OS X Mountain Lion Officially Drops Support for Some Older 64-Bit Macs

[iMikeT]

They can if their device is still capable. My 2006 iMac hasn't run the best since the upgrade to Lion (Tiger, Leopard, and Snow all ran fantastic) and upgrade to the latest iPhoto. Gave my system all sorts of problems, so I understand why they would drop support for it. Someone who purchased a Mac Pro probably invested for the future and would expect a 2007 Mac Pro (unsupported) to be on par with a 2007 iMac (supported).

Definitely a most reasoned argument and I agree.

It's one thing to expect some sort of compatibility so long as the hardware can smoothly handle the software. However, I think that it is unreasonable for anyone to expect their machine to run the latest version of the software regardless of how old the hardware is. This is the reality in the world of technology.

As far as a 2007 Mac Pro goes, I believe that it's due to the 32-bit instruction in the chipset that's responsible for the lack of support and Apple's reluctance to spend the time to rewrite the code for the chipset. Keep in mind that even after the PPC to Intel transition, Apple was still making a big deal with transitioning from 32-bit to 64-bit. And I believe the 2007 iMac chipset took advantage of full 64-bit that the Mac Pro didn't. I'm sure someone here knows more about that than I do.

 

[mono1980]

Not really. Growth of tech has been exponentially exploding over the past five years.

So by that logic, you'd be perfectly happy when at this "exponential" rate, Apple requires you to buy a new computer every year and then every 6 months, etc? There has to be an end to the madness. Also, it's growth in mobile that has been exploding, not in PCs.

 

[apolloa]

You reek of troll, why not just Google what you are looking for?

I did and funnily enough I couldn't find anything, therefore I don't believe it until someone posts proof, and so what you are all stating is that from now on, every two years you will have to pay Apple to receive support from them, yet Apple haven't 'commented' on this yet?

It's hardly trolling, it's asking for proof of something which no one has provided yet.

How can someone just take for granted the word of people on here if they have little proof of what they are claiming?

 

[iMikeT]

Microsoft supports an OS thats going on 10 years +.

Yeah but that's also their problem. Supporting old versions of Windows has made the operating system bloated and constantly requiring new hardware on that side of the fence.

Be realistic, do you think you can run Windows 7 on 10+ year old hardware? And even if you could, would you on a daily basis?

 

[G51989]

I did and funnily enough I couldn't find anything, therefore I don't believe it until someone posts proof, and so what you are all stating is that from now on, every two years you will have to pay Apple to receive support from them, yet Apple haven't 'commented' on this yet?

It's hardly trolling, it's asking for proof of something which no one has provided yet.

How can someone just take for granted the word of people on here if they have little proof of what they are claiming?

Well if you want proof, find a 10.5 machine, and try to get current security updates, patches and bug fixes for it.

Wait.

In a couple of Weeks, try to do the same for 10.6....wait

Try to update the 10 years old Windows XP....hey!

 

[subsonix]

If I was an Apple customer, and I am. And I only used Apple's, I'd be pissed as hell that my **** is getting bricked ( No security Updates = bricked ).

It's not like they are dropping support for 10.7, all of a sudden. "Bricked" is normally used when you're not even able to even start the machine, faulty firmware etc. You're baiting too much.

 

[LordVic]

Guess for Anecdotal evidence:

OSx 10.6 was released in August 2009.

Last major patch released was July 2011. just shortly after Lion was released.

There have been no major revisions for SL since then. I cannot confirm security updates and if it's continued to receive other patching support.

almost 2 years till they stopped providing updates to the OS.

Is Lion going to receive similar treatment? Once ML is released, will we get one last patch to Lion, then nothing else?

Leopard was released in Oct 2007. Last major patch was Aug 2009, just after SL was released. again, saw no major patches. (Cannot confirm security patches continued to be shipped).

what exactly IS apples stance!?

 

[G51989]

Yeah but that's also their problem. Supporting old versions of Windows has made the operating system bloated and constantly requiring new hardware on that side of the fence.

Be realistic, do you think you can run Windows 7 on 10+ year old hardware? And even if you could, would you on a daily basis?

Support old versions of Windows is one of the things that has made Windows such a huge success.

Windows 7 is bloated? Seriously? Windows 8 is even less resource intensive.

Yeah, actually yes you can run Windows 7 on hardware that is not older than 10 years, Windows 8 actually doesn't need much either.

And I gotta Say, Windows 7 is much better than OSX 10.7, what a pile of crap. I wish I could downgrade my iMac to 10.6.

Wait, not supported lolz.

Windows 7 needs the following.



1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor

1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)

16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)

DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver


Expect for the gigs of ram, which I'd bump up to 2 gigs. You should be fine.

