[OCStingFan]

Hello all. I am long-time Mac user, but cannot upgrade as rapidly as some on this forum and I have an iMac DV 400MHz from 2000, still running OS9.1. I've been following discussions on here for many years and posted a few times under an old ID. Just re-registered so this is my first post, perhaps of many to come.

I have a lot of PageMaker 6.5 files of important documents I've designed and I want to be able to access them and use them on a newer portable machine, since they still go to press. My question is part software but mainly hardware; I guess it's a two-part question. I am excited about getting a new MacBook Pro C2D, but on the other hand I may need to have some legacy functionality. So this is a twist on the threads asking about whether to buy a refurb Rev.A MacBook Pro or the new one that just came out.

- What OSX software could I run and import the PageMaker 6.5 from OS 9 files....this would probably require some reworking of the files and fonts, which I'd like to avoid. Does InDesign do this well?

- What is the last OSX Powerbook/iBook that could run OS9 when needed, without the third-party emulator software products I saw mentioned on here before? Meaning a Mac laptop that allows booting into Classic when needed. Or should I run an OS9 emulator in a MBPro for the best of both worlds?

I am considering spending a lot less money, so long as I can find a machine that is not too old to run recent versions of OSX and play with iMovie, iDVD, iTunes, Photoshop etc. Perhaps I should not bother with maintaining the legacy link and just forge ahead with the MBPro and be in a position to keep the new machine for many years again before upgrading.

Thanks for your input.

[Velocity211]

Well I can answer you one question, the last PowerBook bootable into OS9 is the 1GHz Titanium PowerBook.

[Tuoder]

I would cut ties with the old software, and move to the Intel machines, if at all possible.

Perhaps you should consider the 1Ghz TiBook mentioned above, as the trasition from PPC to Intel should be easier than the OS9 to OSX transition.

Also, for more horsepower on the desktop, the MDD without FW800 will run OS9 and Tiger, and if it is properly outfitted, it will not be a slouch, either.

[pat++]

Well I guess booting into OS 9 is not a requirement, is it? You can just use classic on any PowerBook I believe, including the latest PowerBook G4 1.67ghz... This will allow you to move to Mac OS X smoothly.

On the other hand, if you don't use Page Maker too often, you might want to go with the MBP and a PowerPC emulator like Sheepshaver:

SheepShaver [Web > Gwenole Beauchesne]

I would probably go that route as I don't think it's a good idea to invest money in a PowerPC based Mac today. I would get an Intel Mac, particularely if you are planning to keep the machine for a few years, it's probably a better choice in the long term.

[OCStingFan]

Originally Posted by Tuoder 

Also, for more horsepower on the desktop, the MDD without FW800 will run OS9 and Tiger, and if it is properly outfitted, it will not be a slouch, either.

Thanks Tuoder: What is the MDD? In any case, I'm abandoning the desktop altogether, unless just to have a separate media center.

Patt++: You're right I don't need to boot into OS9. I just need access to the Classic environment, which I didn't realize (but deduce from your post) could be done aside from the "boot-into" approach. So some of the later Macs can open up a Classic window in OSX, huh? Sounds like that brings me up the ladder a few notches in terms of laptop models.

On the other hand, I am taking seriously the advice of all who've said go Intel Mac.

[slugslugslug]

Yes, Any PPC Mac that runs OS X can run OS 9 under Classic.

On the other hand, PageMaker seems like a dead end these days, and if you see yourself continuing to use your PM files, you're probably going to want to figure out how to bring them into newer software. You might benefit by posting in the Applications forums and asking folks what kind of luck they've had moving old PM6.5 files into newer versions of InDesign or Quark.

If you're going to move away from PageMaker in the long run, then an Intel Mac will end up being money well-spent. But you since ditching PM certainly won't be an instantaneous process, it probably wouldn't hurt if you did some research into the ease of use of SheepShaver, including how well it works on any particular Mac model you're considering and with any software that's vital to dealing with your PageMaker docs..

Good luck.

[Tuoder]

Originally Posted by OCStingFan 

Thanks Tuoder: What is the MDD? In any case, I'm abandoning the desktop altogether, unless just to have a separate media center.

Patt++: You're right I don't need to boot into OS9. I just need access to the Classic environment, which I didn't realize (but deduce from your post) could be done aside from the "boot-into" approach. So some of the later Macs can open up a Classic window in OSX, huh? Sounds like that brings me up the ladder a few notches in terms of laptop models.

On the other hand, I am taking seriously the advice of all who've said go Intel Mac.

The MDD is the last Power Mac G4. If you are abandoning the desktop, the MDD is unneccessary. I have heard that the Intel Mini makes a good media center.