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Mac OS 9
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<h2 id="features">Features</h2> <p>Apple billed Mac OS 9 as including "50 new features" and heavily marketed its <a href="/facts/Sherlock_(software)/0jPuBdbu">Sherlock 2</a> software, which introduced a "channels" feature for searching different online resources and introduced a <a href="/facts/QuickTime/rA3GQp2j">QuickTime</a>-like <a href="/facts/Brushed_metal_(interface)/kS6EqPd3">metallic</a> appearance. Mac OS 9 also featured integrated support for Apple's suite of Internet services known as iTools (later re-branded as .Mac, then <a href="/facts/MobileMe/esHrHHIS">MobileMe</a>, which was replaced by <a href="/facts/ICloud/AUcIyg4L">iCloud</a>) and included improved <a href="/facts/TCP%2fIP/KNkxtSpw">TCP/IP</a> functionality with <a href="/facts/Open_Transport/PvhNGVsV">Open Transport</a> 2.5. </p><p>Other features new to Mac OS 9 include:<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> </p> <ul><li>Integrated support for multiple user accounts without using <a href="/facts/At_Ease/zahM0Wg8">At Ease</a>.</li> <li>Support for voice login through VoicePrint passwords.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Keychain_(software)/XP17PLGM">Keychain</a>, a feature allowing users to save passwords and textual data encrypted in protected keychains.</li> <li>A Software Update control panel for automatic download and installation of Apple system software updates.</li> <li>A redesigned Sound control panel and support for <a href="/facts/USB/XcIKWLyg">USB</a> audio.</li> <li>Speakable Items 2.0, also known as <a href="/facts/PlainTalk/91Y9lBI9">PlainTalk</a>, featuring improved speech synthesis and recognition along with AppleScript integration.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a></li> <li>Improved font management through FontSync.</li> <li>Remote Access Personal Server 3.5, including support for TCP/IP clients over <a href="/facts/Point-to-Point_Protocol/XLaU6D71">Point-to-Point Protocol</a> (PPP).</li> <li>An updated version of <a href="/facts/AppleScript/cc3rc4wD">AppleScript</a> with support for TCP/IP.</li> <li>Personal File Sharing over TCP/IP.</li> <li>USB Printer Sharing, a control panel allowing certain USB printers to be shared across a TCP/IP network.</li> <li>128-bit <a href="/facts/Encryption/16q29Fdv">file encryption</a> in the Finder.</li> <li>Support for files larger than 2 <a href="/facts/Gigabyte/s2hb2SEg">GB</a>.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Unix/0pNL2seI">Unix</a> volume support.</li> <li>CD Burning in the <a href="/facts/Finder_(software)/LD3gHLDo">Finder</a> (introduced in Mac OS 9.1).</li> <li>Addition of a "Window" menu to the Finder (introduced in Mac OS 9.1)</li></ul> <h2 id="mac-os-9-and-the-classic-environment">Mac OS 9 and the Classic Environment</h2> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Classic_Environment/7uDAhFUz">Classic Environment</a></p> <p><a href="/facts/PowerPC/DqmM9y50">PowerPC</a> versions of <a href="/facts/MacOS/Y93vVpTm">Mac OS X</a> prior to <a href="/facts/Mac_OS_X_Leopard/UmXw4H5x">10.5 Leopard</a> include a compatibility layer called <a href="/facts/Classic_Environment/7uDAhFUz">Classic</a>, enabling users to run applications and hardware requiring Mac OS 9 from within OS X. This is achieved through running Mac OS 9 without access to its Finder inside OS X. This requires Mac OS 9 to be installed on the machine, even though most Macs that can run the Classic environment are not necessarily able to boot into Mac OS 9 natively. Some Mac OS 9 applications do not run well in Classic; they demonstrate screen redraw problems and lagging performance. In addition, some drivers and other software which directly interact with the hardware fail to work properly. </p><p>In May 2002, at Apple's <a href="/facts/Worldwide_Developers_Conference/hEjVWkoo">Worldwide Developers Conference</a> in <a href="/facts/San_Jose%2c_California/PCaTmTDq">San Jose, California</a>, <a href="/facts/Steve_Jobs/fQpja1hx">Steve Jobs</a>, accompanied by a <a href="/facts/Coffin/17LIeuK5">coffin</a>, held a mock <a href="/facts/Funeral/IW4X3mcx">funeral</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> to announce that Apple had stopped the development of Mac OS 9. The final version of Mac OS 9 and the "classic" Mac OS was Mac OS 9.2.2, released in December 2001. </p><p>In June 