1 GHz or faster processor
1 GB RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

Same here, bump it up to 2 gigs of ram and you'll be fine.

By fine, I mean for typical daily computing stuff. You'll be fine.

8 might actually better for older machines, I got the public beta, and it seems to use memory/cpu cycles than 7 does.

 

[divinox]

Nah, my wireless Laser Mouse, via Microsoft. Has 12 buttons, and is pretty crazy accruate. I'd take it over a track pad anyday, and the track wheel is plush with the top of the mouse, and it never gets any dirt in it, because theres no cracks

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They could, very easily. Windows 8 will support computers from 10 years ago, the specs it needs to run are crazy low.

Apple knows they can't support their machines for more than a couple of years, because then they won't sell nearly as many Macs.

This is why Apple is dead in the enterprise and corperate world as far as Desktops/Laptops go.

Would you buy the Windows 7 Machine that will be supported till 2020? ( If XP is any indication ).

Or the Mac that will be useless from a security standpoint in 4 years? Maybe Less?

W7 is officially supported until 2020.

 

[G51989]

It's not like they are dropping support for 10.7, all of a sudden. "Bricked" is normally used when you're not even able to even start the machine, faulty firmware etc. You're baiting too much.

They ARE dropping support for 10.6

I'd hate to have to use 10.7, its garbage.

I'd never use 10.7.....


oh wait, my daily driving computer ( 2011 iMac ) has 10.7!

I hope they fix the mess than is 10.7 with ML, I'll be upgrading instantly.

 

[G4DP]

I haven't experienced this in it's history, so I want proof, can no one supply it to back up there claims? Surely if Apple is going to stop ALL support for 10.7 and earlier once 10.8 or 10.9 come out, it would be documented somewhere?

No one has said they stop ALL support. Pay attention.

 

[G51989]

No one has said they stop ALL support. Pay attention.

Indeed, they won't stop ALL support, but the REALLY important stuff like, patches, bug fixes, compatibility with newer software issues ( which will crop up as time goes on ), and this little thing called SECURITY UPDATES.

Won't be supported, and those are kinda important.

And before I hear " OMFG I HAVE A PPC MAC WITH 10.4 NO VIRUS"S LOLZOLZOLZOLZOLZOL "

No one targets you.

 

[subsonix]

They ARE dropping support for 10.6

Yeah, so with the same kind of time frame for support, the machine from 2008 should get OS updates until 2016, by which time it's an 8 year old computer.

 

[Nanasaki]

Yeah but that's also their problem. Supporting old versions of Windows has made the operating system bloated and constantly requiring new hardware on that side of the fence.

Be realistic, do you think you can run Windows 7 on 10+ year old hardware? And even if you could, would you on a daily basis?

10 years is a bit far, but Windows 7 can definitely run well one 4 or 5 years old machine. I have Windows 7 setup on my 05 AMD Athlon 3200+, 1.5GB DDR, 80GB desktop for streaming video. It runs fine. Windows 8 also would do.

I am not happy that Apple dropped support for my 08 white MacBook. It just 4 and half years old. Not that old.

 

[G4DP]

Indeed, they won't stop ALL support, but the REALLY important stuff like, patches, bug fixes, compatibility with newer software issues ( which will crop up as time goes on ), and this little thing called SECURITY UPDATES.

Won't be supported, and those are kinda important.

And before I hear " OMFG I HAVE A PPC MAC WITH 10.4 NO VIRUS"S LOLZOLZOLZOLZOLZOL "

No one targets you.

I'm with you on this. apolla, needs to either get a clue or stop smelling the glue. If they can't realise that 10.7 will get nothing more than the odd security update then they need help in comprehension.

Sadly the Pro cannot go back from Lion. As i'n not prepared to be screwed by Apple for a 4 year old GPU.

As for the old G4 it's not running 10.4 it's 10.4.8!

 

[Puevlo]

Microsoft make money by making sure as many computers as possible can run the latest version of Windows. Apple make money by making sure as few computers as possible can run the latest version of Mac OS X.

 

[subsonix]

If they can't realise that 10.7 will get nothing more than the odd security update then they need help in comprehension.

There is no reason to believe that they would not support 10.7 as leopard, snow leopard was released at the same time as Windows 7, in that time frame, nothing but the odd security update from Microsoft.

 

[apolloa]

Indeed, they won't stop ALL support, but the REALLY important stuff like, patches, bug fixes, compatibility with newer software issues ( which will crop up as time goes on ), and this little thing called SECURITY UPDATES.

Won't be supported, and those are kinda important.

And before I hear " OMFG I HAVE A PPC MAC WITH 10.4 NO VIRUS"S LOLZOLZOLZOLZOLZOL "

No one targets you.

