PowerPC to Intel Transition FAQ
From Applepedia
News releases:
Why the transition?
The two reasons for the transition are the PowerPC processors haven't been able to generate more power without significant increases in heat, and the disagreements and unresolved issues between Apple and PowerPC manufacturers, mainly IBM.
Exactly what processors are Apple moving to?
Currently, Apple is using the Core Solo in the Mac Mini, and the Core Duo in the iMac, MacBook, and MacBook Pro. The Core Duo, as implied by the name, is a dual core chip that's capable of executing instructions from two threads at once, so you can have a responsive computer even while running a demanding program. Both processors are available in a variety of clock speeds, although a jump in clock on either chip isn't as dramatic as moving from a Solo to a Duo.
Will I be able to run OS X on any old PC now?
Quote:
However, Schiller said the company does not plan to let people run Mac OS X on other computer makers' hardware. "We will not allow running Mac OS X on anything other than an Apple Mac," he said.
Apple does not support their operating system on non-Apple hardware. There have been somewhat-successful versions of Mac OS X run on various non-Apple hardware configurations done by hobbyists and enthusiasts. The main problem with these versions is not every component works, or it runs slowly.
Will I be able to run PowerPC applications on an Intel Mac?
Yes, Apple added an emulation layer called Rosetta to OS X Tiger. It acts as a translator between PowerPC and Intel architectures. Although Apple claims there is very little performance loss, expect some slowdown when using an application through Rosetta. As of this writing, major popular applications that must use Rosetta in order to run on Intel Macs include Microsoft Office for Mac and Adobe/Macromedia products.
There are some limitations to Rosetta technology. You cannot compile Intel and PowerPC frameworks, bundles, or plug-ins. Either everything for a particular application is Rosetta and emulated, or it is all run natively on Intel architecture.
Will I be able to run native Intel applications on an PowerPC Mac?
No. See "Will there still be software developed for PowerPC Macs" below.
How quickly will applications be ported?
According to Apple, software developed with Xcode just needs a recompile to run. Carbon apps will require more tweaking than Cocoa apps.
Provided that the application was already in Xcode to begin with, and not CodeWarrior. And that the application is Cocoa; Carbon applications typically have much more porting overhead. And that the application did not have a lot of PowerPC routines, either custom assembly or inimately taking advantage of AltiVec facilities.
Will there still be software developed for PowerPC Macs?
Yes. Through Universal Binaries, one application can run on both Intel and PowerPC Macs. Apple's Product Guide lists many applications that have been made into Universal Binaries, and more applications are being updated every day.
Developer notes on Universal Binaries
Will this make Macs cheaper?
The transition has not driven down prices of Macs - in fact, most of the new models are more expensive than the PowerPC Macs they're replacing. For example, the entry-level Core Solo Mac Mini is $100 more than the entry-level PowerPC Mini.
Will graphics cards get cheaper for the Mac now?
As of this writing, there is simply no clue indicating the status of graphic card prices and compatibility.
What additional benefit comes from the transition?
Because the Intel architecture is the same as the common PC, there are many possibilities for advancement. Most importantly, greater and better compatibilities with Windows-oriented and Linux-oriented hardware and software. Secondly, the possibility to run Windows and its applications in a native state on Apple hardware. Last but not least, possible increase in applications in areas where Macs have lacked, such as games.
What about Windows on Intel Macs?
It is possible. Apple as well as third-party developers are making that a reality.
Apple has released Boot Camp beta software. It allows the user to install Windows on their Intel Mac, and then decide to load Mac OS X or Windows when restarting or powering on their Mac. As it is beta software, it is recommended only for testing and evaluation purposes.
Parallels Workstation allows Windows to work and operate as a application in Mac OS X. It is also beta software.
As of this writing, Microsoft is considering the future of Virtual PC for Mac. Virtual PC for Mac can still be purchased, but it cannot run on Intel Macs.
