github.com/actions/runner-images/blob/main/images/macos/macos-15-Readme.md).

The purpose of Dev OS is to streamline onboarding, improve development efficiency, and reduce environment-related discrepancies by providing a uniform, production-like setup for all developers.

## Mac mini

The Mac mini is a physical hardware designed by Apple, powered by the [Apple silicon](#apple-silicon) chip. It is the basis for Scaleway's [Apple silicon as-a-service](#apple-silicon-as-a-service) offer.

## Private Networks

Private Networks allow your Mac mini to communicate in an isolated and secure network with other Scaleway resources. This is an optional-billed feature for Mac mini. Find out [how to attach your Mac mini to a Private Network](/apple-silicon/how-to/use-private-networks/).

## Region and Availability Zone

<RegionAndAz />

## VNC

Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is a remote desktop-sharing protocol. It allows you to visualize the graphical screen output of a remote computer and transfer local keyboard and mouse events to the remote computer using a network connection. The protocol is platform-independent, which means that various clients exist for Linux, Windows, and macOS-based computers. The VNC server used on the Mac mini is directly integrated with the macOS system without any restrictions from our side. Check out our documentation on [how to connect to your Mac mini via VNC](/apple-silicon/how-to/access-remote-desktop-mac-mini/#accessing-the-remote-desktop).