2005, Jobs announced that the Macintosh platform would be transitioning to <a href="/facts/Intel_x86/Kypq5fgu">Intel x86</a> microprocessors. Developer documentation of the <a href="/facts/Rosetta_(software)/9snj5mV4">Rosetta</a> PowerPC emulation layer revealed that applications written for Mac OS 8 or 9 would not run on x86-based Macs. The Classic Environment remains in the PowerPC version of <a href="/facts/Mac_OS_X_Tiger/q6vKCpvq">10.4 Tiger</a>; however, x86 versions of OS X and the PowerPC version of <a href="/facts/Mac_OS_X_Leopard/UmXw4H5x">10.5 Leopard</a> do not support the Classic environment. </p><p>Mac OS 9 can be emulated by using <a href="/facts/SheepShaver/RWD25yYE">SheepShaver</a>, a PowerPC emulator available on multiple operating systems. It can be run on any machine with a supported CPU platform, including <a href="/facts/Intel-based_Mac/1GpN0gWz">Intel-based Macs</a>. Initially, it required an actual PowerPC processor present in the machine it was running on similar to a <a href="/facts/Hypervisor/3gX9fKlH">hypervisor</a>, but support for x86 platforms was added at a later date. SheepShaver cannot run Mac OS versions newer than 9.0.4, however, as it does not have support for a <a href="/facts/Memory_management_unit/tJQtAQzI">memory management unit</a>. The <a href="/facts/PearPC/hamVVpaX">PearPC</a> PowerPC emulator does not support Mac OS 9.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> <a href="/facts/QEMU/s6utqULJ">QEMU</a> has experimental support for running Mac OS 9 using PowerPC G4 emulation.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="mac-os-9-and-other-mac-computers">Mac OS 9 and other Mac computers</h2> <p>Beginning in January 2002, Mac OS X has been set as the default operating system for all Macs produced from that point forward beginning with <a href="/facts/Mac_OS_X_10.1/vfcIENRm">10.1.2</a>, displacing Mac OS 9.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> Despite this, Mac OS 9 continued to be preinstalled on some Macs (especially for Macs equipped with a PowerPC G4 processor) even as late as 2004, despite having its development stopped in late 2001. These Macs, despite coming with Mac OS X by default, also had Mac OS 9 preinstalled alongside the former to allow one to boot into Mac OS 9 natively if the user chooses to do so,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> and allows the ability to run Classic Mac OS applications natively without resorting to the <a href="/facts/Classic_environment/7uDAhFUz">Classic environment</a> in Mac OS X. This is especially important for applications that can directly access the computer's hardware, as well as for some applications that may have issues when running on the Classic environment. Most G4 Macs made prior to 2003 had both operating systems preinstalled alongside each other in a <a href="/facts/Dual-boot/wsghHIbl">dual-boot</a> configuration (with Mac OS X being selected as the default option), where they can be accessed via a boot menu accessible upon startup. </p><p>Some Macs that were released with higher CPU clock speeds (i.e. 1 GHz or higher) are also capable of running Mac OS 9. This includes the 867 MHz—1.25 GHz "Mirrored Drive Doors" <a href="/facts/Power_Mac_G4/VdKDJM1D">Power Mac G4</a> and the 867 MHz—1 GHz "Antimony" titanium <a href="/facts/PowerBook_G4/WgRI74X7">PowerBook G4</a> ("TiBook"), which were released in August 2002 and November 2002 respectively. The "Antimony" titanium PowerBook G4 in particular was the last PowerBook model that came with Mac OS 9 preinstalled alongside Mac OS X, as later models only came with Mac OS X. Despite having G4 processors with faster clock speeds of up to 1.25 GHz and 1 GHz respectively on some models (with some Power Mac G4 models even having dual G4 processors as well), they were able to run Mac OS 9 without any issues. </p><p>The majority of Macs released in 2003 onwards only came preinstalled with Mac OS X and are incapable of booting into Mac OS 9. Most G4 Macs released during this period that have a 1 GHz or higher processor never had their "Mac OS ROM" boot files updated to allow those Macs to officially boot into Mac OS 9 natively outside of the Classic environment. Macs equipped with a PowerPC G5 processor are unable to boot into Mac OS 9 natively because support for PowerPC G5 processors is absent on Mac OS 9 (Mac OS 9 only supports G3 and G4 processors as of Mac OS 9.2.2). The only options