Apple Approves Drivers for AMD and NVIDIA eGPUs on Mac, Enabling AI Workloads Without Workarounds
Key Takeaways
- ▸Apple's official driver approval removes the need for workarounds like disabling System Integrity Protection, enabling native eGPU support for AMD and NVIDIA hardware on Mac
- ▸The drivers are specifically optimized for AI and LLM inference/training workloads rather than gaming, targeting the surge in demand from AI practitioners
- ▸The shortage of high-spec Macs driven by AI agent popularity (such as OpenClaw) has become so acute that Apple discontinued the 512GB Unified Memory option for Mac Studio and raised prices on the 256GB model
Summary
Apple has officially approved drivers that enable AMD and NVIDIA external GPUs (eGPUs) to work natively on Mac computers equipped with Apple silicon, a significant development announced by Tiny Corp. Previously, users attempting to use third-party GPUs on Macs had to disable System Integrity Protection and employ workarounds; the new drivers eliminate this friction and make installation straightforward for AI and machine learning workloads. The approval comes after Tiny Corp first tested eGPUs on Apple Silicon in May 2025, and the company emphasized that the installation process is now so simple that "a Qwen could do it"—a reference to Alibaba's LLM that can then run on the paired hardware. This move addresses growing demand from AI researchers and practitioners who have driven a severe shortage of high-end Macs with large amounts of Unified Memory, pushing delivery times from six days to six weeks.
- Tiny Corp developed the driver independently, positioning it as a critical workaround for those who need high-performance GPU acceleration without purchasing dedicated AI supercomputers
Editorial Opinion
Apple's official blessing of third-party GPU drivers represents a pragmatic shift in the company's hardware strategy, acknowledging the explosive demand for AI compute resources that its own silicon cannot fully satisfy. While the drivers are narrowly tailored to AI workloads rather than gaming, this decision signals Apple's willingness to enable flexibility for a growing professional user base—though some may view it as tacit admission that even premium Apple silicon has limits in the AI era. The approval could ease the current shortage of high-end Macs while opening a new ecosystem of GPU-accelerated possibilities, though gamers and creative professionals hoping for broader eGPU support will remain disappointed.
