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The OS 8/9 thread
- Thread starter JPNMac
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If it doesn't run on ARM Macs, it'll likely have more to do with Mac OS 11 software limitations, or other artificial restrictions, than just the fact that it's ARM. I have Sheepshaver running on a Raspberry Pi, which is both ARM-based and much more feeble than any of the new Macs are going to be.
Whether it will ultimately work natively or not, presumably it will work for a while anyway, so long as there's x86 emulation. It's a bit odd to think of that possibility - ARM emulating x86 to run a PPC emulator to run software that routinely emulates 68k.
Whether it will ultimately work natively or not, presumably it will work for a while anyway, so long as there's x86 emulation. It's a bit odd to think of that possibility - ARM emulating x86 to run a PPC emulator to run software that routinely emulates 68k.
If I understand you to be saying that ARM can directly run PPC software without an emulator, I'm afraid that's not quite how it'll work.
ARM and PPC might both be RISC architectures, but 'RISC' is just a term for an idea, a processor design philosophy. It doesn't mean that they're closely related or compatible. Motorola's CISC 68k architecture powered the original Macs, and it was very much incompatible with Intel's competing CISC x86 architecture. An ARM Mac, just like Intel Macs now, will require Sheepshaver, Qemu or another similar piece of software to run PPC Mac software.
Now, if what you mean is that ARM Macs have your affection and that it doesn't matter whether they can run vintage OS 9 software or not, that's your decision to make, according to your taste. You're bound to be in good company either way.
ARM and PPC might both be RISC architectures, but 'RISC' is just a term for an idea, a processor design philosophy. It doesn't mean that they're closely related or compatible. Motorola's CISC 68k architecture powered the original Macs, and it was very much incompatible with Intel's competing CISC x86 architecture. An ARM Mac, just like Intel Macs now, will require Sheepshaver, Qemu or another similar piece of software to run PPC Mac software.
Now, if what you mean is that ARM Macs have your affection and that it doesn't matter whether they can run vintage OS 9 software or not, that's your decision to make, according to your taste. You're bound to be in good company either way.
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