for running Mac OS 9 (and therefore Classic Mac OS applications) on G5 Macs is the Classic environment in Mac OS X as well as other emulation software such as SheepShaver. </p><p>The last Macs released that had Mac OS 9 preinstalled was a rerelease of the 2002 "Mirrored Drive Doors" Power Mac G4 in June 2003, which was launched around the same time as the <a href="/facts/Power_Mac_G5/DfREoJlg">Power Mac G5</a> due to a perceived demand for Mac OS 9 machines. This model ended up as being one of the last Mac models overall to officially boot into Mac OS 9, making the Power Mac G4 series the last Macintosh computer to come preinstalled with Mac OS 9 after the introduction of Mac OS X. Production of this model (as well as the original version of the Power Mac G5 from 2003) was discontinued in June 2004, a year after its rerelease, which was three years after Mac OS 9 stopped development in late 2001 and two years after Mac OS X displaced Mac OS 9 as the default operating system in early 2002. </p><p>In recent years, unofficial patches have been made for Mac OS 9 and the "Mac OS ROM" to allow unsupported G4 Macs to boot into Mac OS 9 natively; this practice is not officially supported by Apple.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="other-uses">Other uses</h2> <p class="note">Main articles: <a href="/facts/Classic_Mac_OS/I5fQq44K">Classic Mac OS § PowerPC emulation</a>, and <a href="/facts/List_of_computer_system_emulators/rWeGljej">List of computer system emulators § Apple Macintosh with PowerPC CPU</a></p> <p>Aside from Apple-branded hardware which can be maintained and operated, Mac OS 9 can also be operated in other environments such as <a href="/facts/Microsoft_Windows/bwhAhuSL">Windows</a> and <a href="/facts/Unix/0pNL2seI">Unix</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a> This includes emulation software such as the aforementioned <a href="/facts/SheepShaver/RWD25yYE">SheepShaver</a>. While it does provide PowerPC processor support, especially on Intel-based Macs, it can only run up to Mac OS 9.0.4 because it does not emulate a memory management unit. QEMU is another piece of software that has PowerPC emulation and is able to run all versions of Mac OS 9 up to Mac OS 9.2.2. </p> <h2 id="version-history">Version history</h2> <table><tbody><tr><th>Version</th><th>Release date</th><th>Changes</th><th>Codename</th><th>Computer</th><th>Price</th></tr><tr><td><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20041113095034/https://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn1176.html">9.0</a></td><td>October 23, 1999</td><td><ul><li>Initial release</li></ul></td><td>Sonata</td><td>iMac G3</td><td>US$99</td></tr><tr><td>9.0.2</td><td>February 2000<p>(Shipped with Macs)</p></td><td rowspan="2"><ul><li>Bug fixes</li></ul></td><td rowspan="2">—</td><td>PowerBook (FireWire)</td><td rowspan="2">Only shipped with referred Macs</td></tr><tr><td>9.0.3</td><td>March 2000<p>(Shipped with Macs)</p></td><td>iMac/iMac DV/iMac DV SE</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20041012000629/https://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn1194.html">9.0.4</a></td><td>April 4, 2000</td><td><ul><li>Improved USB and FireWire support</li><li>Other bug fixes</li></ul></td><td>Minuet</td><td>iMac G3 (slot loading)</td><td rowspan="2">Free Update</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20041011070919/https://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn2010.html">9.1</a></td><td>January 9, 2001</td><td><ul><li>Integrated Disc Burning within Finder</li><li>Implementation of Finder 'Window' menu</li><li>Memory management unit required</li><li>Improved stability</li></ul></td><td>Fortissimo</td><td>iBook 14 inch and 12 inch</td></tr><tr><td>9.2</td><td>July 18, 2001<p>(Shipped with Macs)</p></td><td><ul><li>G3 processor as minimum system requirement</li><li>Improved speed</li><li>Improved Classic Environment support</li></ul></td><td>Moonlight</td><td>Power Mac G4 (QuickSilver)</td><td>Only shipped with referred Macs</td></tr><tr><td>9.2.1</td><td>August 21, 2001</td><td><ul><li>Minor bug fixes</li></ul></td><td>Limelight</td><td>iBook (Late 2001), PowerBook G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)</td><td rowspan="2">Free Update</td></tr><tr><td>9.2.2</td><td>December 5, 2001</td><td><ul><li>Bug fixes relating to Classic Environment</li></ul></td><td>LU1</td><td>eMac</td></tr></tbody></table> <p>Updates