Not really true. The first versions of Windows would run on an 8088, but 3.0 and 3.1 required at least a 80286. And, there was a split at version 2.1, with Windows 386 not running on anything less than a 80386. The Windows 386 code evolved into Windows 95/98/Me. Windows NT through version 3.51 ran on DEC Alpha and IBM PowerPC machines. Version 4 dropped PPC. Version 5 ( Windows 2000) dropped everything except 80586 (Pentium) machines and Version 6 (XP) won't run with a good many Pentium class machines.
Apple made a switch in 1994 that the PC world has never done. It moved to a completely different processor and then a year or so later to a completely different architecture. In any meaningful analysis, Apple has been much more supportive of their older hardware than any other software or hardware company. Go try to find information on 18 year old PCs on the IBM or Compaq web sites. Where are their freely downloadable versions of classic OS software? Dell and Gateway didn't even exist in 1984. Apple only has so many resources to throw at compatibility testing. I'm glad they don't squander those on testing the latest software on vintage machines. They would only go broke doing so. More importantly, that's what we have cleverly hacking hobbyists for. They've gotten 8.1 running on 68030s, 8.5 running on 68040s and OS X running on all varieties of PCI PPCs -- and had fun doing so. On Monday, May 6, 2002, at 05:45 AM, Teri Pittman wrote: > I have a quick question and don't want to drag the list too far off > topic. > > It seems that Apple has had at least three instances where they've > developed a new operating system that simply won't work on their older > hardware. 7.1 seems to be the first, followed by PPC only (8.2?), > followed > by OS X. That's only happened once in the Windoze world that I know of > (Win95). Am I right about this? Is this one of the things that has > affected sales? -- Vintage Macs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> Vintage Macs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/vintagemacs.shtml> The FAQ: <http://macfaq.org/> Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/vintage.macs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
