> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.macstadium.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Orka performance features by hardware and macOS version

> Orka performance features: saved state, GPU passthrough, I/O boost, and network boost. Intel vs. Apple silicon with macOS version requirements.

<Note>
  **Orka 3.6 is the last release to support Intel.** Future Orka releases will not support Intel Mac hosts. MacStadium will continue to support Orka 3.6, including its Intel code paths, through March 2028, maintaining existing Intel functionality without further Intel performance improvements or optimizations. If you still run Intel workloads, we recommend migrating to Apple silicon and completing the transition by December 2027. For details, see the [compatibility matrix](/orka/orka-overview/compatibility-matrix#intel-compatibility-legacy).
</Note>

## Compatibility based on Apple hardware

| Feature | Intel | Apple silicon |
| - | - | - |
| Use saved state (optimizes startup) | ✅ | ❌ |
| GPU passthrough | ✅ | ✅\* |
| I/O boost\* | ✅ | ✅\* |
| Network boost\* | ✅ | ✅\* |

* GPU passthrough, I/O boost, and Network boost are always enabled for Apple silicon-based nodes and VMs. You cannot manually disable or override these settings on the VM config or VM level.

## (Apple silicon-only) Compatibility based on macOS version

| macOS version | Notes |
| - | - |
| macOS 13 (Ventura) | Supported |
| macOS 14 (Sonoma) | Supported |
| macOS 15 (Sequoia) | Supported (since Orka 3.2) |
| macOS 26 (Tahoe) | Supported as guest OS (since Orka 3.5; requires Sequoia 15.5 host) |

GPU passthrough, I/O boost, and Network boost are always enabled for Apple silicon VMs. These settings cannot be disabled or overridden at the VM config or VM level.

## (Intel-only) Compatibility based on macOS version

| macOS version | I/O boost | Network boost | GPU passthrough |
| - | - | - | - |
| macOS 13 (Ventura) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅\* |
| macOS 14 (Sonoma) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅\* |

* By default, GPU passthrough is disabled for VM configurations and VMs. When you enable GPU passthrough for an Intel VM, this automatically disables VNC for the VM. Make sure that you will be able to access the VM by SSH or Apple Screen Sharing before enabling GPU passthrough.


## Related topics

- [Orka compatibility matrix for macOS and hardware](/orka/orka-overview/compatibility-matrix.md)
- [Orka feature parity across Intel and Apple silicon](/orka/compatibility/feature-parity-apple-hardware.md)
- [MacStadium VDI business outcomes and use cases](/remote-desktop-vdi/overview/business-outcomes-use-cases.md)
- [Enable GPU passthrough for Orka VMs on Intel nodes](/orka/orka-configuration/performance-gpu-passthrough.md)
- [Feature Parity: Orka Tools](/orka/compatibility/feature-parity-orka-tools.md)


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