TheSkySearchers

Would like to start collecting beginner astro equipment for my 102 refractor. Was thinking of a 50mm guidescope ,autoguider camera & a astro modified used Cannon T3i

When it comes to the autoguider it would be nice for it to double as a lunar/planetary imager. Was thinking of the ZWOASI120 Mini or the Orion Magnificent mini package which includes the 50mm.finderscope & the starshoot autoguider. The big question is do you know if these autoguiders or any others are compatible with a new Macboook Air with the new M1 chip to run the software? Orion's product says it's compatible with macbooks powered by intel chips.

It's likely to take a decent while before the Apple M1 has any support amongst the Astro Community.

Developers will need to first get the Compliers and Infrastructure Components - which will likely cost a Pretty Penny at first.

Look at how little Astro Software is available for even Intel Macs.

I kind of already knew the answer but was being hopeful. I may just buy a used capable windows laptop with a long battery life.

You can get a used (but very useable) Dell laptop for less than $300 USD. I use the Dell Latitude E6410 with an i5 processor and it does everything I need for an "astro-computer".

Cheers,
JT