to Mac OS 9 include 9.0.4, 9.1, 9.2.1, and 9.2.2. Mac OS 9.0.4 was a collection of bug fixes primarily relating to USB and FireWire support. Mac OS 9.1 included integrated CD burning support in the <a href="/facts/Macintosh_Finder/LD3gHLDo">Macintosh Finder</a> and added a new Window menu in the Finder for switching between open windows. Mac OS 9.2 increased performance noticeably and improved Classic Environment support. </p> <h2 id="compatibility">Compatibility</h2> <table><tbody><tr><th>Macintosh Model</th><th>9.0<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a></th><th>9.1<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a></th><th>9.2.1<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a></th><th>9.2.2<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Macintosh_6100/LIr0pwXE">Power Macintosh 6100</a></th><td rowspan="26">Yes</td><td rowspan="3">Yes: Must install from CD</td><td rowspan="25" colspan="2">No</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Macintosh_7100/8RmsbK4T">Power Macintosh 7100</a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Macintosh_8100/8pMJ2LQQ">Power Macintosh 8100</a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/PowerBook_Duo/8RVKWdT2">PowerBook 2300</a></th><td rowspan="3">Yes</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/PowerBook_2400c/edokccYG">PowerBook 2400c</a>[C]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/PowerBook_5300/gkoXTJf3">PowerBook 5300</a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/PowerBook_1400/7TqXkUwy">PowerBook 1400</a>[C]</th><td>Partial: Password Security unsupported</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/PowerBook_3400/HHdhLjc0">PowerBook 3400</a>[C]</th><td>Yes: Hard disk driver must not be updated</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Macintosh_5200_LC/0V7F7yCk">Power Macintosh 5200 LC</a></th><td rowspan="19">Yes</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Macintosh_5300_LC/0V7F7yCk">Power Macintosh 5300 LC</a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Macintosh_5500/gYsA1cLa">Power Macintosh 5500</a>[C]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Macintosh_4400/fCRfVKhz">Power Macintosh 4400</a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Macintosh_6200/LW137MEz">Power Macintosh 6200</a>[C]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Macintosh_6300/LW137MEz">Power Macintosh 6300</a>[C]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Macintosh_6400/BPe0CXdV">Power Macintosh 6400</a>[C]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Macintosh_6500/oWpu0dVM">Power Macintosh 6500</a>[C]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Macintosh_7200/vzAHRS49">Power Macintosh 7200</a>[C]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Macintosh_7300/T2IxAD6B">Power Macintosh 7300</a>[C]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Macintosh_7500/gRo3FoFp">Power Macintosh 7500</a>[C]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Macintosh_8500/IqdezKe8">Power Macintosh 8500</a>[C]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Macintosh_7600/8vM9Jp2h">Power Macintosh 7600</a>[C]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Macintosh_8600/UfqRs5qt">Power Macintosh 8600</a>[C]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Macintosh_9600/1sj0VLFF">Power Macintosh 9600</a>[C]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Twentieth_Anniversary_Macintosh/yrgFjd2U">Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh</a>[C]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/PowerBook_G3/X6S8G71z">PowerBook G3</a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/PowerBook_G3/X6S8G71z">PowerBook G3</a> Series</th><td rowspan="3">Yes</td><td rowspan="4">Yes</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/PowerBook/UnXIR6Jg">PowerBook</a> (FireWire)</th><td>Yes: Machine-specific version only</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/PowerBook_G4/WgRI74X7">PowerBook G4</a>[A]</th><td rowspan="13">No</td><td>Yes: Machine-specific version only</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/PowerBook_G4/WgRI74X7">PowerBook G4</a> (Gigabit Ethernet)[A]</th><td>No</td><td>Yes: Machine-specific version only</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/PowerBook_G4/WgRI74X7">PowerBook G4</a> (DVI)[A]</th><td rowspan="11" colspan="2">No</td><td rowspan="2">Yes: Machine-specific version