A lot has been cleared up since this thread started. Apple will be using "Rosetta 2" to allow native X86 apps to be executed on the new ARM MacBooks. This will happen when the app is installed and not it real time when the app is executed. Since it all happens in the background it should be seamless to the user. This should offer decent performance on existing applications for years to come. I do still wonder though how these ARM chips will compare to their Intel counterparts in terms of performance.

It is just my opinion, but it is likely the only one that matters. What apple is trying to do is create a laptop that runs all of their native applications well, in addition to running iOS apps. Similar to how Chromebooks are able to run most Android applications. It's a simple as that. You're putting it into the 12 inch MacBook because it's a simple way to introduce or reintroduce the regular macbook without really changing up there are other popular lines of laptops. If it doesn't work they can just pull it out and that's that.

Why is the content of this article is so redundant?

Given my iPad pro struggles to run Minecraft, I wouldn't be betting on the iPad Pro. Seriously can't believe anyone does real.work on one

How many apps will be need to be upgraded or how many apps will be considered incompatible and no longer usable (like the 32 bit apps when going to Catalina)? I like Apple but not to happy about the thought of what MIGHT occur

I would love a new 12 inch Mac.  :p  I would be very surprised if it would need an emulator, Apple as been compiling code to ARM for years now (contrary to Microsoft). If they provide Xcode, that's all i need and peoples will shortly make apps available for it.

Big question is how many applications will be available in ARM format? If we need x86/x64 compatibility layer to run applications, then what's the point?