Can the oldest Intel Macs run Mac OS X 10.6 well?

[printz]

According to the Mactracker app, all Intel Mac computers can run 10.6 (the ones with 10.7 preinstalled notwithstanding). But can they run it at acceptable performance? I'm asking because I want to make sure if it's okay to make my app require Mac OS X 10.6, or do I have to try to support Leopard too?

 

[cambookpro]

Snow Leopard was essentially a leaner, quicker Leopard, so if anything, it should run faster.

I remember it being very fast in comparison to Leopard on my old Core Duo MacBook Pro.

 

[itickings]

As far as I know - If it runs Leopard with decent performance, Snow Leopard is not slower on the same system.

Tiger might be faster of course...

 

[Bear]

According to the Mactracker app, all Intel Mac computers can run 10.6 (the ones with 10.7 preinstalled notwithstanding). But can they run it at acceptable performance? I'm asking because I want to make sure if it's okay to make my app require Mac OS X 10.6, or do I have to try to support Leopard too?

The question is how long do you want to have to support old versions of OS X for? I would say 10.6 should be the earliest.

And as for Snow Leopard, it was Leopard minus all the PowerPC code with some enhancements and improved performance.

 

[printz]

Now the second question is, can people still obtain Snow Leopard legally?

 

[Bear]

Now the second question is, can people still obtain Snow Leopard legally?

Yes - Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard

It's still available so people can upgrade to that and use the Mac App Store to buy Mountain Lion.