only</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/PowerBook_G4/WgRI74X7">PowerBook G4</a> (1 GHz/867 MHz)[A]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/PowerBook_G4/WgRI74X7">PowerBook G4</a> (12-inch)[B]</th><td rowspan="9">Partial: <a href="/facts/Classic_Environment/7uDAhFUz">Classic Environment</a> only</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/PowerBook_G4/WgRI74X7">PowerBook G4</a> (17-inch)[B]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/PowerBook_G4/WgRI74X7">PowerBook G4</a> (12-inch DVI)[B]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/PowerBook_G4/WgRI74X7">PowerBook G4</a> (12-inch 1.33 GHz)[B]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/PowerBook_G4/WgRI74X7">PowerBook G4</a> (12-inch 1.5 GHz)[B]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/PowerBook_G4/WgRI74X7">PowerBook G4</a> (15-inch FW 800)[B]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/PowerBook_G4/WgRI74X7">PowerBook G4</a> (15-inch 1.5/1.33 GHz)[B]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/PowerBook_G4/WgRI74X7">PowerBook G4</a> (17-inch 1.33 GHz)[B]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/PowerBook_G4/WgRI74X7">PowerBook G4</a> (17-inch 1.5 GHz)[B]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IBook/fC8Pgapc">iBook</a></th><td>Yes</td><td rowspan="2">Yes</td><td rowspan="4">Yes</td><td rowspan="9">Yes</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IBook/fC8Pgapc">iBook</a> (FireWire)</th><td>Yes: Machine-specific version only</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IBook/fC8Pgapc">iBook</a> (Dual USB)[A]</th><td rowspan="11">No</td><td rowspan="2">Yes: Machine-specific version only</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IBook/fC8Pgapc">iBook</a> (Late 2001)[A]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IBook/fC8Pgapc">iBook</a> (14.1 LCD)[A]</th><td rowspan="9" colspan="1">No</td><td rowspan="9">Partial: <a href="/facts/Classic_Environment/7uDAhFUz">Classic Environment</a> only</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IBook/fC8Pgapc">iBook</a> (16 VRAM)[A]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IBook/fC8Pgapc">iBook</a> (Opaque 16 VRAM)[A]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IBook/fC8Pgapc">iBook</a> (32 VRAM)[A]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IBook/fC8Pgapc">iBook</a> (14.1 LCD 32 VRAM)[A]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IBook/fC8Pgapc">iBook</a> (Early 2003)[A]</th><td>Yes: Machine-specific version only</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IBook/fC8Pgapc">iBook</a> G4[B]</th><td rowspan="3">Partial: <a href="/facts/Classic_Environment/7uDAhFUz">Classic Environment</a> only</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IBook/fC8Pgapc">iBook</a> G4 (14-inch)[B]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IBook/fC8Pgapc">iBook</a> G4 (Early 2004)[B]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Macintosh_G3/3bTpQqMn">Power Macintosh G3</a> All-In-One</th><td rowspan="6" colspan="4">Yes</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Macintosh_G3/3bTpQqMn">Power Macintosh G3</a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Macintosh_G3_(Blue_%2526_White)/3bTpQqMn">Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White)</a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IMac_G3/PtcWF9bT">iMac G3</a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IMac_G3/PtcWF9bT">iMac G3</a> (266 MHz, 333 MHz)</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IMac_G3/PtcWF9bT">iMac G3</a> (Slot Loading)</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IMac_G3/PtcWF9bT">iMac G3</a> (Summer 2000)</th><td>Yes: Machine-specific version only</td><td>Yes</td><td rowspan="3" colspan="2">Yes</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IMac_G3/PtcWF9bT">iMac G3</a> (Early 2001)[A]</th><td rowspan="2">No</td><td rowspan="2">Yes: Machine-specific version only</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IMac_G3/PtcWF9bT">iMac G3</a> (Summer 2001)[A]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IMac_G4/uAvPa7CH">iMac G4</a>[A]</th><td rowspan="13" colspan="3">No</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IMac_G4/uAvPa7CH">iMac G4</a> (February 2003)[B]</th><td rowspan="6">Partial: <a href="/facts/Classic_Environment/7uDAhFUz">Classic Environment</a> only</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IMac_G4/uAvPa7CH">iMac