Macs with intel processors. Who’d a thunkit? The transition has begun, and all indications are that it will be completed much faster than originally predicted. Last summer’s announcements indicated (or the press conjectured) that consumer Macs (minis and iBooks) would be the first to go through “the change” this summer, with “pro” Macs converting later in the year and on into 2007. With the first Macs with “intel inside” being iMacs and pro notebooks, that timetable has obviously accelerated.

Well all know that with computers it takes two to tango – hardware and software. Now that the intel hardware is here, what about the software to run on it? Here’s an “intel inside a Mac” primer.

Software (including the operating system) that currently runs on Macs with G3, G4, and G5 PowerPC processors will not run on intel Macs, due to differences in how the software interacts with the processor and other components. However, for the last five years Apple has been “dual-tracking” all their software, developing everything for both PowerPC and intel. Therefore, on the intel-based iMacs and MacBook Pros that ship in February, all of Apple’s bundled software (including iLife ’06) will run “natively”. Apple’s Pro applications (like Final Cut and Aperture) will follow in March.

Since last spring, Apple has been encouraging (and providing the tools for) developers to convert their software into what Apple calls “Universal” versions that can run on either processor family. Until the Universal versions arrive, older, unconverted software will run on the new intel Macs via a real-time emulator called “Rosetta”. Emulation always degrades performance somewhat, but MacWorld demonstrations of both Microsoft Office and Photoshop running in Rosetta revealed plenty ‘nuff speed for the everyday user. Microsoft also announced that their Universal version of Office will ship in March, and be supported for another five years. My guess is there’ll be another big shindig in March to introduce even more new intel Macs and software.

Finally, two burning bunny suit questions. What if I just bought a new PowerPC-based Mac? And, can I run Windows XP on a new intel Mac? For the answers, come to the monthly MMOOS user group meeting on Tuesday, January 17th, at 7:00 PM in the Multi-Purpose room, around back on the second floor of Brunswick High School. You’ll be glad you did.

© 2006 Peter F. Zimowski