Compatibility: Performance Improving Features

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

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 12 (Monterey)	Supported
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 10.14 (Mojave)	✅*	❌**	✅***
macOS 10.15 (Catalina)	✅	❌**	✅***
macOS 11 (Big Sur)	✅	✅	✅***
macOS 12 (Monterey)	✅	✅	✅***
macOS 13 (Ventura)	✅	✅	✅***
macOS 14 (Sonoma)	✅	✅	✅***

• I/O boost is supported on macOS 10.14.5 and later.

** Always disable the feature for Intel-based VMs running the respective macOS version.

*** 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.