G4</a> (17-inch 1 GHz)[B]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IMac_G4/uAvPa7CH">iMac G4</a> (USB 2.0)[B]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IMac_G5/clx0EPQE">iMac G5</a>[B]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IMac_G5/clx0EPQE">iMac G5</a> (Ambient Light Sensor)[B]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/IMac_G5/clx0EPQE">iMac G5</a> (iSight)[B]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/EMac/3NsSpUyq">eMac</a>[A]</th><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/EMac/3NsSpUyq">eMac</a> (ATI Graphics CD-ROM drive)[A]</th><td rowspan="2">Yes: Machine-specific version only</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/EMac/3NsSpUyq">eMac</a> (ATI Graphics Combo drive)[A]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/EMac/3NsSpUyq">eMac</a> (ATI Graphics SuperDrive)[B]</th><td rowspan="3">Partial: <a href="/facts/Classic_Environment/7uDAhFUz">Classic Environment</a> only</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/EMac/3NsSpUyq">eMac</a> (USB 2.0)[B]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/EMac/3NsSpUyq">eMac</a> (2005)[B]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Mac_G4/VdKDJM1D">Power Mac G4</a> (PCI Graphics)</th><td rowspan="2">Yes</td><td rowspan="4" colspan="3">Yes</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Mac_G4/VdKDJM1D">Power Mac G4</a> (AGP Graphics)</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Mac_G4/VdKDJM1D">Power Mac G4</a> (Gigabit Ethernet)</th><td rowspan="2">Yes: Machine-specific version only</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Mac_G4_Cube/IJpLgeUK">Power Mac G4 Cube</a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Mac_G4/VdKDJM1D">Power Mac G4</a> (Digital Audio)[A]</th><td rowspan="2">No</td><td>Yes: Machine-specific version only</td><td rowspan="2" colspan="2">Yes</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Mac_G4/VdKDJM1D">Power Mac G4</a> (QuickSilver)[A]</th><td>No</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Mac_G4/VdKDJM1D">Power Mac G4</a> (QuickSilver 2002)[A]</th><td rowspan="10" colspan="3">No</td><td rowspan="2">Yes: Machine-specific version only</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Mac_G4/VdKDJM1D">Power Mac G4</a> (Mirrored Drive Doors)[A]</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Mac_G4/VdKDJM1D">Power Mac G4</a> (FW 800)[B]</th><td>Partial: <a href="/facts/Classic_Environment/7uDAhFUz">Classic Environment</a> only</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Mac_G4/VdKDJM1D">Power Mac G4</a> (Mirrored Drive Doors 2003)[A]</th><td>Yes: Machine-specific version only</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Mac_G5/DfREoJlg">Power Mac G5</a></th><td rowspan="6">Partial: <a href="/facts/Classic_Environment/7uDAhFUz">Classic Environment</a> only</td></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Mac_G5/DfREoJlg">Power Mac G5</a> (June 2004)</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Mac_G5/DfREoJlg">Power Mac G5</a> (Late 2004)</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Mac_G5/DfREoJlg">Power Mac G5</a> (Early 2005)</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Power_Mac_G5/DfREoJlg">Power Mac G5</a> (Late 2005)</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Mac_Mini/fVAgG2eN">Mac Mini</a> (G4)[B]</th></tr></tbody></table> <ol><li>1Some newest <a href="/facts/Power_Mac_G3/3bTpQqMn">G3</a> and most <a href="/facts/Power_Mac_G4/VdKDJM1D">G4</a> Macs can only run at least Mac OS 9.1, and some only run at least Mac OS 9.2. This is because the late development of G3 Macs and the mid-development of G4 Macs was during the development of Mac OS 9 and only the versions the G4 Macs support were designed to be compatible with those G4 Macs.</li> <li>1Some newest <a href="/facts/Power_Mac_G4/VdKDJM1D">G4</a> and all <a href="/facts/Power_Mac_G5/DfREoJlg">G5</a> Macs can only run at least Mac OS 9.2, and can only run its compatible versions of Mac OS 9 in <a href="/facts/MacOS/Y93vVpTm">OS X</a>'s <a href="/facts/Classic_Environment/7uDAhFUz">Classic Environment</a> because the "Mac OS ROM" was never updated to allow those Macs, which were developed during the <a href="/facts/MacOS/Y93vVpTm">OS X</a> era, to directly boot it (but probably continued to run in userspace, with the restriction that it would only run at least Mac OS 9.2, so it was still supported in the <a href="/facts/Classic_Environment/7uDAhFUz">Classic Environment</a>).