Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

mediahound · Aug 23, 2006, 09:31 PM

How much longer will software continue to run on a G5? In other words, will there be a day where an app or OS X update would come out that will only run on an Intel based Mac? How soon will that be?

The gist of my question is I have a dual 2.3 G5 right now and I'm wondering how much longer I should anticipate keeping it. Thanks for any input

chabig · Aug 23, 2006, 09:36 PM

I would say you're good for 6-10 years. OS X came out in 2001 (2001?) and classic apps still run on the PowerPC machines. As long as Developer's only have to put a checkmark in a checkbox, they'll keep making universal apps.

Chris

mediahound · Aug 23, 2006, 09:39 PM

That's interesting. But at some point won't Apple make their OS only run on Intel chips?

chefpastry · Aug 23, 2006, 09:53 PM

The latest version of Tiger, 10.4.7, still runs on my old, old Pismo (1999 vintage)... However, I've read that Leopard will not run on G3s. So, I think that the G5s will still be supported for quite a few years.

chabig · Aug 23, 2006, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by mediahound

That's interesting. But at some point won't Apple make their OS only run on Intel chips?

They may, but it'll take years. Remember that Apple uses the same developer tools as everyone else. I'd say that for most of the work they do, they themselves only have to direct Xcode to build a universal system.

Chris

fleaplus · Aug 23, 2006, 10:30 PM

Back when apple made the switch from the 604e to the G3 and beyond, they continued to support the old machines up until OS9.1 or so, which was about 3 years after their last revisions.

OreoCookie · Aug 24, 2006, 01:21 AM

I would estimate at least 5 years. Most of the user base does not have Intel-based Macs and Macs traditionally `last longer' than pcs, so they can't cut off too many users. Your Dual G5 should be fine for as long as it feels fast.

DeathMan · Aug 24, 2006, 02:06 PM

The real question is: how long will Apple's OS support G5 hardware. Applications tend to lose support for hardware because they take advantage of new OS features. Watch for apps that are 'Lepoard only' because they use Core Animation. This is an example of the OS's hardware support causing people to upgrade their computer if they want to use software applications that take advantages of Leopard-only features.

If Leopard loses support for G3, I guess the very last ibook g3 users are out. Those aren't too old, but at the same time they're very outdated in terms of graphics hardware, hardrive size, etc, and are probably better off sticking to older software and operating systems.

Laurence · Aug 24, 2006, 11:05 PM

Actually, before next summer there will be some major apps from a major software vendor that will be Intel only. Since I'm under an NDA I can't name either the company or software, but I know its coming... This will not be software that has ever been made for the Mac before, but rather a native port of some current "PC only" software. It was just so much easier to port to Intel only.

BTW, I don't work for Autodesk (I know some people were hoping for 3DSM or AutoCAD, and those may be coming too, but I haven't heard anything about that)

mduell · Aug 25, 2006, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by Laurence

Actually, before next summer there will be some major apps from a major software vendor that will be Intel only. Since I'm under an NDA I can't name either the company or software, but I know its coming... This will not be software that has ever been made for the Mac before, but rather a native port of some current "PC only" software. It was just so much easier to port to Intel only.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of this. In the engineering field there is a ton of software unavailable for OSX, and most of the Windows ports are cheap hacks rather than real native-like apps, so I could see them doing the same for OSX.

SierraDragon · Aug 25, 2006, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by mediahound

How much longer will software continue to run on a G5? In other words, will there be a day where an app or OS X update would come out that will only run on an Intel based Mac? How soon will that be?

The gist of my question is I have a dual 2.3 G5 right now and I'm wondering how much longer I should anticipate keeping it...

The answer is totally dependent on what you run and how hard. E.g. if you are a pro running Photoshop and using Aperture for DSLR capture management 5 hours a day a stock DP G5 sucks right now for Aperture (an enterprise-critical app for pro photogs that use it).

Photoshop OTOH will be fine for at least another 1-3 years. A highest end box for a graphics pro typically is good for 2-4 years before it no longer becomes cost effective to use.

It really does depend on who you are and what you do. If all one does is surf the net and run Office type apps expect 6 years. If you run heavy and/or pro and/or modern apps (e.g. Adobe Creative Suite, Aperture, Final Cut Pro, etc.) professionally then expect the box to be obsolete 2008 at the latest.

New apps and evolved older apps will come out that will demand the power, graphics and RAM that pro MacIntels plus Leopard offers. Folks who bought boxes limited to 2 or 4 GB of RAM are already compromised, even before we get to Leopard and MacIntel.