Will the PowerPC-based Mac I just bought be supported in the future?

Yes. Apple has pledged to continue supporting PowerPC-based systems "into the future" and likely will continue to do so for four years or so from the date of purchase. At that time, it again would be time to consider a new system if you had not already done so.

Should I wait to buy an Intel-based Mac?

On June 20, 2005, EveryMac.com published:

It depends on your needs. It is well known in the computer industry that six months from now there will be something faster and more capable than what is currently available.

If your existing system meets your current needs, then it likely would be wise to wait for the Intel-based Macs, and at that point, if your existing system no longer meets your needs, then you could consider upgrading. Keep in mind that although most current MacOS X software will run on an Intel-based Mac, it will likely be no faster than it is now [on current PowerPC-based systems], so you will want to calculate the cost of buying new software optimized for Intel-based processors before making the decision to upgrade to a "Macintel" system.

On the other hand, if your current system no longer meets your current needs, then upgrading to a new PowerPC-based system would likely be a wise choice. Upgrading now would be particularly wise if you have mission critical applications that only run using "MacOS 9/Classic", as Apple does not support MacOS 9 on "Macintel" systems even under emulation.

On January 16, 2006, after the introduction of the first Intel-based Macs, EveryMac.com added:

Before upgrading to an Intel-based Mac, you will want to verify the availability of applications optimized for Intel-based processors, evaluate the performance of existing applications, and calculate the potential cost of buying new software.

Upgrading to a new or newer PowerPC-based system likely would be a wise choice if you have mission critical applications that only run using "MacOS 9/Classic", as these applications are not supported on a "Macintel" system. Likewise, if you have critical MacOS X applications that have not yet been optimized for Intel processors, a PowerPC-based Mac would remain a good choice.

If you need a system capable of running both MacOS 9 and MacOS X applications, please visit site-sponsor OHS. Site-sponsor PowerMax also sells a variety of systems compatible with both operating systems.

For more information on individual Intel-based systems, please refer to the specifications and the Q&A for the particular model of interest (links provided on the upper left hand side of the page). You also may wish to read the Windows on Mac Q&A.

Will the "Macintel" systems cost less than today's Macs?

On June 20, 2005, EveryMac.com published:

The "Macintel" systems probably will not cost substantially less than today's PowerPC-based Macs. Apple already is using a large number of industry-standard PC-compatible parts in its systems, and at least one EE Times columnist, Rick Merritt, notes that "Apple typically bought PowerPC chips for less than $65; X86 CPUs are likely to cost as much as twice that amount in round figures." On the other hand, a recent report from The Register, referencing In-Stat, notes that Intel's "average cost per die is a mere US$40", so it is possible that Apple may be able to negotiate a similar price for Intel processors.

Nevertheless, it is doubtful that Apple would start making cheap generic-looking "Macintel" boxes to cut costs, so one can expect a similar pricing structure.

On January 10, 2006, Apple released the first Intel-based systems, the iMac "Core Duo" and MacBook Pro, which are sold at the exact same price point as their predecessors, the iMac G5 and PowerBook G4, respectively. On February 28, 2006, Apple released the Mac mini "Core" to replace the PowerPC-based Mac mini systems, and the Intel-based models cost US$100 more than the models they replaced.

Where can I buy a "Macintel" system?

In the US, you can purchase an Intel-based Mac direct from Apple, but doing so often will require you to pay sales tax, which can cost you hundreds of dollars. Those interested in getting the best deal would be better served by purchasing their Mac from an Apple Authorized Reseller that does not charge sales tax, like site-sponsor PowerMax.

Please also refer to the specifications and the Q&A for the particular model of interest (links provided on the upper left hand side of the page) for more information on individual Intel-based Macs.

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