</li> <li>1Although Mac OS 9.2 to 9.2.2 officially requires a G3 processor as a minimum, certain second generation Power Macs can be made to run it using a third party program called "OS9 Helper", which allows for such benefits like support for the latest <a href="/facts/ATI_Technologies/7hPl9Cqx">ATI</a> classic Mac OS drivers, full <a href="/facts/IPod/Uagdn1F6">iPod</a> compatibility, and the ability to run <a href="/facts/DVD_Studio_Pro/a5FfUsh6">DVD Studio Pro</a> 1.5 or 1.2.1 and <a href="/facts/Final_Cut_Pro/I4UrQRnh">Final Cut Pro</a> 3, among other things.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a></li></ol> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/List_of_Apple_operating_systems/mrqrldMc">List of Apple operating systems</a></li></ul> <table><tbody><tr><th>Timeline of Mac operating systems <ul><li>v</li><li>t</li><li>e</li></ul></th></tr><tr><td></td></tr></tbody></table> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090330202327/http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn1176.html">Mac OS 9 - Technical Note TN1176</a> at the <a href="/facts/Wayback_Machine/nmQ3a6JC">Wayback Machine</a> (archived March 30, 2009) from <a href="/facts/Apple_Inc./oTJYta3k">Apple</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20040223032942/http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn1194.html">Mac OS 9.0.4 - Technical Note TN1194</a> at the <a href="/facts/Wayback_Machine/nmQ3a6JC">Wayback Machine</a> (archived February 23, 2004) from <a href="/facts/Apple_Inc./oTJYta3k">Apple</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20040404100228/http://developer.apple.com/technotes/tn/tn2010.html">Mac OS 9.1 - Technical Note TN2010</a> at the <a href="/facts/Wayback_Machine/nmQ3a6JC">Wayback Machine</a> (archived April 4, 2004) from <a href="/facts/Apple_Inc./oTJYta3k">Apple</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080303150734/http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75130">iMac Firmware Update</a> at the <a href="/facts/Wayback_Machine/nmQ3a6JC">Wayback Machine</a> (archived March 3, 2008) from <a href="/facts/Apple_Inc./oTJYta3k">Apple</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"October 23, 1999: Mac OS 9 Released". AppleMatters.com. Archived from the original on 2009-10-28. Retrieved 2009-11-28. <a href="http://www.applematters.com/article/october-23-1999-mac-os-9-released/" target="_blank">http://www.applematters.com/article/october-23-1999-mac-os-9-released/</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"Re: newbie question: What is a Blue Task". Apple.com. Archived from the original on 2007-10-13. Retrieved 2007-03-29. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20071013225430/http://lists.apple.com/archives/Mt-smp/2001/May/msg00007.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20071013225430/http://lists.apple.com/archives/Mt-smp/2001/May/msg00007.html</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"Apple WWDC 2002-The Death Of Mac OS 9". YouTube.com. Archived from the original on 2010-04-18. Retrieved 2010-03-16. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl7xQ8i3fc0" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl7xQ8i3fc0</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"MacHelp What's New in Mac OS 9". Apple.com. Archived from the original on 2007-10-13. Retrieved 2007-03-29. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20071013225329/http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=50100" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20071013225329/http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=50100</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"Mac OS 9: What's New - Speakable Items". Apple.com. Archived from the original on 2007-10-13. Retrieved 2007-03-29. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20071013225335/http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60519" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20071013225335/http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60519</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>"Apple WWDC 2002-The Death Of Mac OS 9". YouTube.com. Archived from the original on 2010-04-18. Retrieved 2010-03-16. