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Leopard on PPC - Does Classic Exist?
- Thread starter Mr. Dee
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The last retail version of MacOS X that shipped with Classic was MacOS X 10.1. Classic is incompatible with Intel processors. However, there is no need to uninstall Classic when you upgrade the OS on your PPC-based Mac to Leopard. In fact, doing so can cause major problems for your workflow.Mr. Dee said:
MisterMe said:
I'm not so sure about that. It was included in the Panther (10.3) DVD I bought for my PowerBook.
We should clear up our terminology here...Mr. Dee said:
Classic: Classic is an application that creates an environment for running Mac OS 8/9 native applications. The Classic application requires a Mac OS 9 (version 9.2.x) System Folder to be located on some mounted (read/write) volume.
Mac OS 9: The software that on older Macs can be used as an operating system and on newer PowerPC Macs is used by Classic to create an application environment for pre-Mac OS X apps.
Okay, that having been said... Apple does not supply Mac OS 9 with the retail version of Mac OS X. It stopped supplying the Mac OS 9 installation disks with the release of Mac OS X v10.2.Mac OS 9: The software that on older Macs can be used as an operating system and on newer PowerPC Macs is used by Classic to create an application environment for pre-Mac OS X apps.
Apple has supplied a copy of the Mac OS 9 System Folder with every PowerPC Mac that they have sold... though in recent years it has not come preinstalled on the hard drives of those systems (it can be found on the accompanying media).
So, will there be Classic included with Mac OS X v10.5 for PowerPC... yes. Will it include the Mac OS 9 System Folder needed for Classic to run... no.
And for those wondering why I'm so sure of this... the Classic software in Mac OS X is basically a freebie for Apple now. Apple has spent zero development effort on Classic since the release of 10.3. So including it with 10.5 (and most likely 10.6 too) for PowerPC requires no additional effort on Apple's part.
Still, it would be nice if Apple put a little effort into Classic. The bug with AdobePS is sort of a pain for some of my clients. And more and more Classic apps are having issues with the larger hard drives of systems these days.
I really doubt that Apple will address any of these as there are work arounds, and like I said, they had pretty much stopped all development on Classic quite some time ago.
On Intels, the new classic for new people will be XP. They will use Boot Camp to use it. They won't even understand or know about old Classic.
I will miss Classic when my last PPC machine dies. I like to dabble with it every once in awhile.
I will miss Classic when my last PPC machine dies. I like to dabble with it every once in awhile.
Bobdude161 said:
Why should Apple continue to support an OS that's more than 5 years old? I'd rather see them do more R&D on new stuff, not trying to maintain Classic. You don't see Microsoft supporting Windows 98, so I see no reason for Classic to still be supported.
Apple doesn't support the OS... providing Classic is for supporting older applications by providing an environment in which they can still run.yg17 said:
They do no R&D on Classic now, and haven't for a few years now. Keeping it requires no effort on Apple's part.
And has no effect on you or anyone else who doesn't need it.
Supporting Windows 98 required constant effort on Microsoft's part... Microsoft had a laundry list of repairs that Windows 98 needed done right up to the day (last month) that they dropped support.
Mac OS 9 hasn't been updated or patched since 9.2.2 was released back in 2001... with no adverse effect on users still using that system.
any word or educated guess on the system requirements of 10.5?
i know this is a little off topic, but i figured it could be interesting for those who still use classic applications, too.
i know this is a little off topic, but i figured it could be interesting for those who still use classic applications, too.
Most if not all of the apps for 9 are available or have equivalents for OS X now, so there isn't much need to continue Classic support.
I have an LC 575 which still has System 8 on it, and i love to go back to the old school sometimes. Amazing how much they have progressed in 13 years...BornAgainMac said:
RacerX said:There is a lot of guessing over in this thread.
ah, didn't see that, thanx for the hint!
Until last week, the PPC was the basis of all of Apple's professional-level computers except the MacBook Pro. Apple has a legal obligation to support its computers for five years. For the next five years and beyond PPC-based Macs will be used because their owners are happy with them. Some owners will stick with PPC-based Macs precisely because they need Classic. Apple loses nothing by not removing Classic support and it keeps important elements of the installed base happy.Macmadant said:
Presumeably, that is an Intel-based Mac. It would not have Classic installed because, as has been explained too many times to count, Classic does not work on Intel-based computers. Even on PPC-based Macs, the Classic preferences pane appears only on computers with Classic installed.
So are you saying that Leopard isn't going to include Boot Camp? If you are saying that because Leopard is universal it won't have items that both platforms can run, then Boot Camp would be just as likely to be dropped as Classic by your logic.Macmadant said:
Question: Why did NEXTSTEP/OPENSTEP include items for Intel based systems that weren't there for NeXT hardware on the same installation CDs?
Answer: Because those items were hardware specific.
The installation media may have both PowerPC and Intel versions on it, but that doesn't mean that the installed OS is Universal... it won't be. The installer will install what your hardware requires (either PowerPC or Intel elements). Bundled apps that are designed to be Universal, will be installed on both systems, and things that are specific (Boot Camp and Classic) will only get installed on the systems that support them.Answer: Because those items were hardware specific.
We aren't talking rocket science here... this isn't the first time the people at Apple have gone down this path (even if this is all new to most Mac users).
Still not quite sure why people who don't need it or don't use it are so adamant about wanting it removed. It is still helpful to some people and doesn't hurt anyone.
It is pretty scary when people want to see something negative happen to people just to see those people suffer. What type of person gets pleasure from that type of thing?