TITLE
    Mac OS 8, 9: Compatibility With Macintosh Computers
Article ID:
Created:
Modified:
25114
2/17/00
11/28/00

TOPIC

    Compatibility table of Macintosh computers and the various versions of Mac OS 8 and Mac OS 9.


DISCUSSION

    Key:
    OK = Works with this version of the Mac OS.
    ! = Does not work with this version of the Mac OS.
    Macintosh
    Mac OS Version
    Model
    8.0
    8.1
    8.5
    8.6
    9.0
    Centris / Quadra 6xx
    OK
    OK
    !
    !
    !
    Quadra 7xx,8xx,9xx
    OK
    OK
    !
    !
    !
    Macintosh LC 475
    OK
    OK
    !
    !
    !
    Macintosh LC 575
    OK
    OK
    !
    !
    !
    Macintosh LC 580
    OK
    OK
    !
    !
    !
    .
    Power Macintosh 6100
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    Power Macintosh 7100
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    Power Macintosh 8100
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    .
    PowerBook 190
    OK
    OK
    !
    !
    !
    PowerBook 520
    OK
    OK
    !
    !
    !
    PowerBook 540
    OK
    OK
    !
    !
    !
    PowerBook 2300
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    PowerBook 5300
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    PowerBook 1400
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    PowerBook 3400
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    .
    Power Macintosh 5200
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    Power Macintosh 5300
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    Power Macintosh 5400
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    Power Macintosh 5500
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    .
    Power Macintosh 4400
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    Power Macintosh 6200
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    Power Macintosh 6300
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    Power Macintosh 6400
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    Power Macintosh 6500
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    .
    Power Macintosh 7200
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    Power Macintosh 7300
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    Power Macintosh 7500
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    Power Macintosh 8500
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    Power Macintosh 9500
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    .
    Power Macintosh 7600
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    Power Macintosh 8600
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    Power Macintosh 9600
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    Twentieth Anniv.Macintosh
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    .
    Power Macintosh G3 AIO
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    Power Macintosh G3 - Platinum
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    Power Macintosh G3 B&W
    !
    !
    OK (3)
    OK
    OK
    .
    iMac (original)
    !
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    iMac (colors)
    !
    !
    OK
    OK
    OK
    iMac Slot loading (1)
    !
    !
    !
    OK (3)
    OK
    iMac (Summer 2000)
    !
    !
    !
    !
    OK (3)
    PowerBook G3
    !
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    PowerBook G3 Series
    !
    OK
    OK
    OK
    OK
    PowerBook (FireWire)
    !
    !
    !
    !
    OK (3)
    iBook (1)
    !
    !
    !
    OK (3)
    OK
    iBook (FireWire)
    !
    !
    !
    !
    OK
    Power Mac G4 (1)
    !
    !
    !
    OK (3)
    OK
    Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
    !
    !
    !
    !
    OK (3)
    Power Mac G4 Cube
    !
    !
    !
    !
    OK (3)

    Notes:
    1. Only computers that came with Mac OS 8.6 are supported with Mac OS 8.6.
    2. Performa equivalent models are also included. This would include all 5xxx, 6xxx (including 6100), 475 and 575 models
    3. These computers are supported with the version of Mac OS they shipped with; retail copies of the same Mac OS version may not work.

    For more information on system software compatibility, refer to the following knowledge base articles:
  • Article 8970: " System 7.1 through Mac OS 7.6: Compatibility With Macintosh Computers "
  • Article 11491: " System Enablers: Current Versions & Change History "
  • Article 30363: " Mac OS 8.1: System Requirements and CPU Compatibility "
  • Article 60200: " Mac OS 8.6: System Requirements "
  • Article 60498: " Mac OS 9: System Requirements "

Document Information
Product Area: Mac OS System Software
Category: General OS
Sub Category: General Topics

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