Other World Computing: OS X for Legacy Macs

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May 10, 2005
Ryan Rempel
osxguru@macsales.com

Here is some information about compatibility. If you spot any errors or omissions, feel free to let me know!

Common Features

Feature	Comments
ADB	Supported for mice and keyboards. I am not sure how well other ADB devices work.
CD-ROM	Generally supported, but there are difficulties with certain models
CPU	G3 and G4 upgrades work, but you will need software to enable the L2 and/or L3 cache. Note that Umax S900 users have been reporting difficulties with the Sonnet G4/700 and G4/800 CPU upgrades in 10.2 and later. The 603 and 604 processors work with Mac OS X 10.0 through 10.2 (i.e. not 10.3 or later). The 601 processor does not work with Mac OS X.
Ethernet	Generally supported, but see notes on specific models below.
Floppy Drive	Not supported by Mac OS X.
Localtalk (that is, Appletalk over serial ports)	Not supported--unlikely to ever be supported
RAM	Supported :-) But it is worth noting that Mac OS X is pickier about RAM than Mac OS 9, so if you have marginal RAM, it may pass tests in Mac OS 9 and still cause problems in Mac OS X.
SCSI	Supported. However, Mac OS X is very picky about SCSI cables and termination issues.
Serial ports	Supported, but not for serial printers. It is possible that serial printer support could be added to the CUPS system.
Sound-in	Partly supported depending on model -- the mic input on the 7300 - 9600 is working now with version 3.1, but the RCA inputs on the 7600 etc. are not yet working.
Sound-out	Supported. Volume adjustment is working as of version 3.1.

Apple Desktops

Model	Comments
4400	Unsupported. But may be supported in future.
5200, 5260, 6200, 6300, 6320	Unsupported. I have not investigated these models--it might not be impossible.
6100, 7100, 8100	Unsupported, due to Nubus architecture and 601 CPU. Unlikely to be fixed.
5400, 5500, 6300, 6360, 6400, 6500	Unsupported, but in progress. The main problem is that SCSI and Ethernet are not working, which makes installation difficult. Also, will not work with Mac OS X 10.3 or later, because of 603 CPU.
Twentieth-Anniversay (TAM)	Unsupported, but work in progress.
7200	Unsupported, due to the 601 CPU. Unlikely to be fixed.
7300, 9500, 8600, 9600	Supported. See comments on specific features above.
7500	Supported. But requires CPU upgrade (i.e. does not work with original 601 CPU. And video in/out does not work.
7600, 8500	Supported. But video in/out does not work.
9500MP, 9600MP	Supported. But only one processor is active.
Beige G3's	Supported -- mainly for the sake of Panther (supported by Apple pre-Panther).
Early iMacs	Will be supported in XPF 4 (was supported by Apple pre-Tiger).

Apple PowerBooks

Model	Comments
2400, 3400	Semi-supported. Will not work with Mac OS X 10.3, because of 603 CPU. Sleep and battery-monitoring is not supported. PC Card support limited.
Original Powerbook G3	Semi-supported. Sleep and battery-monitoring is not supported. PC Card support limited, but better in Mac OS X 10.2
Wallstreet Powerbooks	Supported -- mainly for the sake of Panther (supported by Apple pre-Panther).
Lombard Powerbooks	Will be supported by XPF 4 (was supported by Apple pre-Tiger).
Early iBooks (no Firewire)	Will be supported by XPF 4 (was supported by Apple pre-Tiger).

Clones

Model	Comments
Daystar Genesis, Millenium	Supported. But only one processor is active.
Starmax 3000, 4000, 5000	Unsupported, but work in progress.
PowerBase	Unsupported. See comments on 6400, above.
PowerCenter, PowerCenter Pro, PowerCurve, PowerTower	Supported. But built-in video does not work, so requires a video card.
PowerWave, PowerTower Pro	Supported. See comments on common features above.
Umax J700, S900	Supported. See comments on common features above. Also note that Umax S900 users have been reporting difficulties with the Sonnet G4/700 and G4/800 CPU upgrades in Mac OS X 10.2 and later.
Umax Apus 2000, 3000, C500, C600	Unsupported. See comments on 6400 above.

Video Cards

Model	Comments
ATI Radeon 7000	It works with Mac OS X 10.1.5 and later. For best results, select the card as the "output-device" in the "Open Firmware" menu of XPostFacto.
Other ATI cards	Also generally work. Depending on the card, and your version of Mac OS X, you may need to apply a firmware update or install a new driver.
ixMicro ix3D UltimateRez	Works, but no acceleration.

SCSI Cards

Model	Comments
Adaptec	[To be filled in].
ATTO	[To be filled in].

ATA Cards

Firewire/USB Cards