Running High Sierra apps on M1 MacBook Pro

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Level 1

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Running High Sierra apps on M1 MacBook Pro

I am about to upgrade to a new (to me) Macbook pro M1 pro as I need to able to run the latest MacOS for my work. However I still use some apps (Garageband 6, QuickTime Pro 7) and applescripts which require High Sierra to work. The QuickTime needs to be connected to a USB webcam. I was resigned to having to work on 2 machines but space is really confined when I'm working (my workspace is usually a bit of wood precariously balanced on the back of some seats in a theatre auditorium somewhere) so it occurred to me that I might be able to connect my new macbook to an elderly mac mini and swop between workspaces. Is this possible? and is this the best solution?

MacBook Pro (M1 Pro, 2021)

Posted on Nov 15, 2025 9:57 PM

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Answer 1

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Servant of Cats

Level 7

33,515 points

Nov 15, 2025 10:45 PM in response to Benormerod

You cannot run 32-bit Intel apps on a M1 MacBook Pro. It is not possible to run any Intel-only version of macOS (like High Sierra} on an Apple Silicon Mac, either dual-boot or in a virtual machine. As for running Intel apps under Rosetta 2 translation, Rosetta only supports 64-bit apps.

Note that GarageBand has a current, 64-bit, Apple-Silicon-native version.

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Answer 2

Nov 15, 2025 10:48 PM in response to Benormerod

Also note that you cannot use a M1 MacBook Pro as a hardware monitor for any other device, including a MacBook Pro mini. You might be able to set up some networked screen sharing arrangement, but I don’t know how well that would work out for what you want to do.

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Answer 3

Benormerod Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 17, 2025 11:04 PM in response to Servant of Cats

That was definitely the idea; to be able to use the Macbook as a monitor/keyboard for the Mac mini whilst using the Macbook itself, and being able to switch from one space to the other. I really don't want to be lugging two laptops around, especially since when travelling abroad that can lead to all sorts of problems at customs.

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Answer 4

Nov 18, 2025 12:45 AM in response to Benormerod

You are going to need a real monitor and keyboard for the Mac mini.

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Answer 5

Benormerod Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 18, 2025 1:36 AM in response to Servant of Cats

Thank you, really helpful.

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