What WILL we get then? And I want to know what Apple states about this, because personally I don't find it acceptable I HAVE to pay them money every 2 years just to receive updates.

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I'm with you on this. apolla, needs to either get a clue or stop smelling the glue. If they can't realise that 10.7 will get nothing more than the odd security update then they need help in comprehension.

Sadly the Pro cannot go back from Lion. As i'n not prepared to be screwed by Apple for a 4 year old GPU.

As for the old G4 it's not running 10.4 it's 10.4.8!

How about you post some factual evidence to back up your claim? Something on the net other then Wikepedia, a journalists story on the topic, where it clearly states Apple will not offer updates to an OS 2 versions, or now 2 years, old?

If you can't then I find it rather hard to just believe some random person on the internet stating it's common knowledge when it clearly isn't.

 

[Lancer]

what about my Powerbook? that was 64bit, i should be able to run it on that

Isn't my G5 PPC a 64bit Mac?

 

[divinox]

Also: two examples from my own life, just to add to the overall debate.

White Macbook from 2007(?) running Lion = Nightmare.
Xp1700+ from 2002 with W8 running like a charm.

 

[Frixo Cool]

To drop Mountain Lion support for early Mac Pro workstations is WRONG because:

1) It's false marketing as it was said that those Macs are "true 64-bit workstations for years to come" and now the support is dropped because of 32-bit drivers in firmware? That could be upgraded with a cost less expensive than to have lawsuit about "true 64-bit workstation" with angry developers. At least, they should make some trade-in Mac Pro program for the affected pro users!

2) We developers work on those machines and we need Mountain Lion to develop. Also, it's not so much about money, it's about the wrong feeling about the whole situation - now we'll need a new Mac Pros, and they are not available till the next year - as Apple PR said. So, we'll be nowhere, and we are not rich enough to buy "the new old" Mac Pro just for the fun till the real upgrade arrives.

3) It'll be perfectly sensible to drop support for some old machines if they are outdated and slow today, but it's quite the opposite, the Mac Pro 2007 series 8-core 3.0GHz Xeon is still much faster than any modern consumer Mac. Not to mention all the upgrades we've invested in that hardware - as that was the point of the whole concept.

4) Disappointment; Apple was always a Mercedes among computers. Do you think that Mercedes will allow that their older top model that is still among the fastest is left without support? No way! It's about image, it's about the core Apple community that develops for the platform.

5) Embarrassment; it's ironical that the new Microsoft Windows 8 will work on that Mac Pro!

 

[applegatetech]

I think you should be able to use a 32bit kext from Lion to get these older machines upgraded. Apple should just include them in Mountain Lion.

 

[intelliot]

I don't think it's just about not being worth the resources. It's also the fact that Apple wants all users on Mountain Lion to have a superior computing experience. If a user's Mac won't run Mountain Lion, they're more likely to upgrade to a newer Mac. Saying that a given Mac is running Mountain Lion implies that it is a newer, more modern computer -- and makes it easier to guarantee that "all Mountain Lion Macs are at least THIS good."

 

[435713]

It does show that the OS released prior by Apple gets hosed very quickly on updates. I questioned that myself, but after looking at threads around the web people have been in the dark with "Leopard" for quite some time. I think just the Java exploit was given via software update and that was it. Maybe a couple random ones which had nothing to do with stability or security as well.

So yup, it seems Apple is going to nix Lion pretty hard in an attempt to get people to upgrade or buy new macs. If the OS releases are every freaking year now then IMO people have a lawsuit they could take advantage of. If MS got it for the things they get brought up to the DOJ or EU for then Apple point blank should be slapped down and forced to support older OS's.

Tiger really should be getting support on the security side for a little while longer as well. I don't think that OS as seen an update of any kind on a LONG time.

Disturbing behavior, but it happens when a company doesn't get investigated as Apple has somehow avoided. Also Macs are high on the price, they can't seriously expect people to continue to line up and drop 2k (where the meat is) every 2 years.

There's a reason you never got big market Stevie boy. This money train won't last forever either. They will burn people out.

IMO of course. I think its a solid one.

 

[G4DP]

What WILL we get then? And I want to know what Apple states about this, because personally I don't find it acceptable I HAVE to pay them money every 2 years just to receive updates.

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Your an arrogant git aren't you? How about you post some factual evidence to back up your claim? Something on the net other then Wikepedia, a journalists story on the topic, where it clearly states Apple will not offer updates to an OS 2 versions, or now 2 years, old?

If you can't then I find it rather hard to just believe some random person on the internet stating it's common knowledge when it clearly isn't.

Evidence, well i'll take my 11.5 years of using OSX.