The PowerPC and Intel Macs are totally different architectures, so you are correct, you could only really emulate a PowerPC install on an intel machine, versus virtualize Windows/Mac OS/Linux on a intel machine. There are some PowerPC emulators, but the one I know of for OS X would be PearPC. I have used PearPC a very long time ago, and don't. The PowerMac G4 MDD was Apple’s last Mac capable of dual-booting into both Mac OS 9 and OS X. The last of the G4 towers, this model was originally introduced in 2002, briefly evolved into an OS X-only configuration with FireWire 800 in 2003, then returned to the original design for another year. Quite a few people still have Power Mac G5s kicking around, and quite a few people have iMac G3s around as well. That's our guess of what still has the most ground in the PowerPC World. The PPC Archive team ourselves has a variety of machines, ranging from iMac G3s, Blue and Whites, iBooks, PowerBooks, and G5 systems!
You can't upgrade any PowerMac past Mac OS X 10.5.8. That means Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, 10.7 Lion, and 10.8 Mountain Lion will not work with any PowerMac.
PowerMacs with PowerPC 601 to 604 processors can all be upgraded to Mac OS 9.1, except certain Performa/Powermac 54xx/55xx/63xx/64xx machines which were limited to Mac OS 7.5.5 where X can be any number.
PowerMac G3s with a Beige case could be upgraded to Mac OS X 10.2.8. Some may require a firmware to be installed before upgrading past 10.1.5 to 10.2 or later. A third party XPostFacto software expanded some of these machine's upgrade options.
Mac Os X Snow Leopard Powerbook G4
Imac Powerpc G4
PowerMac G3s with a Blue and White case, and PowerMac G4 PCI could be upgraded to Mac OS X 10.4.11, however, could not boot externally via Firewire, nor USB any version of Mac OS X. An internal drive solution is needed to boot the installer disc of any Mac OS X. Some may require a firmware to be installed before upgrading past 10.1.5 to 10.2 or later.
Powermac G4 with up to dual 800 Mhz processor were limited by Apple to Mac OS X 10.4.11, though third party software known as LeopardAssist could force Mac OS X 10.5 to 10.5.8 to be able to be used on some of those Macs. Note with Mac OS X 10.5, Classic is gone. If your PowerMac supported booting into Mac OS 9, it would continue to be able to do so after upgrading to 10.5 as long as the Mac OS 9 drivers were left installed.
Powermac G4 with 867 Mhz, 1 Ghz and higher, and G5 machines could all be updated to 10.5.8. The PowerMac G5 is not to be confused with the Mac Pro, the user tip on upgrading to Snow Leopard explains how to tell them apart.
This user tip explains additional upgrade options.
PowerPC SoftwareTake a look at what's available. We are sure you'll find something to make your OS X experience better! Just click on the title of the page you would like to visit ;) | Welcome to the PowerPC Archive, we hope you enjoy your stay! |
EssentialsHere is where you find our recommended applications that are used on a day-to-day basis. | UtilitiesNeed some cool tools to do a bit more out of your Mac such as an alarm clock or benchmarks? | ProductivityNeed a Word processor, or get the full rundown on your stocks? Or sync files between computers? | MultimediaSo you want to watch that DVD you have next to you. Not a problem with a PPC! Still great for 720p! | GamingHave some downtime? Make the most of it and spend hours upon hours with these games. |
Apple DownloadsFind updates for OS X. Such as Combo Updates (10.4.11, 10.5.8), QuickTime, iTunes, Java, iLife, iWork, and everything Apple! | Server DownloadsPowerPC Macs can still serve well as servers! File Sharing, Backups and NetBooting, we've found some software for you! | CustomizationWant to make your Mac look like a brand new Intel one with themes, or screensavers? We have a page just for that! | Shareware AppsWe tested shareware apps, however they can't be downloaded here. Don't worry, you can still find some info out on them! |
Mac Os X For Powerpc G4
| OS 9 Software COMING SOONTo support the old classic machines, we will soon have a selection of software that will work with these OS9 Macs. Coming Fall 2016 |
What Macs do you Own? We posted a poll to see what computer has the most votes. While a G5 may be a decent day-to-day computer, the G3's are vintage and still can do some amazing things such as being the jukebox at a party or a kitchen computer, or go to extreme lengths and use them as your daily machine! The list is a bit long, so why not fill the text here! Quite a few people still have Power Mac G5s kicking around, and quite a few people have iMac G3s around as well. That's our guess of what still has the most ground in the PowerPC World. The PPC Archive team ourselves has a variety of machines, ranging from iMac G3s, Blue and Whites, iBooks, PowerBooks, and G5 systems! Some, still have Xserve computers that they use! Crazy thought, a rack server as a main PPC mac, but hey it's still a Mac! All the computers on the list to the right are cool, and each one pushed Apple further and further into the modern world. No other PC was designed like the early 2000 Apple computers. Today, there is a boatload of all in one computers like the current iMac. All the laptops out there are out to beat the 'ultrabook' MacBook Air. Companies such as Dell and HP attempt to steal the design that makes the MacBook Pro what it is. People look at the Mac mini as a excellent home computer or to make a super cool TV Media Center Setup, or even go to the extreme and use one as a server for 30+ iMacs! All of these design terms were the same during the PowerPC era of time! At the end of the day, Apple is still the one to beat! |