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl7xQ8i3fc0" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl7xQ8i3fc0</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>"Frequently Asked Questions". PearPC Developers. Archived from the original on 2006-11-15. Retrieved 2006-11-16. <a href="http://pearpc.sourceforge.net/faq.html" target="_blank">http://pearpc.sourceforge.net/faq.html</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>"Emulate Mac OS 9 With QEMU". James Badger. 2018-11-07. Archived from the original on 2020-11-08. Retrieved 2021-03-08. <a href="https://www.jamesbadger.ca/2018/11/07/emulate-mac-os-9-with-qemu/" target="_blank">https://www.jamesbadger.ca/2018/11/07/emulate-mac-os-9-with-qemu/</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>"Apple Makes Mac OS X the Default Operating System on All Macs" (Press release). Apple Inc. January 7, 2002. Archived from the original on September 19, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2025. <a href="https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2002/01/07Apple-Makes-Mac-OS-X-the-Default-Operating-System-on-All-Macs" target="_blank">https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2002/01/07Apple-Makes-Mac-OS-X-the-Default-Operating-System-on-All-Macs</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>"Apple Makes Mac OS X the Default Operating System on All Macs" (Press release). Apple Inc. January 7, 2002. Archived from the original on September 19, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2025. <a href="https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2002/01/07Apple-Makes-Mac-OS-X-the-Default-Operating-System-on-All-Macs" target="_blank">https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2002/01/07Apple-Makes-Mac-OS-X-the-Default-Operating-System-on-All-Macs</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>"Mac OS 9 booting on: Previously Unspported G4 Models (Summary "Current state")". Archived from the original on 2021-06-11. Retrieved 2021-06-11. <a href="http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php/topic,4366.0.html" target="_blank">http://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php/topic,4366.0.html</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>"E-Maculation wiki". Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2012. <a href="http://www.emaculation.com/doku.php/mac_emulation" target="_blank">http://www.emaculation.com/doku.php/mac_emulation</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>"Mac OS 8 and 9 compatibility with Macintosh computers". Apple Inc. Archived from the original on 2009-03-04. Retrieved 2009-02-28. <a href="http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1835" target="_blank">http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1835</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>"Mac OS 8 and 9 compatibility with Macintosh computers". Apple Inc. Archived from the original on 2009-03-04. Retrieved 2009-02-28. <a href="http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1835" target="_blank">http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1835</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>"Mac OS 8 and 9 compatibility with Macintosh computers". Apple Inc. Archived from the original on 2009-03-04. Retrieved 2009-02-28. <a href="http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1835" target="_blank">http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1835</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>"Mac OS 8 and 9 compatibility with Macintosh computers". Apple Inc. Archived from the original on 2009-03-04. Retrieved 2009-02-28. <a href="http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1835" target="_blank">http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1835</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>"Other World Computing: OS 9 Forever". eshop.macsales.com. Archived from the original on 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2022-01-16. <a href="https://eshop.macsales.com/OSXCenter/OS9Helper/Framework.cfm?topic=32" target="_blank">https://eshop.macsales.com/OSXCenter/OS9Helper/Framework.cfm?topic=32</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>OS 9 Forever Compatibility <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120204045426/http://www.os9forever.com/Compatibility.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20120204045426/http://www.os9forever.com/Compatibility.html</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>